Want tow vehicle recommendation for 179

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   I'm sure this has been asked and answered often, but I'd appreciate your advice....
My husband and I are trailer newbies who want to take our 8 yo granddaughter on road trips, working up to longer multi-state trips to see the country. We homeschool her, so we're looking forward to visiting historic sites, national parks, etc. during less crowded seasons.

So - before the trailer decision (179? 180? It's so hard to decide! We'll be borrowing or renting before buying) - we need a tow vehicle to replace my aging car. Most of the time, it will be used to transport just the two or three of us, so a Honda Pilot or Ford Flex (two that we've been looking at recently) seems like overkill. And we'd rather not spend that much, either.

We know an F150 or similar would handle the job nicely, but we're not in the market for a pickup. My husband loves his Ranger (12 years and 200,000+ miles!) and would not part with it. 

Is there a smaller vehicle that would safely tow a larger pod? Or is a midsize SUV/crossover better? Would love to hear about your experiences and favorites - I know there are lots of possibilities.

Thanks!
Pam

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WashStateNana Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 26 Aug 2015 Location: SE Washington Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Topic: Want tow vehicle recommendation for 179 Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 7:50pm
	I'm sure this has been asked and answered often, but I'd appreciate your advice.... My husband and I are trailer newbies who want to take our 8 yo granddaughter on road trips, working up to longer multi-state trips to see the country. We homeschool her, so we're looking forward to visiting historic sites, national parks, etc. during less crowded seasons. So - before the trailer decision (179? 180? It's so hard to decide! We'll be borrowing or renting before buying) - we need a tow vehicle to replace my aging car. Most of the time, it will be used to transport just the two or three of us, so a Honda Pilot or Ford Flex (two that we've been looking at recently) seems like overkill. And we'd rather not spend that much, either. We know an F150 or similar would handle the job nicely, but we're not in the market for a pickup. My husband loves his Ranger (12 years and 200,000+ miles!) and would not part with it. Is there a smaller vehicle that would safely tow a larger pod? Or is a midsize SUV/crossover better? Would love to hear about your experiences and favorites - I know there are lots of possibilities. Thanks! Pam

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 8:40pm
	Welcome. Any vehicle rated to tow 3500 pounds can tow either of those models. HOWEVER, you can easily add 1000 pounds to the unloaded vehicle weights shown on the Forest River website, between add-ons, propane, clothes, kitchen stuff, food, and a full load of water. You can just barely get away with it if you don't fill up the fresh water tank and don't overload on your "stuff". But you are also then pushing the limits of your TV (tow vehicle). Since your plan is to travel to the national parks and not just stay local, you really will want a bigger TV. Getting up the mountains in the NE and the Rockies with the horsepower and torque you'll get with a TV rated to tow 3500 pounds will be painful - high RPMs and slow speeds. I was there, pulling with a Sienna for a while.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4508	Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 9:19pm
	Welcome to the group!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

Up the Pitt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Jul 2015 Location: Pitt Meadows BC Online Status: Offline Posts: 22	Posted: 27 Aug 2015 at 12:50am
	We are towing our 2016 RPod 179 with a Nissan Frontier, 6 cyl. pick-up. Our truck is rated to tow up to 6,000 lbs, and we feel it only just comfortably tows the 179 (which supposedly only weighs around 3500 lbs, + gear). My take-away is that the larger RPods like the 179 need a sturdy, capable tow vehicle, especially where you plan to drive distances or in mountainous areas. Good luck with your shopping, for both RPod and tow vehicle!
	Traveling with Len (the fella) and Ted (the cat) 2016 RP 179 - 2010 Nissan Frontier (6-cyl) http://www.upthepitt.com

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 27 Aug 2015 at 8:10am
	Don't buy a wimpy tow vehicle. Just don't do it. Unless, you anticipate not having enough stress during your planned travels. I have a 325 horsepower V8. There are times I wish I had more power.

Tars Tarkas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446	Posted: 27 Aug 2015 at 8:18am
	I agree with the desirability of a larger tow vehicle. Mine is rated at 5000 pounds tow capacity and it strains a bit going up a mountain pass in the Smokies. It does very well the rest of the time, but if you plan on long hauls, especially over any kind of mountainous terrain, I'd highly recommend something more than the minimum rated TV. TT
	2010 176 FJ Cruiser

Camper Bob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Location: Portland Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 913	Posted: 27 Aug 2015 at 10:13am
	We recently traded up from a 2005 Chev. Tahoe with a big V8 and a towing capacity of 6,800 lbs to a Nissan Pathfinder with a V6 and a towing cap. of 5,000 lbs. Only difference is of course pulling long hills. Wish I had the V8 but the 6 is adequate. We have a 171 and I had weighed it with all our stuff, and only about 8 gals. of water. Came in about 2.800 lbs. Personally, I would not buy anything with less than a 5K towing capacity. Others have purchased a T/V with a 3, 500 towing capacity and find they usually want to upgrade to a larger tow vehicle. Certainly with a lower towing capacity, mountains are a challenge. Depends on where you want to go.
	Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder

ronahue Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 316	Posted: 27 Aug 2015 at 2:32pm
	We are towing our 179 with a 2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 pickup and I feel it does an excellent job. As I noted in a previous post this, summer we went from Boston to Rifle, Colorado up to Steamboat Lake State Park, CO, Grand Teton NP and Yellowstone then back to Boston. No sway control or equalizer hitch installed or needed. Could I have used a little more power on I-70 west of Denver sure but that was the only place. I my opinion this truck is a good match for the 179.
	Ron & Sharon 2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated

Mountainrev Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Jul 2014 Location: Eagle, Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 193	Posted: 27 Aug 2015 at 3:47pm
	I would absolutely not call a Honda Pilot or a Ford Flex "overkill." While they both have ample room for three people, I would consider them both just on the edge of being comfortable towing with them. Point of reference: Our '04 Dodge Durango has a 4.7 liter V-8. It did very well towing our former popup. But after a 3,500 mile western road trip this summer, I have come to the realization that it is absolutely underpowered for towing our R-pod. Long uphill grades were painful. The engine was frequently threatening to overheat. I was not comfortable at all towing with it. I assume you live in Washington State (given your screen name), and you state that you plan to visit National Parks. Therefore, it seems safe to say that you'll be towing up some fairly serious grades. My advice is to look for something that has at least 300 h.p. and 300 ft. lbs. torque. If you don't want a pickup, then you will likely end up having to get an SUV that has more interior room than you think you need. However, I have never, ever heard of anyone saying, "I wish we hadn't gotten a tow vehicle with that much power," or, for that matter, "I wish we hadn't gotten a tow vehicle that was so roomy." Some models to consider would include the new Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon, Ford Expedition, or Jeep Grand Cherokee. I'm sure there are many others that could do the job, too, and I'm sure others will chime in with their recommendations. But no matter what anyone says, I truly believe that you don't want to cut it close on the towing capability margin.
	2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills."

ToolmanJohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451	Posted: 27 Aug 2015 at 5:29pm
	Shop for torque when purchasing a tow vehicle and you'll be fine. Over 300 lb/ft is ok. More than 350 is very OK. The real issue is that you want a vehicle that can 1)"do it all", 2) not be a pickup truck, and 3) not be expensive. You get to choose two of those. A used V8 SUV will cost some money but will be fuel thirsty all the time. A diesel SUV will be a Jeep, or German. Both are expensive, the Jeep starts near $40k+. A used diesel SUV will cost a lot to maintain once out of warranty. I think if you can find a SUV with a large powerful gas V6, with a tow rating over 5000+, near 300lb/ft of torque, it will be the best bet. It will always be a compromise somewhere. Drive safe.
	2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI