Whats pulling your RPod

Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic

   Hey Jens,

I was contemplating the same decision last summer.  I live in Washington state, which is a pretty demanding area to tow. I ended up with an '06 Tacoma Prerunner Crew. Neither the Tacoma or Nissan have changed much since '05. The Tacoma does a fine job towing my RP 175. I have a friend who tows a 25 foot Jayco with his Frontier (WOW!), and is satisfied with how it does. Don't expect great gas mileage with either (10-13 mpg towing and 19-22 in the daily world for my Tacoma).

If you get a new Tacoma, demand that the dealer does the TSB on the rear springs, as the Tacomas are a little lightly sprung. Buying used, I didn't have this option, so I'm grudgingly going back to a WDH, especially  since I've ordered risers for our 175.

You might want to check out TacomaWorld.com. They have lots of info in their forum lists--2nd generation and Towing in particular. There's gotta be a similar site for the Frontiers.  Also Trailer Boat Magazine had an article on towing with all of the mid sized pickups back in '05, and the specs for all of the mid sized trucks remain pretty much the same to this day.

I towed with v/8 pickups for many years, so I'm a little jaded, but I don't see how I could tow our RPod with anything less than the Tacoma or Frontier--at least when I consider what is required from a tow rig around here. 

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
Kickstart Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 Sep 2010 Location: Ocean Shores, W Online Status: Offline Posts: 267	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kickstart Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Whats pulling your RPod Posted: 08 Feb 2011 at 12:51pm
	Hey Jens, I was contemplating the same decision last summer. I live in Washington state, which is a pretty demanding area to tow. I ended up with an '06 Tacoma Prerunner Crew. Neither the Tacoma or Nissan have changed much since '05. The Tacoma does a fine job towing my RP 175. I have a friend who tows a 25 foot Jayco with his Frontier (WOW!), and is satisfied with how it does. Don't expect great gas mileage with either (10-13 mpg towing and 19-22 in the daily world for my Tacoma). If you get a new Tacoma, demand that the dealer does the TSB on the rear springs, as the Tacomas are a little lightly sprung. Buying used, I didn't have this option, so I'm grudgingly going back to a WDH, especially since I've ordered risers for our 175. You might want to check out TacomaWorld.com. They have lots of info in their forum lists--2nd generation and Towing in particular. There's gotta be a similar site for the Frontiers. Also Trailer Boat Magazine had an article on towing with all of the mid sized pickups back in '05, and the specs for all of the mid sized trucks remain pretty much the same to this day. I towed with v/8 pickups for many years, so I'm a little jaded, but I don't see how I could tow our RPod with anything less than the Tacoma or Frontier--at least when I consider what is required from a tow rig around here.

pmjensen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Location: South Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 179	Post Options Post Reply Quote pmjensen Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Feb 2011 at 7:41am
	Nuestro Pod is entertaining the idea it wants a new tow vehicle. Currently, the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SV and the Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab PreRunner V6 are heading the list. The primary question is does the Nissan need or would be better off if it had a transmission cooler? Thanks in advance for any help.
	2011 R-176 Nuestro Pod 2014 Silverado

David and Danette Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1215	Post Options Post Reply Quote David and Danette Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Feb 2011 at 10:00am
	There are few with Jeep Liberty's we have a 2010 Liberty. There was someone with a Wrangler on the other forum RPod Nation. Your engine is different though and your wheel base is different than the Liberty. You may want to try one of the Jeep forum's how others are towing with a Wrangler. Sorry I am not of more help. David
	2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

saxack Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Location: So. Calif. Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote saxack Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Feb 2011 at 9:06pm
	Hi I'm considering pulling a RPod 171 with my 2010 Jeep 4 door Wrangler Unlimited Sport. Are you still pulling yours with your Jeep? I'd like to know how it has been handling? Thanks!

cane2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 06 Dec 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote cane2 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Dec 2010 at 12:03pm
	If you can keep your RPM down to 2500 or below you pick up a little more MPG but you wont be leading the parade.

sanjerga Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Nov 2010 Location: Calhoun,Georgia Online Status: Offline Posts: 19	Post Options Post Reply Quote sanjerga Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Dec 2010 at 11:28am
	Have had our 177 for about four weeks. Towing with a Tundra 5.7. Went to florida towing the pod in the tow/haul option. This kept the tranny from shifting a lot. Stayed in the 62 - 64 MPH range and got around 12 MPG. Did not even know the pod was behind me for the most part until I looked into the rearview mirror. Next trip might try 60 MPH range.
	Happy Trails! Jerry & Sandy and an 8 lb Maltese dog

uphillracer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30 Sep 2010 Location: Mobile AL Online Status: Offline Posts: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote uphillracer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Oct 2010 at 1:47pm
	I was concerned our 2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7L 4X4 wouldn't up to the task after 60,000 miles. I traded my Jaguar S-type for a 2008 Land Rover LR3. BTW, we just booked FDR for a 3-day Thanksgiving getaway. How did you enjoy it? WHat all was there to do there besides Callaway Gardens? Thanks
	Uphill, Di, Tracer & Jorja 2011 171 2008 LR3

tdrace Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Location: Florida Online Status: Offline Posts: 133	Post Options Post Reply Quote tdrace Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Aug 2010 at 7:35pm
	I have a 173 that I tow with a Hyundai Santa Fe v-6. I habe been all ove the mountains in NC and Tennessee. No Problems!! I forget it is back there. Happy Podding
	tdrace's 2018 180 2010 FORD F150 V-8 equalizer e-2 hitch Sisters on the Fly #1569

GoofyNewfie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2010 Location: Newfoundland Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Post Options Post Reply Quote GoofyNewfie Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Aug 2010 at 9:53pm
	hey all.. how about this.. I picked up my R-Pod 172 is May this year, and was towing it was a 2003 Cavalier, 2 door, 2.2Ltr! I installed a Prodogy proportional brake controller, had a transmission cooler installed as well as a sway control bar, and to top it off... a class 1 hitch.. I found it to be pretty good actually.. it certainly slowed down when I got to a hill, but I took my time.. the tow capacity of the Cav was only 1000lbs.... it was the funniest thing you could ever see.. a Cav towing a Pod! Last month I came across a great deal on a 2003 Rendezvous 3.4 V6 with TC of 3500lbs.. I bought it, installed the Prodogy in it and had a a Class III hitch installed, and I installed the wiring harness myself... I couldn't wait to hook on to the Pod... well WHAT A FRIGGIN DIFFERENCE!!! I kept forgetting that I was even towing anything! cant even feel sway, and the brake controller is adjusted perfectly... when applying the brake, the vehicle stops the same as it does when not towing... Sold the Cavalier... but I miss the 'ol girl... Goofie Newfie...
	2010 RP-172 Tow Vehicle - 2003 Rendezvous

TIDALWAVE Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 21 Nov 2009 Location: MINNESOTA Online Status: Offline Posts: 315	Post Options Post Reply Quote TIDALWAVE Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Aug 2010 at 9:52pm
	Going from a 6-cylinder Jeep Liberty with auto-trans to a fairly large V8 Chevy pickup (6 speed auto-trans) gave me about a 4-mpg increase as long as I didn't need to use the 'tow-haul' feature. Both the Jeep and the Chevy (in tow-haul) gave me about 11-12 mpg. I coming to believe that the various weights of the different Pod models makes no real difference on mileage staying on flat stretches of highway. It seems the 'frontal' area controls your mileage. A friend of mine has a new A-liner trailer (which collapses down) which actually weighs more than my Pod and pulls it with an exact clone of my Chevy truck...he gets about 3 mpg more than I do.
	TIDALWAVE