Whats pulling your RPod

Well, we bought a 173 and went on our maiden voyage from Hurst to Wichita Falls, TX this past weekend. We really gave our Chrysler Pacifica (6 Cyl) a big test. It was 108 degrees in WF and so the A/C in the Pod got to work hard all weekend. Couldn't complain about how the trailer traveled behind the Pacifica, never swayed and couldn't tell it was there most of the time. The Pacifica didn't have any power in overdrive, so we used the Auto-stick mode and that worked a lot better. We were really sad with the mileage when we crunched the numbers after we got home. 6.5 Miles per gallon - sad, very, very sad.
Hills were an issue, didn't really feel comfortable with the V6, so we are looking at getting a V8 to pull with. We'd like to go to the mountains with it, but don't feel the Pacifica could handle it. The Pacifica is rated at 3500 lbs and we also had the tranny cooler installed before the trip, just to be safe. Kinda disappointed, but I agree with another post that said it wasn't the weight, it's more the drag due to the height of the Pod..... but still Love being a "Podder"...   

You might be okay with the Liberty 4 cylinder.  However, you should get the tranny cooler added to be on the safe side.  Just turn off your overdrive and watch your temp. gauge.  Plus stay on flat ground, which isn't hard here in Florida.

Terry

    As a second vehicle we have a 2004 jeep liberty 2.4 4 cylinder. I see the nissan frontier with a 4 cylinder is pulling the Rpod. The horsepower is about the same 2 horsepower difference both have a 5 speed manual. The difference is the nissan has a tow rating, I believe of 3,500 lbs. and the libertys tow rating is 2,000 lbs. I have thought could the liberty  tow the Rpod, without damage to the engine or transmission. Would not be leaving Florida, very few hills and they are not big. Does anyone know, or have any thoughts if the liberty 4 cylinder could tow it.              David and Danette

Butter Fly - What MPGs are you getting with the Nissan? Also, does your truck tailgate strike the top of the Pod tongue jack when it is lowered during travel stops?   
I towed a previous FunFinder 189 with my nephew's Toyota Tacoma V6 [4.0 automatic]. The Finder weighed about 1k more than the Pod 171. I got as high as 13.5 mpg towing from Texas to NC, it ran lower when my nephew was driving. The Tacoma towed the larger TT with no problems - plenty of power, interstate speeds, etc. Had I not already owned the Tundra V8, 4x4, longbed, I would have purchased the Tacoma for towing. My Tundra gets a high of 11.something MPGs towing the Pod. I think I could get 14+ with a Tacoma?????

I pulling a 172 with a Nissian 2006 frontier 4 cycler manual trans.  Drove from San Antonio to Junction Texas (which is texas hill country).  I stay about 60  which is about as fast as I wish to go.  I do down shift on steep upgrades and I don't over rev (i think thats the would) the engine I keep it between the 2 and 3 (2.5 mostly).  On the very first trip out I did hit wind, and that kept me at about 45-50. The Next time I hit wind like that I think I'll just pull over.