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Whats pulling your RPod

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Ally Cat View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Ally Cat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Whats pulling your RPod
    Posted: 25 Nov 2023 at 7:07am
Use a weight distribution hitch, it does wonders for towability.
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Gail View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Gail Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2023 at 2:43pm
I have an R-pod 195 2020, I did not do enough research when I bought it and discovered that my 2006 GMC Arcida was not the best choice to pull the R-pod 195. I then bought a 2018 Chevy Colardo v6 with factory tow package and have been very pleased with it. We did get a weight distribution hitch with sway bars and break assist installed and it works beautifully.
There is more than just dry weight of your R-pod to consider when choosing a tow vehicle and package to tow with, which I learned the hard and expensive way. You need to calculate the dry weight of the R-Pod and everything that goes into the R-pod ( ie: fresh water, grey water, black water, food, clothes, camp gear and the like) and everyone and everything that you have in the tow vehicle. You can find the manufactures specs for the towing compacity of your tow vehicle on-line
I highly recommend doing the research and the math to have a safe and enjoyable tow vehicle experience on the road with your R-pod.
Good Luck and happy trails with your R-pod or any towing adventures.    
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Nov 2023 at 10:45am
Originally posted by Gail

There is more than just dry weight of your R-pod to consider when choosing a tow vehicle and package to tow with, which I learned the hard and expensive way. You need to calculate the dry weight of the R-Pod and everything that goes into the R-pod ( ie: fresh water, grey water, black water, food, clothes, camp gear and the like) and everyone and everything that you have in the tow vehicle. You can find the manufactures specs for the towing compacity of your tow vehicle on-line
I highly recommend doing the research and the math to have a safe and enjoyable tow vehicle experience on the road with your R-pod.

Yep. It's best to use the GVW of the trailer when calculating the towing requirements. That, and the GVWR of the tow vehicle is usually the limiting factor. Out here in California, we also need to consider altitude, because some of the passes we go over run close to 10,000 feet, and normally aspirated engines have a hard time up there. For example, both our Tacoma and our F150 can pull our Rpod just fine, until you get to one of those mountain passes, then the turbo-charged F150 leaves the Tacoma in the dust.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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BH Podder View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote BH Podder Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2023 at 3:19pm
We have a 2018.5 171 rpod and have towed it since we got it new with our subaru ascent.  We've found it has more than enough power to tow it even in the mountains and it drives well even in cross winds.  In a couple years we would like to get an EV and are hoping battery development (and coverage of charging stations) will be a bit further along by then.  
J.
Jamie Harris & Mary Brehm of Wisconsin
2018.5 Rpod 177, 2019 Subaru Ascent
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BH Podder View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote BH Podder Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2023 at 4:02pm
I mean 177 rpodEmbarrassed
Jamie Harris & Mary Brehm of Wisconsin
2018.5 Rpod 177, 2019 Subaru Ascent
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Flydaddy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Flydaddy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2023 at 5:24pm
Update:
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Recently pulled tan R177, from Mi to FL, then to NM Here’s the skinny on pulling a 2600 lb Rpod with a Pacifica. Bottom line…. on the flat or a low grade (2% or so) it’s just fine; with only an anti sway bar. It will get about 14 mpg at about 65 mph with no wind.

Steep grades are a pain in the neck. It will pull up a 7% grade but I don’t like high rpm’s so I limit it to 3500-4000 RPM, it does prox 45 mph. To slow for me. Not having complete control over the downshifts, like older model Pacificas, exaserbates the issue.

MPG’s - Its hard to average less than 12 or more than 15! I believe the weight is not the major issue but exceeding the Chrysler spec of 40 sq ft of frontal area is. Going from memory, I think the Rpod’s are about 56 sq ft.

Hope this helps others thinking of pulling with a Pacifica.

Frank
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Flydaddy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2023 at 5:33pm

Update:
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Recently pulled tan R177, from Mi to FL, then to NM Here’s the skinny on pulling a 2600 lb Rpod with a Pacifica. Bottom line…. on the flat or a low grade (2% or so) it’s just fine; with only an anti sway bar. It will get about 14 mpg at about 65 mph with no wind.

Steep grades are a pain in the neck. It will pull up a 7% grade but I don’t like high rpm’s so I limit it to 3500-4000 RPM, it does prox 45 mph. To slow for me. Not having complete control over the downshifts, like older model Pacificas, exaserbates the issue.

MPG’s - Its hard to average less than 12 or more than 15! I believe the weight is not the major issue but exceeding the Chrysler spec of 40 sq ft of frontal area is. Going from memory, I think the Rpod’s are about 56 sq ft.

Regards,
Frank
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JR View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote JR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jan 2024 at 4:55pm
Well sounds like you have chosen a really good trip.  We have taken our 179 from Michigan in Februarys down to St Pete (visiting family) and then out to NM around Deming for the 5 years that we have owned our RPod.  We find that it is a good warm up in the spring.  We normally are gone for about 70 nights.  We are currently towing our pod with a Nissan Pathfinder (6 cylinder).  We use a weight distribution hitch and we are happy with the setup. But the low point is, as you have found out is the average MPGs, which I find is about 12 mpg traveling about 60 mph.  We still enjoy the springs in southern NM.  Enjoy camping on your western trips and summers in Michigan.  If you are not made your reservations for the R-Pod rally in Traverse City at Holiday Park On June 13th to the 16th, you may want to consider attending.  Check out the post on the Traverse City Rally by JATO.  Hope to see you there.
Jay

179/2019
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Flydaddy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jan 2024 at 10:50am
Thanks for the info.
Flydaddy
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Post Options Post Options   Quote hogone Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jan 2024 at 3:49pm
f150.   jon
Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2010 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
2009 HD Lowrider
CHEESEHEAD
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