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Topic ClosedHonda Odessey Towing - Event Date: 06 Mar 2016
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Captiankd View Drop Down
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Posts: 35 		Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: Honda Odessey Towing
    Posted: 25 Mar 2016 at 10:26am
EmbarrassedOk, I am looking at cars on Truecar.  The Dodge Durango looks pretty good but was wondering if I can get by with the 6 cyl. or do I need to go to the V8.

6 cyl. $29.626
295 HP @ 640
260 @ 4000 torque

V8 $39,982
360 Hp @ 5150
390 @ 4250 Torque

If I must go to the V8 then I will go for a used one. A new one would replace my 2015 Honda Odyssey, but not the used one.
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Posts: 46 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2016 at 7:26pm
You'd be fine. More than fine. Plenty of power. It's built on a truck chassis too. It's on the F150 chassis. On the new ones, you can even get the V6 ecoBoost. 
Model YearType/modelPowerTorque
2006–20085.4 Liter (331 cu in) 24-valve SOHC VCT Triton V-8 gasoline300 hp (224 kW)365 lb·ft (495 N·m)
2009–20145.4 Liter (331 cu in) 24-valve SOHC VCT Triton V-8 gasoline/E85 ethanol310 hp (231 kW)365 lb·ft (495 N·m)
2015–present3.5 Liter (213 cu in) 24-valve DOHC Ti-VCT EcoBoost V-6 gasoline365 hp (272 kW)420 lb·ft (569 N·m)

From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Expedition#Third_generation_.282007.E2.80.93present.29
Dave - 2016 Silverado 2500HD LML - 2010 RP172T
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Captiankd View Drop Down
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Posts: 35 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2016 at 7:17pm
What are the thoughts on a Ford Expedition. There are a bunch of used ones for sale at pretty good prices. All are gas engines but have tow pa lagers.
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Posts: 46 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2016 at 6:38pm
[/QUOTE]
 As long as I'm towing a camper, I'll never go back to a gas engine.
[/QUOTE]
popcorn ... here come the gasser rants LOL
Dave - 2016 Silverado 2500HD LML - 2010 RP172T
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Posts: 451 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2016 at 6:28pm
Originally posted by dacolson

+1 
Totally agree. Towed our 172t home from Duluth MN to Minneapolis 6 years ago with an 08 Odyssey and promptly upgraded it to an 07 VW Touareg TDI. Would have it still except I didn't want to spend 10K replacing both turbos. Bought a 13 4Runner. Spent the next 3 years towing in 3rd/4th gear. Gave up and bought a Silverado. It may hurt right now to make the upgrade, but don't suffer for years with the wrong TV like I did. I dreaded each trip. Added stress. These campers are the best mix of light weight, convenience, great features and quality you can get for the money. They are still difficult to tow with the wrong vehicle. 


A Touareg V10 TDI is serious overkill for an R-Pod LOL .LOL..You could tow 3 of them simultaneously with that torque monster. I agree on giving it up if the turbos went south. $$$$.. So much money to keep maintained.

 The Touareg 4.2L TDI V8, only available in Europe, are now ceasing production so I've heard, but it would be a hell of a daily driver/tow vehicle, not that I could afford to buy or maintain one.Ouch

 If the new Jeep GC diesel made a miraculous improvement in reliability and road handling, I would take another look. I am still hoping that Toyota-Nissan-Ford-Chevy build a new diesel SUV , but VW kinda screwed it up, and it's going to be a while before car makers jump into North America with diesel options.

 As long as I'm towing a camper, I'll never go back to a gas engine.
2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
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dacolson View Drop Down
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Posts: 46 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2016 at 6:05pm
Originally posted by Captiankd

CensoredI want to thank everyone for your input, it has been very helpful. 


I picked up our new r pod 171 Tuesday in Sebring fl and brought it home some 65 mile on flat roads. My 2015 Honda Odyssey with a weight distribution hitch and sway bar brought it home.

The only problem is that the transmission ran 70% of the time in a lower gear. Instead of 2000 to 2500 rpm I was running at 3000 to 3500 rams. I could not really stay at 65 mph and the car kept going down to 55 mph. I do have a transmission cooler which I guess helped the transmission.


But I are really worried about going out west and into the Rockies. I am going to take a beating if I trade the new Honda for something else. What should I look for? A used Ford Expedition or what. Do you think I can rent some think for a couple of months for towing?

Again, I need help.

OP - here's another good thread with lots of advice about tow vehicle choices.
 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7590
My recommendation? If you are worried about the cost, find a newer used diesel SUV like a Jeep Grand Cherokee or VW Touareg, or look at the diesel Colorado/Canyon small pickup. That one's new so it may cost you more. You'll tow so much easier - mountains/flats/hills/valleys - it doesn't matter. Or look for an F150 or other Ford SUV with the small turbo gas engine. They produce a lot of torque as well. Lots of people have lots of opinions about gas vs diesel, but if you can get high torque at low RPMs, you'll love towing your RPOD much more. 
Dave - 2016 Silverado 2500HD LML - 2010 RP172T
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dacolson View Drop Down
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Posts: 46 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2016 at 5:53pm
Originally posted by ToolmanJohn

Your transmission seems to has 6 speeds, but with only 248hp/250tq , and respectively all your power comes at 5700RPM/4700RPM, you will have to keep the tranny in one lower gear (5th) while towing. You will never be able to run in the tallest gear, and if you stay in D (Drive) it will hunt. You might even be limited to towing 55-60 mph. At lower rpm's, the Honda V6 is not making peak HP or Torque. If you can stand to drive 55 mph, I recommend it to save the engine from overworking. Use premium fuel when towing to make the most power.

 I can attest to what a difference the engine/transmission combo makes. I had a 2003 Toyota 4runner, 4.0 6cyl, 235hp/282tq, with a 4 speed automatic. It could NOT hold 4th gear (OD) at 55 mph or higher towing my 177. Forcing it into 3rd, I could pull 65 mpg on the flats at about 3100+ rpm, but had to back off on any hills or risk sending it into 2nd and ridiculous RPM territory. Towing taught me to not be in a hurry.

 In contrast, my diesel 3.0 liter TDI has 240hp/406tq. 8 speed automatic. I do not have to take it out of drive. 90% of my tow trip is in overdrive at about 2000 rpm.  The only time it downshifts is pulling climbs, and never below 6th, about 3200 rpm. 
+1 
Totally agree. Towed our 172t home from Duluth MN to Minneapolis 6 years ago with an 08 Odyssey and promptly upgraded it to an 07 VW Touareg TDI. Would have it still except I didn't want to spend 10K replacing both turbos. Bought a 13 4Runner. Spent the next 3 years towing in 3rd/4th gear. Gave up and bought a Silverado. It may hurt right now to make the upgrade, but don't suffer for years with the wrong TV like I did. I dreaded each trip. Added stress. These campers are the best mix of light weight, convenience, great features and quality you can get for the money. They are still difficult to tow with the wrong vehicle. 
Dave - 2016 Silverado 2500HD LML - 2010 RP172T
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NormanHill View Drop Down
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Posts: 49 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2016 at 9:21pm
One thing not mentioned when we've been discussing tow ratings for these vehicles is that if you only read the table from the manual you are neglecting the load caused by drag. Ford limits the tow table to trailers that don't exceed a front surface area of 35 sq ft. The wind load on camper trailers has a big effect on TV performance, and I haven't noticed that the curved top on the pod helps much. 
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ToolmanJohn View Drop Down
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Posts: 451 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2016 at 9:06pm
Your transmission seems to has 6 speeds, but with only 248hp/250tq , and respectively all your power comes at 5700RPM/4700RPM, you will have to keep the tranny in one lower gear (5th) while towing. You will never be able to run in the tallest gear, and if you stay in D (Drive) it will hunt. You might even be limited to towing 55-60 mph. At lower rpm's, the Honda V6 is not making peak HP or Torque. If you can stand to drive 55 mph, I recommend it to save the engine from overworking. Use premium fuel when towing to make the most power.

 I can attest to what a difference the engine/transmission combo makes. I had a 2003 Toyota 4runner, 4.0 6cyl, 235hp/282tq, with a 4 speed automatic. It could NOT hold 4th gear (OD) at 55 mph or higher towing my 177. Forcing it into 3rd, I could pull 65 mpg on the flats at about 3100+ rpm, but had to back off on any hills or risk sending it into 2nd and ridiculous RPM territory. Towing taught me to not be in a hurry.

 In contrast, my diesel 3.0 liter TDI has 240hp/406tq. 8 speed automatic. I do not have to take it out of drive. 90% of my tow trip is in overdrive at about 2000 rpm.  The only time it downshifts is pulling climbs, and never below 6th, about 3200 rpm. 
2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2016 at 8:32pm
captainkd - did you have overdrive disengaged?
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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