tow vehicle question |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Topic: tow vehicle question Posted: 19 Mar 2016 at 2:09pm |
ToolmanJohn,
Thank you. I think that sums the situation up nicely. As for cooking the engine in my Escape, I have a good warranty. I also am a conservative driver, so I probably don't tax the turbocharger as much. When it makes sense, I will probably upgrade vehicles. I really wanted a small Diesel powered vehicle, but got the Escape. So far, I have been impressed with it, even though it is pushing the upper limits of tow capacity. I am liking it even better with the AeroPlus, which definitely helps. |
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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ToolmanJohn
Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451 |
Posted: 19 Mar 2016 at 1:48pm |
Whichever vehicle ends up being chosen, a lot of open minded reading at owner forums should be done, just like most people here who decided on an R-Pod. Honest owner opinions are worth reading when you're shopping for a tow vehicle. Whether pickup trucks or SUV's or minivans, or wagons, you have to decide carefully what the primary purpose will be, and if towing is primary, you should base your decision with that in mind. If it's to be 95% daily driver, 5% towing, then you shouldn't need to spend a fortune on "overkill" and a smaller vehicle with an appropriate tow rating should be all that is needed. But also consider the terrain, and distance that you will be towing as well. If you intend to do long pulls, in hilly terrain, then a smaller tow vehicle might end up cooked from the stress, so a bigger tow vehicle with a stronger engine might be the way to go. |
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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
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dacolson
Groupie Joined: 26 Apr 2015 Location: Farmington, MN Online Status: Offline Posts: 46 |
Posted: 19 Mar 2016 at 12:27pm |
Good luck shopping! The ecoDiesel Jeep's been out 3 or 4 years. Should be able to find some nice lease returns. The new diesel Canyon or Colorado just came out this year. I bet you'll spend more on that one. Glad the dogs like camping. Our dog loves camping. He won't stop jumping once he sees the truck back up to the camper. You'll love the Rpod. |
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Dave - 2016 Silverado 2500HD LML - 2010 RP172T
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GLBCamper
Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2015 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 274 |
Posted: 19 Mar 2016 at 12:17pm |
I really like it. It's super easy to put on and frankly I probably would never go through the hassle of the full dome. I think it's a bit overpriced, but it was a birthday present to myself. 😊 P.S. To Two and a half Dogs. I'm a "girl" too. I suspect there are a lot more of us lurking on this forum then the boys suspect. 😜 The pod appeals to the ladies!
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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
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two and a half dogs
Newbie Joined: 18 Mar 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5 |
Posted: 19 Mar 2016 at 12:14pm |
Didn't know Jeep had a diesel option, that sounds worth looking into, but I'd probably need to consider used, and would guess it might be hard to find one... guess I am going to be shopping a bit longer than I had hoped...thanks for telling me about your 4 runner experience with towing. Haven't got the R Pod yet, getting the tow vehicle first, but the two older dogs have camped in rented or borrowed mobilehomes and loved it. The young one, no, but she's game for anything, think we're all gonna have a great time.
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GLBCamper
Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2015 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 274 |
Posted: 19 Mar 2016 at 12:11pm |
I agree. But I HAVE a truck. My question was, is it enough truck? I understand a V8 would be BETTER, but I wanted to know if I had enough truck to do the job for this specific task. (See my previous post for exact specs.)
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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
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dacolson
Groupie Joined: 26 Apr 2015 Location: Farmington, MN Online Status: Offline Posts: 46 |
Posted: 19 Mar 2016 at 11:56am |
Not sure if anyone answered your question about the 4Runner specifically. I towed our 172t with a 2013 4Runner Limited. Before that I had a VW diesel Touareg. The 4Runner towed it but had to work a lot. Constant shifting, high RPM, and was very susceptible to crosswinds. I really liked the VW Touareg. The Diesel made a huge difference. It didn't have to work nearly as hard. I just sold the 4Runner in favor of a diesel Chevy Silverado. Definitely overkill for the small rpod. You've got good options between the 4Runner and a big pickup. I'd recommend a smaller diesel if you can find one you like. Maybe a Diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee, a diesel Canyon/Colorado if you consider a small pickup an option. I loved the Touareg but reliability was not great. Good luck! P.s. How do your dogs like the camper? |
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Dave - 2016 Silverado 2500HD LML - 2010 RP172T
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Retroactive
Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2016 Location: Bolton, MA Online Status: Offline Posts: 270 |
Posted: 19 Mar 2016 at 11:43am |
I have been a "car guy" practically since the day I was born. The SUV I just traded in was a Mazda CX-7, 2.3L Turbo. Admittedly, I used to drive my cars "like I stole it". At only 13k I blew the Turbo, I was not impressed. By 80k when I traded it, the engine was showing all the signs of premature aging due to high revs an tremendous heat output of the Turbo. I could hear and smell a small leak near the manifold, most likely "heat aging"' due to thermal transfer of the adjacent Turbo. I could also smell a faint coolant leak somewhere in the front of the engine, again heat aging from trying to cool down those insanely high revs. I got the Tahoe right before we bought the Rpod, because I believe that "on demand torque" trumps all else when towing. At very least a beefy V-6 should be used to tow the Rpods, unless the travel primarily in the flatlands.
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two and a half dogs
Newbie Joined: 18 Mar 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5 |
Posted: 19 Mar 2016 at 11:36am |
Thanks, I definately don't want to be underpowered, but trying to avoid a V8, hence the decision to go with a lightweight trailer, but finding it rather confusing. I'm a "girl" so lack a lifetime of interest and experience with gearhead stuff.
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two and a half dogs
Newbie Joined: 18 Mar 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5 |
Posted: 19 Mar 2016 at 11:24am |
Yep, money's always an issue. I had considered the Armada, maybe take a look.
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