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towing with 4 runner
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penny View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		Post Options Post Options   Quote penny Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: towing with 4 runner
    Posted: 03 Nov 2021 at 8:42am
Hi   I am currently wanting to purchase an r pod and am getting mixed messages on whether or not I can tow with my 6 cylinder 4 runner.  The manual says I can pull 5,000  pounds but I have been told that trying to pull a r pod would tax the engine too  much.    I live in Colorado and tow in the mountains mostly.

Is anyone currently towing with a 4 runner and give me any guidance on making this decision?  I really want to get one but can't afford to change cars.

Thank you !!!
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Dirt Sifter View Drop Down
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Posts: 170 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Dirt Sifter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2021 at 9:05am
I have a 3.5 L Tacoma so skip what I have to contribute, if you want. First make sure your 4 Runner has a tow package, has been maintained pretty well, and you'll want to add a trailer braking device of some sort, dash mount, app, etc. Then it will depend on the size, model of Rpod you want. We towed a 179 and I felt very comfortable with the performance - except in really strong headwinds. The 195 makes the Taco work harder in the mountains and the cruising speed sweet spot is about 3 mph slower than with the 179, 62 vs 65. If you don't have to be the first one to the camp spot, and your rig has been maintained properly for the most part, I think you'll be ok. Have fun!
Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE
'07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages
1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff
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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3227 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2021 at 9:11am
Even though I do not tow with a 4 runner I have for 8 years towed a 177 (loaded weight with full FW tank - 2940 lbs) with either an '08 or '13 Explorer.  They were both 6 cylinder the '08 was a 4.0 litre with tow capacity of 5000 lbs, the '13 was a 3.5 litre with tow capacity of 5500 lbs.  In both cases we spent a lot of time in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana in other words a lot of driving through the Rockies.  We were not the first up the mountain passes, we took our time, but always felt safe and didn't have any issues towing with our vehicles.  I did utilize a $40 Curt anti-sway bar with both and never had issues with sway.  

Still own the 177 but tow with a F-150 now, nice to have a little more power, a longer wheel base and more storage as the 177 has very little.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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penny View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		Post Options Post Options   Quote penny Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2021 at 9:59am


Thank you for the information.   My 4 runner is a 2017 with the tow package.  I now tow a 1967 Roadrunner and am needed more comforts...It tows really really well but I'm ready to move on.   I go up with the roadrunner with no problems.  Just the weight issue I suppose on a rpod.  I am looking at getting the lightest smallest one I can find

Thank you again.
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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3227 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2021 at 11:21am
Originally posted by penny



Thank you for the information.   My 4 runner is a 2017 with the tow package.  I now tow a 1967 Roadrunner and am needed more comforts...It tows really really well but I'm ready to move on.   I go up with the roadrunner with no problems.  Just the weight issue I suppose on a rpod.  I am looking at getting the lightest smallest one I can find

Thank you again.


Your lightest r-pods are no longer in production but you may still find used, they are the 151 and 152 - 15 foot long and no slide.

The next lightest are the 170 series (except for the 178 and 179) which also are no longer in production but many more of these are available on the used market which include the 171, 172, 175, 176, and 177 - 18 feet long some have slides while others do not.  Our 2011 177 has an empty weight of 2415 but when fully loaded with 36 gallons of water, 2 batteries, 2 20# propane tanks and camping gear it tops out at 2940.

Next is the 20 ft. long 178, also no longer in production but does have a slide.

After that comes the most popular of all the rpods made, the 179, longer but again, no longer in production.  It seems as time goes on the rpods have grown in size and weight to meet the demand of what campers want in today's market.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Posts: 1407 		Post Options Post Options   Quote TheBum Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2021 at 11:25am
I've towed my 179 with a Toyota Highlander in the Colorado Rockies a few times with no issues whatsoever. It really depends on which R-Pod model you're looking at. Don't count on anything with a V6 to tow a 202, for example.
Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod"
2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4
Three cats
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Post Options Post Options   Quote offgrid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2021 at 5:38pm
I towed my 179 with my 3.5 liter Highlander. You should weigh your rig fully loaded because even though the trailer with a mid size tpod will weigh in less that 4000lbs the 5000 lb tow rating you and I both have assumes the tow vehicle is empty, which of course it won't be.

If you look on your driver's door sticker you will find all of your Mac weights. The MCGVWR (max combined gross vehicle weight rating) is the limit that your combined rig can weigh. Stay below that, preferably at least 10% below that, and you won't be taxing the tow vehicle excessively. For me (we boondock so carried full fresh water in the tank and dual batteries) that meant that we kept the "stuff" in the tow vehicle pretty light. You will likely find the same. If you do that you should be fine and have a comfortable safe rig, as I did.
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posts: 57 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jenga Jack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2021 at 11:17pm
Our R-Pod is a 2014 178 and we have pulled it with our 6-cyl 4Runner, 5,000lb towing capacity, without a towing package and have never had an issue. (178 dry weight approx 2,800lbs with our added "stuff" probably 3,200lbs) We have driven throughout OR, ID, UT, MT, WY (some highways with 10,000ft passes) and have yet to have an issue. Of course we didn't set any speed records, and the highest passes we drove at 45mph using pullout lanes for the big guys. Hope this helps!
2014 R-Pod 178 aka the "Kobra Pod"
following a 2015 4Runner wherever it may wander
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penny View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		Post Options Post Options   Quote penny Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Nov 2021 at 9:36am
thank you...!!
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