~Gypsiejanie

For a TV, just get something that has a big enough margin of error that you won't be on the ragged edge when towing your Pod.  Many people try to tow with 3500 lbs of towing capacity, but it limits you on what you can safely tow.  If you get something with a 6,000+ capacity, you'll never have to worry about whether your TV is overloaded when towing your Pod, provided you don't exceed its gross weight capacity.  Mileage will always come in at between 12 and 15 mpg if you drive 60 or under with most TV's.  You're not likely to do better no matter what you get.  Bottom line is comfort for long trips and adequate capacity to make the towing effortless.

Look at the max gross weight of the 196, ignore the empty weight. That is about 4800 lbs. Its not unlikely that yours will end up pretty close to that weight, especially if you fill your water tank for boondocking. 

Originally posted by Gypsiejanie ...I"m going to be traveling around the US and want enough umph to get over mountains without putting undo stress on the tow vehicle or going 15 mph....

Well, my take is that Gypsiejanie wants to do just that...tow in the mountains if she so chooses.  How does the Frontier do going up Monarch or Vail Pass?

https://news.pickuptrucks.com/2019/10/breaking-down-the-2020-toyota-tacomas-towing-capacities.html

The fuel economy of a full size pickup vs a mid size is not really significant when not towing and nonexistant towing. For example the 3.5L 4wd Taco is rated 18 city/22 highway vs the F150 4wd 3.5L at 16/22.  Either is going to provide around 13-14 mpg towing on flat ground in the 60-65 mph range. 

Beyond that its what you're comfortable with driving around not towing. You might want to consider an SUV rather than a pickup as well. Depends what other uses you plan on for the vehicle and how many passengers you have. Personally I need two row seating and find the double cab pickups with a "vestigial" 5 to 5.5 foot bed pretty useless as work vehicles, and the full size bed double cab trucks too long to maneuver.   So not being able to afford dedicated vehicles, I use an SUV and a utility trailer for work and the SUV and rpod for travel. 

Test drive a few vehicles with tow ratings of 6500 lbs or more and 4wd then decide. 

I found it interesting that in the link I posted that 2WD Tacomas have a higher tow rating than 4WD.  Is that due to the added weight associated with 4WD vehicles?

I'm with CharlieM though re 4wd for towing, there have been many many times I've been glad to have it, not just in inclement weather but on soft surface roads with steeper grades, and even pulling a trailer up a slight slope on wet grass. 

You did not mention a budget (or shopping used) so I assume you are looking at brand new trucks?

I'm not a Toyota fan so I will steer you towards the mid-sized Nissan Frontier or Ford Ranger.

I think it might be important to indicate the conditions/areas that one tows in.  Nebraska <> SW Colorado.

Right.... might as well get a brand with a lower reliability rating and resale value. 

You mentioned a full size SUVa one option.

We purchased a used 2012 Ford Expedition in 2015 that had 28000 miles. We have driven/towed 65000 miles with it and have had no issues. It has more than adequate towing capacity and plenty of cargo weight capacity and space for carrying whatever we want. We love it.I would recommend that you consider the Expedition. It comes in 2 different sizes with lots of options. We have the 3.73 rear axle ratio for towing.  We just returned from a 600 mile round trip towing our 179 and averaged 12.5mpg.  No mountains or winds involved-flat land.

good luck and welcome

Vann

Both Toyota and Honda have very good reliability ratings. The Tundra or Sequoia would work for you, nothing in the Honda lineup would be capable of towing the trailer you've selected safely. 

Originally posted by Gypsiejanie Yes, thanks for the link. Interesting. I think I'm settling on a Toyota Tundra.

Just re-read this and saw the Tundra. I like the comfort in ours. Whether you get a Tundra, Tacoma, or what ever brand - make sure it has a factory tow package, not just an added hitch and brake controller. And I agree that which ever tow vehicle you get, an equalizer 4, weight distributing hitch with sway control will make traveling/towing a lot more pleasant. So will put on/take off extension mirrors. All the best to you on your new adventures.

The Tacoma is "sportier"; we sometimes refer to it as our sports car. It is more comfortable going through tight, twisty roads.

The F-150 is way more comfortable. If we're doing a trip of > 1 hour, we will choose the F-150 every time. It is smoother, quieter, higher, and just an all-around smooth vehicle to drive. It laughs at high altitude because of the turbos. You barely notice any loss of power at all at high altitudes.

Surprisingly, the F-150, despite being bigger, gets better gas mileage. Around town it is consistently in the 18-19 MPG range. On road trips it runs between 21-22 MPG, and on a recent trip to Tahoe and back, it ran 21 MPG going up to Tahoe, and 25 MPG coming back. The Tacoma seems to get about 18 MPG almost no matter what. They both get around 14 MPG pulling the Rpod.

If I had to choose one, I would pick the F-150. My sweetie would prefer her Tacoma.