best tow speed?
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6396
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 11:44am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: best tow speed?
Posted By: Q7-retired
Subject: best tow speed?
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 10:03pm
|
Friends, I'm about to start a summer of various length trips with our 178, and I hoped to learn from the accumulated experience of the group on best towing speed. We'll tow with an Audi Q7 SUV, which has 6600 # tow capacity and 660 # tongue weight allowance. The 3.0 liter diesel has plenty of torque and power and bears the weight of my precious golf clubs in an appropriately tender manner. Current experience is 26 mpg without Our-pod and about 17 mpg with the little darling hooked through an Equalizer WDH. We'll be well under the rating of the tow vehicle. What do all y'all (Southern plural) think about the best speed? Thanks much, Jim |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 10:10pm
|
I have gotten my bet results right around 60 mph, depending on wind. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Q7-retired
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 10:13pm
|
Leo, thanks for your reply. Was that best in terms of MPG, towing experience, sway, happy family, etc.? I'm thinking there is this infinite combination of factors that lead to "best speed," and hoped to hear about the experience to see where it all sorts out. again, thanks! Jim |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 10:54pm
|
Kind of a combination. It gets me best mpg, still lets you feel like you are covering some distance and keeps it easy on the nerves towing. Especially going through traffic. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Pooterpod
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 11:50pm
| I like 60 also. |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 12:04am
|
60mph, with occasional hits at 65mph. The majority of ST tires are rated at 65mph. I have ST tires, you may have LT tires. I'm not sure what the speed rating is for LT tires.
My principle concern is safety and nothing else.  ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: CFWARREN
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 12:34am
|
In some states 55 is the max if you're towing a trailer. When I'm on the interstate, I like to go just above 60. The speed limit for cars is 70, 60 for trucks. That way I'm not being passed by the semi's, and the cars that want to go fast can go around me. On any given day I rarely drive over 300 miles anyway, so a little faster isn't really saving any time. And of course anything over about 55, your MPG drops way off.
------------- 2016 179 - Hood River Edition 2008 Nissan Xterra |
Posted By: R-Pod'nFJ
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 2:42am
|
I'm another vote for 60. With the Equalizer adjusted properly I even felt comfortable passing other people on the passing lanes. At 60 I'm at 2350-2400 RPM and get about 13-14mpg with no head wind on level ground. The whole setup feels very stable. ------------- 14 Cement Gray FJ Cruiser 15 R-Pod 179 71 Honda CB750 cafe racer project 71 Honda CB350 75 Honda XL350 81 KZ550 Ltd. street tracker project Scott & Kerri |
Posted By: Q7-retired
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 8:52am
|
Thanks to all for the comments. I hadn't thought about max speed limits for towing. However, on reviewing the latest NHTSA publication on state speed limits, I can't find any reference to travel trailers. Lots of restrictions on mobile homes (also named as house trailers) and wide/ oversize trailers, but nothing that seems to refer to R-pods. I appreciate Podster's comments on the tires; I'm going to go check mine right now!  Best, Jim |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 9:01am
|
I'll put in another vote for 60, towing or not I get the best mpg there. I keep it between 60-65 when towing. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 5:11pm
|
If you want the best compromise of speed and mpg economy, then 55-60 will be great for the Q7 TDI. Faster than that and you are pushing a LOT of wind with the Pod, and MPG fall off. The 3.0L TDI engine could tow your pod at 80 mph easily if you had the nerves for it. But MPG would probably be down near 11. ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: Q7-retired
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 5:26pm
My nerves aren't that steady!  I like the idea of 60mpg, subject to tire limits. We'll see how it goes on these trips. If anything notable occurs, I'll update this thread. |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 10:30am
| At 60 or 62, you never have to pass anyone. If your transmission has a tow-haul mode, be sure to use it. It changes the shift points, and makes the speed control a little less responsive so the engine won't rev so high when the speed drops off on a hill. |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 1:28pm
|
Going west in Wyoming along route 80 with 55 mph+ headwinds our best tow speed was whatever we could do! Normally, however, we are in the majority of 60-65 unless there is an opportunity to pass a fifth wheel or Airstream. Then we step on it. fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 1:34pm
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Marx
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 10:41am
|
I like 60 with both of my two towing rigs as well. ------------- 2014 R-POD 177 |
Posted By: garbob
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2015 at 12:49am
| With a 2013 Honda Pilot pulling a 2013 178, around 2500 RPM seems to be the ticket. |
Posted By: topher2u2
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2015 at 10:04pm
|
The best towing experience we have is at low speeds climbing through the mountains. The trailer feels very planted and mpg's are good. Pulling on the interstate is another story and I agree that 60-65 is probably the best compromise. At 60 we are already feeling the mpg tax, but that speed gives the most options to take action. ------------- #3PsnRPod 2016 R-Pod RP 171 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2015 at 6:50am
|
Living (and camping) in Florida, we don't encounter the terrain variations that you do. I tend to drive by RPM's. Once up to speed (using the tow mode setting) I revert to normal operation mode and take whatever speed I get at 1500 RPM. This is usually 55 to 58 mph and is fine for the length of trips we take. Being passed by other motorists no longer threatens my man card.... ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: Markie
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2015 at 10:04pm
|
I also tow a 178 with a 2013 Honda Pilot. As garbob mentioned the RPM is around 2500 at 60 MPH. I don't have a lot of towing experience but after returning from a trip of over 1000 miles I had mixed results. Initially I didn't have Weight distribution or sway control. I had a slight but noticeable amount of porpoising when the pavement had humps and dips. It would take a little time for the suspension to absorb the energy and stabilize. Above 60 MPH sway became a concern. I could feel the effects of the sway and I would slow to make it stop. In cross wind it would be more noticeable. After installing and adjusting the WD hitch ( Fastway model E2) the porpoising was eliminated. The sway was greatly reduced but not eliminated. I did notice some sway when being passed by a tractor trailer but I felt like I had allot more control. I think I still have some adjusting necessary to tweak the WD to the Pilot. For safety purposes I don't feel comfortable towing above 60 to 65 MPH. I have talked to other podders that say they don't think there is a need for WD. They said, "The R-pod is so light there is no need". I feel the lighter the camper the more one should be concerned about sway. I can't imagine trying to tow long distances in heavy traffic without it. The difference is amazing. I would be interested in hearing others opinions and experiences forming their beliefs on the need (or not) for Weight Distribution. ------------- Mark & Vicki R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L Weimeraner "Zeke" |
Posted By: garbob
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2015 at 11:25pm
| I have the WD hitch as well and can't imagine towing without it. |
Posted By: Q7-retired
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2015 at 4:44pm
|
Folks, an update. I've just completed a 4000 mile towing vacation, comprised 80% towing, 20% with Our-Pod not following behind. I averaged 42 mph and 18.0 mpg. I towed at 60 mph max, depending on speed limit. Actual towing mpg was 15-17 mpg. Of course, this is for my particular TV. "Your mileage may vary!" ------------- Best regards, Jim 2015-RP178 TV 2015 Audi Q7 TDI and 2017 Ford F150 At home in "Our Pod" |