Towing 177

I will also be new to travel trailering, and my husband and I have been shopping for a TT for months, with the primary view of getting an Rpod.  We've explored many options, including Pop up Tent trailers, the Rpod, we looked at the MPG (ick), and other, larger super light TTs with low GVW.

However, the other day husband came home and said you can't go just by the tow rating number.  The vehicle itself has a maximum weight load.  You have to consider the curb weight, the weight of all the passengers in the vehicle, the gear, the tongue weight, the weight of the TT.

When we crunched through all the numbers, we reached a sad realization that the Nissan Xterra, in spite of being a small SUV with a 5000 tow rating, is really not up to towing the heavier Rpods.  We have two teenagers, so basically four people in the family that are adult weight.  We could get by with a 172, but it's really too small for us.

Tomorrow we're going to go look at some more tent trailers. just thinking that since we're new to the whole trailer thing, it might be best to start off with something we know is WELL within our towing capacities.  A tent trailer will also give us more interior room, and just seems the right "first step."  Then, after the teens (and their weight) have left, we can sell the tent trailer and pick out an Rpod.

We spent many years in a tent trailer before purchasing a Pod.  We camped with our kids from age 8.  They are now in their 30s.  If you get a tent trailer, get one with a potty.  You will be much happier. Pop ups tend to feel more spacious due to the many window openings.  There are lots of cons to the popup.  It takes longer to set up. The zipping and unzipping of the windows became a real chore for me.  After a rainy camping trip, you need to raise your popup, at home, in order to dry it out.  If you do not, you will have a smelly camper.  You will not be able to use it during cold weather, although some people do.

We have a tow rating of 5200 lbs (4 l v6) - and after 2 trips (RP 171) I'd say the tow lbs means very little.

I found our Bravada just sucked the fuel - revved high even going up medium grades - just been to Edmonton and the Foothills. 

Speed wise between 90 - 100 km/h and only got 33 l/100 kms! (that's only 7.13 mpg for you US folks).
Fuel economy dropped by over a half!

We want to go to Vancouver Island next summer - that means up and over the Rockies - I am seriously looking at getting a F150 for a tow Vehicle.

There's a discusion someone on getting a heavy duty f150 and the different types of  f150's.  I think the light weight is no better then a 6 cyl for towing, or that's the impression I got.

GoTak wrote: I towed my 172 with 2003 F150(5.4L V8) whole this summer in Southern Alberta not in Mountain. I got around 18L to 22L / 100km with always 90km/h.

No offense Gotak