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171 pulled by a Highlander

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Abby View Drop Down
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    Posted: 05 Sep 2011 at 2:06pm
I've been monitoring this forum (and before it, others) for several years.  I had visions of retiring, selling the house, and roaming for a couple of years before moving to a different home.  Some good retiree options were going away and I decided to go before they were gone so I retired three years earlier than I'd planned.  I've been retired two years (LOVE IT!  my face is less wrinkled now and my BP is lower!) and had about given up on trying to do what seemed such a complicated thing on my own.  But then someone locally put an RPod on Craig's list....I played with it at home for a week and did my "maiden voyage" this past weekend to a nearby state park.  I loved camping in it and continue to have lots of questions many of which I've researched on this site.  I still don't love pulling it; I knew I'd be squeamish on that.  Have pulled just a 10' trailer loaded with kayaks or mulch, etc for years but that high profile worries me.  Plus note that I am pulling it with a Highlander which I knew ahead of time would be an issue but decided to do it anyway to see if I liked it enough to change vehicles.  (So my second post will be to the forum on tow vehicles with my questions!)   But I think I'm just gonna keep doing short trips to acclimate and am going to assume I'll get comfortable! 
Thanks to all of you for supplying so much info. on this site!
 
 
 

 
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sylviablue View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sylviablue Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 2011 at 7:25pm
I don't know anything about the Highlander but am so glad you took the R-Pod plunge.  Good for you.
I'm still a bit nervous when towing but I do it and figure being nervous keeps me on my toes.
We also have a 171 and are very pleased with it. 
Happy trails!
In the end there's just a song comes cryin up the night

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Sixgunner View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sixgunner Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 2011 at 8:15pm
Congratulations, Abby! I'm sure you have many adventures before you!

As a matter of fact, I have a Toyota Highlander myself (a newer model than yours), though I don't use it as my tow vehicle. I certainly could do so, if I were so inclined. Mine has a V6 engine (I presume yours does as well). You really need at least a V6. Since yours is set up with a trailer hitch, I'm going to assume you have the Toyota towing package which includes, among other features, a transmission cooler. That's the thing I'd be most concerned about: transmission fluid cooling. Just make sure your Highlander is properly equipped in that respect.

There are several forum members who tow with Toyota Tacomas, and they don't have much on you by way of towing power.

In terms of towing, it looks like you got the Pod backed into the campsite in good shape, so I suspect you're underestimating your own skill. You'll be fine. As time goes on, you'll become more and more comfortable.

That said, welcome. You'll find a lot of good information here. And you're among friends who are eager to help you and share their own experience.
feo fuerte y formal
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Kenn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kenn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 2011 at 10:57pm
The new Highlanders have a 5K towing limit, so you should be fine. Good luck and have fun with your new toy.

2010 RPOD 176 (Silly-POD), 2011 Forest River Stealth 2612, and 2014 Forest River XLR 380AMP
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David and Danette Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Sep 2011 at 7:32am
   Welcome to the forum. We have a 171 and towed it on a vacation with a Saturn Vue. Our total mileage traveled was was about 3,000 miles and part of that was through the Tenn. mountains. We now tow with a Jeep Liberty a little heavier but less horsepower. You will get adjusted to the size and weight of the Rpod a weight distributing hitch helps. It must be nice to be retired and have a lot of time to go camping. Smile     David and Danette
SWFL   171
2010 Jeep Liberty
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kymooses View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kymooses Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Sep 2011 at 5:46pm
So glad to have you here on the forum and podding around with all of us!  WELCOME!  ClapClap
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Abby View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Abby Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Sep 2011 at 9:00pm
Thanks for your words of encouragement.  It's good to know that I'm being somewhat "normal" to be a tad nervous.
 
My Highlander is an 04 so it is rated at 3500 lbs.  My current question has to do with the hitch/sway bar system in relation to towing as opposed to the weight issue.  (see http://www.rpodnation.com/topic2830_post30861.html#30861).
 
I've had practice backing a trailer loaded with boats into rough and narrow places so that helps but someone helped guide me into my spot.  I guess I'll be looking into rear cameras next!
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Bizzuto9078 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bizzuto9078 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Sep 2011 at 10:02pm
Dave
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