Whats pulling your RPod

We have a 173 and pull with a 2009 Rav4 AWD V6 with factory tow package. Gas milage dropped from 24 to 8.5 mpg.

We were going 65 mph and are going to keep it under 55 mph next time. I hope that helps. It pulled it easily though, great pick up. We are rated to pull 3500 lbs. Linda

RPod 171 Rav 4
Happy Camping, Ted, Linda & our labradorable Gracie

We pulled a 173 some 1200 miles from Ohio back to Colorado using a Chevrolet ZR-2, 2-dr Blazer. It has 6 cyl, is an automatic and is rated at 4700 lbs for towing. Because of the mountain altitudes, in the back of my mind, I've deducted 20% or 940 lbs to get a tow rating of 3760 lbs. At any rate, in coming back from Ohio, it seemed to pull hard at times, especially on long, steeper climbs and when driving into headwinds. The mileage on the Blazer dropped in half from 20 mpg to 9-10 for the duration of the 1200 mile trip. With the automatic, I never attempted to use the overdrive gear and just left it in 3rd. (In overdrive, it was constantly wanting to go to a lower gear anyway.)

At this point, the jury is still out, so to speak. We've now had the Blazer tuned up and had a transmission cooler installed. We already had a factory installed Class III hitch, but went ahead and had an equalizer put on the R-Pod tow bar as it does wonders in leveling everything. We now need to take another lengthy trip to see what effect, if any, these modifications have. We won't get a chance to do that for several weeks.

When a manufacturer rates a vehicle for towing there are a lot of factors used. Not the engine so much but gearing, brakes, what a tow bar is hooked to, type of transmission etc.

If you do tow the camper you MAY void your warranty also.

Terry

2008 Mercury Mariner V6 FWD. I averaged about 11 mpg on the maiden voyage.

_popupControl(); Is anyone pulling the R-Pod with a VW Touareg?

We just bought a 2008 V6 that is rated to tow an amazing 7700lbs, but I don't believe it.

It has 280hp and 4 wheel disc brakes, but that is a lot of weight.

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rfun Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Nor Cal Status: Offline Points: 18	Post Options Post Reply Quote rfun Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Apr 2009 at 6:44pm
	We have a BMW X3... Our was delivered on Easter!!!
	Happy r trails to you.... until we meet AGAIN!!! 2005 BMW X3 2009 R-pod 171 Prodigy RF

Linda Faust Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Mar 2009 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 123	Post Options Post Reply Quote Linda Faust Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Apr 2009 at 6:31pm
	We have a 173 and pull with a 2009 Rav4 AWD V6 with factory tow package. Gas milage dropped from 24 to 8.5 mpg. We were going 65 mph and are going to keep it under 55 mph next time. I hope that helps. It pulled it easily though, great pick up. We are rated to pull 3500 lbs. Linda
	RPod 171 Rav 4 Happy Camping, Ted, Linda & our labradorable Gracie

CheriMo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Apr 2009 Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote CheriMo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 Apr 2009 at 9:43am
	I have a Ford Escape Hybrid. We're hoping that the Escape can pull the rPod but according to Ford the Escape Hybrid is not rated to tow anything. We're going to do as much research as possible to figure out what could go wrong if we tried to tow an rPod with the hybrid engine. Does anyone else have any information about what could go wrong or what the possible issues could be for the hybrid engine and CVT transmission if you tried to tow an rPod?
	Cheri and George plus the corgi crew Dudley and Taffy

joe&carol Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Apr 2009 Location: Golden, CO Status: Offline Points: 126	Post Options Post Reply Quote joe&carol Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Apr 2009 at 3:30am
	We pulled a 173 some 1200 miles from Ohio back to Colorado using a Chevrolet ZR-2, 2-dr Blazer. It has 6 cyl, is an automatic and is rated at 4700 lbs for towing. Because of the mountain altitudes, in the back of my mind, I've deducted 20% or 940 lbs to get a tow rating of 3760 lbs. At any rate, in coming back from Ohio, it seemed to pull hard at times, especially on long, steeper climbs and when driving into headwinds. The mileage on the Blazer dropped in half from 20 mpg to 9-10 for the duration of the 1200 mile trip. With the automatic, I never attempted to use the overdrive gear and just left it in 3rd. (In overdrive, it was constantly wanting to go to a lower gear anyway.) At this point, the jury is still out, so to speak. We've now had the Blazer tuned up and had a transmission cooler installed. We already had a factory installed Class III hitch, but went ahead and had an equalizer put on the R-Pod tow bar as it does wonders in leveling everything. We now need to take another lengthy trip to see what effect, if any, these modifications have. We won't get a chance to do that for several weeks.

wbillar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 143	Post Options Post Reply Quote wbillar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Apr 2009 at 3:36am
	I am using a Chevy 1500 extended cab truck. It has a a small V-8, with the towing package and pulls the trailer alright but my mileage has gone down to about 10 mi/gal.
	Bill

TerryM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Status: Offline Points: 633	Post Options Post Reply Quote TerryM Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Apr 2009 at 5:05am
	When a manufacturer rates a vehicle for towing there are a lot of factors used. Not the engine so much but gearing, brakes, what a tow bar is hooked to, type of transmission etc. If you do tow the camper you MAY void your warranty also. Terry

Mark & Shelle Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 29 Apr 2009 Location: Mt Airy, MD Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mark & Shelle Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 May 2009 at 12:00pm
	We tow ours with a 1998 Ford Explorer 6 cyl. We get about 8-10 MPG depending on the terrain.
	Mark & Shelle, Mt Airy, MD

K_Mac Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 10 May 2009 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 26	Post Options Post Reply Quote K_Mac Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 May 2009 at 8:06pm
	2008 Mercury Mariner V6 FWD. I averaged about 11 mpg on the maiden voyage.

4peas in a Pod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Location: midwest Status: Offline Points: 19	Post Options Post Reply Quote 4peas in a Pod Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 2009 at 2:27pm
	We will be pulling our 172 with a 2008 Toyota Sienna minivan! It has a factory tow package rated to pull 3500 pounds and a V6 engine! Tomorrow we are going to get the hitch and the electric brake controller put on.
	Evan and Jodie Rpod 172 coming soon! Our tow: 2008 Toyota Sienna

tabkld93 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 May 2009 Location: Union, KY Status: Offline Points: 565	Post Options Post Reply Quote tabkld93 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 May 2009 at 1:22pm
	_popupControl(); Is anyone pulling the R-Pod with a VW Touareg? We just bought a 2008 V6 that is rated to tow an amazing 7700lbs, but I don't believe it. It has 280hp and 4 wheel disc brakes, but that is a lot of weight.