Tow vehicle for newbie

donn0128 wrote:
Tundra or a Taco V6 would both be decent for the Rpod. The Tundra with the larger V8 would allow you to move up to around a 22-25 foot conventional trailer. On a more domestic side, any of the 1500 series truck with the larger gas motors would also be excellent tow vehicles for a TT up to around 27 feet long.

Yeah that truck should be able to haul that up and down hills.

BK

I'd feel comfortable pulling that trailer with a larger crossover type SUV with a decent tow rating. If you aren't planning on going much bigger, your options are wide-open.

Well that POD only weighs 1442# GVWR
Has a dry tongue weight of 81# (Dry weight of 959#)----LINK

So ANY 250/2500 truck ----just in case you what to go larger trailer later on

Otherwise 150/1500 truck would be fine even a Tundra or Titan

Sent you a private message...

If you are within weight specs keep your tow vehicle and try it ot for a season. I think you will be surprised

Tundra or a Taco V6 would both be decent for the Rpod. The Tundra with the larger V8 would allow you to move up to around a 22-25 foot conventional trailer. On a more domestic side, any of the 1500 series truck with the larger gas motors would also be excellent tow vehicles for a TT up to around 27 feet long.

dslc6487 wrote:
Have just bought a 2010 Forest River R Pod 172. I have a 2000 Toyota Tacoma with a 2.7 4 cyl 5 sp manual tranny 4x4. I pulled the trailer home about 30 miles and it pulled great, but I have some concern about mountain roads when camping. We love the north ga mountains. What would some of you experienced campers recommend as a tow vehicle. Do not particullarly want to go diesel, too much maint. Also want something that if I decide to go with a little bigger camper later on, I will not have to trade vehicles. I don't see myself getting a whole lot bigger than the r pod. Also don't want new tow vehicle. Something few years old but dependable. Have thought about full size crew cab, gas. Maybe with bed cover. We have 2 grandsons and they will probably be going with us on occasion. Know I am asking a lot but any advice be greatly appreciated

You should be good to go, learn to down shift and slow down.

2nd and 3rd gear will get you up the hill, it just takes a little longer.

For those who haven't seen ONE.

First thing, you need to get the maximum loaded weight of that trailer and the tongue weight. You then compare those with the tow capacity of your truck. If they are above that, and really they should be no more than 80% of the max to give you extra power for those GA hills, but that's when you need to look for a new truck. Remember you have to subtract the weight of the driver and passengers, weight of the weight distributing hitch, and anything else that is carried in the truck from the max carry weight. That has to be greater than the tongue weight.

Unless that is a very long and heavy trailer then a 1/2 ton truck from Ford/GMC/Dodge will probably be all you need with a tow package on the truck.

If it is a long/heavy trailer you might have to look at one ton trucks from the same manufacturers.

BTW the extra maintenance story for diesels is a myth. They don't require more maintenance and they last much longer than a gas engine powered vehicle.