Towing Rpod 178 or 179 with 2010 Tacoma V6

Anyone have experience/comments about towing an Rpod 178 or 179 with a 2010 V6 Tacoma?

 

Rpod should be one of the easiest to tow. Only 6-ft wide so theres no wind resistance on the sides of the truck. Lightweight, rounded front profile.

 

Does it have electric brakes? Do you have the factory tow package? If you're towing something with electric brakes I've got a controller and harness recommendation.

The Hopkins "Agility" controller #47294 works well and has proportional control instead of just being time based like the cheaper "Reliance" models. Proportional controllers brake as hard as you do utilizing inertia. Time-based controllers always brake the same and can be a handful in an emergency. The few extra coins for a proportional controller is well worth it. Also, the #47294 controller has a plug that mates to the "Plug-in Simple" brake controller harness #47815 that mates to the Tacoma tow package harness, making the whole controller installation plug-and-play with no splicing or guesswork. I tow a couple of different trailers (single and tandem axle) with ATV's and such and I sure appreciated the simplicity and clean installation. Definitely worth considering if you have a trailer with brakes. Good luck.

 

Yes it has the factory tow package and the camper would have electric brakes.

 

I have had a 176 for 1 year. The 178 is a bit longer, but about the same weight. The 179 is new this year, so i'm not sure. Our 08 V6 OR has had no problems with the RPOD. Make sure you keep it out of OD, keeping your transmission as cool as possible. I can tell the difference between the low grade fuel and the high grade when pulling it. When I know we will be camping, I make sure it gets high octane. My MPG is about 12 when keeping the speed to 55/60. Last year we pulled it over some mountain passes and I was a bit worried, however, it did just fine. Turns out I should worry more about backing up with it

As for a brake controller, I got a Tekonsha Prodigy Brake Control and it has performed as promised.

Also, if possible. Make sure your RPOD gets the axle risers. They are standard on the Hood River edition (west coast models made in Oregon) and optional on the ones made on the east coast. They give your pod about a 3-4 inch lift and is a must.

 

Do you use an anti-sway bar with your rpod hookup?

 

Being a single axle you may want sway bars it's light enough that a WD hitch shouldn't be needed but would not hurt, loaded you can get over the 3,000# mark.

 

So far no, I don't have a sway bar or a WD hitch. In our travels we have not had a problem with sway at all, yet.

Also, if you haven't already found them. There are a few active RPOD groups out there. RPOD owners forums and a facebook group that is fairly lively.

 

hey drew, am in west san jose... just picked up a tent trailer, had one for 20 + years...really wanted a r-pod but the wife wasn't going for it. my old tt was only 900lb didn't know it was there. this one is 1500lb. use to drive in OD on the flats. Doing 65-70 mph I guess I should drop down a gear on this on. hoping to get a r-pod one day..

 

When towing your Rpod --- did you just use the factory mirrors or did you have to add on?

 

My truck before I owned it... towed the RPOD from the east coast to Colorado with no issues... supercharger installed with 4.56s as well.

 

I just picked-up a new rPod 179 and am seeking some advice about towing. My towing experience is limited. My tow vehicle is a 2012 Tacoma Dbl Cab 4x4 w/ tow package. The dealer installed a brake controller and friction sway bar. I'm trying to determine if I should switch to a weight distribution hitch w/ sway control. On other forums dedicated to towing the consensus is that on TT of this size a WD / Sway control hitch a must. My dealer said its not necessary and the WD would serve no purpose and a sway bar is all that's necessary. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. It's all a bit confusing.

 

I just took our 2016 RPod on a short trip with our Tacoma 2013 TDR truck. I used a sway bar and felt pretty confident. The terrain out here is mountaineous and winding. On the way home, I had high winds. I did well and all seemed stable. I still am a terrible backer. The single axle is tricky. I am practicing and rented a spot at a storage facility with wide turn areas! We live on an extreme hill with no frontage so I can't safely keep the trailer at home. We tried it once and it was scary to see the truck and trailer cantilevered in an extremely steep driveway. Beautiful view-not so good for RVs! I will add that I am 65 and not the strongest person but managed all the functions quite well.

 

Shouldn't be any problem at all. For something like that I wouldn't put a WD hitch on, but for the price of a sway bar, I'd consider it. I pull a Rockwood A122S. Granted it's not an open box like the rpod is, but 7 foot wide at 2k pounds, it pulls with no problem. I don't have a WD hitch or a sway bar. I may consider a sway bar in the near future just to have since they're not too costly. Plenty of users up here pull something larger than the rpod, but once you get that size you will need a WD hitch.

 

Just picked up the 171 being towed by a 2013 TRD Off w/ upgraded exhaust (TRD) and a CAI. Did tons of research before I bought, because I didn't want to get an out sized trailer for my vehicle or sell the TACO. Dealer told me sway control wasn't necessary, though I had it installed. I live in the mountains, so its not the ideal tow, but the perfect size for the TACO. Here's another thread on this topic: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2011-tacoma-pulling-a-r-pod-171-bottom-line.217029/