2011 Tacoma pulling a R-Pod 171 bottom line

Hey Guys!
first time here. we are leaving the tenting world and am looking at a truck and travel trailer (R-Pod 171). I really want a Tacoma but am getting mixed reviews on using it to pull. I am figuring with the trailer that is 2200lbs, water, gear and us that we shouldn't go over 3500lbs.
We are not going to be towing lots but it can get really windy here and its flat land. some comments i see complain about how hard the wind is on truck and trailer.

we also want to do a trip though the Rockies and of course you will have long inclines.

The one thing i don't want is having to floor it all the time , fill the gas tank every half hour,whine and bitch and get yelled at because im in a bad mood after the trip.

We live in a condo so a smaller truck would work out better for parking and for ripping around.

At this towing weight am i still going to have problems towing or should i just say screw it and buy a Tundra and bigger trailer.

Any real world comments would be great!

Thanks in advance!

 

i love my taco,but for towing anything 0ver 2000 lbs i would go with something else.i have a duramax for that.imo.

 

Taco 0 Tundra 1

so far!

 

I have a 2009 DCSB/Off Road 4X4 with factory tow package, upgraded suspension with full OME 3" lift and Dakar leaf pack. My TT is a 2006 Travel Cruiser 21RBH - I would conservatively estimate fully loaded (but without water) it's around 4200-4500lbs. I have a WDH with support bars and single sway bar. I just took it on a one week hunting trip, 350 miles each way, from Atlanta to Western KY & back with a couple pretty long inclines going between Chattanooga & Nashville. I carried a generator in the bed (approx 200lbs).
The truck towed this setup with no problem, very stable at 65-70mph even passing and getting passed by semis. I decided to run premium gas this trip and got 11.5mpg going up & 12.3mpg on the return (hand calculated). I decided I would use this trip to decide whether to upgrade to a 3/4ton diesel for a tow vehicle. I was very pleasantly surprised with my mpg towing this rig and based on this trip have decided to put off plans to upgrade to a bigger truck since the Tacoma is also my DD & I average 18-19mpg in mixed daily driving.
IMHO, my setup is well matched, keeping in mind the upgraded suspension on my Taco and the factory tow package. If I eventually get a bigger TT I will upgrade to a diesel.

IMO - The setup you're looking at is very well matched. I'd make sure to get the factory tow package & upgrading at least to an after market rear leaf pack or air bags, hit the road and enjoy!

 

Thanks, that helps, the mileage doesn't sound to bad for that amount of towing weight.
we are going to check out the trailer this weekend to see how it looks.

Taco-1 Tundra-1

 

6000lb boat/trailer combo behind an '07 short bed on a very regular basis. recently towed it 900 miles from washington DC to florida. Just redid the brakes on the trailer and you can barely tell the boats back there when stopping. power is just fine with the v6, only downfall is it's a very thirsty motor with that amount of weight in tow.

for you, assuming you're talking about towing from a real hitch (not bumper mount) on a 6 lug, 3500lbs will be a walk in the park. any heavier and you need trailer brakes.

 

Hey, I've owned an Rpod 175 for about 2 years. I towed it with my '06 Prerunner 4.0 for about a year and a half. The Tacoma did a fine job and pulled in tow/haul fourth most of the time even pulling some pretty fair foothills and passes. It did shift down to third occasionally . My towing mileage was 10-11.5 mpg. I used a WDH without sway and it towed nicely in crosswinds/headwinds up to 40mph with no problems. All in all it did a good job towing the RPod.

I have, though moved on to a Tundra with a 4.6. I didn't need or desire the 5.7. The Tundra equals the highway mileage of the Prerunner, and beats the towing mileage of the Prerunner getting up to 12mpg. The Tundra does a better towing job, but the Prerunner with the POD was a very good combo. I decided to get the Tundra rather than a newer Tacoma just because the Tundra was a better financial deal. I've been well satisfied with both trucks, but the Tacoma was better around town.

I've had 5 travel trailers over the years from 16-22 feet long, and though we really like the RPod, Pods don't tow any easier than other slab sided trailers that are a little larger and heavier. Rpods seem to push the wind just as much even with their tear drop shape, and the shape does limit storage and elbow room. I really couldn't own an RPod without the slide out--just too confining.

 

Great info, we have tented for over 30 years so im sure the r-pod will feel like a mansion.
we will find out tomorrow when we go have a look at one.

if its to small then we will look at the tundra but i would go with 5.7l just to have the extra pulling power if we would a bigger trailer.
i have tried a few full sized trucks and find the tundra limited the most solid and great ride.

what is interesting is that it will cost us about the same to purchase a tacoma plus trailer vs tundra plus trailer.

 

2,000 lbs?!?! The Tacoma can easily and comfortably tow well beyond 2,000 lbs... Obviously, a bigger truck would make easier work of towing but I wouldn't hesitate to hook up a 3,500 lb tear drop trailer to the back of a Tacoma. I think that's well within the Tacoma's capabilities. If you feel the need, add sway control for high winds.

 

I have the Rpod 177. I haven't towed it that much yet but I think the Tacoma will be fine. My biggest challenge has been that I need to realize I can't cruise at 85 with the trailer like I'm used to here in Arizona. It really depends on how often you will tow versus regular driving. If I were going on a 6 month camping trip around the country I would get the Tundra. For an occasional camping trip up in the mountains I will stick with the Tacoma.

 

You will be fine with the Tacoma. With the boat/gear/people I am right at about 6k and it does a decent job. You def know the weight is back there but power is never an issue. As previously said above the rear leafs will prolly need some more strenght and your MPG is going to suck. You should be fine tho, I tow my 6k boat over 2k a year with no issues.

 

By the way, I would look at the 177. For only 200# more weight you'll really appreciate the slideout.

 

Laeyzer, when you check out the Rpod, here's some strandard info about them. Make sure if you buy that you get one with the axle risers already installed, as Pods sit too low to the ground without them. The bed is a short queen, so tall people have trouble sleeping comfortably due to the length. The standard mattress is really weak, we've used a foam topper which helped, but have just replaced it with memory foam.

We looked at Fords when we bought the Tundra (Eco and 5.0). Nice trucks, but when we bought, the deal was much better with the Tundra, and it was much better equipped for the price. I just got a Tundra grade, but it is plenty fancy enough for me. With gas prices high, now is a good time to buy a full sized, as they will really deal on their current stock. I'm and old man (last new truck) who has always towed small, so the 4.6 is great for me, but that 5.7 is a beast! Do miss the Taco, though, sometimes.

 

So far it looks like the tacoma will work. if we get one, i would probably put a k&n system on it and replace the exhaust for more performance.
We dont know much about trailers so the info on the r-pod helps too.

 

Done lots of towing. That little trailer will be fine. I was hauling a 20' Fiberglas travel trailer behind my FJ and that is the same motor.

 

You can tow that no problems.

I tow my fathers boat around for him and also my utility trailer with a fair amount of weight.

I put the tacoma at a safe and distant drive with 4500 pounds. Anything more I feel is too punishing on the truck and starts to become uncomfortable driving it due to the piss poor drivers on the roads these days.

 

Checked out the R-pod 177 yesterday, very cool but $20,000 canadian new, Really?
i like it so i think we will look for a used one.
one more question for you guys.
what is better a extra leaf in the back or air bags?

 

I'd say bags if it's just for when you're towing, leaf springs if you need it daily

 

Air Bags...you can change the stiffness of the ride...AAL you can not...

 

^^^^
+1 to this.

Also highly recommend checking out used TT's. RV's have some of the worst depreciation of any new "toy" you can buy - so I would buy used unless you absolutely have your heart set on something unique and can't find it used within 500miles. R-pods have been out for several years now so I'm sure there are used ones out there.