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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Your thoughts?
    Posted: 06 Nov 2018 at 4:41pm
Originally posted by marwayne

I just like to add one more thing, some or even most problems with pods are self-induced.

+1
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Nov 2018 at 4:39pm
I just like to add one more thing, some or even most problems with pods are self-induced.
If you want something done right, do it yourself.
2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.


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mcarter View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Nov 2018 at 4:21pm
I think the success of Pods, speaks for itself. Personally I bought mine somewhat on the price. I never had a warranty and to date have fixed everything that has needed fixin'. For me the upkeep of the Pod is easy compared to both my old Airstream and my Class C. Which is exactly what I was looking for. Want to talk maintenance, buy a motorhome. I have noticed FR has added several improvements that many of us did as mods. The price will go up, as prices do, but I think making the Pod more expensive has a risk of moving it out of the niche it currently fills. Sure seems to be doing well in sales where it is at, plus it's reasonable enough an owner can modify it, like Offgrid and Marwayne, I don't feel bad when I'm modding mine, it's not like I had my life's savings invested. AND I've had a barrel of comfortable fun with it. Last point, there are some differences in how the RV industry operates, as far as dealers, warranties, services, etc., it's not the Pods fault. Sorry for the long post, I'll go back to watching squirrels carry off nuts.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Nov 2018 at 4:03pm
+1 to marwayne. I bought my 179 for what I can turn it into. Used so the cost of most of these initial quality problems was borne by others and so I can spend the money on the functional changes I want to make without boxing myself into a corner by having too much money into it overall.

.

Most of the things new owners comment on would be trivial to correct at the factory. The manufacturers ends up paying to fix this stuff under warranty. It is well known in manufacturing that the earlier errors are identified the less expensive they are. So I don’t agree that quality costs money. Quality saves money. US auto manufacturers had to learn that the hard way from the Japanese in the 80s and 90s. The RV manufacturers still don’t get it.

The other concern I have is incorporating unnecessary cosmetic frills that cost the manufacturer money but serve no useful function. The recent example is the undercounter sink. Adds nothing whatever to the pods ability to serve its purpose but reduces its reliability and so increases costs for everyone.

So, keep it simple, make sure that the features that are included work as they should and incentivize good craftsmanship, and implement a zero defects quality system. That would go a long way to overcome the public’s perception of poor RV quality and reduce costs at the same time.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Nov 2018 at 4:01pm
Originally posted by David


Another way to "skin the cat" might be to keep the present Rpod line but, maybe add a few "Gold Series" editions with upgrades. Kind of like with cars - you can get the "base" model or purchase the "Luxury Touring" model with all of the bells and whistles.

This might work for some, and would keep the entire line from being unduly upgraded. For me, I have modest values so our RPod as-is works great (it also helps that both of us are very observant and that one of us is extremely skilled at doing something about what we observe, even if the other one of us can't fix the problem they're seeing. Or didn't see). I also like having a trailer that doesn't project, "hey those people must have a lot of discretionary cash, let's find out what else they have" after we've walked or driven away for a hike or whatever. It's obviously a very personal thing. It sure does seem that in the world of RVs, there already is something for everyone!
2017 R-Pod 179 HRE (the green one)
His:Ford F150 double cab 4WD; Hers/mine:Tacoma V6 double cab 4WD
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Nov 2018 at 3:31pm
  If they would build one that didn't depreciate so fast would be nice.
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Nov 2018 at 2:43pm
The real problem is a lack of understanding the difference between specification and quality.  RV buyers can get anything they want assuming they are willing to pay for it.  The "quality" rants tend to focus with few exceptions on issues that could e avoided had the purchaser understood the specifications the RV was built to meet including price point.  Another common rant is when someone posts about a feature they want and "why doesn't Forest River add this to all Pods" when it may not be important to all buyers.

It would be easy for me to start my own rant, but I will not.   Forest River did not get to where they are in the RV industry by not knowing how to build and sell RVs. 
Keith-N-Dar
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Nov 2018 at 2:41pm
Originally posted by David


Another way to "skin the cat" might be to keep the present Rpod line but, maybe add a few "Gold Series" editions with upgrades. Kind of like with cars - you can get the "base" model or purchase the "Luxury Touring" model with all of the bells and whistles.



Yeppers.. though the market is different.. but people DO pay $60K for a "Mustang GT"... But many people, like me, get all the GT they want and need for quite a bit less... Or $96K for a "Super Duty".. we paid.. LESS...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Nov 2018 at 2:38pm

Another way to "skin the cat" might be to keep the present Rpod line but, maybe add a few "Gold Series" editions with upgrades. Kind of like with cars - you can get the "base" model or purchase the "Luxury Touring" model with all of the bells and whistles.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Nov 2018 at 2:35pm
Hey!! Lance owners don't pay "that much more", based on cubic feet. LOL.

Our Lance is a bit more then twice the cuft of our Pod, and we paid a bit more then twice as much.. On a per cuft basis, we paid, maybe 15% more.
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