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offgrid ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
![]() Posted: 08 Mar 2019 at 8:50am |
+1 to GlueGuy.
Not only heavier, but also significantly larger frontal area so more wind resistance = more hp required to tow and lower fuel economy. Not to mention poorer rear vis and a requirement for extended mirrors. TANFL = there ain't not free lunch.
There are lots of trailers in this size and weight range, Vibes and NoBos being just two. This is a typical marketing strategy, make a vehicle targeted to a specific segment larger over time to entice ppl to move up. Look at the Honda Civic as an example, its about 20 inches longer now than it was originally. The problem is that brands tend to lose their distinctive character and potentially their market share in the long term. Seen any Pontiacs recently? |
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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GlueGuy ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2631 |
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I count our RP-179 as a 3800 lb vehicle. This should be heavier. Empty weight does not count.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
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David and Danette ![]() podders Helping podders - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1216 |
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Our Gulfstream Vista is 23' long 7.5' wide similar construction about 3,300 lbs. on a single 4,000 lb. axle. If you include hitch weight 480 lbs. it has about a 1,200 lb. cargo capacity.The r-pod 195 I think would have no problem on a single axle that is stronger than a 3,500 axle. Like Stephen said will not know until the specifications are available. I think a lot of the weight comes from the amount of cabinets a camper has, that and the extra width it will be heavier. The tongue weight will make a difference with the cargo weight.
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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
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StephenH ![]() podders Helping podders - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6297 |
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I don't have a hard time believing it will come in around the 3500 lbs Travis said. Considering that the NoBo 19.5 comes in at 3456 lbs for a similar size, I would say that is pretty accurate. While it is longer and wider, the additional materials for side walls and roof are not that much and the interior cabinetry is also not much different. The walk-through shows a solar charge controller so if this is an option, it would add some weight for the solar panel. The larger refrigerator would add some, but not too much. Most everything else inside is pretty standard and would not change. Unknowns are water and holding tank sizes. Also, the awning is different than the Thule awning. The supports on the side of the 195 lead me to believe this is one where the arms extend and the material is on a roll at the end of the arms instead of in a case on the roof/sidewall of the RPod. We'll know for sure once specifications are released. I did not see a door for an outside shower. I expect there will be a spray port instead. In all the time we have owned our 179, I have never used the outside shower so a spray port would work better for us. I would be interested to know if the tanks will be exposed or covered. If covered, will there be a four-season option? I would take that over a solar option.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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GlueGuy ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2631 |
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I have a hard time believing this thing can come in under 4,000 lbs. It's a bit wider and a bit longer, plus has a few upgrades that (I think) all add weight. So how they can get it under 4,000 lbs AND have it on a single axle soewhat puzzles me.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
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mjlrpod ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 1214 |
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This is a game changer in my opinion. It will be hard for me to not run down and order one today. I'm going to try to wait a bit, and actually see one first, but i'm pretty sure I want one. The 3300 pounds on a single axle has me concerned a little. Hopefully the axle is rated above 3500 pounds. I also agree that I might prefer the twin bed option, but this is a giant step forward
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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
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David and Danette ![]() podders Helping podders - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1216 |
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The best r-pod I have liked so far. I was wrong twice about the roof it does look like a one piece fiberglass roof front to back. I am curious what the cargo capacity will be. I think it will be a nice camper for those wanting a larger r-pod. I would like it better if it had twin beds, with the extra width that would be nice.
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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
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Richand Cindy ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 16 Apr 2016 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 328 |
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This design to us is a winner. A bigger refrigerator and walk around bed is the main reason we sold our 180. However, we bought the tow vehicle first (big mistake) and therefore was limited to 4500 lbs. So the 180 was perfect for our Jeep to pull it. I do not think it would be strong enough to pull a 195. That being said it appears most people have bigger TV's anyway so the increased weight would not be an issue. Only one thing bothers me. Our 180 bounced around the highway alot and we had to take it slow. Our new RV is double axle and it does not bounce at all and every once in a while I find my speed drifting upwards. I once hit 80 with it and did not even know it. So I would think hard before buying a 22 foot, 3300 lb RV that was single axle.
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OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel |
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StephenH ![]() podders Helping podders - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6297 |
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Thanks Travis. I can now see that my speculation about the refrigerator vent being on the roof appears to be correct. That should indeed provide better performance of the refrigerator. I like the ladder on the back. That will be quite useful. Can you confirm that the frame is wider and the axle mounts are closer to the wheels? Also, do you have any information on the table that would confirm or contradict my speculation that the legs are fold-down and that the space beside the door is where the table is stowed for travel?
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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kymooses ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 01 Aug 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Online Status: Offline Posts: 1807 |
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Added the rest of the photos of have including the back ones since Forest River jumped the gun on me.
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