R-Pods vs. Class A motorhome

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   Just finished an interesting discussion with my neighbor and his friend who just came up from Florida with his 4 year old 34 foot Class A motorhome(name of motorhome is not given to protect the guilty).  He proceeded to tell me all the 'issues' he has had with his $ 400,000 investment, from leaks to electrical problems, plumbing problems, leaky tanks and issues with their GM 455 HP diesel engine.  He has had it in for repairs more than he has been able to enjoy.  

So . . . . . . I was asked about all the issues I have had with my 8+ year old 177.  I had to think long and hard because there haven't been any serious ones, a few small problems like having to add a lift kit last year because I was toasting to many rear risers.  Just last week we had our first big expense ever on the pod, and that was to repair the furnace at a price of $ 350  but other than that, it has been amazingly trouble-free.

My point is that I hear a lot about all the problems r-pods have but so do the big guys who spend more money on their Class A's than my home is worth.  As we have heard on this forum "when you travel with your home behind you at 60mph on roads that are anywhere from nice to bumpy enough to make your dentures fall out, things are going to happen.

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jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3219	Topic: R-Pods vs. Class A motorhome Posted: 27 Aug 2019 at 12:48pm
	Just finished an interesting discussion with my neighbor and his friend who just came up from Florida with his 4 year old 34 foot Class A motorhome(name of motorhome is not given to protect the guilty). He proceeded to tell me all the 'issues' he has had with his $ 400,000 investment, from leaks to electrical problems, plumbing problems, leaky tanks and issues with their GM 455 HP diesel engine. He has had it in for repairs more than he has been able to enjoy. So . . . . . . I was asked about all the issues I have had with my 8+ year old 177. I had to think long and hard because there haven't been any serious ones, a few small problems like having to add a lift kit last year because I was toasting to many rear risers. Just last week we had our first big expense ever on the pod, and that was to repair the furnace at a price of $ 350 but other than that, it has been amazingly trouble-free. My point is that I hear a lot about all the problems r-pods have but so do the big guys who spend more money on their Class A's than my home is worth. As we have heard on this forum "when you travel with your home behind you at 60mph on roads that are anywhere from nice to bumpy enough to make your dentures fall out, things are going to happen.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

podwerkz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Mar 2019 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 966	Posted: 27 Aug 2019 at 2:21pm
	Never heard of a GM 455 hp diesel, (unless that is a reference to the Detroit engines) but yeah, more complex things have more complex problems. I see these youtube videos with RVs that are plagued with problems. Yeah my r-pod has had a couple of minor issues but nothing worth even bothering the dealer with.
	r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3219	Posted: 27 Aug 2019 at 3:49pm
	my neighbor is 80 and his friend with the motorhome is almost there as well. Will have to go back and verify engine size, if he can remember
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 27 Aug 2019 at 3:49pm
	Probably a 8.1 Vortec. 496 Cubic inches, 340 HP, 455 pounds of torque. Class A common. Agree bigger and more expensive, more issues. Think rowboat and yacht. True of most all things.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2628	Posted: 27 Aug 2019 at 4:11pm
	When I used to fly my homebuilt airplane, things "seemed" expensive to me. I was talking to a friend (who was also a pilot), and was holding in my hand some little part (I don't even remember what it was). I asked him "You know how much this cost?!?". He replied "$300.", which was remarkably close to what it cost. I said "How did you know?" He replied "Everything on an airplane can be measured in AUs (Aircraft Units), and that looked like it was about three of them. On your airplane, AUs are $100. If you were flying a Piper Malibu, an AU would be $1000."
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 27 Aug 2019 at 4:17pm
	Yep, complicated=expensive. You can buy simple inexpensive class A's that won't cost arm and a leg. I had an old 24 ft 1975 Revcon, had about the same stuff in it as an Rpod and was about the same size inside. Pretty cheap to keep up. The drivetrain was indeed a GM 455 (cubic inches not hp and a gasser not a diesel) straight out of the Olds Toronado. Plenty of power too!
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 27 Aug 2019 at 4:48pm
	My Dad had a couple class As with those BB gassers, one was a 454 and the other was a 440, I recall they got about 8 miles to the gallon. Both were from the 70s.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2628	Posted: 27 Aug 2019 at 6:06pm
	Similar conversation comparing an Airstream to an R-pod. A roughly equivalent Airstream/R-pod comparison would give the Airstream $3 for every $1 you spend on an R-pod. Going up to a lot of class As would be almost another order of magnitude. We have a friend with a fairly fancy class A. I think he spent north of $700,000. It does have some extras though.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

David and Danette Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1214	Posted: 27 Aug 2019 at 6:27pm
	Reminds me of the Ford Maverick I owned Ford advertised it as a simple car that you can repair yourself. Similar to a simple r-pod most things you can repair yourself, far different from a motorhome.
	2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

crankster78 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 08 May 2018 Location: Minn Online Status: Offline Posts: 163	Posted: 27 Aug 2019 at 7:40pm
	Greetings: I've owned 2 Pods, a 171 and now a 179, a 2010 and a 2015. I've had few problems. I'm camping right now in Blue Mound State Park by Laverne MN. I saw a class A try to park in a site last night. Most SPs are not designed for large class A's. I don't know if he got it parked at all. I know and have met many folks with class A's. Every one has had major problems. If I were to go larger, I would buy a TT or 5th wheel. I have a limited budget and just glad to have what I got. Crankster78 R-179
	Crankster 78 R-179 2015