Bowing/Lights

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   Hi everyone,

I spent the last few days looking at "the competitor" model online and this morning we drove to a dealership to look at one in person.

Looking at the competitor forums, I see that a few people are reporting issues with bowing that resulted in the units being sent back to the dealer to have the fiberglass reinforced.  

Anyone with an R-Pod experience a similar issue?

Also, on the competitor forum I notice that at least one person is saying that there can be problems registering the RPod (not sure what state, or if it's in all states) because there aren't enough lights, whereas the competitor has the required number of lights.  Anyone run into problems with this?

I do have to say, although I thought the floor plans between the two TT manufacturers look nearly identical on paper and online, when I viewed the competitor's version in person today I was not impressed.   I did not think the fit and finish was as good as the Rpod, and even though the floorplans are the same, my impression was that the Rpod was just . . . better.  Unfortunately DH didn't want to follow up the inspection of the competitor with another tour of the RPods today, but it would have been nice to see them both on the same day for a more side by side comparison.

At least, though, we both agreed that our initial impression is between the two, RPod is the winner.

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KSinclair Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Topic: Bowing/Lights Posted: 14 Aug 2010 at 2:11pm
	Hi everyone, I spent the last few days looking at "the competitor" model online and this morning we drove to a dealership to look at one in person. Looking at the competitor forums, I see that a few people are reporting issues with bowing that resulted in the units being sent back to the dealer to have the fiberglass reinforced. Anyone with an R-Pod experience a similar issue? Also, on the competitor forum I notice that at least one person is saying that there can be problems registering the RPod (not sure what state, or if it's in all states) because there aren't enough lights, whereas the competitor has the required number of lights. Anyone run into problems with this? I do have to say, although I thought the floor plans between the two TT manufacturers look nearly identical on paper and online, when I viewed the competitor's version in person today I was not impressed. I did not think the fit and finish was as good as the Rpod, and even though the floorplans are the same, my impression was that the Rpod was just . . . better. Unfortunately DH didn't want to follow up the inspection of the competitor with another tour of the RPods today, but it would have been nice to see them both on the same day for a more side by side comparison. At least, though, we both agreed that our initial impression is between the two, RPod is the winner.

Tamms Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06 Aug 2010 Location: Ohio Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Posted: 14 Aug 2010 at 3:49pm
	We got the temp tags from Couch's in Ohio and it was insured with State Farm with no problems. I will not be "registering" the pod until beginning of next month but I dont think I could get temp tags if there was a problem with lights in my state. BTW: I live in Ohio. R-pods have aluminum sidewalls so don't know about the bowing question. I'm sure someone else more educated with this will come along and fill in. I don't even know if there is fiberglass on it (maybe the roof?).
	Tammy, Robert, & Linus the morkie (Two & a Half Nerds)

TerryM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Location: Saint Augustine Online Status: Offline Posts: 1950	Posted: 14 Aug 2010 at 5:39pm
	I have never heard of a problem registering an R-Pod. I know I didn't have an problems. The bowing your talking about isn't a problem with the R-Pod. The R-Pod has an aluminum frame covered with fiberglass. The issues with the other camper is because all they did was try to copy the R-Pod. They didn't work out a design for themselves. If they had, they wouldn't be having these problems. Terry
	RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565

Outbound Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767	Posted: 14 Aug 2010 at 7:12pm
	There is an argument about the identification light bar: three closely spaced lights on the rear of the trailer to indicate that it is over 80" wide - presumably so that nighttime passing drivers will allow a few extra inches as they zip past. The body of the r-pod is under 80", but the axle width is wider that 80" and thats where the one issue thats been reported has cropped up. An overzealous DMV employee flagged the over-80" axle width and lack of a light bar as a problem and required the r-pod owner to install a light bar before registering it. Forest River's response is that the light bar is not required as the nominal width of the trailer is under 80". Oh - and yes, the MPG does have the light bar above the rear window where the r-pod does not.
	Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 15 Aug 2010 at 10:59am
	I seem to remember someone last year complaining about an area on the roof of their 'pod that started to sag, I think it was on the front.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

tdrace Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Location: Florida Online Status: Offline Posts: 133	Posted: 16 Aug 2010 at 10:40pm
	I have never heard of the R-pod sagging. I finally got to see the MPG in person and I was not impressed. The finishes were not as nice and to me it did not have the quality of the R-Pod. I would not have bought it even If I had never seen the R-pod. I am Very pleased with My R-pod 173. Just my opinion. Theresa
	tdrace's 2018 180 2010 FORD F150 V-8 equalizer e-2 hitch Sisters on the Fly #1569

KSinclair Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Posted: 17 Aug 2010 at 12:01am
	I agree, I didn't think the MPG was as nice as the RPod. I haven't purchased an RPod yet, probably be some months, but looking forward to a 173T if I can get DH on the same page.

tdrace Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Location: Florida Online Status: Offline Posts: 133	Posted: 17 Aug 2010 at 10:28pm
	I think you are making a great choice. I am very very pleased!! I have camped at least twice a month since January and love it!! I might add that I camp by myself and I have learned to do everything. Most Happy when I am In my Beachpod!!
	tdrace's 2018 180 2010 FORD F150 V-8 equalizer e-2 hitch Sisters on the Fly #1569