Lazydays in Tampa, FL - Event Date: 01 Sep 2012

Our salesman (Steve) rounded us up within a few minutes and guided us to Service Bay 35 where our TV, (a Jeep Grand Cherokee) had been pre-scheduled for a wiring harness with brake controller, and some hitch work.  Then we were given a full tour of the facility via golf cart before being taken to our new R Pod 177 in the Delivery Campground.

Our new baby had been fully checked out, detailed, set up with shore power, A/C running, etc. for us. After asking if there was anything else we needed, (there wasn't!), he told us to expect our delivery expert within a very short time to walk us through every aspect of our new 177.

As promised, Ken arrived within a very few minutes, and while my wife took the pups for a quick walk, Ken and I went over all of the external aspects of the 'Pod.  In addition to a complete explanation of all hook-ups, drains, outlets, storage compartments, etc., he offered some advice concerning the screening of many of the vent panels against intrusion by pests that we are likely to encounter here in Florida.  He also suggested that the spare tire, mounded in s hitch / receiver arrangement, might be succeptable to pilferage, and that we might want to secure it in the tow vehicle.

When my wife returned, the instruction went inside where all of the operations of the various systems and appliances took place.

After his very thorough training session, I requested a favor-  could he give me a ride in the golf cart to the service bay where our vehicle was being worked on to retrieve a whole bunch of stuff that we had  brought with us for the 'Pod.  "Of course!" was his quick reply.  We then spent a couple of hours "decorating" our new baby.

Lunch from the Cafe was Chef's Salad-  not bad!

We were then invited by our Delivery Coordinator to visit the desk where our Lazydays Benefits Package was explained to us.  We found a number of perks and programs that we liked.  (There were a few that didn't mean much to us, but the thought was there....)

Another dog walk and pretty soon our Jeep was returned to the Delivery Campground with the wiring and hitch work done......  almost!  We discovered that the Grand Cherokee uses two different circuits for the turn signals and the brake signals.  It required a modification that was completed in about 30 minutes, and everything was fine.  (Not free, but reasonable.)

As everything was going on, we had been told that all the vehicles parked around Lazydays were, in fact, a huge outdoor sales room.  Any vehicle, including some extremely luxurious motor coaches, were open for us to inspect.  Wow!  Some of them looked like luxury suites at a fancy Las Vegas hotel!  Fun to see, but way out of reality, (for us, at least).

With the Cocker Spaniels fading fast, and after an exciting but tiring day, we all retreated to the air conditioned comfort of our R Pod to start winding down.  Supper was take out from the Cracker Barrel which was almost literally on-site.  I had planned a quick cocktail at the "Exit 10 Lounge" over in the class 5 Lazydays campground across the road, but I faded before I could pull it off.

Sleepy time....

Thursday morning we had a service tech arrive at our site precisely at 8:30, as promised, to take our 'Pod back to service for a minor problem.  The gray water tank showed "full" on the monitoring panel.  I questioned why a brand new trailer should have a full gray water tank.  Turns out the tank was, in fact, full!  While detailing and setting up the 'Pod, the sanitizing procedure for the fresh water tank, (I won't go into details, but you probably know), resulted in a full gray water tank that someone forgot to dump.  AOK!

We spent those few minutes visiting the on-site Camping World where I picked up a couple of trinkets, and a hitch lock which I needed for the ride home.

The R Pod towed flawlessly at 60 mph all the way back to Cedar Key.  (Well, not through Homossassa and Crystal River, but you know what I mean.)

Home now with a couple of pooped puppies, and a beautiful new "EscapePod"* awaiting our next adventure.

Bob and Joyce

Jennifer and Baxter

*I know we are not the first to name our 'Pod as such.  Appologies to the originators!

 We're interested in the rpod 177. I tried to post a message earlier and messed it up, so will try again. We live in crystal river, and I noted you took delivery at lazy days and live in cedar key. Would you consider letting us come up and have a quick peek at yours? It's difficult to find a place nearby to see one. We love cedar key! Thanks in advance.

Deb & Neil