Advice - R-pod Owners Forum

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techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posts: 9059

Topic: Advice
Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 7:35pm

My suggestion for a wet bath is to get a synthetic chamois "shammy" towel to mop up after.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1447

Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 3:45pm

I was concerned with the wet bath when we first got ours, but I mind it less every year. It is small, and needs to be wiped down after a shower, but it has just become part of the fun of camping.

Not being able to walk around the bet to make it and having to climb over the outside person to get out of bed are not much fun. If anything drives us away from the Pod that will be it.

Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150

Podster

Senior Member

Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1108

Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 1:50pm

Very true...watch tank size. The PODs are generally equipped with 30+30+36 fresh.

As far as hybrids, the advantage is excellent expansion with minimal effort.

Disadvantages, well you can do thing's to mitigate this but, it's a tent area, so...when it's really hot or really cold so is the tent area. Also, fold outs require a little more maintenance, but its kinda cool that you can take an 18 or 20 footer and turn it into a 24 or 28 footer!

Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

Viperbyte

Newbie

Joined: 31 Mar 2014
Location: Louisville, KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11

Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 11:59am

Hi
Concerning the wet bath. Missy and I have also just moved up from tent camping owning our 179 for a year now. Although we appreciate the convenience of a wet bath, it is very small. I am 5'11" , 230 (yes a bit fluffy) and its use can be a bit challenging.

We love our R Pod but if we had family members camping with us, I would want a larger camper trailer. It can just be a bit tight in there with more people. JMHO.

Here is a link to another brand Vista Cruiser: http://gulfstreamrvtrailers.com/visa/floorplans.php
I can't attest to the the quality but some of their floor-plans may be more suited for a larger family.

Another issue you may want to consider is your Freshwater, Black, and Gray tank size. It amazes me how some of the larger trailers built for 5-6 people (subtract one or two for true comfort) have tanks that are the same size or smaller than an R Pod. Believe me you can fill them black and Gray tanks up fast. I mentioned this because you said something about taking moderate trips on public lands. I assumed this was for longer than just a few days.

Take care and best wishes.

Jon & Missy
Bandit, Willy, Woody, & Fargo (The Pod Pack)
2015 (Early) R Pod 179
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac V8 4x4

calmdowneight View Drop Down

Groupie

Joined: 25 Feb 2015
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 40

Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 12:40am

Looked at several different trailers today, including the full line of Palomini. The only plus to this line I could see is they do have two models with dry bath's in them. Quality felt poor and ground clearance was not adequate, plumbing was only about 10" above the ground on a level lot. Still haven't getten in an Rpod yet but will be looming next week. Did look at flagstaff micro lites, jayco jay flight's, a coleman 19qrb, and flagstaff shamrock hybrid and found a lot we liked in several of them. On the short list of trailers to look at is the Evergreen Ascend, price is in line with the Rpod and features are equal or better with a dry bath in which the Misses tells me is almost a must. Any feedback on the Evergreen brand / reputation? How does the wet bath in the Rpod work for everyone? What are the pros / cons of hybrids?

Podster

Senior Member

Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1108

Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 10:27pm

Check this one out...it's only 2' longer that an R-POD. No slide, but a nice bathroom, bunk beds, and full time bed, a dinette, and a bath tub!

Floorplans | AR-ONE MAXX | Select Travel Trailers | Starcraft RV

Here is a hybrid, only a foot and half longer than the POD.

Floorplans | AR-ONE | Light Weight | Starcraft RV

Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

calmdowneight View Drop Down

Groupie

Joined: 25 Feb 2015
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 40

Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 8:15pm

Thanks for the input folks, you've all been very helpful. I will look up the Surveyor and see what it's about. Any additional advice from anyone will be greatly appreciated.

rascalrv

Groupie

Joined: 18 Jan 2014
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 72

Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 7:52pm

If I were you, I would a buy a bigger unit and not a Rpod. Rpod is ok for short trips but let's face it the bathroom is tiny and you will be crawling over each other to move around in the pod on a rainy day. I would get a surveyor instead.

Podster

Senior Member

Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1108

Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 7:30pm

Well, I'm just saying you're not limited by your TV so that kinda opens it up for several other possibilities. The R-POD is a lightweight premium, I have seen other traditionally built campers 18' and less for less money. I'm not trying to steer you off the R-POD, just pointing out that most people buy them because of there weight class not size.

Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

calmdowneight View Drop Down

Groupie

Joined: 25 Feb 2015
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 40

Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 3:39pm

Podster, can you give me some examples of bigger / heavier that you know of that would still be good for tight spots on the sides of rougher dirt roads and hold up well? I know like anything else you have to take care of the trailer and I surely won't be mudding / off-roading with it but do need some ground clearance and shorter length would be helpful. Thanks

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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	Topic: Advice Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 7:35pm
	My suggestion for a wet bath is to get a synthetic chamois "shammy" towel to mop up after.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Keith-N-Dar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 03 Apr 2011 Location: Mayville, WI Online Status: Offline Posts: 1447	Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 3:45pm
	I was concerned with the wet bath when we first got ours, but I mind it less every year. It is small, and needs to be wiped down after a shower, but it has just become part of the fun of camping. Not being able to walk around the bet to make it and having to climb over the outside person to get out of bed are not much fun. If anything drives us away from the Pod that will be it.
	Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150

Podster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108	Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 1:50pm
	Very true...watch tank size. The PODs are generally equipped with 30+30+36 fresh. As far as hybrids, the advantage is excellent expansion with minimal effort. Disadvantages, well you can do thing's to mitigate this but, it's a tent area, so...when it's really hot or really cold so is the tent area. Also, fold outs require a little more maintenance, but its kinda cool that you can take an 18 or 20 footer and turn it into a 24 or 28 footer!
	Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

Viperbyte Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 31 Mar 2014 Location: Louisville, KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 11:59am
	Hi Concerning the wet bath. Missy and I have also just moved up from tent camping owning our 179 for a year now. Although we appreciate the convenience of a wet bath, it is very small. I am 5'11" , 230 (yes a bit fluffy) and its use can be a bit challenging. We love our R Pod but if we had family members camping with us, I would want a larger camper trailer. It can just be a bit tight in there with more people. JMHO. Here is a link to another brand Vista Cruiser: http://gulfstreamrvtrailers.com/visa/floorplans.php I can't attest to the the quality but some of their floor-plans may be more suited for a larger family. Another issue you may want to consider is your Freshwater, Black, and Gray tank size. It amazes me how some of the larger trailers built for 5-6 people (subtract one or two for true comfort) have tanks that are the same size or smaller than an R Pod. Believe me you can fill them black and Gray tanks up fast. I mentioned this because you said something about taking moderate trips on public lands. I assumed this was for longer than just a few days. Take care and best wishes.
	Jon & Missy Bandit, Willy, Woody, & Fargo (The Pod Pack) 2015 (Early) R Pod 179 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac V8 4x4

calmdowneight Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 25 Feb 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 40	Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 12:40am
	Looked at several different trailers today, including the full line of Palomini. The only plus to this line I could see is they do have two models with dry bath's in them. Quality felt poor and ground clearance was not adequate, plumbing was only about 10" above the ground on a level lot. Still haven't getten in an Rpod yet but will be looming next week. Did look at flagstaff micro lites, jayco jay flight's, a coleman 19qrb, and flagstaff shamrock hybrid and found a lot we liked in several of them. On the short list of trailers to look at is the Evergreen Ascend, price is in line with the Rpod and features are equal or better with a dry bath in which the Misses tells me is almost a must. Any feedback on the Evergreen brand / reputation? How does the wet bath in the Rpod work for everyone? What are the pros / cons of hybrids?

Podster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108	Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 10:27pm
	Check this one out...it's only 2' longer that an R-POD. No slide, but a nice bathroom, bunk beds, and full time bed, a dinette, and a bath tub! Floorplans \| AR-ONE MAXX \| Select Travel Trailers \| Starcraft RV Here is a hybrid, only a foot and half longer than the POD. Floorplans \| AR-ONE \| Light Weight \| Starcraft RV
	Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

calmdowneight Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 25 Feb 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 40	Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 8:15pm
	Thanks for the input folks, you've all been very helpful. I will look up the Surveyor and see what it's about. Any additional advice from anyone will be greatly appreciated.

rascalrv Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 18 Jan 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 72	Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 7:52pm
	If I were you, I would a buy a bigger unit and not a Rpod. Rpod is ok for short trips but let's face it the bathroom is tiny and you will be crawling over each other to move around in the pod on a rainy day. I would get a surveyor instead.

Podster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108	Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 7:30pm
	Well, I'm just saying you're not limited by your TV so that kinda opens it up for several other possibilities. The R-POD is a lightweight premium, I have seen other traditionally built campers 18' and less for less money. I'm not trying to steer you off the R-POD, just pointing out that most people buy them because of there weight class not size.
	Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

calmdowneight Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 25 Feb 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 40	Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 3:39pm
	Podster, can you give me some examples of bigger / heavier that you know of that would still be good for tight spots on the sides of rougher dirt roads and hold up well? I know like anything else you have to take care of the trailer and I surely won't be mudding / off-roading with it but do need some ground clearance and shorter length would be helpful. Thanks