"Actually, no.. The HRE package is just an appearance deal. At no place in it's brochure, on it's web page, or advertising, does FR say it's any kind of off road capable".
Once again, by off road I meant off paved road. Just checked the R-Pod factory website and the factory video shows an R-Pod being towed at fairly high speed ON A DIRT ROAD. Also, our authorized dealer extolled the virtues of the Hood River Edition for that kind of use and we have seen many fellow podders in places only reachable by dirt roads. Many state and federal RV campgrounds in the western part of the country can only be reached via dirt roads. When I first researched R-Pod trailers in 2016 the Forest River website stated that the HRE edition was specifically developed for the western region to accommodate the facts just described.
Don't understand the comment about HRE being an appearance package only since increasing the ground clearance is clearly a functional upgrade and using taller wheels and tires and axle risers doesn't do anything for appearance but does increase ground clearance, which is of no value for paved road use.
Also, just talked to our factory authorized dealer who said HRE edition can be used on dirt roads and they get pictures and comments from R-Pod owners who use them that way regularly. I left a voice message with R-Pod customer service about this but it will take some time to get an answer from them.
If what you are saying is true then the marketing of the HRE edition is inherently deceptive and misleading and there is no justification for it at all. That doesn't make sense.