Rpod Alternates

I just saw a closed post about the Geopro being a strong alternative to the Rpod. We had a 180 for several years and I have mixed feelings about it. I like the concept but they are built so cheaply it is frustrating. It became a hobby upgrading it. We picked up our Geopro 19fd today and although it cost significantly more it seems to be better made and more thoughtfully designed. If you are planning to use your trailer a lot I would recommend spending more and considering the Geopro. Same basic size, somewhat more weight to tow but so much more usable and hopefully less maintenance. I think we had to fix something every time we used our rpod. Cabinet door hinges, drawer tracks, screws falling out, AC cover, trim pieces, the paper wall covering etc. And the refrigerator that came with it was a joke. We used it for storage until we replaced it. Hopefully they listen to their customers and nail down the quality control issues because I really preferred the size and shape of the rpod.

I think the quality build of the R-Pod has drastically dropped over the years, especially once they became popular.  We special ordered ours in January 2011 and picked it up five weeks later during the first week of March, brought in home in a blinding snow blizzard, was surprised they let us cross the 5 mile long Mackinac Bridge to get to the lower peninsula of Michigan that day.  Maybe it was the dealer in the U.P. of Michigan or maybe at the factory, but I was so impressed how clean everything was, no sawdust, no missing pieces, no 'extra' pieces found, plus the staff went through a 2+ hour walk through over the entire trailer!  And now, 13 years and 45,000 + miles later, very few issues.  The only major one was when the fridge had to be replaced after nearly 10 years, replaced that myself.   I guess the only complaint would be when I went to replace the tires after 5 years of ownership, and noted that the tires were stamped 09/09, meaning that when the 177 was purchased, the tires were already 2 years old!  So, I did get 7 years out of them.  Our special ordered 177 came without A/C, without microwave/convection oven, and without the entertainment system - all these likely to be prone to have issues, but we normally boondock and felt it a waste of $$$ to pay for stuff that would never be used.  Other people whom we have met over the years (such as numerous R-Pod rallies) with older pods don't seem to have the issues that the newer ones have, at least that is our experience.