First year in review with the 171 rpod
Picked up our pod just after X-mas of this year, and Camped
at many parks throughout the state. We have had a great time camping with it
and have no regrets buying it. Listed below are some of the pros and cons I have
noticed about the pod this year.
Pros:
It tows well behind my 2009 ford escape. I would not like to
go cross country on the interstate, but fine for just traveling around the
state mostly on secondary roads. I average about 13.5 mpg. The great thing I go
back to 24 mpg when I unhook. I do plan to upgrade the TV to something a little
bigger when I get a new vehicle.
It has everything the big rigs have but in a smaller
package. , I don’t live in my trailer, but trailer to live in the outdoors, so
this works great! People you see in these big RV’s sometimes never leave the
trailer.
Have met some great people from this board at the Porcupine Mountain
round up.
The R-dome is a great addition, but would not like to set it
up just for an overnighter.
It’s easy to find a spot to camp and set-up because of the
size.
My wife enjoys all the amenities, like the bathroom, sink,
stove, refrigerator, it’s keeping her camping, the tent camping was getting old
for her, or are we getting old?
Has extended our early and late season camping.
Cons:
The mattress is junk. I will be getting a new one for the
start of the 2013 season.
It’s a little short on places to store your clothing you
need to be a little inventive on this front, mostly store our clothes in
storage bins and store them in the r-dorm or the back of the vehicle. Added some
hooks and shelving to the inside of the rpod.
The table is to big to get around exchanged for smaller one.
I understand this is to setup for another bed but we don’t need one.
If I hear the phrase “it’s so cute” one more time I’m going
to go postal (just kidding) I wish I would hear comments like, that’s cool,
neat, or even far-out, but my wife still thinks it’s cute!
Up-grades this year:
Purchased a 2000 watt inverter generator to charge the
battery.
Added a portable shelf over the wheel guard as a mini-bar, Will
try to post picture later.
Suction cups are your friends! Use them on the side of the
camper to hang flashlights, caps, and anything else you what handy. Caddy’s with
suction cups that you can get for your bathroom work well to hang stuff.