Hello from Tennessee

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     Just saying hello!  We bought a like new 2010 176 almost 2 months ago.  We're in the Nashville area.  We broke the pod in on a trip to St. Joseph State Park in northern Florida.  Beautiful place!! We've been tent camping for years and I'm a bit worried about switching to an RV mode of thinking, but I have to say we really enjoyed the rpod on the first trip out and I think we're pretty well hooked.  

  Came back this afternoon from the Huntsville, AL dealer where we had the lights recall done.  Nothing but good things to say about the dealer (Bankston) and Forest River.  FR was quick and very easy to deal with on the recall issue and Bankston seems to have done a good job, on schedule and were very friendly.

   I like the lights, especially on the fenders.  I can't see the rear airfoil lights unless I'm stopped of course, but I'm glad to have them.  I don't expect much aerodynamic advantage from airfoil though!

  We tow with a Toyota FJ Cruiser, 6 cyl, 4L.  It does very well but gas mileage is disappointing to say the least.  8 to 10.  Now WHD or sway bars, and after almost 2000 miles down the road, I don't see why I'd want them.  I added a brake controller to the FJ after I drove the pod home without brakes when we bought it.  I love the brakes!

  The hookups were nice in Florida, but we camp mostly in the GSMNP where there are no hookups.  I don't really see that changing because of the pod.  Being warm, on 15 degree nights will be nice, not to mention having our own shower!  We'll be back in the Smokies in a week and a half.  Winter never slows us down, even when we're tent camping.  We spent two weeks tent camping in the Canadian Rockies and down to Yellowstone in September and had several nights in the teens at higher elevations.  Point is, we'll do a good bit of winter boondocking.  Still, walls that hold the heat in, and heat, are among the top advantages of the RPod for us.  I can see getting a generator to keep the battery charged and to use the microwave/convection oven.  That's really nice too!

  TT

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Tars Tarkas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446	Topic: Hello from Tennessee Posted: 02 Feb 2013 at 9:14pm
	Just saying hello! We bought a like new 2010 176 almost 2 months ago. We're in the Nashville area. We broke the pod in on a trip to St. Joseph State Park in northern Florida. Beautiful place!! We've been tent camping for years and I'm a bit worried about switching to an RV mode of thinking, but I have to say we really enjoyed the rpod on the first trip out and I think we're pretty well hooked. Came back this afternoon from the Huntsville, AL dealer where we had the lights recall done. Nothing but good things to say about the dealer (Bankston) and Forest River. FR was quick and very easy to deal with on the recall issue and Bankston seems to have done a good job, on schedule and were very friendly. I like the lights, especially on the fenders. I can't see the rear airfoil lights unless I'm stopped of course, but I'm glad to have them. I don't expect much aerodynamic advantage from airfoil though! We tow with a Toyota FJ Cruiser, 6 cyl, 4L. It does very well but gas mileage is disappointing to say the least. 8 to 10. Now WHD or sway bars, and after almost 2000 miles down the road, I don't see why I'd want them. I added a brake controller to the FJ after I drove the pod home without brakes when we bought it. I love the brakes! The hookups were nice in Florida, but we camp mostly in the GSMNP where there are no hookups. I don't really see that changing because of the pod. Being warm, on 15 degree nights will be nice, not to mention having our own shower! We'll be back in the Smokies in a week and a half. Winter never slows us down, even when we're tent camping. We spent two weeks tent camping in the Canadian Rockies and down to Yellowstone in September and had several nights in the teens at higher elevations. Point is, we'll do a good bit of winter boondocking. Still, walls that hold the heat in, and heat, are among the top advantages of the RPod for us. I can see getting a generator to keep the battery charged and to use the microwave/convection oven. That's really nice too! TT

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	Posted: 02 Feb 2013 at 11:06pm
	I think I already welcomed you on another thread, but welcome anyway.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Goose Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Sep 2010 Location: Arizona Online Status: Offline Posts: 672	Posted: 03 Feb 2013 at 9:41am
	Welcome aboard TT. Goose
	Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee

Podsible Dream Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Location: Hightstown, NJ Online Status: Offline Posts: 571	Posted: 05 Feb 2013 at 3:40pm
	Welcome!
	Chris and Walt '10 RP-171 'Free Spirit' '13 Dodge Durango Crew 5.7 L Hemi V8

coopercdrkey Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Aug 2012 Location: Cedar Key, FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 457	Posted: 05 Feb 2013 at 4:24pm
	Welcome to the family! We live in Florida and love the State Park System. A bunch of years ago, when our work load was much more flexible, we vacationed in the western tip of North Carolina- basically the Cashiers area- and fell in love with the GSMNP. Our goal, (if we live that long!) is to take our R 177 back to that region. In the meantime, the Florida State Parks are an awesome, local resource which we use as often as we can. Happy trails, and safe adventures....
	Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71