Thanks Furpod, I thought that might be the case. The service dept. at our Pod dealer said something to that effect but dealers say all kinds of stuff that isn't true. I guess we will have to continue to schlepp our EZ up around though a built in awning sure would be nice. 

Just FYI, while watching the Sutton RV Pod factory tour on Googletoob I noticed they were using the same aluminum frame for BOTH sides of the trailer, including the large void to accept the 179's slide room. That seems like a really bad idea in terms of structural strength. Kinda like putting a 3,500lb axle on a trailer with a 3800lb GVWR. I heard that Warren Buffet ordered cost cutting in a panic 'cause he found out he was down to his last $50 billion

To date, no slide has ever fallen out of, nor damaged the sidewall in normal use, on any Pod I am aware of. We did have an owner of a 178 (I think) pull forward with the slide out, and catch it on a tree somehow.. that was pretty catastrophic..Several axles have been caught on curbs, poles, rocks, etc etc

 

The R-Pod is neither built for, nor marketed as, an off road trailer.

At all.

The NoBo is the closest FR makes to an "off road" trailer. And I wouldn't take one very far off road myself.

Originally posted by JimBinOC By off road I meant off paved roads. The Hood River Edition is intended for that, hence the larger wheels and tires and extra ground clearance. We mostly dry camp and have driven many miles on dirt tracks with our Pod. That does involve more stress and strain on the trailer than full hook-ups and smoothly paved roads. Heck, the California deserts are full of paved roads that are worse than graded dirt. Just sayin.

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. There is nothing "beefier" or "off road capable" difference between a east coast or west coast Pod, other then the tires.

Have owners done some of it? undoubtedly. And none of them have lost a sidewall. At least not in the manner you are worried about. I have seen a couple literally shaken apart, or beat to death.

The last thing I'd worry about is the walls of the rpods failing structurally. There's almost no load on them and the load that's there is a vertical column load, the easiest kind to handle.  Even banging around on dirt roads and potholes you're going to bend the axle or the frame first.

"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.

I promise you, besides the risers, and the larger tires, there is NO difference between a east and west Pod other then marketing and decals.. East Pods had the risers as an option, now they all use the same clocked axle, and a lift kit / risers isn't / aren't needed.

While increasing ground clearance is a functional upgrade for ground clearance.. it does nothing to make the structure of the camper itself any better for rough use.

Remember... no one on this board but you has a dog in the fight.. and your dealer does.. In the long run, we want podders to be happy in their ownership experience.

I have personally done one better by going to LRD tires and equivalent 2500 lb rated 15 inch wheels, and  have also reinforced my axle tube. I take my rpod on dirt and gravel roads all the time, but I drive verrry slooowly on the back roads to avoid shaking the trailer to pieces or bending an axle. So yes for sure you can (carefully) take your rpod off of paved roads. 

I just received an email response from Robert Drake in R-Pod customer service about the off road use issue and he said- 

"The Hood River Edition is just that. More ground clearance and slightly different decal package."

I wrote- Thanks for your prompt reply. I guess my follow up question is – What is the purpose of the extra ground clearance?

He responded- "For the off road areas (emphasis added) that people on the West Coast like to go. The units made standard (from Indiana) are built more for the highways and paved roads."

Hope that settles the question about their off road suitability. And please don't jump down my throat over what is a fairly petty disagreement.