New R-Pod 196 Hood River Owners
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13414
Printed Date: 16 Apr 2024 at 4:31pm
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Topic: New R-Pod 196 Hood River Owners
Posted By: Raybob
Subject: New R-Pod 196 Hood River Owners
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2020 at 4:37pm
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We just purchased our R-Pod 196 in Salt Lake City. We're excited to start new adventures. Our maiden voyage will be this weekend with a visit to Zion National Park. We previously had an Outback toy hauler and several tent trailers. ------------- It's never to late to live Happily Ever After! 2020.5 R-Pod 196 Hood River 2018 Titan Pro4X |
Replies:
Posted By: crw8sr
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2020 at 7:37pm
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Congratulations! ------------- Chuck & Lyn Izzy, Morkie. RIP Zoe Joy & Gracie, Yorkie 2018 R Pod 190 2019 Traverse In moments of adversity;when life's a total wreck, I think of those worse off than me and really feel like heck. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2020 at 8:38pm
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Congratulations and welcome! I hope you have many fun adventures and make many great memories. Zion NP is one that I would like for us to visit some day.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 29 Feb 2020 at 7:51am
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Congrats, I love the new r-pod floorplans. I have the 195 and it is the perfect size. I think I would have chosen the 196 if I had seen it before I got the 195. It's obviously not a toy hauler, but we find it to have plenty of storage. Enjoy your 196. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: Linward
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2020 at 12:15pm
We too are the proud owners of a new R-Pod 196  This is our first trailer so we are excited yet a little trepidatious...so much to learn  The dealership we bought it from in Coos Bay Oregon have been super helpful, but I do have a question I would like to run by you guys. They suggested an awning or topper for the slideout which I thought was spendy and unneccesary, but my wife feels that it would save us seal repairs in the long run as most of our camping would occur in forested areas. I know I could just climb up on the roof of the trailer and sweep off any debris when we are ready to move on, but I am no spring chicken and my wife prefers I not do that  I believe I read that the gutters or channels that direct the rain water away from the slideout would have to be cut in order for the topper or awning to be installed. Maybe that was just for that particular product. We have kept the trailer covered since we bought it (with the slider in) and will not be taking it out until May. What do you guys do or suggest we do regarding this? Thanks for letting us join you.  ------------- It's all about choices. |
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2020 at 12:39pm
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Linward, When we got our 179 in July 18 it did not come with a slide out awning and I found while camping in a forested area like we find in Michigan you can accumulate sticks, acorns, and some leaves. We now have one of these awnings. If this debris is on the top of the slide out it will premarital damage the weather seal for the slide out which means removing the debris before you move the slide out in, every time. These awnings are a little pricie but they keep about 90% of the debris of the slide out roof. Still have to check the roof before sliding in the slide out. Hope this helps. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2020 at 12:40pm
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How does the cost of the topper compare to the cost of an ambulance trip and hospital costs? If you tend to camp in areas with a lot of leaf fall in the autumn months, probably a good idea. We tend to camp where leaf drop isn't an issue for the most part, if it is, I get up on a stool and use a broom - at least I am still limber at 66. We purchased our 177 back in January 2011 and do not have such a setup for our slide, nor have there been any issues regarding this. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Linward
Date Posted: 05 Mar 2020 at 4:08pm
After much consideration and discussion with my wife  I have decided to forego the slide out awning (at least for now) and purchased a 3-step ladder with handles to access and clean the top of the slide. I figured I would need to visualize the slide top before retracting it anyway (even with awning) so the step-ladder and broom made more sense (and cents). Thanks for the input.------------- It's all about choices. |
Posted By: tcj
Date Posted: 05 Mar 2020 at 5:30pm
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I'm an old guy too. I use a 4 foot tripod step ladder. Very stable even on uneven ground. It's too big to fit in the rpod storage but fits easily in my open pickup bed. ------------- 2018 R-pod 180 Hood River Edition |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2020 at 8:21am
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I do have the slide out topper awning, and I find it well worth the cost. I've stayed in several areas that tree debris was kept out of the slide area, but also i've been in several wind driven rain storms. I was in one storm last fall that was 50 + gusts and 30 mph sustained blowing right at the slide side. I felt much better having it covered. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2020 at 8:36am
I agree re the stepladder approach. A ladder has many other uses around the campsite besides accessing the slide. I use mine to put up and take down my directional cellular antenna among other things. Its also useful for putting up either a rdome or free standing awning or tent. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Linward
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2020 at 11:27am
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After talking with trailer owners at work, I also purchased a small leaf blower which I will use to blow the debris from the top of the slide in lieu of a broom (I hope). The one I got was corded and will need an external source of electriicity, but they also had battery powered units. Just a thought. ------------- It's all about choices. |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2020 at 11:33am
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Not sure that would work with wet sticky leaves so you might want to bring a broom as backup. Sometimes old tech can be best ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Raybob
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2020 at 1:55pm
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Our dealer didn't suggest a topper for the slideout...... I haven't investigated the benefits but would like to hear about them if you get any info.... Diane and I are bummed not being out camping right now ------------- It's never to late to live Happily Ever After! 2020.5 R-Pod 196 Hood River 2018 Titan Pro4X |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2020 at 3:50pm
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I was a bit too cheap to buy an automatic slide-out cover. I made one instead. I'm actually on my second one as the first wore out. It is totally manual and I do use my ladder to install and remove it. I would prefer an automatic one, but I haven't found one at the price point that would cause me to get it yet. It is written up in my mods.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: crw8sr
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2020 at 6:29pm
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Love ours. ------------- Chuck & Lyn Izzy, Morkie. RIP Zoe Joy & Gracie, Yorkie 2018 R Pod 190 2019 Traverse In moments of adversity;when life's a total wreck, I think of those worse off than me and really feel like heck. |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 8:29am
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As i stated earlier in the thread, I do have the slide out awning. It wasn't cheap, like 700.00 installed if i'm remembering correctly. I had the b/u camera and awning added at the same time, so price is a little foggy. I can only say good things about it so far. I really think the biggest pro is making sure no rain gets on top of the slide. I honestly didn't want a slide out, but with the awning, I barely even think about it. I also would seriously suggest the b/u camera. It's really helpful for lane changes, and watching traffic on the highway when towing.
------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: crw8sr
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 5:04pm
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We have a slide out awning and back up camera. Love both. I have the back up camera wired so it is always on. I like seeing what's going on back there. ------------- Chuck & Lyn Izzy, Morkie. RIP Zoe Joy & Gracie, Yorkie 2018 R Pod 190 2019 Traverse In moments of adversity;when life's a total wreck, I think of those worse off than me and really feel like heck. |
Posted By: PhoebeTheDog
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 1:18pm
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Can I ask which awning you purchased? We are proud owners of a 2020 176 and are looking to make sure we maintain it properly! Also wondering about the approximate cost (installed). We are in Northern California... ------------- Christopher & Robin 2013 Honda Ridgeline New 2020 R pod 176 owner! Mill Valley, CA |
Posted By: mdfairbairn
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2020 at 9:09am
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Welcome, we are also new 196 owners this year. We have had ours out three times so far and are loving it! I to was thinking about the slide awning cover after seeing them on others campers and having a little rain come in during a downpour on our first outing when I didn't have the pod quite level side to side. :-) ------------- Mike & Cindy | 2020 rp196 | 2011 Taco |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2020 at 6:07pm
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We have a slide out cover for our 179---but, it is canvas. I don't know the brand or manufacturer because it came with the POd when we bought it used from a dealer. It works well-it does keep branches, leaves, etc off the slide out roof. We use a standard sheet rock bucket with screw lid for the "ladder" and it is easy to install. When it's wet, we roll it up and stuff it in it's storage bag and hang it on a clothesline when we get home. I would say that it works a lot better than nothing, but obviously not as good as an automatic unit. It does require some installation/removal at each campsite and can be a pain if wet. It doesn't seem to flap in the wind. It's not pretty,but effective. I guess I would buy one if it was $75 or so. Vann https://postimg.cc/NK9Ybnr5">  ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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