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Potential R-Pod buyer

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Printed Date: 29 Mar 2024 at 12:36am
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Topic: Potential R-Pod buyer
Posted By: vegasartist
Subject: Potential R-Pod buyer
Date Posted: 19 May 2020 at 10:08pm
I am a possible future R Pod owner. A Las Vegas resident at least "officially." I first investigated travel trailers in the Fall of 2006 trying to decide if I should buy a house or a trailer for full time living. Decided on a house. In retrospect, not a good decision after the 2008 collapse and the crash of LV real estate. Once painfully extricated from the house I started travelling extensive in SE Asia. Cumulatively I have spent 9 months in the Philippines, 3 weeks in Cambodia, 3 months in Vietnam, and 12 months in Thailand. I am writing this introduction from Bangkok where I have been since March 4. This trip was supposed to last until June 25. Most of it in Vietnam from April 2 - June 25. The C Virus changed everything. All international borders and airports shut down in SE Asia to foreigners since mid March. My visa here technically good until July 31. But I may leave by late June depending on how Korean Airlines decides how or if they want to handle my return reservation which is out of Saigon. That is a problem since I cannot get to Vietnam. I will deal with it.
Back to my renewed interest in travel trailers and in particular the R Pod. When I eventually return to LV I will need to decide on where to live. And in what kind of dwelling. A travel trailer sounds like a viable option. Perhaps a good way to avoid contact with people during the crisis. Based on everything I read the USA is a giant C Virus petri dish.
Until about 10 days ago I had never heard of a R Pod. Forrest River, yes. Stumbled across a couple R Pod listings on Craigslist. Also many YouTube videos, and this forum. I have now read probably 50% of the posts on the forum. I have also contacted Forrest River for a list price and option pricing for the R 196 since I suspect that the 22' foot models would likely be my first choice.. They sent my info on to two dealers. One has yet to respond. The other replied today stating that they expected to receive several new 196 models by mid June. Actual pricing would be available then. But the dealer stated pricing would likely be in the low 20's. I suspect around $22k.
At this time given that I have already done a lot of research, I have few questions. Perhaps more questions later. I would like advice on possible options. From this forum I have read posts about upgrading the electrical system. Since I would be living in the unit a reliable electrical system is mandatory. Any other suggestions at this time are welcome.
Thanks, Michael




Replies:
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 7:24am
Welcome. Covid has had most camping locations, which are after all public facilities, closed up to now so a travel trailer isn't necessarily a great option during the pandemic. Maybe if you had your own isolated rural property to park it on but you`d still need to provide water. sewer, and, as you mention, electricity. Also consider the investment in a tow vehicle, which almost certainly will cost more than the trailer. 

We'd need a bit more information to be able to recommend electrical  system upgrades for you.

Are you planning to live in the unit in parks with electricity? If so then the system the rpod comes with is fine, just add one 12V battery for when you're on the move. If you are planning to mostly be in parks with electricity with a few occasional short boondock trips with no a/c or microwave use then folks typically add two 6V golf cart batteries, a portable solar module and controller, and maybe a small inverter. If you want to use the a/c and microwave boondocking then you'll need a generator. If you want to live off grid in it for long periods then that is a completely different thing, and can get expensive and elaborate quickly.


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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: vegasartist
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 7:46am
Thanks for the reply.

Tow vehicle: I have a Dodge Durango 5.7 litre Hemi v8 with a class c towing package. Towing not an issue.

Living off the grid not likely. I would live in a park with electricity. If the stock electrical system is sufficient then no need for any upgrades.

Appreciate your advice.

Michael


Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 7:59am
Hi Michael,  your travels sound interesting and I'm sure most of our rpod experiences would bore you. I have a 195 which is the same as the 196 except the 196 has a couch instead of a dinette. Although I have spent 9 - 10 days in a row in it without any problems, Full time could be interesting. I can say that for a week or two on the road, we have plenty of space, and storage, but full time you will need a lot more "stuff". I was thinking maybe the 192 could be a good option also.  With the murphy bed, you gain a little usable space during the day, and you don't have the bathroom taking the middle of the floorspace. With the rear bath, and murphy bed raised, you have a nice open center area to sit, eat, watch t.v. read etc.. As far as power goes, all depends on what you want to do. I would think that with a combination of solar, and a 2000 - 3000 ish watt generator, you could go off the grid and get by easily. I'm thinking about maybe doing that very thing in another 5 or 6 years, maybe in my 195, or in something similar. Good luck, and stay in touch 



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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding


Posted By: vegasartist
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 8:25am
My travels are interesting but can also be boring at fimes. For about 6 weeks during this trip I spent 23 hours a days in a condo. Anything but exciting. Restrictions here have been significantly relaxed thus a bit less boring now.

I mentioned the 196 in my post. But I am considering the 195 and 192 models. I am also trying to get information on the 25' foot model that I read about.

As for full time living, I am very accustomed during my overseas trips which last 3-4 months to living out of a suitcase and in small spaces. Hotel rooms are quite confining. This trip and my trip last year I traded hotel rooms for small studio condos. More space and amenities but still quite small. The interior space of the condo I am currently in is probably not much smaller than the 196. I could easily live here full time.

I will stay in touch. Still too early to know what may happen.

Thanks for the reply and suggestions.    Michael



Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 9:41am
Michael - Good luck with your return travel and your search for a suitable trailer.  Some suggestions:  

Don't fixate on any particular brand of travel trailer.  They are pretty fungible.  The quality difference of one brand over another is generally not that much, even as you go up the price ladder.  Forest River, the manufacturer of the r-Pod line, makes a broad range of relatively affordable travel trailers under various brand names many of which could meet your needs.

It sounds like you are already living an uncomplicated life with little burden of material possessions.  But, small camping trailers are not really designed for full time living.  They always look bigger in the pictures and floor plan drawings.  Look at them in person when you are trying to pick something to purchase so that you can get a real feel for what they are like.  Best if you can rent one for a week or so to see how it feels.  

Also, if you are going to use it in very warm environs, you will probably be warm enough in a travel trailer in winter months, but if you are going to live in a colder area, make sure you check out whether the trailer is well enough insulated and the slide out won't leak cold air into the trailer or you will be spending an awful lot of money on propane with frequent trips to fill the tanks.

Best wishes in your adventure.




-------------
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost


Posted By: vegasartist
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 4:36pm
Thanks Fred.
I am not fixated on any brand. During my previous explorations into trailers I toured many trailers. Also Las Vegas has many trailer expos. Easy to check out a wide range of options.

I do live an uncomplicated life. No permanent residence other than a PO Box. I have lived the other kind of life with lots of possessions and houses. Now a large storage area holds my necessities when I go overseas. My most important possessions now are an Instant Pot, Air Fryer, and a large computer system I built for creating digital art that I license worldwide. I still have a couple of easels, brushes and leftover paint. But the art market I deal in is almost exclusively digital. Good for me. Less space requirements and far less mess.

Living in the cold no longer an option. Only warm weather. Cold for me is Las Vegas in December through February. Even that is too cold for me. Bangkok temperatures since my arrival have ranged from 92-100. Humidity high to oppressive. No problem.

In LV I see ads by trailer owners who offer to move their trailer to a park and rent by the month. A good option for me as an experiment.

Lots of possibilities. I can take my time. I appreciate the input from this forum.   Michael


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 5:19pm
Sounds like wintering in Baja might be in your future. Nice! Thumbs Up

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 6:19pm
If they made a 3 or 4 season full-time capable r-pod with a solid floor, heated/enclosed holding tanks, proper axles, lots of inside and outside storage and a walk-on roof, that is the one I'd recommend for full time living...but then it would not really be an r-pod. It would cost more and be a lot heavier.

I'd look at Grand Design or Lance or Tab or Scamp or something with a bit more full-time intent. r-pods are fine for a week or a month but I would not want to wear one out full-timing in it. Yes, they will cost more.

Not a slam against r-pod....but you should choose the right rig for the use you have in mind. 


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r・pod 171 gone but not forgotten!


Posted By: vegasartist
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 6:41pm
Lance already on my list. Will checkout Grand Design as well as others. Thanks.

Regarding Baja.....not likely to happen. I have traveled all over the world. Many countries. Mexico my least favorite. And I detest Mexican food. Chips and guacamole ok. Nothing else. A pass on Mexico. I know people who live there and like it. Drugs, cartels, kidnappings and murder and a corrupt government. Not a good combination.


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 21 May 2020 at 5:33am
If you are going to full time and follow the seasons to stay where it is warm then you can probably forgo the 4 season insulation requirements, but I agree that the build quality of rPods and similar mass market RV's is not up to the level needed for full time living. There aren't a lot of smaller TT's that are built for that, and the ones that are pricey, as podwerkz says. There are more quality choices in larger trailers and 5th wheels, most full timers go bigger, which you don't want or need. You might want to also consider a Casita or Escape, new or used, if you can find one.

Re MX, I have travelled extensively as well, and hold the opposite opinion of Mexico (and its cuisine). As to government corruption, I can't think of anywhere warm you can reasonably drive to from Vegas that I would place high on my list for clean government these days. 

That is one drawback with RV living, you have to be able to get to your destination by road. If MX is off your list and you want somewhere substantially warmer than Vegas you're probably headed to south Florida at some point, and even that is not as warm in winter as you seem to prefer.  

If you like the nomadic lifestyle, don't mind small spaces, and truly want year round access to a warm humid climate, you might also consider sailing and joining the many liveaboards that transit up and down the ICW every year between FL and the Mid Altantic/Northeast. That gives you access to the Bahamas and points farther south depending on how adventurous you are. A nicely equipped sailboat in the mid 30 foot range can be had quite inexpensively. Unless you want to play russian roulette with hurricanes you pretty much have to head north for the summer and fall though. 




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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 21 May 2020 at 8:49am
One other brand you could consider is Bigfoot. I have seen one of those, and they are quite nice. They are quite pricey, but they are very well built, to include being 4 season capable.

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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: lostagain
Date Posted: 21 May 2020 at 8:57am
The Sonoma that replaced our Pod has the insulation that Podwerkz mentioned and a heater duct to the insulated tank area.  We spent 5 days in Las Vegas in it last Jan. and it was more than adequately insulated for the cold.  It is another FR product and is priced about the same as the r-Pod.  They are made in So. CA and are less expensive to buy on the west coast than trailers made in Indiana, the center of North American trailer manufacturing since transportation costs can be less.  

-------------
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost


Posted By: vegasartist
Date Posted: 21 May 2020 at 5:45pm
Thanks for the Bigfoot and Sonoma suggestions. More possibilities.

Note to Offgrid...... Sailboats. Completed that adventure years ago. 4 sailboats. Hobie 16 catamaran in Seattle. Lots of Puget Sound sailing. In Southern California 3 boats. 30' Capri racer cruiser. Then a Swan 44' (441).
https://www.google.com/searchq=swan+441oq=swan+441aqs=chrome..69i57j0l7.6727j0j4sourceid=silkie=utf-8
And finally Melges 24' an all out high tech racing boat capable of 20 knot + speeds off the wind
Most of my sailing was racing. Some cruising. A week in the Channel Islands, Many days anchored off Catalina, A week long bareboat charter on a 44' sailboat in Tahiti. And many over night sailboat races.

Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones sailors learn to avoid. I have experienced 4 typhoons in the Philippines. Not on a boat thankfully.

My investigation continues. Appreciate all the helpful tips.    Michael


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 22 May 2020 at 5:04am
Other than price the drawback of the Bigfoot is weight, probably just the smallest ones would be Durango towable, and like the Casita, those are pretty small inside.

Gotcha vegasartist on the sailboat adventuring. I'm over it personally too, had a 32 ft mono before changing over to a multihull which I much preferred for cruising. No more "leaning" and shoal draft which is essential on the East Coast. CA, MD, and NC.  

I'm done with hurricanes. Left the Outer Banks because of those, I lost count at around 10. But I know several folks that enjoy the trek following the warm weather up and down the "Ditch" annually, avoiding hurricanes.  Very low key, only go offshore when they want to and the weather is perfect or just relaxed sailing on the bays and sounds. Nice and warm, not like cruising on the West Coast with that cccold water. 

I suggested it because you sound like you prefer truly warm winter weather, and that is not easy to access via road while staying in the US. You have S. Fl and possibly S. TX if that's warm enough. Too bad you can't drive to HI....


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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: vegasartist
Date Posted: 22 May 2020 at 8:48pm
The Bigfoot 25B series weighs just under 4500. The other models are much heavier. Three years ago a dealer ran my vin through Chrysler. He said that based on my specs including the rear axle ratio my Durango is rated at a maximum towing weight off 9000. But he cautioned me to stay under 7000. Under 6000 even better.


Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 22 May 2020 at 9:25pm
You can do a vin run yourself.  It'd be worth double checking.  9000# sounds pretty high for a Durango.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost


Posted By: vegasartist
Date Posted: 22 May 2020 at 10:53pm
I still have the window sticker from the vehicle when I bought it new. It showed 8000 pounds. According to the trailer dealer my rear axle ratio ups the number to 9000 pounds.

Found this online. Third paragraph states 8950 pounds.
https://www.autoblog.com/buy/2006-dodge-durango/expert-review/pg-3/


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 23 May 2020 at 5:44am
I found this for the 06 Durango:

http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2006/docs/hb/mlup.pdf - http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2006/docs/hb/mlup.pdf

The 4500 lbs for the Bigfoot is a dry weight. That's really not the right number to be looking at. Trailers only go down the road once at the dry weight, if then, on their way from the manufacturer to the dealer. Much better to use the gross trailer weight for selection purposes, most loaded trailers are going to be close to that number. 

The max tow number specified by the vehicle manufacturers is also highly optimistic. It assumes one skinny driver and nothing else in the TV. Who does that?

Also, don't get over focussed on the tow weight number. There are really 5 TV specs you need to stay within. The other 4 are hitch weight, front and rear axle weights, and, importantly, max combined gross vehicle weight. 

Take a look at this calculator, once you get all your tow vehicle specs and dimensions in, including people and gear, it is very helpful in seeing where you are at with various trailer options. Add about an additional 100 lbs at the rear for a weight distribution hitch, which most folks recommend. Up to you how close to your max TV specs you want to be, personally I try to keep at least 10% headroom on all of them. This is supposed to be fun, not a white knuckle experience. 

https://www.ajdesigner.com/apptrailertow/weightdistributionhitch.php - https://www.ajdesigner.com/apptrailertow/weightdistributionhitch.php

On hitch weight, you should stay in the 10-15 percent range of trailer weight, higher is better to reduce sway risk. It will vary as the trailer load varies, especially as water moves from your fresh to your gray and black tanks, unless you plan on always having hookups and never hauling any water.  Water is HEAVY. For an initial check I'd suggest using 14-15% of gross trailer weight for hitch weight. 



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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: vegasartist
Date Posted: 23 May 2020 at 6:13am
The figures in the pdf file agree with the link I posted. I have the 2wd, SLT with 3.92 axle ratio. The max trailer weight on the pdf is 8950.

The calculator link is most interesting. At such time as I reach a point where I can at least narrow the choices to 3+ then I will certainly attempt to run the numbers.

In the past the dealers I spoke to recommended anti sway bars on the vehicle. True? Or are better options available?

Thank for the calculator chart.


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 23 May 2020 at 8:18am
No problem. Most folks on this forum (I think) run a weight distribution hitch/anti sway combo. There are many choices and everyone has their favorite. The WDH uses spring bars to move some of the hitch load from the rear axle of the TV to the TV front axle and trailer axle. The problem is that without one the front of the TV rotates up when the hitch load is applied, causing load on the front axle to go down and load on the rear axle to increase even more than the load on the hitch. A WDH doesn't actually increase the hitch load capacity of the TV though (unless the TV mfr states that it does), nor should you think about antisway as a way to overcome problems with an improperly loaded trailer. Think of them as belt and suspenders, adding an extra margin of safety. You'll know if your trailer is loaded too far aft if you jog your wheel (carefully!) without sway control engaged and the trailer oscillates back and forth more than once before tracking the new line.  

-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 23 May 2020 at 8:52am
Probably the most reliable information for your trailer weight capacity is your window sticker since it is specific to the car and takes into account the actual weight of the vehicle and accessories.  All the charts use a generic car, but 8000 lbs. is plenty of capacity for the kind of trailers you are proposing.  

As for a WHD, I agree with OG.  We use a Fastway e-2 roundbar and it works very well adding stability and balance, even in awful conditions.  


-------------
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 23 May 2020 at 9:41am
The 25 series Bigfoot trailers have a GTW of around 7500 lbs. They are heavy suckers. The curb weight of the Durango is around 5000. With a realistic amount for TV passengers and cargo the rig total will be up around 13000. The MCGVWR is 14000. Doable but not what I'd call plenty of safety margin there. If I was doing a lot of mountain travel I'd want something lighter to tow.  

-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 23 May 2020 at 9:49am
+1 to what lostagain said. The real indicator of what you will be able to tow is the yellow sticker on the inside of the driver-side door jamb. It should show the maximum load your tow vehicle can handle. That should take into account all the variables. You will have to subtract passenger and cargo from that number. The left over can be applied to hitch weight.

We also use a Fastway E2 round bar. It's a combo WDH and anti-sway system. Works very well on our F-150, and would probably be one of the choices for your Durango.


-------------
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost


Posted By: vegasartist
Date Posted: 23 May 2020 at 5:01pm
Great information everyone. I knew when I found this forum that actual owner feedback would be the best way to get an accurate picture of the best options. Thanks.



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