New Rpod 178 owner
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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=14418
Printed Date: 29 Apr 2024 at 1:37pm
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Topic: New Rpod 178 owner
Posted By: Finpod
Subject: New Rpod 178 owner
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2021 at 10:00pm
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Hi everyone! We’re new to Rpod but been tent camping for years. Here's our quick story. We bought a Casita when the pandemic started. Eventually it or proved to be too small. I’m 6'2. Now moved on to a 2017 Rpod 178.we think this is our camper for many years. So excited. TV is a 2017 SantaFe with 5000 lb towing capacity. Installing a weight distribution hitch tomorrow. Appreciate any suggestions,input. Glad to be here. Thx Fin
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Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2021 at 10:21pm
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Searching the forum will be of great benefit. Use the advanced search function though. It will allow you to search older posts. The default search is for six months and newer posts. Some very useful posts will be older and won't show up in a regular search. I have done a number of mods on our 179. Since it is similar to the 178, some may be of use for you. See them in my mods, the link of which is in my signature. Welcome to the RPod community. I had originally wanted to get a Casita, but got scammed instead. I'm glad I wound up with our 179. My wife and I have been much happier with out 179 than we would have been with the much smaller Casita. ------------- 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: offgrid
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2021 at 5:46am
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Welcome.
I agree with StephenH, you will find the 178 much more comfortable than the Casita. The slide will make it feel much larger as well. The downside of an rpod over a Casita is build quality and water proofing. By getting a used one you will probably get the benefit of the first owner having sorted out the initial build issues but do inspect carefully. The construction of the rpods is very different from the Casitas and you have to be particularly vigilant about water entry and damage. Two key areas are around the slide and under the rear spoiler. But do look for floor damage around the whole perimeter of the trailer. Also check for any plumbing leaks under the bath and kitchen sink. Beyond that the actual appliances in the two trailers and in most RVs are the same. The Santa Fe will tow the 177 ok, my Highlander has the same rating, But you will need to watch your weights in the TV and trailer, and especially the tongue weight, to stay in spec. You don’t have a lot of headroom in your TV capacity, and neither do I. Especially if you plan on boon docking, with water and an extra battery/propane cylinder, you will quickly exceed your TV specs. I highly recommend you load up the trailer and TV with everything and everybody you plan to travel with and go to a public scale. Weigh the rig adding an axle at a time, then drop the trailer and weigh the TV adding an axle at a time. Leave your wdh installed but not tensioned for the weighings. You can get the trailer, tongue, and each axle weight by subtraction. Put all your specs and actual weights in this calculator and see how much headroom you do or don’t have. The calculator will also show you the effects of adding tension to your wdh. https://www.ajdesigner.com/apptrailertow/weightdistributionhitch.php ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2021 at 4:00pm
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Fin, I have a 2015 178, owned since new, any 178 questions I'd be happy to answer. We have been pleased with 178. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2021 at 4:06pm
178 owners are genetically superior. Just sayin... ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2021 at 7:11pm
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But 179 owners have an additional IQ point so environment trumps genetics in this case. Of course, all rpod owners are in genius territory so there’s no reason to quibble. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Finpod
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 9:14pm
| Thank you! |
Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2021 at 9:47pm
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Welcome to the genius territory, I mean forum from Eastern OR. You came to the right place for entertainment and information on your next pod   Be safe.------------- Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE '07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages 1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff |
Posted By: Winterpod
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2021 at 2:43pm
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I bought my 178 new in 2013. Have camped all over west of the Mississippi and never had a problem. 178 owners are special  ------------- Winter pod 2013 R-Pod 178 2007 Silverato 1500 LT. Trek Stash 8 29er hard tail Old Town Kayak |
Posted By: Finpod
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2021 at 11:41am
| Thank you! Sorry for the late reply. |
Posted By: Finpod
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2021 at 11:43am
| Thank you! Will pay close attention to those possible leak areas. Looking forward to getting out in our new to us R-Pod! |
Posted By: Finpod
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2021 at 11:44am
| Thank you! Will definitely reach out. Getting in a trial run soon! |
Posted By: Finpod
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2021 at 11:45am
Haha yes!
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Posted By: Finpod
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2021 at 11:46am
Thank you!
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Posted By: Finpod
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2021 at 11:48am
Nice! Happy to be a part of this prestigious group!
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2021 at 2:25pm
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Welcome Finpod to your 24/7 live owners manual. This may have already been done but if not your back will tell you after your first sleep. Replace the mattress if it is the original, we did so after 3 sleeps on ours - i think it was more comfortable sleeping on the ground than on the original mattress! Also, after 7 years we finally got smart and replaced the seat cushions with a higher density foam. Again, even though I am of normal weight I don't like my buns sitting on plywood; very little density in the original foam cushions. The foam we replaced with is like night and day difference. Even though we usually boondock, I like a few comforts after hiking/biking all day like a 'comfortable' seat and bed. Enjoy your 178! ------------- 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." |