Advice
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Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5886
Printed Date: 18 Apr 2024 at 1:02pm
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Topic: Advice
Posted By: calmdowneight
Subject: Advice
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2015 at 9:23pm
| Been shopping around for our first camper, we spend a lot if time tent camping on the weekends and are getting tired of all the set up, sleeping on the ground, packing and unpacking associated with it and have determined having a camper would make things a lot easier to just take off and go when we want to. They're four of us total, a teenager and a toddler plus myself and my wife. We're leaning toward the R pod line, but have also considered the Wolf Pup and Apex Nano trailers as well. Which of the three would be better for taking on mountain gravel roads in National Forest for dry camping because that's where we prefer to go? The roads are not extremely rough, but fairly narrow with steep hills and some moderate turns. We live in a rural area in Southwest Virginia with plenty of public land to camp on and most of our time will be spent in these areas. Next conundrum is if we go with and Rpod should we go new or used? Price is not a huge option but we are of course looking for the best deal available and so far like the 177 and 176 models. We can get a 5 year old well taken care of 171 but wanted some input on the pros / cons of the 2010 models vs the 2014 / 2015 models? What would be a fair price to pay for the used one? Have received some quotes from Couchs on new Rpods and just looking for more input. We could probably get a better price on the new Wolf Pup or Apex models, but want the brand that would be best for our camping needs. The full bath in the latter two are the only advantages I see, not crazy about the all aluminum siding on the Pups either. Space won't be too much of an issue because the teenager has a tent cot that he uses and will continue to do so, but do want the space for him in the event if bad weather or if he chooses to sleep inside. TV won't be an issue either have a 1/2 ton 4x4 V8 Silverado with Z71 suspension, towing package with transmission cooler. Hope all of this makes sense and thanks in advance for your help. |
Replies:
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 9:43am
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Howdy from San Antonio! Well, I'm probably not going to be much help here. Like most POD people, our point of reference was contrasting from tents and/or tent trailers. Upgrading my TV was NOT an option so I was pretty much locked into an R-POD. When it comes to weight, space, amenities, and warmth of interior, I really don't think there is a competitor. In my opinion the R-POD is in a class all of its own. The plastic egg shells (Scamps and Casitas) aren't for me. Weight being the key issue. I will say this, camping with 4, I believe you will appreciate the extra space, although not much, that a model with a slide has to offer. Edit: I should add that if I had a higher capacity TV and was going to camp with 4, I would seriously consider a bigger, heavier camper with more space. Good luck Sir,
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: JStrube
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 11:02am
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You will definitely want risers. If you can find a Hood River Edition, you will also get the bigger tires. ------------- 2012 181G |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 1:17pm
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Welcome. I agree that with 4 you will want the slide - if you will be doing long road trips. We probably wouldn't have sold our pod as our kids grew if we had a slide model (which weren't announced until the week we picked up our 171). We were fine on camping trips since most of the time we were outside even in bad weather (2 EZ-ups or Dome provided dry space). However, on long road trips if we stopped for the night at a truck stop or there was bad weather at the campground we spent many more hours inside jockeying for floor space. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: calmdowneight
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 3:34pm
| Thanks for the input! I was thinking the space in the pod might be an issue, but after a few years when the teen is gone off to school the pod may be more realistic for three. Really interested in which one is best for rougher roads and new vs used? |
Posted By: calmdowneight
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 3:39pm
| Podster, can you give me some examples of bigger / heavier that you know of that would still be good for tight spots on the sides of rougher dirt roads and hold up well? I know like anything else you have to take care of the trailer and I surely won't be mudding / off-roading with it but do need some ground clearance and shorter length would be helpful. Thanks |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 7:30pm
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Well, I'm just saying you're not limited by your TV so that kinda opens it up for several other possibilities. The R-POD is a lightweight premium, I have seen other traditionally built campers 18' and less for less money. I'm not trying to steer you off the R-POD, just pointing out that most people buy them because of there weight class not size. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: rascalrv
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 7:52pm
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If I were you, I would a buy a bigger unit and not a Rpod. Rpod is ok for short trips but let's face it the bathroom is tiny and you will be crawling over each other to move around in the pod on a rainy day. I would get a surveyor instead. |
Posted By: calmdowneight
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 8:15pm
| Thanks for the input folks, you've all been very helpful. I will look up the Surveyor and see what it's about. Any additional advice from anyone will be greatly appreciated. |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 10:27pm
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Check this one out...it's only 2' longer that an R-POD. No slide, but a nice bathroom, bunk beds, and full time bed, a dinette, and a bath tub! http://www.starcraftrv.com/select-travel-trailers/ar-one-maxx/floorplans/19bh-le/#floorplan-main - Floorplans | AR-ONE MAXX | Select Travel Trailers | Starcraft RV Here is a hybrid, only a foot and half longer than the POD. http://www.starcraftrv.com/light-weight/ar-one/floorplans/18fb/#floorplan-main - Floorplans | AR-ONE | Light Weight | Starcraft RV ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: calmdowneight
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 12:40am
| Looked at several different trailers today, including the full line of Palomini. The only plus to this line I could see is they do have two models with dry bath's in them. Quality felt poor and ground clearance was not adequate, plumbing was only about 10" above the ground on a level lot. Still haven't getten in an Rpod yet but will be looming next week. Did look at flagstaff micro lites, jayco jay flight's, a coleman 19qrb, and flagstaff shamrock hybrid and found a lot we liked in several of them. On the short list of trailers to look at is the Evergreen Ascend, price is in line with the Rpod and features are equal or better with a dry bath in which the Misses tells me is almost a must. Any feedback on the Evergreen brand / reputation? How does the wet bath in the Rpod work for everyone? What are the pros / cons of hybrids? |
Posted By: Viperbyte
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 11:59am
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Hi Concerning the wet bath. Missy and I have also just moved up from tent camping owning our 179 for a year now. Although we appreciate the convenience of a wet bath, it is very small. I am 5'11" , 230 (yes a bit fluffy) and its use can be a bit challenging. We love our R Pod but if we had family members camping with us, I would want a larger camper trailer. It can just be a bit tight in there with more people. JMHO. Here is a link to another brand Vista Cruiser: http://gulfstreamrvtrailers.com/visa/floorplans.php I can't attest to the the quality but some of their floor-plans may be more suited for a larger family. Another issue you may want to consider is your Freshwater, Black, and Gray tank size. It amazes me how some of the larger trailers built for 5-6 people (subtract one or two for true comfort) have tanks that are the same size or smaller than an R Pod. Believe me you can fill them black and Gray tanks up fast. I mentioned this because you said something about taking moderate trips on public lands. I assumed this was for longer than just a few days. Take care and best wishes. ------------- Jon & Missy Bandit, Willy, Woody, & Fargo (The Pod Pack) 2015 (Early) R Pod 179 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac V8 4x4 |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 1:50pm
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Very true...watch tank size. The PODs are generally equipped with 30+30+36 fresh. As far as hybrids, the advantage is excellent expansion with minimal effort. Disadvantages, well you can do thing's to mitigate this but, it's a tent area, so...when it's really hot or really cold so is the tent area. Also, fold outs require a little more maintenance, but its kinda cool that you can take an 18 or 20 footer and turn it into a 24 or 28 footer!
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 3:45pm
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I was concerned with the wet bath when we first got ours, but I mind it less every year. It is small, and needs to be wiped down after a shower, but it has just become part of the fun of camping. Not being able to walk around the bet to make it and having to climb over the outside person to get out of bed are not much fun. If anything drives us away from the Pod that will be it. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 7:35pm
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My suggestion for a wet bath is to get a synthetic chamois "shammy" towel to mop up after. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 9:09pm
...only accounts for 1 of 188th of the total experience.
 ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: calmdowneight
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2015 at 10:01pm
| Thanks again everyone. All info is very appreciated. Liked the size of the hybrids, but don't think they're for us, tend to like the totally enclosed campers better. Hopefully going to look at the R pods tomorrow or the day after. Then I will have a better idea if where we need to be looking. Still like the r pods based on photos, videos, exterior but do need to get in one. Have been checking out the Venture Sonic trailers and Camplite by Livin Lite and will go see these as well. I just keep coming back to the size (not weight) of the R pods to get into tight spaces ( not campsites) easier. Any additional info on the above brands and maneuverability of the R pods vs other trailers would be greatly appreciated. I have only towed open air trailers and small box trailers. |
Posted By: ChinookPod
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2015 at 10:12pm
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I saw the Winnebago Micro Minnie and Minnie at a recent show. Impressed with finish and inclusions (awning, jacks, water and tank capacities, 6-sided aluminum frame, etc). Bathroom had a dry bath. The smaller models vary in width. Down side was it seemed a little low, but maybe axle risers would help. Made me think, though... ------------- 2014 RP171 HRE 2010 F150 |
Posted By: calmdowneight
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2015 at 10:55pm
| The Winnebago Micro Minnie does look very cool, ground clearance was my issue with them too. I've noticed a lot of the single axle smaller trailers seem to be very low, or the plumbing hangs low enough to be knocked off fairly easily. Most of the dual axles seem to have adequate ground clearance but then the length comes into play. |
Posted By: calmdowneight
Date Posted: 05 Mar 2015 at 10:56pm
| Going to finally get to go look at R pods this weekend; hopefully anyhow. I will then have a better idea of what we need to be looking for. The Cruiser Funfinder 18ufd is another model I'd be interested in looking at as well. I've found out that there are so many choices out there that's its kind if confusing to know where to head. I'm looking for a quality product but don't want to break the bank in the process since we will likely use it one weekend a month for about 6 months out of the year and maybe a week long trip once a year. How's the build quality of the R pod vs some of the larger box type trailers in the same price point? Would like bunks and a slide and the rear garage on the pods would be nice and potentially add a littleore storage or carrying capacity. We're basically wanting something that we can leave partially stocked to make taking off on Fridays after work easier and quicker. |
Posted By: calmdowneight
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2015 at 1:30am
| Does anyone know anything about the Riverside Whitewater Retro 181 bunk house? Looked at one today and it seemed to have all we wanted and needed. Looked at Rpods as well and really liked them, just not enough room as I was already warned about on here. The Retro seems roomier and has a full dry bath and is almost as cool as the R pods! Thanks for any advice, can't find much in the way if reviews. |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2015 at 8:25am
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I looked at the Retro brand at a local dealer before buying a POD. I liked it, but the dealer didn't have a model on the lot that we liked. But overall we liked the concept. Have you looked at the 176T? or did you rule=out hybrids? Or maybe the 182G? The only reason I ask that now is because originally you were talking 171. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: calmdowneight
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2015 at 5:37pm
| We haven't seen the hybrid, but have looked at all other models. The 182g was my favorite, but the wife does not like the wet bath. I think the rpod line is well built and would be a good trailer that will last a long time. The Retro just has more floor space and a dry bath that she likes. Not much info out there on them and the price is comparable to the Rpod with fewer creature comforts though. Clearance on the Retro is an issue and I'm checking with the factory on availability of a lift kit to remedy that. We also looked at and likes the Forest River Vibe and they're priced well below the above mentioned, but have not found a whole lot of positives about them doing research, just confused and trying to sort it all out. |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2015 at 6:22am
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The wet bath does take a little getting used to, however, so little time is spent in the bathroom, that it was not even on the radar for us as far as being a deal breaker. There is a method to get into and out of the bathroom with little trouble. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: calmdowneight
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2015 at 9:51pm
| Yeah, I feel the same about bathroom time, just have to get her on board. I think we've ruled out the retro and vibe models. Now leaning toward the Minnie by Winnebago or may end up swinging back to the Rpod. |