177 vs 179
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Topic: 177 vs 179
Posted By: Kayaker
Subject: 177 vs 179
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2016 at 12:08pm
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177 vs 179 Hi everyone, I
am hoping for some sage advice from Rpod owners! I am trying to decide between a 177 or 179…..we are going to purchase in another week or so. 179--pros, to me, are more storage—especially a closet! The additional counter space is nice. Cons—I dislike
the shape and location of the dinette. The table looks small in the pics (perhaps
additional counter is at the sacrifice of some table size) and it doesn’t look great for a second bed—too
many cushions cobbled together. 177- pros -- nicer dinette location and layout (bit larger
table?)…..for some reason I think this will be a better second bed. The smaller size (of the trailer) is nice also, but perhaps
this is so minimal it is not significant.
Con—no closet!! There are other considerations, but the lack of closet in
177 and the dinette in 179 are the aspects that keep nagging me. We might
consider the 180, but it also has no closet?
We will probably be using this trailer for 2-3 weeks at a time, not using
the second bed consistently but on occasion. I have searched and read on this forum, but thought it would
be worth asking about my specific concerns.
So, thank you in advance for any thoughts or advice—it is much
appreciated! |
Replies:
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2016 at 2:21pm
| The larger transverse kitchen in the 179 is a real bonus. The dinette table now resides in the green house. I made a pedestal table that slides around, and stows on the bed. Much handier. One could figure out how to use and store a piece of plywood for a bed frame if needed. Window in the door has been added, as well as 2 step steps. A foam mattress topper from Costco , cut to size, made the bed the best in the house. Closet isn't big enough but is a good start. We went from a tent camper, and the 179 is luxury. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2016 at 3:39pm
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Why not a 178?Pretty much the same as a 177, only a foot and half longer.. more storage. And no ugly butt. We have never used hanging storage or closet type clothes when camping. The dinette bed in a 177 or 178 is going to be better then the one in a 179. At least according to nearly every 179 owner. ------------- |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2016 at 4:03pm
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We have a 179 and really love it. I use the closet a lot and the draw under it are great storage. The large kitchen is really nice also with a lot of cabinet storage.I like the couch/dinette though my wife and I usually camp alone so we do not try to use it as a extra bed. The slide out really opens up the middle of the pod so we have quite a bit of room, much more than our previous 171. I would suggest wandering through the 177,178 and 179. Sit in the seats, lay on the bed and see how it all feels and decide from there. Good luck ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Kayaker
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2016 at 4:48pm
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Thanks for the replies-- furpod--I noted a 180 was an option--but after reading your reply I realized I meant the 178--I think it is a possibility also. Still no closet--in a previous motor home and our sailboat there are small closets which I use....so this is a consideration for me. john in idaho and Leo B--good to read your thoughts after owning the 179. Changing out the table would be an option. I am going to try and sit in all 3 next week and make a final decision!! Hopefully!
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2016 at 6:47pm
The advantage or "pro" of the 180 revolves around the dry bath.. very popular for those who spend a lot of time in there, or have need of more room getting in and out of the shower. But you give up a sleepable dinette.. unless it's a small(ish) grandchild..  Sitting in as many as possible is good. We spent time in every floor plan there was except the bunk models when we did our research. ------------- |
Posted By: scentralmt
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 12:16am
I have a 177, here is a picture of my closet. i got a solid closet rod and cut it to the width wall to wall, we can hang somethings and use the hanging shelves for smaller stuff. Just slide it to the bathroom side and it is less in the way that the foldable hanger that came with the Pod Curtis ------------- Curtis 2014 177 2001 F150 |
Posted By: Kayaker
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 8:31am
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scentralmt--Great idea with the hanging rod that goes entirely across. I didn't know that any foldable hanger came the with pod...... furpod-- I agree---I am going back-- yet again-- to sit in the different models. Now that I have begun to narrow my choices and focus on my concerns this will be more beneficial than the first time--I think! Thanks again to everyone for the thoughts and ideas.
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Posted By: TigerPawd
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 11:34am
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We have a #179 and love it - except for that bed/dining area. It requires five cushions to switch over for sleeping - five cushions which shift during the night, and because the table doesn't drop to the right height, there is a good-sized bump in the cushions. We called Forest River and ordered a cushion cover that matches the biggest cushion and got foam locally. We discarded those goofy corner cushions. Then we got a piece of plywood to use as a slide out and we added some rubbery shelf liner to keep the cushions from slipping at night. Pictures and some measurements are elsewhere on the forum. We got a couple of folding tables at Target. They stow on the floor between those two hassock-type things when traveling and are easy to put up for eating. And they are easier to take outside than that original equipment table, which is now in our attic. The only drawback we see from the conversion is that the new cushion, which is now a backrest on the bed/dining area, blocks some of the view to the outside. The #179 is already a little short on window area so that bothers my wife. All in all, not a bad trade off though, and sleeping on the two cushions is a lot better than five. ------------- Joan, Jerry and the two Pugs 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 1:21pm
The early (rings) 177's came with this arrangement.. Pretty easy to retrofit if wanted I would think..    ------------- |
Posted By: Kayaker
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 1:55pm
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Tigerpawd--perfect information regarding the dinette cushions--I thought those might be a problem for the bed. furpod--great ideas for additions. I'm going to get one of those hanging shelf thingys. :)
|
Posted By: Kayaker
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 2:10pm
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Well, I thought I posted a reply but I don't see it now......so it might show up later. Anyway..... Tigerpawd that is exactly the information about the bed I was wondering about. Thanks. Furpod--have you used the dinette as a bed? Is it more functional for a second bed than the 179? I like the hanging shelves! |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 2:39pm
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I have not attempted to sleep on a 179 dinette.. but as I said.. many owners report it doesn't work well. We have slept on, and have had friends sleep on, the dinette in our 177.. sleeps fine. The 178 will be a bit wider. We have, for the last two seasons, kept our dinette in bed mode, because we have a puppy that still needs to be crated if left alone. Not that he is destructive, but that he spends time going window to window to window to window to window to window to window to window to window to window to window to window to window to window to window to window to window.... LOL. ------------- |
Posted By: Kayaker
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 3:06pm
  he gets his exercise anyway.Thanks for the info regarding the 177 bed....... I am leaning toward that model.
|
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 3:25pm
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------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 3:25pm
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2016 at 5:35pm
Look hard at the 178 also.. Honestly, if buying now, as much as we love the furpod/177.. we might very well have chosen the 178 over it had it been available then. ------------- |
Posted By: SteveF
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 1:36pm
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I'm in the same boat, Kayaker. Trying to decide between the 117 and 179. I have the exact pros and cons. Are there any photos of the 179 with the slide out not extended on the forum? I'm curious what the interior looks like that way. Can you still get around in it comfortably? Important when traveling and stopping for lunch, etc. ------------- Steve, Vicki and Bodie |
Posted By: dr.becky
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 2:17pm
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What one you get depends on what you love to do. We love to cook, and the Kitchen in our 179 makes it a pleasure. We just rented a 32 foot Class C, I found it interesting that I felt the shower had not more room or more functional then my 179 shower. We have used the dinnette bed in the 179 for our adult boys. They had no complaints. I do have a mattress pad, sheets I put on it that keep it together. I like the dinette, watched many movies and more to come as the weather turns while baking cookies! So for us the 179 works best. |
Posted By: dr.becky
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 2:19pm
| Getting around with the slide in depends on how much other stuff you have in there. We store our cooler, shoe box, solar panels in the trailer. So there is not much space with the slide in. But, it takes 10 secs to run it out, which we do when we stop for lunch. |
Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 3:21pm
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We have had our 179 for a couple of trips and a couple of months now. We looked for over a year before we pulled the trigger. I think the 179 was a great choice for us; one wife, one husband, one medium dog. The dog sleeps on the dinette set-up. On our first trip I slept on the dinette bed and honestly wasn't thrilled. It worked but, I would not want to do it all the time. My wife loves to cook and I love to eat so, the kitchen was the tipping point. I am very happy with all the storage also, the pantry that never seems to get mentioned is an awesome option. Wish you the best in whichever model you choose.
------------- MDPaddlersPod 2017 RPod 179 2002 Silverado1500 |
Posted By: Mojave1
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 7:33pm
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I believe the 179 is the largest R-Pod. It has a larger slide out. On the 177, there's more mechanical (the kitchen) in the slide out. I don't like that the door on the 179 opens to the fender. However, when traveling, it opens to the refrigerator. My wife loves to cook, the larger kitchen with extra counter space are great. Compared to our old trailer, the sofa is pretty nice and the table isn't heavy. I like the layout of the 179. The large slide out and kitchen clinched the decision for us. Wish the wet bath was 6 inches longer.
We're one wife; one husband; two dogs; one 179 |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 9:01pm
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As mentioned by furpod, spend some sizeable time in both the 177 and the 179 and go with what suits your needs. For us, the options were limited but in January 2011 we purchased a 177 and have never regretted that decision. Have been in all the others since then, still love our 177, works for us and easy to tow with our Explorer.
------------- 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: birderdiane526
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 9:42pm
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We have had our 179 for a few months and love it. We are very happy with the dinette area. We'll never use it as an additional bed as we have no need. I often sit on one of the "ottomans" and use the table as is. I don't like the softer foam there and will one day change it out to a firmer foam. The closet is useful as both a linen closet and clothes closet. The 179 kitchen area and storage space are great. Very pleased with our purchase! ------------- Diane and Michael 2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE) 2007 Toyota Tundra BLOG:Podding in Paradise, birderdiane526.blogspot.com |
Posted By: Kayaker
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2016 at 8:05pm
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Hi SteveF, I posted the original question regarding the 177 vs 179 at the beginning of this thread. Our final decision was the 177. The extra bed was one of my top priorities and after reading several posts I decided the 179 dinette would not function as well for that bed. I wanted a set-up that would handle two adults in two different beds. The 178 would have been a good (maybe better) choice also. We picked up our new 177 (Couch's in Ohio) on August 17th and have been on the road with it since.....we will probably be 3 weeks before we arrive in Wyoming--our final destination this trip. So--after almost 10 days in the 177 I have this to say-- Pros--the lack of a closet has not been a problem for me because of the small hanging bar in the back. I don't have much to hang and this has been enough. I like the dinette in the 177, the large table, and the general layout. Cons- food storage is definitely lacking! (Other storage is small ..... I use the area under the bed for clothes--we are not using the heater at this time.) Food prep area is limited, but I find it workable. So, if the extra bed is not something that will be used (or only by a child) the 179 extra storage would be nice. But, I really like my 177! Best of luck, and whatever you end up with I think you will enjoy it! |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2016 at 8:18pm
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If you click on my sigline link, there are a couple storage area mods to be found... Also, is your over sink storage area deep or shallow? will hold full size paper plates, flat? ------------- |
Posted By: SteveF
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2016 at 8:48pm
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Thanks Kayaker. I appreciate your analysis. I'm really torn. I looked at 177's and 179's today. I really like the layout of both, but the kitchen and storage is really nice on the 179. The dinette seat might only be used by our Golden Retriever to sleep on. I think what is going to force the decision is that on the models, the new Thule awning is not available on the 177. It must be because of the shorter roof. I think the awning would be great. We have a fabric awning for our T@b that is a pain to set up and doesn't work in the wind. Once again I appreciate your's and everyone else's advice. Thanks! ------------- Steve, Vicki and Bodie |
Posted By: Kayaker
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2016 at 8:46pm
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Hi Furpod, I enjoyed looking at all your mods (following the link)--some great ideas that I have added to my hubby's list. I like the shelf across above the bed, and the added bit of storage under the dinette bench. After 10 days in our pod, I know we need a new mattress. I have looked at Camping World....same one you have, I think. Our over-sink storage is deep, easily holds a dinner plate. That is a good storage cabinet. Door stays open well. One thing that annoys me is the little sink in the bath. It is almost too small to be functional. The shower line drapes across the sink making a difficult-to-use-sink even more difficult to use. The line could be attached to the wall so that it doesn't drape across the sink--but I think we would still use the other sink. Hand sanitizer on the wall would work for hand washing. So, it takes up room in a space that is already tight. I keep asking my husband if we could take it out........ he has not been enthused.  Anyway, we will slowly make our modifications and enjoy the pod as we go along! Thanks for your link.
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2016 at 9:10pm
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Bathroom sink removal is a very popular mod.. FR even sells a kit.
Good to know you got the deep cabinet, many don't. I have modded 3 other Pods to the deeper cabinet. ------------- |
Posted By: Kayaker
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2016 at 9:27pm
| Oh thank you! I will contact FR for the kit. Yeah! |