We're shopping for our first camper.  I'm limited to 3500#max with my 2015 Jeep wrangler 4 door.  I was heading the direction of a Rockwood A122SXR rigid pop up, but the lack of bathroom is really bugging me.  The Rpod 172 is actually shorter, lighter, and has a bath and bunks for the boys (aged 4 and 6).  I know it's small inside, but I'm really just looking for a rolling sleeping box with heat/ac/bath.  Of course the 178 with slide is way nice inside, but is 2' longer and 400#'s more.

So... is the slide worth it if you're on the verge of weight limit?  With the lighter 172 I could load it up and not worry about a full water tank if going off the grid at a buddy's property.

How are the bunks for two small kids and parents on the dinette vs the 178 layout with a real queen for us and a dinette for the boys in sleeping bags?

You can handle the 178, but don't fill the water tank with more than a few gallons (for on-road bathroom use) since you'll be withing a few hundred pounds of your limit as it is.  Either pod will affect your mpg identically while towing, since frontal area (drag) is the same and is what dictates how much gas you burn on flat terrain.  Weight comes into play going up hills, with extra weight making you slower and slightly lowering your mpg compared to a lighter trailer.

That said, upgrading to a TV with a higher tow rating would ultimately be better.

I have a 2015 Rubicon 4 door and it was the deciding factor at 3500 lbs, however that seems to be not right given its 5000 in Europe for the same car.  My family and I drove to Iowa to get a 176T in June.  Couldn't be happier.  If you have the time I recommend the drive for you as it will save you thousands, which is what they charge to get a trailer hauled to Virginia.  You could rent locally before you buy, but I told myself I would never own a popup (for wind), it would have to be a hardside.  The RPod is the biggest, nicest, feature rich trailer that my Jeep will pull.

The Jeep makes it over the Continental Divide without issue.  Turns out there is a different 7 pin wiring harness and software upgrade you will need to plug in the Jeep.  My dealer did the whole thing for $240 installed, but the instructions have the cable going in the wheel well (seriously, Chrysler instructions !).  I did get a sway bar hitch and I need to get the RPOD risers installed on the RPOD, you can order yours with them.  The pitch is wrong, so either the hitch goes down (bad) or the trailer goes up.  The Forest River editions have these on them that are made in Oregon, but those will really cost you to ship.

The RPOD is really big when your buying one and really small when you own one if you get what I mean.  I have two kids and when we are all crammed in there the bunks (176t has bunks) is the best place to be for both the kids and the dogs. Big dogs are space takers, my pug not so much.  Bathroom is workable.  I use the shower head outside to wash dishes.  One of my favorite features is the sliding window at the sink so I can pass dishes in to my wife without walking around.  I can see why a lot of couples are happy with their RPOD and if it were my wife and I, we would probably have a 179.  Its like travelling in the front section of a submarine I suppose.

That being said, because its so short, it goes everywhere.  Wouldn't give that up for anything.  I see people come into campsites and can't fit what spots the forest service has with their Suburban and giant envy causing dual axle triple slideout toy hauler !  I keep telling myself I don't want one of those.  We use the RDome like its going out of style.  That nearly doubles the living space.  Look at pictures.  We drop the plastic rug and I can get the rdome in place by myself in about 5 minutes.  Best bug tent ever. I use bungee cords to secure it, not the suction cup hooks.  I really like the RDome, but others here aren't as impressed as I am.

Storage space requires an open mind, were doing just fine with shoe organizers and my wifes fruit hammock.  I have bought for the trailer, a solar panel 200W, (too big) 2 generators (for AC), replacement toilet (composting), new stabilizers (trailer not high enough), and custom mattresses because the OEM ones are, well, um, great for kids sleep overs !  

We love ours, its been a great addition to our family, now if my dog was smaller.

Derek

I don't think you will have any problem on the flat ground back east with a 178. The room with the slide out is the only way to go with kids.