The second question is this: is there a better time to purchase a new trailer? We can wait if necessary.  We have heard that the big RV shows start in January. Does that mean that we can expect more or different features from Forest River?  Perhaps we can strike a better deal during the RV Expo season? 

 Last thing: we also like the design of the 178,  but have noted the lack of storage,  as have others.  Have you 178 owners come up with good solutions for this? Thanks in advance for your answers! 

The trade off is a few issues with the 179's center dinette's usefulness. We answered one of our contentions with one low-tech modification: I remounted the leg assembly on the dining table, offsetting the leg mounts toward one side. (I'm not the originator of this idea, I learned of this mod from another member... whose name I wish I had handy to insert here).

After this mod, you can more easily reposition the table perpendicular in the center dinette zone, and now, one portion of the table overhangs (more than before) over the long center back padding of the dinette.

This is more convenient for a couple having beverages/snacks, or playing cards, or sitting opposite each other, as you are looking across the table the narrow way. A few more inches of one end of the table can now overhang back center bench (now that leg mounts are offset the other way).

We now prefer having a full meal with the table set perpendicularly (as opposed to lengthwise). However, if YOU DO want to position the table crosswise, that's OK too. After the mod with the legs shifted one way, it's easier to get in and slide around past the table leg obstructions, since they are slightly shifted to one side underneath. Just enter the dinette past the table on the more open side. 

The table itself is very heavy, rigid and strong, so there are no negatives to the legset being remounted in an offset position of 4 to 7 inches (your choice). And best of all, the modification is completely reversible to the factory holes.

The converse benefit of the "table legs remount" mod, is that the opposite end (hallway side) of the table end, (when perpendicular) now does not stick out into the hallway as much, and thusly stays further out of range of the open swing of the bathroom door.

Finally, a mod #2 is coming: haven't done this one yet: The "end pads" that you sit on with the 179 dinette feel like sitting on squishy marshmallows to us. Neither of us are big people, but we'd be happier with higher-density foam stuffed into those two end-pads. I have yet to put better foam into those two "butt pods" on the ends, but that is planned for 2017. 

( Incidentally, we did add a sheet of thin high density foam under the back bench pad of the 179 dinette. ) And, I've noticed some podders getting quite creative revamping ALL the seating material in the dinette portion, ....including purging the factory table, and coming up with their own unique table.

Anyway, once both mods are done, we will be happy still with the 179 dinette.

Yet, I completely understand why others choose the 180 or 178, however. But since I benefit greatly from the "Rachael Ray" aspects of my wife's skill set, we knew the 179 was best for us. Hope this helps in some small way. Whatever your model choice (which also affects the size of your bathroom), best wishes on scoring the most perfect model for you. And whatever the issue may be, "there's (almost) always a mod for that." There are some really smart pod-modders in our community.

B & L

WonderPod, the ('17) 179 HRE

towed by "BG"

Western NC

We found the table that came with the 179 to be heavy & useless for us. So we got a light weight folding table from Walmart. When we are not using the table it is folder up & out of the way. 

These two simple changes give us much more usable floor space & the Pod does not look crowded.  

  Shopping now for a jackknife sofa that will fit in the space, and perhaps a lighter and more versatile table.  I have found a few promising suppliers of sofas that will probably work - negotiating with Pam on style and color before we place an order - which will probably take a few months to fill.  I read about the Ikea sofa described in this post - looks ideal except not wide enough for the space and no color or fabric options.  We'd prefer to spend some extra dollars and fill the space and get a nice leather couch that matches our color scheme and sits/sleeps comfortably in the entire space.  Yes, we will probably completely remove the ottoman nearest the bed - and perhaps recover the cushion on the ottoman nearest the fridge with the same fabric as the new couch - or just have a new cushion custom made with high density foam and scrap the other one.

  ideally we'd like two recliners in that space - or a sofa with two recliners on the ends - but the 14" slide out platform will not accommodate the mechanisms underneath.  We'll happily settle, however, for a firm and comfortable jackknife sofa bed - the back will probably eat up some window space but the current back cushions are way too low to lean back on and we're hitting that window when we lean back so that's okay.

  I sure would like to hear from anyone that has accomplished this already.  I'm looking at the Belmotnt Sofa Bed at shop4seats.com.  I'll try and post the link here:

     http://shop4seats.com/rv-furniture/sofa-beds/jack-knife-sofa-beds/belmont-sofa-bed.html

  Agree 100% with comments about the kitchen in the 179 - and larger bath would do nothing for us but separate the toilet and shower.  We're  happy to have the toilet to sit on while showering - and I can still stand as needed.  We built nice set of shelves by the stove to get the bread and catsup and syrup and crackers and such off the cabinet.  We spend more time in the kitchen then the bathroom!  The 179 is perfect for the two of us - and a more convenient spare bed (jackknife sofa) will make it easier for us to invite our nephews along for a weekend!

  Tim and Pam

  "Little Bear"

Brad & Layli

179 - "WanderPod"

"BG" (Baluga) the 10 Tundra CM

Western NC

Thanks