Newbie Couple Purchase
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Topic: Newbie Couple Purchase
Posted By: 06honda
Subject: Newbie Couple Purchase
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2017 at 12:33pm
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My wife and I have been looking at many small trailers for the two of us to vacation with for at least 3 months each summer in the maritimes. My main question is quality of the R-Pod brand. We have a local dealer that sells them and my preference would be to buy local which should give us a easy route to address any issues after the sale. Its hard to find owner reviews on most campers online so using this forum may be a better route to take. The 2017 models our dealer has available are: 171; 178; 179, & 180. We have looked at the Prolite brand but cannot find much information other than a dealer that use to carry them stating they had alot of construction issues and no longer carries them. The trailer would be used for boon docking as well as in parks, but mainly boon docking so being able to get a solar add-on or install an extra deep cycle battery would be nice. Any info is much appreciated. |
Replies:
Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2017 at 2:20pm
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I went with the 179 for the storage room and large kitchen. The wife and I think that just for us and the dog the 179 is the perfect balance.
------------- MDPaddlersPod 2017 RPod 179 2002 Silverado1500 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2017 at 3:10pm
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We are on our second r-pod, started with a 171( for 5 years) and eventually moved up to a 179 (in our 3 rd year) and really like it!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2017 at 4:47pm
^^^This, except cats instead of dog. |
Posted By: birderdiane526
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2017 at 8:55pm
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We have a 179 as the great layout and ample storage space is perfect for us full-timers. Plus we have 3 cats with us! We boondock mostly and use Renogy solar panels (portable) 100w. These work very well. ------------- Diane and Michael 2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE) 2007 Toyota Tundra BLOG:Podding in Paradise, birderdiane526.blogspot.com |
Posted By: POD WE R
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2017 at 11:16pm
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We went with the Rpod 180 for the larger (dry) bath POD WE R Arizona
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Posted By: bigbearcraig
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2017 at 6:04am
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We have a 179 and do mostly boondocking. We have a generator, two batteries and I carry extra water. The TV and microwave do not run on 12v. The furnace fan consumes a lot of power if needed, but does run on 12v.
I would say the quality of the rpod is average. |
Posted By: 06honda
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2017 at 2:25pm
| Thankyou all for the replies and input, very much appreciated. |
Posted By: McCall
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2017 at 4:43pm
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My wife and I, along with a Border Collie, have a 2017 179 that we primarily use for boon docking. I have a small solar panel that will recharge the system if there's any sun and a generator as a backup. I love the storage space, the counter heights and other amenities . Happy happy. My #1 complaint is that the water heater is located as far away from the kitchen sink as it can possibly be, which can cause a waste of water if one does not "recapture" the cold water. The construction shows a bit of quick and furious and possibly a shortage in pride by the construction dudes. ------------- Gary E McCall, Idaho 2017 RP179 https://www.instagram.com/erttergary/ |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2017 at 8:08pm
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We are beginning year 7 on our 177 that is used for boondocking more than campgrounds with hookups. We utilize 2 12v deep cycle group 24 batteries for electrical needs. When they decide to croak we will seriously look into 2 6v golf cart batteries. As they are also going on year 7 I wonder how much longer they will continue to give us dependable use. Time will tell. And yes, we have not had any issues with our 177, a great camper with a slide where the kitchen is located.
------------- 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: ArenaBlanca
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2017 at 8:14pm
| We have a friend who does on-site RV repairs. He steered us away from a couple of manufacturers because of the difficulty in getting service parts. |
Posted By: 06honda
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2017 at 6:05pm
| Thats info to know, thanks. |
Posted By: pedalho
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2017 at 9:00am
We have a 179 and love the storage but we long for a larger bathroom. Hindsight.
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Posted By: NoDak
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2017 at 12:29am
| We, too, went with the 180 for the bigger dry bath. Just the two of us and a small dog, and it's perfect. |
Posted By: PilotPodder
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2017 at 9:12pm
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I have loved my 2016 171, which I am selling now on RV Trader (http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/-121675121) as I have upgraded my tow vehicle and trailer (buying an R-Pod 179). The 171 was great as I could tow it with my 2014 Honda Pilot and Equalizer hitch without too much trouble and it would fit into any campsite given its short length. It had great amenities and lots of storage. Obviously, I think the R-Pod line is pretty good or I wouldn't have bought another. With the new 179, I did opt for the 1-year extension on the factory 1-year warranty from Forest River. It cost only $150 from the dealer, so inquire about this if you buy new.
------------- Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — https://johnmarucci.com/r-pod-video-list/ - My RPod YouTube Videos |
Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2017 at 12:25am
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We love our 176t. However if you consider yourself a hard working person you will be bewildered as to who built your trailer. A little glue would work wonders keeping the trim in place. The attention to detail leaves alot to the imagination. Its the biggest, nicest, lightest trailer I could buy for my Jeep and i really do like it. It fits everywhere while I watch others look for space. I love my RDome..keeps the bugs out better than anything else. Stores all my stuff too. That being said, there is a never ending series of upgrades or addons. Its part of the adventure. Derek
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Posted By: Cassie
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 8:31am
| I just purchased the 176t. I loved the added room of the tent. BUT just a warning to those who are considering the 176t: that back end is heavy for one person. You are letting down the tent and spare tire. Takes two of us ladies to lower it. Just saying it's heavy. I took the spare tire off to help with the weight. But without the tire letting down that tent is pretty heavy. |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 11:22am
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Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 176T!!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Cassie
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 3:13pm
Thanks! Looks like a great group here. 
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Posted By: PilotPodder
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 6:32pm
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I had a 171 for a year and really liked it, but it was small with no slide out and we wanted to do longer trips in winter (get out of Michigan). I couldn't see being in the 171 for prolonged time periods, but I am sure some do it and like it. This year we opted to buy a new 2017 179 and the size increase inside was pretty amazing. The 179 I can easily see doing substantial trips for longer time periods. Hopefully, the fact that we've stayed with R-Pod brand says something. I think it is hard to find more bang for the buck in a small trailer. All trailers have some workmanship issues, and you will find sawdust after your first few tows, and may need to taps in some loose nails, but generally, I've been pretty happy with the units. Hopefully this helps. JM ------------- Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — https://johnmarucci.com/r-pod-video-list/ - My RPod YouTube Videos |