Soon-to-be Podder: 182G questions

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   Hello All,
Family of 4 in the Seattle area, looking for a 182g as our introduction to RV'ing. We've rented a Class C before, but looking forward to new adventures in our own rig. Some questions as I look into pricing:

(1) You definitely see pricing differences between east coast and west coast dealers, but as another thread mentioned it isn't exactly apples-to-apples since the HRE is primarily west coast. I know about the heavier duty tires, the diamond plating on the front, but other than that what are the other features that are missing from the east coast version? I personally don't think those are must-have features, but maybe there is something I'm missing.

(2) For the west coast HRE 182g's, I see a big variation in price from different dealers so I'm assuming that has to do with extras on the more expensive ones. I know the AC unit is extra (not sure how much), but what else should I note whether a unit has a non-standard feature or not?

Thanks, I'm sure I will have many more questions.

Looking forward to making a decision in the next month.

Daniel
Seattle

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danielppd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Topic: Soon-to-be Podder: 182G questions Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 9:29pm
	Hello All, Family of 4 in the Seattle area, looking for a 182g as our introduction to RV'ing. We've rented a Class C before, but looking forward to new adventures in our own rig. Some questions as I look into pricing: (1) You definitely see pricing differences between east coast and west coast dealers, but as another thread mentioned it isn't exactly apples-to-apples since the HRE is primarily west coast. I know about the heavier duty tires, the diamond plating on the front, but other than that what are the other features that are missing from the east coast version? I personally don't think those are must-have features, but maybe there is something I'm missing. (2) For the west coast HRE 182g's, I see a big variation in price from different dealers so I'm assuming that has to do with extras on the more expensive ones. I know the AC unit is extra (not sure how much), but what else should I note whether a unit has a non-standard feature or not? Thanks, I'm sure I will have many more questions. Looking forward to making a decision in the next month. Daniel Seattle

Cap-n-Cray Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Feb 2014 Location: Bainbridge Is Online Status: Offline Posts: 121	Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 9:52pm
	Welcome Daniel, Where in Seattle are you. I am on Bainbridge Island. It takes some digging, but there is more of a difference. I just bought a 177 and am very happy. If you have visited dealers in the area, you don't get a lot of information. I bought from a dealer in Idaho and it was worth the drive. If you want PM me your name and I give it to my sales person. She was very good about just giving you information and not trying to just make a sale. Cary

Boomertype Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2014 Location: Seattle Online Status: Offline Posts: 108	Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 9:58pm
	Welcome to the forum, I left you a private message and some links about the HRE and the Crown Package. Hope you find what you.

danielppd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 12:25am
	Hey Capn, I'm in north Seattle / Ballard area. I'm heading down to Poulsbo RV on Saturday to take a look at a new one in person. Not likely I'm going to buy, given their starting price. Still doing my research. Please do PM me your dealer, I'm happy to talk to various sources. Any opinions on a 2011 or 2012 used model, versus new? Did they do any major changes or are they pretty similar?

Cap-n-Cray Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Feb 2014 Location: Bainbridge Is Online Status: Offline Posts: 121	Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 1:11am
	danielppd, There are some differences. The newer Rpods have more whistles and bells, I think. Maybe someone with more experience with the older models will post. The Hood River Edition is pretty new. There are some other changes too. The outside patterns are different. Many of the changes are subtle.

Hairy Podders Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 05 Mar 2014 Location: Northwest Ohio Online Status: Offline Posts: 217	Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 6:35am
	we are picking up our 178 from couch's on saturday. Though not an HRE, it has every available option, except the bike rack, solar panel & cover. It has the front diamond plate & the risers. The only difference that I see is the 15"wheels & off road tires. The earlier ones had different decals. But not sure about that now. Someone mentioned diamond plate in the wheel wells. Never heard of that. Our price on the loaded 178 is 13,795. If I can find a way to wedge ours in the garage with room to spare, I'll be putting the 15" wheels & off road tires on ours after we wear out the first set of tires. I'm not hugely fond of the stock wheels this year.
	Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

wingnut2312 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Aug 2013 Location: MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 231	Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 8:15am
	We purchased ours September 2013. It was 15,500 with everything except the bike rack. I don't have the crown package. We bought ours right before it was offered. Not much of a difference, but the crown has nicer shades. We also got the slide out topper and axel riser in that price. They also delivered it from Muskegon, MI which is the west side of the state (about 3.5 hours). If you're paying more for less, stop. Start asking for this stuff and they will eventually cave. At least they did with us. Good luck and have fun!!!!
	2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition

danielppd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 9:44am
	Thanks Wingnut & Hairy. Wingnut, what's a slide out topper? Haven't heard of that. Also, what size are the wheels, if they aren't 15"? Here's a total newbie question, but I'm not clear what the axel riser does? My understanding is they may bottom out without it, but I can't visualize what that is.

Craneman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2013 Location: Tokeland,wa Online Status: Offline Posts: 387	Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 10:33am
	The risers go between the axel and the trailer frame and gives you approximately 3 1/2 inches more clearance under the trailer. Suggestion, have your dealer install them while the pod is still in their possession . All you have to do is bottom out and damage could be more than the cost of the risers. I did install mine(about 2 hours) not that hard if you have the tools and time and most of all the desire!!!!! Cost was 185.00 from Forrest river factory including shipping. Moe
	Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150

wingnut2312 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Aug 2013 Location: MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 231	Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 10:59am
	A slide out topper goes over the slide out like an awning. It pull outs and retracts with the slide out. The riser is good if your going to be on uneven roads or ground.
	2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition