New Adventure - R-pod Owners Forum

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Leo B

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4518

Topic: New Adventure
Posted: 06 Jan 2015 at 9:57am

Welcome to the group!

Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

Podster

Senior Member

Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1108

Posted: 06 Jan 2015 at 9:17am

Congratulations on the acquisition of the new 179! Thumbs Up

Looking forward to hearing about what you think about your new setup. Be Safe and Have Fun!

Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

retireclose View Drop Down

Groupie

Joined: 19 Jan 2014
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 50

Posted: 06 Jan 2015 at 8:21am

Welcome, keep the diesel. We have a 1/2 ton 2014 Silverado 1500. We have the friction bar and no sway bar. Made two trips this past summer to Smokies and Yellowstone. Overall 13.3 mpg and no sway to speak of. We also downsized from a 5th Wheel last year. Takes time to get use to the smaller living quarters with two adults and a golden. Safe travels.

Gary and Jill Winters
Bella Golden Retriever
2014 Silverado 1500
2015 R-Pod 179 -(SOLD)

JStrube

Groupie

Joined: 11 Aug 2014
Location: Atwater, CA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 90

Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 10:58pm

Keep the diesel, leave the sway and lift bars behind. I tow with a F250, no sway, no lift, don't even feel it back there, can get 13.5 mpg if I go 60, get 11.5 if I go 80. Why go to anything lighter? Sway and lift are overkill with a 3/4 ton. Have towed many car trailers with double the weight without them. Sometimes, if I forget to hit the tow/haul button, I can tell I have a load, but have climbed any CA grade easily. If I wear it out, I might go to. 1/2ton, but until then, love the extra power.

2012 181G

Luv2Q

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Senior Member

Joined: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Central TX
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 309

Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 10:28pm

Welcome! And good luck as you get acquainted with the Podder side of life (though, with your experience, I somehow doubt you'll face many challenges!) Smile

John & Teri
Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180
E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3

Pod4Two

Senior Member

Joined: 04 Dec 2014
Location: DFW Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 120

Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 9:49pm

Welcome !

Ina & Philip Kennedy
2011 -177
2014 GMC Z71 4x4

LLSJKS49684 View Drop Down

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Newbie

Joined: 04 Jan 2015
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17

Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 9:32pm

We are getting the sway bars based on the salesman's recommendation. We are going with the Blue OX which looks pricey but the upside is the ease of use. I had Reese with the Airstream and they were not always easy to use.

Thanks for the other info...downsizing has real appeal and opens the doors for flexibility on finding a place to park.

Larry and Jan
179 2015
2005 Silverado 2500HD Diesel

LLSJKS49684 View Drop Down

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Joined: 04 Jan 2015
Location: Michigan
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Posts: 17

Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 9:28pm

Thanks! We will keep the diesel for the next trip and then decide where to go from there. We had a Tahoe before. However we were pulling an Airstream and it was right on the edge for comfortable towing.

Larry and Jan
179 2015
2005 Silverado 2500HD Diesel

techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062

Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 7:21pm

Welcome. If you keep that diesel you'll never know the pod is back there. If you are considering the Tahoe I'd step up to the Suburban to get the longer wheel base. There is no difference in mpg between the two, and when we were pricing them used there was little difference in price.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Outbound

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 767

Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 6:42pm

Welcome aboard! I hope you two enjoy your new r-pod.

The length is really convenient - you can fit on most campsites, and you can fit into a double parking spot at Walmart.

Some love the dome, others can do without it. It is fairly easy to erect, and I can do it on my own in less than 10 minutes. But, to be honest, I only put it up when I camped for a while and there's going to be poor/rainy weather, or when I'm camping with a group of people and we'll need someplace to gather. The rest of the time, I use a simple awning which slides into the rail and uses two poles and guy ropes - but that's me.

As far as tow vehicle... my best advice is to chose something with at least 5000 lbs tow capacity. I'll also caution that, although r-pods look aerodyamic, they're not. Its an easy tow (although you'll want anti-sway, and perhaps WDH depending on your vehicle), but I suspect that your gas mileage won't improve as much as you expect compared to your 5'er.

The tire size on the r-pod is fine - they're well rated for the purpose. No need to replace them. You might want to consider adding some height with axle risers tho.

Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Topic: New Adventure Posted: 06 Jan 2015 at 9:57am
	Welcome to the group!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

Podster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108	Posted: 06 Jan 2015 at 9:17am
	Congratulations on the acquisition of the new 179! Looking forward to hearing about what you think about your new setup. Be Safe and Have Fun!
	Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

retireclose Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 19 Jan 2014 Location: Michigan Online Status: Offline Posts: 50	Posted: 06 Jan 2015 at 8:21am
	Welcome, keep the diesel. We have a 1/2 ton 2014 Silverado 1500. We have the friction bar and no sway bar. Made two trips this past summer to Smokies and Yellowstone. Overall 13.3 mpg and no sway to speak of. We also downsized from a 5th Wheel last year. Takes time to get use to the smaller living quarters with two adults and a golden. Safe travels.
	Gary and Jill Winters Bella Golden Retriever 2014 Silverado 1500 2015 R-Pod 179 -(SOLD)

JStrube Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 11 Aug 2014 Location: Atwater, CA Online Status: Offline Posts: 90	Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 10:58pm
	Keep the diesel, leave the sway and lift bars behind. I tow with a F250, no sway, no lift, don't even feel it back there, can get 13.5 mpg if I go 60, get 11.5 if I go 80. Why go to anything lighter? Sway and lift are overkill with a 3/4 ton. Have towed many car trailers with double the weight without them. Sometimes, if I forget to hit the tow/haul button, I can tell I have a load, but have climbed any CA grade easily. If I wear it out, I might go to. 1/2ton, but until then, love the extra power.
	2012 181G

Luv2Q Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Location: Central TX Online Status: Offline Posts: 309	Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 10:28pm
	Welcome! And good luck as you get acquainted with the Podder side of life (though, with your experience, I somehow doubt you'll face many challenges!)
	John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3

Pod4Two Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Dec 2014 Location: DFW Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 120	Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 9:49pm
	Welcome !
	Ina & Philip Kennedy 2011 -177 2014 GMC Z71 4x4

LLSJKS49684 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 04 Jan 2015 Location: Michigan Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 9:32pm
	We are getting the sway bars based on the salesman's recommendation. We are going with the Blue OX which looks pricey but the upside is the ease of use. I had Reese with the Airstream and they were not always easy to use. Thanks for the other info...downsizing has real appeal and opens the doors for flexibility on finding a place to park.
	Larry and Jan 179 2015 2005 Silverado 2500HD Diesel

LLSJKS49684 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 04 Jan 2015 Location: Michigan Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 9:28pm
	Thanks! We will keep the diesel for the next trip and then decide where to go from there. We had a Tahoe before. However we were pulling an Airstream and it was right on the edge for comfortable towing.
	Larry and Jan 179 2015 2005 Silverado 2500HD Diesel

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 7:21pm
	Welcome. If you keep that diesel you'll never know the pod is back there. If you are considering the Tahoe I'd step up to the Suburban to get the longer wheel base. There is no difference in mpg between the two, and when we were pricing them used there was little difference in price.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Outbound Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767	Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 6:42pm
	Welcome aboard! I hope you two enjoy your new r-pod. The length is really convenient - you can fit on most campsites, and you can fit into a double parking spot at Walmart. Some love the dome, others can do without it. It is fairly easy to erect, and I can do it on my own in less than 10 minutes. But, to be honest, I only put it up when I camped for a while and there's going to be poor/rainy weather, or when I'm camping with a group of people and we'll need someplace to gather. The rest of the time, I use a simple awning which slides into the rail and uses two poles and guy ropes - but that's me. As far as tow vehicle... my best advice is to chose something with at least 5000 lbs tow capacity. I'll also caution that, although r-pods look aerodyamic, they're not. Its an easy tow (although you'll want anti-sway, and perhaps WDH depending on your vehicle), but I suspect that your gas mileage won't improve as much as you expect compared to your 5'er. The tire size on the r-pod is fine - they're well rated for the purpose. No need to replace them. You might want to consider adding some height with axle risers tho.
	Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150