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dlubins View Drop Down
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Joined: 01 May 2018
Location: OREGON
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Posts: 1 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: RP177 or RP179 (?)
    Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 9:11am
Thinking of buying a new RP179.
I have a 2012 RP177. I love it. My wife likes it but would like more room.The RP177 certainly has a room and storage shortage limitations.
We are considering upgrading and buying a
new RP179. We pull with a Yukon or a Tacoma. I have read a lot of bad reviews about the quality issues with the RP179. Does anyone own the RP179 and have advice about it?
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john in idaho View Drop Down
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Joined: 04 Nov 2014
Location: Eagle Idaho
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Posts: 611 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 9:45am
WE have a 2015 179 we bought new in Nov 2014.  We use it several times a year - except this year...it has been in the barn since Oct.  A travel trailer is not a maintenance free item...one has to be a tinkerer to keep one going.  Overall ours has been a good adventure.  I have added - Sav A jacks, E rated tires, window in door , two 6v GC batteries ( now in their 7th season ) , Electric gauges for the battery, etc.. Best thing was to get rid of that horrible collapsable table.  Bulky and heavey stuff travels in the pickup.


Keeping it out of UV light as much as possible is the best thing one can do for an RV.  
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6293 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 9:54am
If you read my mods, you will get a good idea about our 179. We did have an accident that sent it to the factory for repair.

Most annoying flaw: Black water tank drain pipe suspension. That needs to be strengthened up front so you don't have it fail going down the road.
Second most annoying flaw: The panel below the refrigerator. Unless the factory uses a different method, the three screws into the aluminum frame won't hold up long. Be sure to check for obstructions before moving the slide-out to keep from knocking it off. Still though, just going down the road can cause it to fall off unless you use some sort of anchor that is stronger than the three screws into the aluminum.
Third thing to watch out for (inspect before delivery) is the cross-bars for the tanks. Make sure they are installed so that there are no threads showing between the bracket and the frame and that the brackets are pulled up tight against the frame.

The rest is normal things that can go wrong when bouncing down a road with a rolling earthquake. Just keep up with things and you'll be okay. The RP179 lends itself nicely to a number of upgrades that make it even better. My mods may give you some ideas and you will come up with some of your own to make your RP179 uniquely yours.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Pod People View Drop Down
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Joined: 22 Sep 2011
Location: Chapel Hill,NC
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Posts: 1067 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 12:58pm
We have a 179 and love it!!
We have used it for about 4 years and have done a lot of modifications to it to make it suit our style of travel. the 179 has plenty of storage and the slideout makes it feel like there is plenty of room.  We have had no rel issues with the 179 and would recommend it highly.
We have 3 different friends that also have a 179 and they have had no major issues at all.
good luck finding a new unit
Vann
 

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
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PilotPodder View Drop Down
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Joined: 04 May 2016
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Posts: 305 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 7:10pm
3+ years with my 2017 179 and still enjoy it very much (love the floor plan, storage and space). Stephen (above) mentioned some of the major issues. I would add the lack of floor support under the kitchen. You may never have this issue as mine showed up after 200+ nights in the trailer when I was working extensively from it and cooking regularly inside. I had this reinforced at the factory under warranty. All the best!
Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — My RPod YouTube Videos
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 2020 at 7:40am
Might I suggest the 195, or 196 model. I had a 172, and also needed a little more room. We love our 195, and have plenty of room.  We can even keep our clam inside whenever it's not set up, and it's not in the way. Your tow vehicle will handle these models pretty well. 
2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding
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Pod_Geek View Drop Down
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Joined: 04 Dec 2019
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Posts: 260 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 2020 at 9:36am
Originally posted by mjlrpod

Might I suggest the 195, or 196 model....

WE love our 195 as well.  Just the right amount of room, and we have the solar and outside stove options.  Highly recommended.  Just don't hit any trees or run anything over 12 Amps on the 110V outlets if you do get the solar-equipped model with an inverter LOL.
2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River
2018 RAM 2500 6.4L
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6293 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 2020 at 9:44am
Originally posted by PilotPodder

3+ years with my 2017 179 and still enjoy it very much (love the floor plan, storage and space). Stephen (above) mentioned some of the major issues. I would add the lack of floor support under the kitchen. You may never have this issue as mine showed up after 200+ nights in the trailer when I was working extensively from it and cooking regularly inside. I had this reinforced at the factory under warranty. All the best!
I have not noticed any softening of the floor in the kitchen area in ours. What did the factory do to reinforce the floor in yours? Do you have any pictures? If so, would you please post them? It might be better to do so in the Pod Mods section though.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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PilotPodder View Drop Down
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Joined: 04 May 2016
Location: Portage, MI
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Posts: 305 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 2020 at 2:35pm
I'll put a post in the Mods area of the site that will include a link to a video of what the factory did to reinforce my floor and also a link to an Instagram post of me using a stud finder to inspect the floor supports.  
Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — My RPod YouTube Videos
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6293 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 2020 at 2:41pm
Thanks. I look forward to reading/seeing it.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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