R-Dome trials and tribulations

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   I finally tried out the R-dome this weekend. I have mixed reviews.
On the + side:
Kept us dry in some pretty heavy thundershowers
Felt like another room
Cozy and private
Cool looking, got lots of looks and comments

On the  - side
suction cups are annoying
could be a pain putting away wet
skirt screen- do you cut it? What about the tire and steps?
Vinyl skirt stays wet  and muddy
difficult to set up solo
Ventilation is difficult

On the Neutral side
Wasn't too difficult to set up with a partner
fold or stuff into a duffle bag for storage??

Wish list for me
I wish it could roll up and stay on the pod during transit
Permanent clips instead of suction cups

I'll use the dome, only if we'll set up for at least 2 nights. On this past trip we took it down the evening before we left, because I didn't really want to put it away wet from the morning dew. My old PUP awning was easy to dry out once home. The dome not so easy.

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Iteach5th Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Nov 2010 Location: Floral Park, NY Online Status: Offline Posts: 109	Topic: R-Dome trials and tribulations Posted: 22 Aug 2011 at 10:40am
	I finally tried out the R-dome this weekend. I have mixed reviews. On the + side: Kept us dry in some pretty heavy thundershowers Felt like another room Cozy and private Cool looking, got lots of looks and comments On the - side suction cups are annoying could be a pain putting away wet skirt screen- do you cut it? What about the tire and steps? Vinyl skirt stays wet and muddy difficult to set up solo Ventilation is difficult On the Neutral side Wasn't too difficult to set up with a partner fold or stuff into a duffle bag for storage?? Wish list for me I wish it could roll up and stay on the pod during transit Permanent clips instead of suction cups I'll use the dome, only if we'll set up for at least 2 nights. On this past trip we took it down the evening before we left, because I didn't really want to put it away wet from the morning dew. My old PUP awning was easy to dry out once home. The dome not so easy.
	"Whether you think you can or think you can't, either way you are right"- Henry Ford 2011 RP-177 2009 Jeep Cherokee 1982 Coleman Redwood pup

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 22 Aug 2011 at 12:10pm
	I have a set of the permanent clips.. they screw into the side of the trailer.. we are going to give the suction cups a try before putting the screws to the furpod.. We just let the stakes hold it against the camper last time. We had to put up damp.. just pulled it out when we got home, spread out on deck, wiped down the worst spots, folded/rolled up and put away when dry. We ran the net behind the wheel and just used a folding step to get into the trailer (leaving the trailer step folded/stored) most cut a slit for the step to pass through. We got MUCH better stakes to use. The one that come with it won't reach if you are on a unlevel spot..

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: 22 Aug 2011 at 1:31pm
	Yes, its great for weekends where you know its going to rain. We, too, don't put it up for trips of 1-2 nights unless we know its going to rain. A pup awning is much easier to deploy - and dry. Ours has the screw-in anchors, but they are a pain, too. Often its very hard to get some of them to snap on, and then later snap off, but once on they all hold tight even in heavy winds. The material stains easily, ours looks like its been used for 2 years straight when we've only had it up maybe 20 days out of the last 2 years. In the sun it does get very hot. Most of the time we just use 1 or 2 of our EZ-ups.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Hodge-PODge Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Location: Calhoun, GA Online Status: Offline Posts: 539	Posted: 22 Aug 2011 at 4:06pm
	I'm with you, Teach, and the other Podders who think the R-Dome is only worth setting up if you're staying for more than a couple of nights. It's worth it though - it kept us all dry and gave the grandchildren a place to sit and eat during about 3 days of rainy weather.
	2011 RP 177, the Hodge-PODge 2011 Mercedes ML350 "A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it."

Damour Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2011 Location: Quebec Online Status: Offline Posts: 162	Posted: 23 Aug 2011 at 9:28am
	I love my R-Dome It's a big part of our R-Pod for us.
	rp 171 , from Québec with not a good english writing lol

TerryM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Location: Saint Augustine Online Status: Offline Posts: 1950	Posted: 25 Aug 2011 at 4:15am
	I only use it when it is supposed to rain or if the front side is facing south. Then it stops the direct sun from hitting that side. When I do put it up I usually put a picnic table under it. Terry
	RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565

Damour Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2011 Location: Quebec Online Status: Offline Posts: 162	Posted: 25 Aug 2011 at 8:21am
	Under our R-Dome we put a table , our chairs , our cooler . When we have a light rain we can stay under . When the sun is too hot and our camping spot have no trees . We will also use a fan to make the air circulated to be able to stay in when it's too sunny and hot . And it gives us intimity when our door stay open.
	rp 171 , from Québec with not a good english writing lol

Zilbub Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06 Mar 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Posted: 05 Sep 2011 at 4:44pm
	Compared to an EZ-Up, the R-Dome takes a lot more work but it is a great place to provide shade, kick back and read a book. I love it.
	Jon & Bette 2010 R-Pod 151 2007 Chevy Colorado

kymooses Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 01 Aug 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Online Status: Offline Posts: 1807	Posted: 06 Sep 2011 at 5:42pm
	Keeps everything dryer during those big rain showers too. Love my Ez-up but not having to put chairs and stuff up if a big storm rolls through is great!
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g4royce Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 Nov 2010 Location: PortStLucie FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 335	Posted: 20 Sep 2011 at 11:52am
	We have a love/hate relationship with out r-dome as well. To make it easier to put it up solo, we marked the rods with a sharpie when they are fully extended. So we just slot the end to the curved rod, then push until we see the mark, insert the ball end into the rivet, and lock it in place We are short people, and found this to be the easiest. I've also tried making the r-dome cooler in the sun by wrapping emergency foil blankets across the top. It did work, when it stayed up But was crinkly and noisy and drove G up the wall. I will be looking into that silvered-nylon material to make into a tarp of sorts for next year. T
	ChaiPod 2009 RP152 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5L V6