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gnawbone
Newbie
Joined: 02 Nov 2012
Location: Sterling PA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 20
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Topic: 2013 177 Advice Before Purchase Posted: 15 Dec 2012 at 8:15am |
Hi Barefoot14. Here's our story...We have been in RVing with large and small units but decided on the R-Pod 177. Went to the dealer in Ohio because of the best price and no add-ons or hidden extras. Probably not allowed to recommend them by name. We went out on Tuesday Dec 11, 2012. Stayed in the Marriott for $95, went to the dealers on Wed and after demo started for home. Got home Thurs eve very tired. we're both over 70 so our long distance drives are difficult. I think this is one of the most exciting trailers I've had and perfect for what we want: state parks, short trips. We drove out in our 2004 Dodge 3500 diesel pickup truck and averaged 22.5 mpg going out thru hilly PA. COMING HOME: 'nother story: 14.4 mpg. frontal area and headwind dropped our mileage and I kept way under the speed limits most of the time. Small price to pay for what we got. Next is to hook up to our 2013 Toyota Sienna and see what happens. I'm looking at the Andersen weight distributing hitch on Ebay. The other forum on R-Pods has a few mods that are interesting and Facebook has an R-Pod owners group too. I like to read all of this stuff as these are very friendly and experienced folks. Best wishes for your purchase. Feel free to email if you like...
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2017 Toyota Sienna
2016 R-180 "the Wee Pod"
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barefoot14
Newbie
Joined: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17
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Posted: 15 Dec 2012 at 8:09am |
We spent some time in a new 2013 177 yesterday, also checked out a new Forest River Vibe, the bathroom is awesome! However the Vibe would be too heavy for our Highlander. There's an RV show in PA in a few weeks, we are thinking we might go to it and check out some more models, has anyone ever been? Did anyone compare the knock off Heartland MPGs to the RPod before purchase?
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Keith-N-Dar
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1447
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Posted: 14 Dec 2012 at 6:08pm |
"I had the same thought...all backs are different! Did you keep the sink in the shower? I noted that some folks removed it for more space but I thought sitting down for a shower was fine. My husband definitely will sleep on the outside! And our dog, I expect, will be at the table!" The first couple of showers were interesting. After a few I got the hang of it. I will try a sit down shower next season. The sink stayed in place and I have no plans to move it. Using the toilet is more of an adveture at first. I started with the door open for a little more room, but now it is fine with the door closed. Not as much room as at home but it is enough. I am full sized plus and also a senior.
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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150
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rpodcamper.com
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 26 Nov 2009
Location: Reading, Pa
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3990
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Posted: 14 Dec 2012 at 1:50am |
My Wife and I have owned a 171 since early 2009 and have really enjoyed it. Yes the person on the inside of the bed needs to crawl over the other person but has not really bothered us at all. My wife has me trapped on the inside. As for size I feel it is perfect and has just what we need iwould have gone with a teardrop if my wife did not want the bathroom. It is easy to get in and out of parking lots, gas stations and camps due to the size.
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RPodWeGo
Senior Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2012
Location: Salt Lake City
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 112
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Posted: 14 Dec 2012 at 1:41am |
Many posts so I have not read all but scanned some. You asked what you needed when you pick up the Pod. We have a 2013 177 and regardless of which Pod you have I would highly recommend a sway bar. Several posts on the forum as to which one and/ or weight equalizer thig a ma jig ... Simply get something.
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RPodWeGo
RPod 177
04 v8 Toyota 4Runner
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wildflowerz
Groupie
Joined: 02 Oct 2012
Location: PA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 49
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Posted: 13 Dec 2012 at 10:30pm |
Barefoot... we just went to Disney with our rPod last week. Just arrived home on Tuesday night. Our last camping spot was in Virginia to winterize before coming home to PA. I highly recommend Ft. Wilderness, we enjoyed hanging out there, riding bikes, visiting the hotels. We never even went into the theme parks. We stayed in a few state parks on the way home. You can definitely head south and enjoy your pod as soon as you get it.
Somewhere on the modifications board someone mentioned to take a few trips before doing any mods. Try it out a bit before you figure out what you want to do. Let us know when you get it. 
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LarryK
Newbie
Joined: 21 Apr 2012
Location: Spokane, WA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 20
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Posted: 13 Dec 2012 at 9:59pm |
We have a 177 and love it. My wife sleeps in the bed and we set up the dinette each night as a bed for me to sleep in. It takes less than 2 minutes. That way we neither has to crawl over, just have to try not to trip over the dog. I can hardly wait for early spring to get out there, again.
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2012 R Pod 177
2006 Toyota Tundra Access Cab
4.7 Liter V8
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Racer|X|
Senior Member
Joined: 21 Mar 2012
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 237
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Posted: 13 Dec 2012 at 9:36pm |
Originally posted by barefoot14
Thanks to everyone who has posted so far! Question: Looks like I will have to crawl over my husband to get out of bed to hit the "lew." Any advice on that? Also does anyone have advice on customizing the bed area...I have to have my water, eye drops etc close by all night long. I've read the posts on mattresses and realize it will not be comfortable so that will be a problem to solve too. Thanks for your help!!!!
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Easy...make him sleep on the inside! 
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barefoot14
Newbie
Joined: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17
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Posted: 13 Dec 2012 at 9:15pm |
OOH I am so afraid I will fall off the top bunk! Too many broken bones in my life...and my hubby for sure would want the bottom bunk. So that def won't work! Thanks!
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CharlieM
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797
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Posted: 13 Dec 2012 at 9:03pm |
Originally posted by barefoot14
Thanks to everyone who has posted so far! Question: Looks like I will have to crawl over my husband to get out of bed to hit the "lew." Any advice on that? Also does anyone have advice on customizing the bed area...I have to have my water, eye drops etc close by all night long. I've read the posts on mattresses and realize it will not be comfortable so that will be a problem to solve too. Thanks for your help!!!!
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Barefoot14. "The climb over" problem is exactly why we chose the R-172 with bunk beds. And it gives us a sleeping area separate from the sitting area and requires no setup of the bed each night.
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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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