Soon to be owner

We bought our 182G this time last year.  We love it, we use the R-Dome for more than one nighters and homemade awning for overnight and/or if it has been wet and we get the Dome dry we put up the awning.  We have the dome down to about 15 minutes.  The awning takes about 5. Picture is in the awning/dome discussion.  It cost a little less than $125 and works great.  Just had it up at the Oregon coast which was a bit breezy and everything stayed up.  I love the garage can store "bad" stuff out there, like bug spray and tiki oil.  I cook on the included grill (might see if that option is still available as it was included in the price). We have moved the TV into the inside using the same straps included from the garage.  We love the bunks.  Have added a foam pad to the bottom and put some upholstery material on it and sleep in a sleeping bag which is stuffed along with the sleeping bag from the top into a extra long pillow case.  We put the top bunk up and now can use the bottom as an extra couch with the long pillow case behind us.  I just added a self inflating 3.5 inch camping pad to the top (deflate in the morning) and I can sleep as long on it as I can a regular bed. We had to make curtains for the bottom bunk as the person is too long and kept fighting with the blinds.
I also use the garage for extra storing.  The grill goes in the larger of the "holes" tiki lamp in oil in the smaller two and the hose for the sink and water are in the sink.  We tow with a 2006 Ford Expedition with large v8.  We normally carry two kayaks on top and have added the highland bike rack on back.  We made straps that hook on the jacks (there is a little hole on top) that allow us to really secure the bikes from swaying or moving really at all. 
Just took the dog for the first time.  He takes up half the floor space but it all worked.  As for other storage you'll soon become a minimalists. But we have everything we need and more.  As we say there are cheaper and bigger but nothing is as cute as an R-pod!

Welcome! We bought a 178 this year and love it! It is big enough for our small family of 4. Our children (ages 8 and 5) sleep on the dinette comfortably. The RDome is definitely worth the purchase. Even when it is raining, we can sit under the dome- much less confining than being indoors.

I am also a soon to be owner and am looking at the 182g. Does anyone have any tips on the purchase - questions to ask the dealer, options you wish you had included or concerns that you wish were addressed when you bought your first Pod?  I am considering the RDome as well, or an after market one from Dometic.  Pros and cons of the RDome?  I've read through past forum posts but found most to be many years old and was wondering if anyone has experience with 2014 or 2015 models.  Or any other after market companies in the West, California or Nevada, to look into for another awning? 

We are an active couple with two dogs and lots of toys.  The 182 looks like our best option.  The 179 is great too, but lacks the garage with utility sink for cleaning up our muddy gear when we come in from a ride.  Has anyone tried the new Swagman bike carrier that goes between the car the the trailer?

Thanks!  This forum has helped me to make some decisions.  I appreciate the efforts everyone makes to share their experiences.

Welcome.

We are looking at R-pods and hope to buy one before the end of this month. Not sure what we will end up so far we have looked at the 182 G. Next week we will be looking at he 178 and 179. As far myself I have already set my mind on the 182 G,but DH( dear husband) thins we should look at the others. He likes everything about the 182G except there is not much storage in it. I have been looking here and on the Forest River sight to get better insight about theses units. I sure like what I see in both places.