Pod People Wannabees

What tow vehicle do you intend to use? That will play a large part in the decision.

With a dog and occasionally grandkids along, my vote would be for a 177 or 178.  The slide-out doesn't seem to cause any issues for most folks (I've read of some occasional problems on the 179, but that's a larger slide requiring two motors, which are made by a different company than the motor used in the 177/178).  Sit inside each.  See what you think.

We were set on getting a 171 until we sat in a 177 and 178.  The 178 offers a larger, u-shaped dinette and extra outside storage.  It's a bit longer and weighs a bit more than the 177.  We have the 177.  Our 70 lb. goldendoodle camps with us sometimes, and we've had a grown kid tag along as well.  We don't regret getting the slide-out model.  In fact, I sort of wish we had gone with the 178, but the deal we got on our 177 was too good to pass up.

The question about tow vehicle is a good one.  Although the R-pod is fairly light, don't underestimate the amount of drag the high(ish) profile causes.  We had zero issues pulling our popup with our former tow vehicle (Dodge Durango with 4.7 liter V-8), but it struggled a bit with the Pod.  Ended up getting a diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee, which handles towing admirably. 

My recommendation for towing the R-pod is to make sure you have at at least 5,500 lbs. towing capacity on your vehicle, and even better, make sure you have 300+ horsepower and/or lbs. ft. torque.

Good luck on your quest! 

I'm sure my truck would do okay...it's me I'm worried about.  I have a 2012 ram 1500 4x4 with 5.7 hemi and automatic transmission.

Welcome to the forum and good luck deciding.
Yep, your truck will take you and your Pod anywhere you want to go...no problem there.

(Anti) sway devices...some use them some don't. The long wheelbase of the truck will help.

I gotta get my sea legs on the posting thing...I guess I shouldn't be trying to reply to each individually.