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henkelphoto View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 May 2016
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Posts: 2 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: prospective owner!
    Posted: 29 May 2016 at 10:43am
Hi guys!

  Just joined the group. My wife and I are looking at either a 171 or the 179. Not to excited about a slide, but the 179 looks like it had a LOT more kitchen space. Right now, we have a Starcraft Comet a-frame that we like but realize that the bed is too small and we are tired of worrying about if there is too much wind to set up the camper. 

Anyway, I do have a couple of questions. One is about the slide on the 179. How do the connections for the fridge work with the slide? 

Also, we have two trucks we want to use, depending on terrain, with our camper. One is a 2005 Toyota Tundra and the other is a 2013 Nissan Frontier (which gets much better mileage). I'm assuming that a WD hitch would be best when using the Nissan and would use it on the Toyota also, but would we need to re-set up the hitch every time we change TVs?
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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: 6418 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 3:18pm
The connections for the refrigerator are on the slide, so they move with the refrigerator (and convection microwave). The flexibility of the electrical and gas lines allow them to move in and out with the slide. The panel beneath the refrigerator hides the lines and allows room for them to move. We have had our 179 since December. I have moved the slide out and in numerous times. There are no issues with the lines for the refrigerator or convection microwave.

As for vehicles, we are towing with a 2016 Ford Escape SE with factory tow package. I can't speak to either of your vehicles. You would need to see the towing capacities of each and decide. If you want to go back and forth between them then yes, you would need to re-set up the hitch every time unless the vehicle receiver on both vehicles is at the exact same height.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4518 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 3:40pm
Welcome to the group! We started out with the 171 and loved it. I too was always skeptical about slide outs. We had our 171 for 5 years then moved up to the 179 and really love it. Got used to the slide out and really love the extra room and the huge kitchen area and storage that it has. Glad to help if you have any questions about the two.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 4:29pm
Originally posted by henkelphoto

Hi guys!

Also, we have two trucks we want to use, depending on terrain, with our camper. One is a 2005 Toyota Tundra and the other is a 2013 Nissan Frontier (which gets much better mileage). I'm assuming that a WD hitch would be best when using the Nissan and would use it on the Toyota also, but would we need to re-set up the hitch every time we change TVs?


If the Frontier is the V6 it will work. The 4 cyl not too well. When towing the gas mileage is 90+% determined by the trailer. Not much difference  between TVs. And you most likely will have to readjust the WDH for each truck.
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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henkelphoto View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 May 2016
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Posts: 2 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 6:46pm
Thanks for the answers! Oddly enough, my Tundra and my wife's Frontier (V6) are only 300 lbs apart of tow capacity--6800 for mine and 6500 for hers. Although the Frontier didn't come with the tow package, we've installed a much larger alternator, a second trans cooler and 7-pin connector (it came with a class 4 receiver). 

I've never had a trailer with a slide so the information on the 179 is much appreciated. I think we will probably go with it instead of the 171, much easier to get out of the bed with the 179!
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4518 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 6:54pm
True about getting out of bed, with the slide out, it opens up the middle of the trailer in good shape. The back kitchen area also has a lot of space and storage room. pretty nice set up
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Perkx2 View Drop Down
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Joined: 08 May 2016
Location: Maine
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Posts: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 7:02pm
We have the 179 and a 2009 Nissan frontier with the towing package and the larger engine. We have no problem towing at all.  
Ted & Mary
2016 R-Pod 179
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 7:34pm
Welcome.  As Charlie said, when towing all of us get very similar mpgs due to the air resistance.  Doesn't matter if you are in a minivan with a V6 or a truck with a V8.

Wheelbase and the HP and torque specs are what are important for towing.  Longer wheelbase equals more stability, and of course the engine specs count the most on the highway and mountains.  Trips on back roads below 50 mph there is little difference.

As for the slide, we owned a popup with a slideout and loved the extra room.  Then we went to the 171 for 5 years and missed that room.  I wasn't sure about getting another slideout, but we ended up with a large slideout and I'll never go back.  Even in a larger camper there is a big difference with it open and closed.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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jato View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
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Posts: 3331 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 9:33pm
The slide on our 177 has presented no problems for us for 5 + years now.  Fridge works like a charm, no issues with our Pod at all.  
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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bjk View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 May 2016
Location: Hillsboro, OR
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Posts: 65 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 9:38pm
I purchased my 179 this March and got it because it had so much kitchen space (I love to cook) and the storage.   I had thought about the 178, but the 179 just has so much more internal storage and all that counter space!   I have my own espresso maker and like to stow it in the upper pantry (with my grinder and other stuff) and then put it out on the counter when at a park (love a good cappuccino).   

I'm not terribly happy with the throw cushions in the sitting area (seem to deflate too much when sitting on them), but I weighed that before I bought and decided I wanted it for everything else.

It's just me, so the bed huge and I actually thought rather comfortable (although I've read many others say the mattress is one of the first things they replaced).

The one time I brought my 19-yo daughter, she made a tent out of the spare bed taking the back cushions to the front and using a blanket over them and securing them to the cupboards above.   I didn't hear a complaint from her about sleep on it (but it was only one trip).
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