jjbescher

My camping experience is very limited.  My idea of camping was to go out in the backyard, pitch a tent and drag extension cords to the tent so I could have electricity.

Why the r-pod?  Well, I travel a decent amount on the weekends to Flyball(Relay Racing for Dogs) tournaments with my dogs, wife and now newborn.  We would stay in the cheap hotels, the ones that would allow dogs or hotels that were about $100 a night.  I would have to pack and unpack the car way too many times and with a newborn that meant extra stuff.  We had friends on our team that had a Class C RV and that is what I thought I needed(Still want one).  Then, another person on our team got the Jayco Jayfeather 17C.  They were able to tow it with their minivan.

So, I started to look at the Hydrid Trailers.  I found the Rockwood Roo and really like it, however the weight was still high along with the price.  Well, I was looking around and came upon the r-pod.  I forgot which website I originally saw it at, but I saw the weight and the floorplans.  I was very impressed.  So, I looked around and found websites that were close to where I lived in North Carolina.  One showed most of the models, even the "T" models.

I contacted one of the dealers and the only "T" trailer they had was the 173T, the one that I liked the most.  The 172T was nice, just not enough sitting room without major modifications to the bunks.  So after the Snowstorm of '10, they have had schools closed for three days, I ended up driving to the dealer and looking at the 173T.  I fell in love with it.  Am I worried about the tent part of it, a little, but if it too cold outside or even too warm, I can close the Tent part and now just have a 173.

I pick it up Friday 2/5/2010.  I can not wait.  There are already modifications I want to make to it thanks to some of the things I have seen on this website and the other one.  I am so glad to have found the sites as they have been very helpful in answering some of the questions I had.  I know I have many more questions, but they will come once I get it.

I know a lot of you want to see pictures of a "T" model, I will do my best to get some up as soon I can. 

I get to try it out on the February 12 and the 13th, I will post some reviews of it after that weekend.

I unfortunately can not make it to the Eastern Roundup, I would love too, but it is too far to travel with not enough vacation days.  Maybe someone can organize a mini one in NC, SC or VA.

Sorry for the long post.
jon

I will do a review of the Dealer after I pick it up.  So far the Dealer has been great.

jon

Congratulations on your new Pod and welcome to the group.  I hope you have many happy journeys in your RP173T.  I own it's "older cousin" - just the plain RP173.  Keep us posted on your developments and pictures are always great.

No pictures yet.  I have been working hard on getting it ready to take it out this upcoming weekend.  I have had to cut out reflectix for the tent part of it.  I am working on making railings for the part above the microwave.

The pull-out part is 5'WX4'L.  The air mattress goes over part half of the couch of the 173.  Although they say it sleeps 6, you could probably only get 5.  Two on the air mattress, two on the dinette bed and 1 on half of the couch, which would make it inconvenient for those on the air mattress to get up.

I hope to start taking pictures after I get everything set-up.  It may not be till after next weekend.  If you have any questions about the 173T, please let me know.

jon

jjbescher....welcome and congratulations.  You'll enjoy it very much especially with the new born.  No more lugging in and out of cheap hotels.  We have a dog too and can appreciate where you are coming from.  It'll be so much cleaner then those hotel rooms for the new born.  Happy traveling.