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Topic ClosedShould I buy?
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OldNeumanntapr View Drop Down
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Should I buy?
    Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 9:40pm
Originally posted by DaveS

I think regardless of trailer the one other main difference in camping vs staying in hotels is, you will meet people that are out doing like minded activities.  There is a very strong social aspect to camping if you want it.  That makes it worthwhile for us.
Smile

I agree. Especially if you go to an rPod Meetup, like we did last August at the NW Meetup in Cannon Beach, OR.
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DaveS View Drop Down
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Posts: 17 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 9:09pm
I think regardless of trailer the one other main difference in camping vs staying in hotels is, you will meet people that are out doing like minded activities.  There is a very strong social aspect to camping if you want it.  That makes it worthwhile for us.
Smile
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2587 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 8:41pm
Royal, if you don't have any experience with travel trailers, see if you can get a dealer to rent  used one one to you for a weekend.  Looking at trailers by walking around inside a cramped space like a Casita, R-Pod, etc. doesn't really tell you what it would be like to travel in one.  They always seem more roomy when they don't have your provisions and clothes inside.  

We also considered Casita, Scamp, and Jayco in our search for a used travel trailer.  I was, quite frankly, a bit worried about the very low ground clearance of both the Scamp and Casita and since we planned on boon docking, often traveling on less than ideal roads, I eliminated them even though I was at home with their sailboat like interior.  We, as offgrid, opted for a used trailer because it was a lot cheaper, but it has meant a number of repairs, most of which I've done myself.  On the other hand, reading about all the travails of those who bought new trailers, it seems we ended up fixing less than many of them.

People have pointed out many pro's and con's  and I agree with all of them.  One thing you said that will be a con for you is that you don't like to "fix" stuff.  That is going to be a big issue.  Dealing with even nice RV dealers is a hassle and it will cost you a lot of money.  And if you have a a less than honest dealer or shop fixing your trailer, be prepared.  

Finally, to get your money's worth from an RV you have to use it a lot.  As I look around my neighborhood, I see many trailers that are used only two or three times a year.  [It's not illegal here to park them on the street for extended periods.]  The cost per use, the amortized cost of the trailer, repairs and upkeep, insurance, licenser, etc. etc. makes it a very expensive yard decoration.  It reminds me of the boats berthed around my old sailboat in SF Bay.  Every time I went sailing which was often, but never often enough, those boats were always sitting there, never moving out of their berths.  That's a lot of money to have tied up in a rapidly depreciating thing.  And remember, you will never use the trailer as much as your dreams will tell you you will.  Stuff happens that results in cancelled trips.
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OldNeumanntapr View Drop Down
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 8:40pm
That should have been 'packs a lot inside'...

Stupid auto correct.
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OldNeumanntapr View Drop Down
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 8:26pm
After owning a Coleman Sequoia tent trailer 15 years and wishing for a solid-wall trailer, we finally upgraded this year to an rPod 180. We love it because it’s so much nicer (and warmer) than the tent trailer. True, it was a Lot more expensive but I’m hoping it will last for awhile. I love the roomy bathroom and the modern conveniences like a 3-way fridge, furnace, AC, TV, etc. I used to do a lot of primitive camping when I was younger with a VW bus, and various truck campers, but now I really appreciate the ability to use full hookups.

I mostly like the rPod because it packs a lot I use but fits in a single-car parking stall, so we can keep it next to the garage. If it was bigger I don’t think we could justify paying a monthly storage charge at an RV lot.

It’s nice (for us at least) to own a trailer rather than rent because we can use it whenever we want, sometimes at the spur of the moment.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6291 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 8:11pm
OTOH, while I prefer to be outdoors unless the weather is very uncomfortable, my wife prefers to relax inside. We use the AC and a ceramic block heater if we have power. If we don't, we use the propane furnace for heat. If it is just too hot then I can fire up the generator and run the AC. For the most part, nights have been cool enough that just windows and fans have been sufficient.

One thing not mentioned is the benefit of having your own restroom facilities with you. It has been very handy at times when no rest stop was near to be able to pull off at an intersection and find a place to park for a quick trip into the R-Pod. There have been many times before we got it where things got very close to desperation and at least once where we just could not find a rest stop in time.
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Ben Herman View Drop Down
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Posts: 355 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 7:58pm
Originally posted by Royal1585

So you do prefer your R-Pod over the Casita?  If so, in what way?  

It's bigger so more comfortable for 2 adults; more storage space inside; better kitchen/prep area. Casita is definitely better quality construction. Systems are similar if not identical (heater, hot water, plumbing, etc). If the Casita was a bit taller we may have stuck with it. 

If you do not plan on spending much time inside the trailer except for sleeping/cooking/eating then the Casita is fine. RPod is bigger/better to hang out in. When we travel and where we travel (in the west) we are almost always outside all of the time.
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Royal1585 View Drop Down
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Posts: 26 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 7:53pm
So you do prefer your R-Pod over the Casita?  If so, in what way?  
Go Royals!
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Ben Herman View Drop Down
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Posts: 355 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 7:51pm
Not much to add to the pros and cons, others covered well already. It will allow you to do things camping that you might not otherwise get to experience if in motels - and you always have beer with you!

I owned a Casita and they are quality rigs. If you search carefully and dont mind driving to pick one up (we traveled two days to get ours) you can find a nice used rig. We got one for $14.5K, sold it for the same amount a year later (I am 6'1" lol). Now happily towing an Rpod. One advantage you have is already owing a towing vehicle.
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Royal1585 View Drop Down
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Posts: 26 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 7:49pm
Good stuff from the gentlemen from Tennessee and North Carolina.  I am a Revolutionary War buff and have spent time visiting Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, etc, but all in hotels....which was fine..no worries about much other than to check out and move on.  I just feel I would like the idea of plopping a trailer near Valley Forge or Mt. Vernon or Yorktown and taking it all in.  I appreciate your feedback.  
Go Royals!
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