R-Pod 195 sneak peak teaser

Given that the tank capacities of the 18FB are 25 gallons fresh (which presumably includes the 6 for the water heater meaning actually a 19 gallon tank unless they are not including the water heater in the fresh water capacity) and 26 gallons each for black and gray, it would make the 18FB less desirable for me. The one thing that piqued my interest was the "Heat Pads." That may mean that the tanks are heated for 4 season use. If so, one would need to be connected to shore power or have a great charging system for the TV to run them. I don't see them running on battery power alone.

The functional space is about the same, though the galley is in the back on the 195, it is basically the same size.  The head is on the side in the 195 and in the back on the 18FB, but the volume of each is about the same.  I looked at the live version of the Pac. Coach. trailer last summer at one of our local dealers.  Its construction seems to be at about the same quality level as the generic rPod product.  The tankage may be a little different, but functionally, there isn't much difference.  Both trailers are going after the same market segment.  From the fotos of the 195, I think FR's choice if finishes and such are a little nicer, but the price of the 18FB that I looked at was considerably less than that expected for the 195.  Oh, and one other thing about the 18FB, the mattress was a throw away.  They should sell them sans mattress and let the buyer get her own.

The new 195 looks similar to Pacific Coachworks, Mighty-Lite 18FB https://www.pacificcoachworks.com/travel-trailers/mighty-lite/mighty-lite-travel-trailer-18fb/

   Our last trip with the Vista we stopped at a truck scale and weighed our camper when it was fully loaded with about 10 gallons fresh water and just a few gallons in the black and grey tanks. The axle weight of the Vista hitched to our tow vehicle was 3,740 lbs. With our truck it is easily towed but with a smaller SUV it would be a little difficult. The original r-pods were easily towed with most SUV's but I think too, the new r-pod 195 will need a large SUV or truck for towing safely. As mentioned can't forget the wind resistance with a larger frontal area and too the visibility with the side mirrors. But the positive side of the 195 is it will have a fiberglass roof and a torsion axle the Vista and No-Bo have only one of those features not both. We wanted a larger camper with both the torsion axle and fiberglass roof that we could afford and the Vista is as close as we could find but it has a leaf spring axle. There is the Big Foot and Oliver beautiful campers but out of our price range. I think the 195 will be about the only choice for someone wanting a larger camper with both a fiberglass roof and torsion axle in it's price range. But as history has showed there will be most likely competition from other manufactures.