How long will a new Rpod last?

  You know that you are in or around Texas when they say "Howdy".  Welcome and Howdy. I bought a cover when we ordered our POD and it has been one of the best investments that we have made with the trailer. This year we kept it stored here at the house and keep it covered when we are not using it. I think in the long run you are best to keep it covered if you do not have a garage or barn to put it in.   Goose

Hey Forlorn.  If you are in Austin and your pod is constantly in the sun, I would recommend a cover for it when you aren't using it for any extended period of time.  I would also recommend wheel covers too for all the UV rays that can damage the tires when the pod just sits there for months on end.  There is a thread in the maintenance section about rpod covers and how they really aren't that expensive (at least if you don't buy it from Forest River and you buy it from Northern Tool).

I think that the caulking/sealant  used at the seams will deteriorate if constantly exposed to the sun (heat and UV).  Don't forget the sealant on the roof surrounding the AC, vent, and antenna.  Your RV store may have a UV protectant you can apply to the sealant to prolong it. Using an RV wash/wax product will also help preserve the paint on the exterior.
Keeping the interior floor and cabinet tops clean will go a long way in helping the inside looking new.
I found that I had to use a UV sealant protectant on my previous Forest River RV at least twice a year to keep the roof sealants from deteriorating.

Going by modern engineering practices, since the extended factory warranty lasts to year 2, it will last about 2 1/2 years.  Only half kidding.

I would just echo what the others have said.  Care & maintenance count for a lot.  Also, some people seem to be just "hard" on things and tear them up quickly - others not.  My "guesstimate" would be - with reasonable care & maintenance and typical use you should get 10-20....BUT, there will be some things that will need repair/replacement along the way.  Again, this is just a wild shot in the dark....very situational specific.