171, 172 or 177? - Event Date: 05 Feb 2013

For 30 years I tented (often for weeks) and after my son was grown I decided to get off the ground. Now that I'm retired, the time has come to invest in an RV. I am single and I want to take extended trips. After much research, I've become increasingly attracted to the R-Pod. I am concerned about storage, though, and that will affect my buying decision.

Welcome.  We have the 171 with the queen.  I'm 5' 5" and I couldn't be much taller and sleep comfortably on my half of the bed.  Much more than 5' 9" and I would have to sleep diagonally.

I pulled a very heavy popup (close to 3500 loaded) for years and then the pod for over a year with a Sienna with a 3500 pound limit.  I was fine on back roads, even with hills, and fine at highway speeds.  But everyone here knows about "the wall" that you feel once you get above 55 mph.  Not a big problem on flat terrain, but add hills and/or a headwind and you'll have problems.  I drove to Florida for 2 days, one with a nasty headwind and I hated it.  Drove to Maine for 2 days with big hills and 6 people, and hated it.  Next spring after that trip I got the Suburban.  Bottom line, you can get away with it for a while but you'll want something more eventually.  Weight isn't an issue for the pods - but its like pulling a wall down the road at highway speeds.

They announced the slide models the week after we picked up our 171.  We probably would have gone with the 177 (same layout but the kitchen is reversed) if we had the option.  When towing with the Sienna I was glad to not have the extra 300 pounds, though.

level62,

Some thoughts from one with a very similar situation. I (we) have a 172 and pull it with a 2010 4WD Honda pilot. We have the E2 equalizer/sway control hitch which I highly recommend. My wife and I opted for the 172 because of the separate sleeping and dining areas. We did not want to crawl over each other to get up at night so the bunks were our choice. The wrap around dinette was also attractive. I am 5'9 and sleep comfortably in the bunks, but with your height the 171 or 177 might be necessary

Watch the weight.  Despite what the dealers tell you, the small V6 in the Pilot will be an issue if you spend time at altitude with hills. Pay attention to the gross combined weight requirement in your manual. You lose 2% for each 1000 feet in altitude. GCVW is more important than trailer weight. Apparently the dealers never leave sea level. We decided against the slide in favor of lower weight. Maybe it would be nice, but we get along fine without it.

Storage is not a problem for two of us; easier for you.

Another point from many of us here: don't pay for the TV/AM/FM/DVD player. It's performance is poor and over-the-air TV stations are really scarce at camp sites. Besides, you are going camping, not TV watching. A laptop computer, DVDs, and a personal hotspot on a cell phone take care of all that. The R-Dome is nice, but it can be a hassle and you may not need it.

The 172 has proven to be a good choice for us, but each owner has different needs/desires. I'll be glad to help more if you need it. And welcome to Podding.

"no problem with power in towing the 171, even in the mountains of Tn"

What mountains in Tn? I'm talking Colorado, Mon.

Originally posted by CharlieM "no problem with power in towing the 171, even in the mountains of Tn" What mountains in Tn? I'm talking Colorado, Mon.

  To me the mountains in Tn are the biggest I have been through in my life. Can only imagine those in Colorado. Have fun! Some day maybe I will have the time to see those bigger mountains out west.