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furpod View Drop Down
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Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Vibe 6503
    Posted: 29 Oct 2013 at 5:36pm
Originally posted by CharlieM

Dave,

Looks like the 5200# axal will solve the loading problem. Don't know about the cost of axel/wheels/tires. The layout of the 6503 is interesting with the semi-private bed/head setup and the large dinette. Your call.

That said, it leaves only the single/dual axel question. I don't have any personal experience to go on since the Pod is my first TT. However, my next trailer, a Camplite 21RBS, is 1000# heavier dry and will have dual axels. Keep us informed as you work through this.

Charlie


Right there with you. We toured the factory in August..
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Nov 2009
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 2013 at 10:04am
   Yesterday we went to look at the Vibes, the only dealer as far as I know that sells them in Florida. I liked the outside shape of the trailer very much but that is about as much as I liked over the r-pods. There was a little more room that allowed a dry bath but the ones I looked at the over all quality just did not seem to be as good as the r-pods. The most serious thing I noticed was the fabric on the exterior to protect the floor was barely attached to the wood floor. There was wood exposed where there was outside connections of wires. The fabric was hanging down from the floor in that when the trailer was being towed while it was raining the wood would get soaked and in time would rot. I am sure the dealer would of repaired the fabric some how if asked but it should of never been allowed to leave the factory that way. So when we got home I inspected our r-pod to see if the fabric was attached well to the floor, thankfully it was. I remember there were some r-pods a few years back where the corners were not sealed well with the fabric and there was recall on them. It was a nice trailer but for our use of a camper we prefer our r-pod. On the Lance owners forum it was mentioned by a Lance owner that the quality of the r-pods were good and as we have been looking around at different trailers I am appreciating more the quality of the r-pods.        David
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab


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furpod View Drop Down
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Joined: 25 Jul 2011
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 2013 at 1:53pm
I am not sure if all the Vibe floor plans use the same "bedroom" layout and design, but I know she didn't like how much it felt like a cave to her, and the "step up" to the bed was pretty far on the couple we looked at.
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marwayne View Drop Down
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Location: Edmonton AB Can
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Posts: 1002 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 2013 at 2:00pm
I have to agree with you David, quality and workman ship in the pods are not the greatest but it is by far better than any other trailers I have looked at.
If you want something done right, do it yourself.
2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.


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Joined: 26 Aug 2012
Location: Cedar Key, FL
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Posts: 457 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 2013 at 2:10pm
Your interest in the Vibe prompted me to check them out, (just internet-wise), so I am not at all in the
position to comment on the build quality, but I will definitely voice my objection to a real "deal breaker"
for me.

The R-Pod 177 is everything we would like it to be with one exception.  The port-starboard camper queen
sandwiched in the way it is makes it very difficult to make the bed up, and virtually impossible for two
average size adults to sleep in.  If the "inboard" sleeper has a nighttime call, it is impossible not to
disturb one's spouse, hence the requirement to make up the settee each night.  (At least for us....)  The
Vibe offers nothing better in that regard.

I have no idea how the models compare price wise, but I would check out the FR Surveyor Sport series, 
specifically the SP220RBS which has a fore and aft camper queen with side access / egress and a dry bath.  (I don't know how the font size got changed, sorry....)


The 220RBS seems to be the closest relative to the R-Pod functionally and at a reasonable increase in gross and tongue weight.

Just MHO.
Bob and Joyce
Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels
RP 177 "Key Pod"
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Nov 2009
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 2013 at 3:02pm
   I was wanting a trailer with more room but one with a fiberglass roof and no slide. Lance has the model 1575 but it has a slide and by what I have read several owners have had problems with there slides. The Vibe 6501 and 6503 have both what I want but still a little small not much bigger than the r-pods. Also it has to be in our price range less than 20,000.     David
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab


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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 2013 at 3:22pm
I thought when I checked out that Vibe layout that it had a walk-around queen?
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Joined: 26 Aug 2012
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Posts: 457 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Nov 2013 at 4:37pm
The V-Cross Vibe 800 Series seem to have a walk-around queen.
Bob and Joyce
Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels
RP 177 "Key Pod"
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Nov 2009
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Nov 2013 at 10:52am
  Yesterday we went to look at another Vibe and if all goes well we will be buying this one. The dealer said he would upgrade the axle to allow a higher cargo capacity of over 1,000 lbs. We hope it all works out and we are now waiting to hear from the dealer when everything is completed. Its like having a cousin to the r-pod in that they are in ways a similar trailer both built by Forest River.   David and Danette 
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab


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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Nov 2012
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Nov 2013 at 2:18pm
Dave,

Still looking at the 6503 or have are you looking at another model? We are waiting on delivery of our Camplite 21RBS and waiting for a buyer for our Pod. Just a little bit more room goes a long way.

Charlie
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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