Looking for A Replacement

In May of 2013, I flew out to Oregon and bought a "like new condition" 2000 Winnebago Rialta and drove it home. That was pretty much the highpoint of our Rialta ownership. In October and newly retired, we headed west with big plans to travel the Southwest and the Pacific Coast. We made it to Carlsbad, NM and after six days snowed in our VW-based RV started to die. After struggling to Albuquerque and discovering that VW dealers are incapable of repairing VWs and nobody else either has the skills or desire to work on that German brand of junk, we limped into Truth or Consequences and I set about the task of becoming a VW Eurovan mechanic/electronic tech. Four months later, we were back on the road home. We escaped Rialta ownership with most of our investment, which was the next-best moment of Rialta "ownership."

We spent this past summer getting ready to sell our home of the last 18 years, buying a massively downsized replacement home in Red Wing, MN, and trying to sort out ourselves so we can do the traveling thing again, sans VW. Since the camper portion of the Rialta was perfect for us, the R-Pod 179 looks like the hot setup. So, the minute the 2nd house sells, I'm going to be looking for a 179. Any tips, warnings, advice, or jokes would be greatly appreciated.

The picture below was us in March, after I had the VW electronics sorted out and we made a tentative trip west of TorC to shake out the bugs and convince ourselves we might make it back home without having to buy a bus ticket.

You could have been telling "our story."  We bought a 2005 Rialta and had a very similar experience.  Every outing required some sort of repair.  The electrical system was a mystery to all!  This being said we loved the layout.  We too, sold ours and sat out for a while, but discovered we missed camping.  Our 179 should be delivered in a few weeks.  Having the Rialta and knowing how we "lived" in, it made selecting a TT easier.  Hoping this adventure  has less irritation and more  relaxation!   Welcome!

My brother was a longtime Dodge mechanic and wanted a change of pace so he went to work at a VW/Audi dealership. He lasted about 9 months couldn't take it and switched back to Dodge!

 No offense to Germans, I have a German name and ancestors. But our family experience owning German made cars is that for some reason Germans have difficulty in understanding electricity. German made mechanical engines and machinery are among the best in the world. But electricity in my opinion seems to puzzle them. I guess that is why I recently had questions and needed help with the electrical system in our Vibe.  

Hi twday66,
Sorry about your Rialta experience. We upgraded from a tent to a 24' 5er about eight years ago. The 5er was terrific. No more sleeping on the ground! We traded for a 179 last spring and love it. Less room of course but it works great for us. Get a big enough tow vehicle and watch out for bumps up or down when entering a gas station. Take them on a angle or you will bottom out. Our 179 is great!
John