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JohnBG View Drop Down
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Joined: 14 Apr 2015
Location: Deltona, FL
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Posts: 190 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Prospective new owner in FL
    Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 1:35pm
Hey everyone...

My wife and I have been looking at small travel trailers, we have never camped before and now that we are pretty much empty nesters, we want to get out and see some places.  

I ran across the R-Pods at a dealer in Sebring and really like them, although they are a tad pricey, but I am looking at some used ones locally on Craig's List and other sources.. The one I saw was the RP-178.

We don't want anything huge that would be a pain to pull or maintain, looking for something simple.  Just hook up and go for a weekend or maybe a week at the most.

We have a Honda Ridgeline to use as a tow vehicle (it will tow up to 5000 lb.) which is why we want to stay small, but I will need to add the 7-pin harness and a brake controller.

A couple of quick questions from a total noob:  

Does the pop-out kitchen make a huge difference in living area?   I did not get to see a RP171 to compare.

Anyone else use a Ridgeline to tow?  I was looking at the towing thread and it looks like some folks are using vehicles smaller than that.

Does the R-Pod have a connector for a gas grille?

What do I need to look out for with used R-Pods? 

How easy is it to set up the R-Dome?
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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 Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 1:47pm
Originally posted by JohnBG

Hey everyone...

My wife and I have been looking at small travel trailers, we have never camped before and now that we are pretty much empty nesters, we want to get out and see some places.  

I ran across the R-Pods at a dealer in Sebring and really like them, although they are a tad pricey, but I am looking at some used ones locally on Craig's List and other sources.. The one I saw was the RP-178. Not sure what you consider "pricey", they are about the least expensive, full featured TT in their size.

We don't want anything huge that would be a pain to pull or maintain, looking for something simple.  Just hook up and go for a weekend or maybe a week at the most.

We have a Honda Ridgeline to use as a tow vehicle (it will tow up to 5000 lb.) which is why we want to stay small, but I will need to add the 7-pin harness and a brake controller. We have several owners pulling with "Ridgies".

A couple of quick questions from a total noob:  

Does the pop-out kitchen make a huge difference in living area?   I did not get to see a RP171 to compare. Yes. The slide makes a huge difference.

Anyone else use a Ridgeline to tow?  I was looking at the towing thread and it looks like some folks are using vehicles smaller than that. See above..

Does the R-Pod have a connector for a gas grille? Only the G models, but one can be added. A few owners have.

What do I need to look out for with used R-Pods? In any used RV, look for evidence of water leaks, make sure all systems and appliances work.

How easy is it to set up the R-Dome? We can set up ours in 5-10 minutes. The dome is honestly one of the best things about a pod.


My replies in red..

Welcome and good luck in your search.
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JohnBG View Drop Down
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Joined: 14 Apr 2015
Location: Deltona, FL
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Posts: 190 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 2:03pm
Originally posted by furpod

Originally posted by JohnBG

Hey everyone...

My wife and I have been looking at small travel trailers, we have never camped before and now that we are pretty much empty nesters, we want to get out and see some places.  

I ran across the R-Pods at a dealer in Sebring and really like them, although they are a tad pricey, but I am looking at some used ones locally on Craig's List and other sources.. The one I saw was the RP-178. Not sure what you consider "pricey", they are about the least expensive, full featured TT in their size.

We don't want anything huge that would be a pain to pull or maintain, looking for something simple.  Just hook up and go for a weekend or maybe a week at the most.

We have a Honda Ridgeline to use as a tow vehicle (it will tow up to 5000 lb.) which is why we want to stay small, but I will need to add the 7-pin harness and a brake controller. We have several owners pulling with "Ridgies".

A couple of quick questions from a total noob:  

Does the pop-out kitchen make a huge difference in living area?   I did not get to see a RP171 to compare. Yes. The slide makes a huge difference.

Anyone else use a Ridgeline to tow?  I was looking at the towing thread and it looks like some folks are using vehicles smaller than that. See above..

Does the R-Pod have a connector for a gas grille? Only the G models, but one can be added. A few owners have.

What do I need to look out for with used R-Pods? In any used RV, look for evidence of water leaks, make sure all systems and appliances work.

How easy is it to set up the R-Dome? We can set up ours in 5-10 minutes. The dome is honestly one of the best things about a pod.


My replies in red..

Welcome and good luck in your search.

Thanks...  By pricey, I meant in comparison to some of the non-teardrop campers we had been looking at.  Maybe it's just the market here in FL right now but a new 21' Winnebago with a full bath, awning and couch slide-out can be had for about $15K.  The RP-178 I was looking at was ~$17.5K 
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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: 14 Apr 2015 at 2:12pm
Here, a 178 is.. less. From our dealers website: $14,956.14, call for quote.
I am going to *guess* $14K even..
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JohnBG View Drop Down
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Joined: 14 Apr 2015
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Posts: 190 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 2:40pm
Originally posted by furpod

Here, a 178 is.. less. From our dealers website: $14,956.14, call for quote.
I am going to *guess* $14K even..

Yeah, bit KY is a little far... Tongue

The dealer in Sebring quoted me $15,995 for an RP-178, then I find the exact one I looked at on RV Trader for $14,300...  Link: http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2015-Forest-River-R-POD-RPT178-112754117

Looking at a used 2011 RP-177 for $9K/ob and a 2012 RP-171 for $8K/obo I found locally. 

I'm trying to avoid having to haggle with dealers and avoid payments. 


Edited by JohnBG - 14 Apr 2015 at 2:41pm
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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 Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 3:04pm
The advantage of new is you know what it's been through, and you get a warranty.. One thing to remember about RV loans is any interest is usually deductible.. Talk to your tax advisor tadayadayada.
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danmarkian View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Apr 2015 at 12:05pm
We looked at a 178 and 179, and went with the 179 because of the layout and storage. We drove to Hamilton Ohio to Jeff Couchs RV Nation, brand new with rdome was just over $14,000.
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JohnBG View Drop Down
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Joined: 14 Apr 2015
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Posts: 190 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Apr 2015 at 1:06pm
Originally posted by furpod

The advantage of new is you know what it's been through, and you get a warranty.. One thing to remember about RV loans is any interest is usually deductible.. Talk to your tax advisor tadayadayada.

Trying to avoid payments if possible and that huge depreciation hit that happens once you drive any new vehicle off the lot...  Wink

I usually buy my vehicles low miles certified used with warranty and let someone else take the depreciation loss.

What's the standard warranty on an R-Pod and does it convey to a second owner?

One of the things I like about these units is the one piece fiberglass roof instead of a rubber condom roof on a standard travel trailer.  Seems like it would last longer and be less prone to leaking, right?
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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: 15 Apr 2015 at 4:06pm
R-Pods hold their value well.. for instance you are looking at a 2011 for $9K.. We paid $12.6K new for our 2011. So, about 8% annually in this instance.

The pod standard warranty is one year, most of the appliances have 2, though in the second year the leg work is all on you.. neither here now there on a 2011.

So far, we haven't seen Pods to be leak prone anywhere other than at penetrations, but inspect and keep up with the seals, and all should be good. And this is of course true of any surface with a hole in it.. LOL
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