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Topic ClosedNew Rpods - Event Date: 12 Sep 2016 - 01 Oct 2017

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Steve 911 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: New Rpods
    Posted: 12 Sep 2016 at 10:42pm
Hello all,
I'm new here, and this is my first message.  I have enjoyed the comments I see on this forum and it has an influence on which unit we favor.  Mainly because of the support system on here and the family atmosphere. I am a retired firefighter, and my wife and I are looking to purchase a small TT. We have been looking at a Jayco Hummingbird 17rb and a Rpod 180, and comparing the features of each. 
There are things on each of these units we like. To bad we can't get all the things we like in one unit..lol.
We are leaning toward the Rpod because a little extra storage, and a fantastic fan, which the Hummingbird we looked at didn't have one. What I don't like in the pod 180 is the narrow dinette.  The hummingbird is 10" wider, I measured both. Hummingbird dinette is 69" by 34", and Rpod 180 dinette is 69" by 24".  It would be difficult for an adult to try to sleep in 24" width.  This is close to being a deal breaker for me, but my wife likes the frog...lol. I do like the green/tan color.  I contacted the Forest River West Coast Rep., and asked him if the green color would be available as well as the new blue for the new models, and his reply was no, the blue will be the only color available for the new run. I suppose we will wait to see the new units when they arrive to see if they changed the dinette.  The Rep. Said the new blue units should be available soon as they are rolling out now.  I like that they have added an awning and a window in the door. Out tow vehicle is a 2016 Toyota Highland with factory tow rated at 5k and 500 tongue weight.
I'm curious if anyone here tows a pod with a Highlander, and how it handles.
Any responses is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Steve

Firefighter Steve (retired)
2017.5 Rpod 179 (Reepod)
2016 Highlander AWD w/tow pkg.
E2 wdh, prodigy RF brake controller.
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darylboy View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 3:22pm
you can get different configurations in the r pod
daryl boyk
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 3:37pm
Welcome to the group!!
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Steve 911 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 4:27pm
Thanks for your reply. I kinda have to stay with the 180 because of the dry bath. My wife has bad knees and the wet bath has that big step at the door.

Firefighter Steve (retired)
2017.5 Rpod 179 (Reepod)
2016 Highlander AWD w/tow pkg.
E2 wdh, prodigy RF brake controller.
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Steve 911 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 4:28pm
Thank you
Firefighter Steve (retired)
2017.5 Rpod 179 (Reepod)
2016 Highlander AWD w/tow pkg.
E2 wdh, prodigy RF brake controller.
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jato View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 5:31pm
There are others who tow with a vehicle like yours and from my recollection, all are positive.  I would add a anti-sway bar to your Highlander.  We did with our Explorer and it made a huge difference, wouldn't (and probably couldn't tow w/o it unless we were to tow at speeds under 40 mph.
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'11 model 177
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"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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furpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 6:10pm
It looked to me like the step into the 180 shower was just as high as the step into our 177 shower.. And yes, once production starts of the "blue" pods, that is all that is available. If you want green.. well.. when they are gone, they are gone. 
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Steve 911 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 6:23pm
Thanks for your reply furpod.  I measured the dry shower height in a Hummingbird 179rb, it was 10 inches.  The Rpod 180 was higher due to an added lip.  Both less than the step up into a wet bath On either units.  Unfortunate because my wife loves the rear kitchen model, as do I.  But that extra height was hard for her.  I was actually thinking perhaps I could cut down that step into the dry bath a bit, but looking at it closer, it would ruin the integrity of the shower and the door wouldn't fill that.  Bad idea on my part..lol. 
Firefighter Steve (retired)
2017.5 Rpod 179 (Reepod)
2016 Highlander AWD w/tow pkg.
E2 wdh, prodigy RF brake controller.
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furpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 6:40pm
why not add a flip down/up platform, outside the shower, to reduce the total step height?
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Steve 911 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 7:07pm
That might work if I have the room.  I mentioned a small platform outside the door but she's afraid she might trip on it in the middle of the night maybe half asleep and not seeing it in the darkened space.  Her issue is not necessarily the height but stepping up and over and down on the inside.  If the inside were up at a level similar to the dry shower then I think it might work..whew.  Time for a glass of wine or a cold beer...lol
Firefighter Steve (retired)
2017.5 Rpod 179 (Reepod)
2016 Highlander AWD w/tow pkg.
E2 wdh, prodigy RF brake controller.
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