New R-pod full-timer!

From what I understand, the tab is just a bigger version of the tag, so I imagine you know what you're getting into when it comes to little guy. 

As far as the 171 is concerned, what you're getting is SPACE.  Wonderful, cavernous space compared to a tab (and especially a tag).  There's no need to set up your bed every night and the table every morning -- it's two distinct spaces!  The 171 has a real screen door -- one that will keep dogs in, whereas the tab just has a screen mesh that pulls across the open door space -- it's fine for people, but a dog inclined to chase something it sees outside will burst right through it.  The kitchen and storage in the 171 allows you to actually cook a meal, where the tab's counter space and kitchen storage is severely limited.  Finally, there's the size of the tanks.  You can only boondock for 2 or 3 days max in a tab, and it's not about the battery -- you'll either run out of fresh water or fill up your gray or black water.

What you're losing with the 171 is build quality.  The reason the price of a tab and a 171 are comparable is that the tab is just so well put together.  The walls are thicker, the wood is nicer, and the overall fit and finish of the interior just feels a notch or 2 above the Rpod.  Now, I'm new to the Rpod, so I really can't say anything negative about the durability.  Just my first impressions.

Hope that's helpful!

You don't think about what a giant waste of paper the mail is until you see half of a year of it all in once place, and you keep 2 envelopes and throw the rest away.

Of course, all the important things are handled online.  For the VERY FEW situations where someone has insisted on a physical address, we used our old neighbor.

Other than that, from what I've heard the Escapees have a mail forwarding service for a reasonable price where you can use their physical address and once a month they'll send you a package of all your mail, or more frequently for something important.