179 for a couple with a toddler?

I posted a while back on here asking about the quality of rpods and mentioned we were looking at the 179 for our family of 3. I received some feedback about the 179 being a 2 person trailer that led us to look elsewhere, we ended up spending a long time looking at 24' bunkhouse models and came within an inch of buying one but then got cold feet about the size. The thing is, we will be storing the trailer in our already small backyard and my husband will have to back it in to our yard from a narrow one way street. We are also not planning on taking very long trips, our favorite camping spot is an hour away on the California coast and we usually camp 2-3 nights at a time. Is there anyone out there who has a 179 with a child? I am pretty set on the 179 after seeing them in person, I feel the layout and storage can't be beat, but I'd love to hear feedback from those who own one.

Thanks!

Jackie

In my opinion the 179 is the ideal trailer for a family of three.  We just got our 179 this past September and have 7 year old, Jack.  He loves the dinett as his bed.  We also have a 11 month standard poodle puppy, so it's more like 3.5 in the trailer.  We made several overnight trips and one two nighter before storing the pod for winter.  It was perfect.  We're heading down to Zion's for a week in March.  

We know in a few years we'll need to pack the tent for him and a buddy once staying in the trailer with mom and dad become LAME.  Hope this helps make up your mind.  Check out the mod that rynosurfs posted on keeping the cushions in place for the dinett/bed.  We did the same.

Don't let another season go by without a trailer!  

Smitty

Hello Jackie

My spouse and I went through the same issue as you when purchasing our Pod. We have an infant son as well as 3 nephews under 2. My wife originally liked the 179 as well and all the interior storage it offers. In the end we decided upon a 178 model for a few reasons, and while we have not camped in the pod with our son yet we are happy with the decision.

1. put a stair gate in the rear bed of the 178 and it becomes a giant crib. We tried this out with our nephews and its perfect.  At the same time you have access to the rest of the RV.  

2. Interior vs. Exterior storage. Which matters most to you? The 178 has the most exterior storage. As we do not cook in the Pod the kitchen area is mostly for the coffee pot and bottle warmer. All pots, pans and dishes are stored in a cook box that I used for canoe tripping, this made the big kitchen in the 179 a wash for us.   

3. Sleeping space. if you go by numbers the U-shaped dinette in the 178 is 75x58 just 2in short of a queen bed. The 179 dinette is 75x45 same length just not as wide. For another example, I used the Rpod on a hunting trip back in mid Nov. and was able to sleep 4 men. It was cozy. (maybe a little smelly) but it worked. Sleeping room for a couple is not a problem. Set up the dinette and try it out with your partner before you buy and see what I mean.

All this is just a matter of personal preference tho and what fits best with your style of camping. For us the Pod is just a warm place to potty and sleep. the rest of the time we spend outdoors. Boon docking in smaller provincial parks in B.C. and Alberta. to which the small size and simplicity of the R-pod is the biggest pro for us.

Hoped this helped. Brad