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Topic ClosedAbout to buy a 196 - advice?

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trajoi View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: About to buy a 196 - advice?
    Posted: 19 May 2020 at 2:59pm
Big smile YES! There is just SO much to know and learn. I am EXCITED, yet nervous. 
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2020 at 3:04pm
You'll be fine, you're asking all the right questions and cross checking what the salespeople are telling you with actual owners before spending your hard earned dollars. The sales folks, bless their hearts, are trying to sell you something so its always good to take what they say with a grain of salt. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2020 at 4:21pm
Trajol, one thing that I found helpful was to use a pre-delivery check list when you do your walk through.  There are a number of them on the internet.  I ended up combining the best of several, but all give you a good way to go through all the common issues and make sure they are corrected before you actually take delivery.  R-Pods give great value for the money, but as with all RV's, their quality control is often lacking and a good list gives you a reliable means to check for failures or shoddy work.  

At the first pre-delivery inspection of the trailer that replaced our Pod, I spent about 3 hours going through everything with the check list.  When I took delivery, I had the list to work from to make sure that everything was right.  It is best if you can take delivery at the dealer so when you review the punch list work, you can verify that they did it correctly.

If you have a friend who has an RV, it would be very helpful if you could convince her/him to accompany you on the walk throughs.  Experienced eyes really help spot issues that need attention.  

Best of luck with your purchase.  
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
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Our Pod 172
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2020 at 4:23pm
Mileage is a difficult thing to estimate. You can have the most efficient vehicle around, but if you try to tow fast (e.g. 65 mph or higher), you will get poor mileage. My first times towing, I was trying to tow 65-70 mph (posted Interstate speed limits) and was getting about 8-10 mpg, especially when I hit a headwind. I decided to slow down (I was using a WDH from the start), and it became both a better, less white-knuckle experience, and my mileage increased to a more respectable 12-13 mpg. With the small SUV, I added a Purpleline AeroPlus wind deflector, and saw my mileage increase further to 13-16 mpg. Not towing, we would get closer to 30 mpg on the highway.

We changed after an accident to the Frontier. Same towing speed, but the AeroPlus proved to not help because it sits too far forward. If I had a cap instead of a tonneau cover, it would likely do more good. My mileage towing is more like 11-13 mpg. Since the Frontier is 4WD, it is only rated for 19 mpg highway when not towing. I rarely see that figure though. A Diesel would likely do much better on mileage, but the cost of a Diesel engine plus the additional cost of Diesel fuel (and DEF) would negate much of that mileage advantage. Still though, if I could find a Diesel truck at a good price (not $70,000 for sure! That is almost half the price of the house we live in.), I would likely go for it.

Bottom line: Slow down. The journey is part of the adventure. Make it a  point to relax while traveling. This would apply no matter what brand or size trailer you purchase.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

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trajoi View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2020 at 4:43pm
Great idea about that checklist!! THANK YOU!! 
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trajoi View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2020 at 4:45pm
I will definitely need to learn how to slow down... driving, and for life in general Smile

Thank you!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2020 at 5:32pm
The Pirate's Pod
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2020 at 6:01pm
When you go for the walk thru, make sure they show you where the bypass valves for the H/W tank are,(make him remove the panel) and how they should be set. then have him show you where the water pump is (remove panel) and show you the valves for syphon and normal. Also the low point drains. Have him show you the electric on/off switch for the water heater. And how to set the fridge to run on elec, or gas. 

2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2020 at 6:02pm
We tow our 179 with a Ford Expedition EL.
3It has a v8 and 3.73 rear gear ratio,  We have plenty of power, plenty of weight capacity and plenty of room to carry all of the extra stuff we think we need. It is the same basic frame/engine/transmission as the Ford F150.  We use an Equalizer 4 point WDH and feel safe with the combination. We have used it for 4 years and love it. I would highly recommend it as a capable tow vehicle.

We have packed the Pod and the truck and then gone to our local landfill and weighed the combination.  You will be surprised how much weight you will add to the empty trailer weight and also to the tow vehicle weight. don't underestimate the combined weight of the two.

Most dealers will include a "starter kit" with a new unit-water hose, water pressure reducer, tank drain  ose, toilet chemicals, wheel chocks and maybe more.  One item you will use is a 30amp to 15 amp power adapter.  this will allow you to plug your Pod into a standard outlet at your home or anywhere that the 30 amp service is not available.

Once you get the new Pod, one of the best things you can do is to "camp" in your driveway-you will find out pretty quick what you forgot and what you need without being far from home. It is a great learning experience.
Good luck-feel free to ask questions-we all started at the beginning and learned from this Forum
Vann


Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
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trajoi View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2020 at 10:58pm
Thank you, and yes, great idea! I will have them walk me through everything! I need to know how to use everything. Ha!
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