R-Dome

Although it is nice for longer stays, it really is a pain to set up.  It is cheaply made.  The material tears easily.  The design of the screen section running along the bottom of the rpod is poorly thought out, requiring the owner to cut it into sections to work.  If I had known what I was getting when I purchased it, I would have saved a bit of money and had a local sailmaker sew me up an awning that slides into the same track.  With that said, if your willing to put up with the downsides, it does provide significant additional room.  

Yes. I think it's worth the $650 price. We have a 2012 173 model, and I don't know if that's the old or new style. If I had to replace ours, I'd be more concerned about whether the conversion is difficult than the $650 price for parts.
Sam

I'm sorry, but I have to reverse my earlier suggestion. I just browsed around Dick's Sporting Goods, and there are lots of canopy/screen/wind cover options that would leave you plenty of change from $650. The rDome has the advantage of providing a direct cover from the rain when you open the door, and double protection from bugs getting inside the camper. It's not terrigle to setup, but I can't say it's quick; and I definitely wouldn't want to do it multiple times during a week-long stay. My wife and I don't coordinate well when it comes to such things, so I always setup the rDome alone. Maybe that's one of the reasons I regard it as a chore. The rPod is so easy to trailer that I might want to yank it over to the dump station once or twice. I can't do that with the rDome attached. The EZ-up canopies would allow that kind of mobility, and they're probably much simpler to erect and take down in the first place. I don't know how complicated they get when you attach screening or wind protections; but I doubt it's that bad.

Originally posted by Hairy Podders We really like ours after having set it up 3 times in the last month. The first time, it fit poorly. The second time, we adjusted the strap across the end a little tighter & ground a taper into the ends of the channel. Everything seemed to fall into place then. This time it took about 15 minutes while we moved at a leisurely pace. My wife helps bow the aluminum rod & attach the end strap. Other than that I pretty much do it on my own. No rips, No runs, a few errors at first. I threw the "stakes" away that came with the Dome. Then I bought some 12"tempered aluminum military surplus stakes off Ebay. Now I can tie down the dome & everything stays put. I also use a couple of bungie cords on the tie down loops at the lower edge by the camper. You can have my Dome, when you pry it from my cold, dead hands....

feel the same way. going into the 4th season, 3 trips so far this year, still no tears or damage I wouldn't expect from an item of this type thats been put up about 50 times. Use good stakes, get the poles tight.

Hello panamamitch & others,