New Missouri Travelers

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   Welp, me and the wife finally found a camper to purchase. We had been looking for the last couple months for our first-ever camper, and have been interested from the start in R-pods. Since it's just the two of us, and we are planning on being in this camper A LOT(12 months straight), we settled on the 171 as the perfect beginning for our camping career.
As I began looking, I realized it was not particularly easy finding a used 171, or any other model for that matter, in the midwest. On a whim I decided to craigslist search Kentucky, as that will be our first stop in May (the Kentucky Derby)... and as luck would have it, a used 171(2010) had just been posted the day before. After a little chatting, the seller and I settled on a price and a time this weekend for me to pick it up. 

SO... as a total and complete NEWB, I would love any kind of insight you Pro-podders have for us. Here are a few things on my mind:
What are some things I should look for on the R-pod before officially handing over the money?
I plan to add solar panels: recommendations?
I'm assuming a WDH is a must, even though these campers are super light? (TV:2001 Jeep Cherokee)
What is your #1 Mod recommendation for a couple starters?
We are looking forward to some great times in the POD, and meeting some great people around the country and on the forum. Thanks in advance for any pointers! 

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GoingForBroke Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 07 Apr 2015 Location: Kansas City, MO Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Topic: New Missouri Travelers Posted: 08 Apr 2015 at 6:39am
	Welp, me and the wife finally found a camper to purchase. We had been looking for the last couple months for our first-ever camper, and have been interested from the start in R-pods. Since it's just the two of us, and we are planning on being in this camper A LOT(12 months straight), we settled on the 171 as the perfect beginning for our camping career. As I began looking, I realized it was not particularly easy finding a used 171, or any other model for that matter, in the midwest. On a whim I decided to craigslist search Kentucky, as that will be our first stop in May (the Kentucky Derby)... and as luck would have it, a used 171(2010) had just been posted the day before. After a little chatting, the seller and I settled on a price and a time this weekend for me to pick it up. SO... as a total and complete NEWB, I would love any kind of insight you Pro-podders have for us. Here are a few things on my mind: What are some things I should look for on the R-pod before officially handing over the money? I plan to add solar panels: recommendations? I'm assuming a WDH is a must, even though these campers are super light? (TV:2001 Jeep Cherokee) What is your #1 Mod recommendation for a couple starters? We are looking forward to some great times in the POD, and meeting some great people around the country and on the forum. Thanks in advance for any pointers!

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Posted: 08 Apr 2015 at 2:57pm
	Welcome to the group! the longest we have done on a trip in our r-pod is 6 weeks. We had a blast, it was our 171. We have moved to a 179 for a little more room. The pods are great , easy to handle and set up well.
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 08 Apr 2015 at 6:38pm
	Welcome. I always recommend a WDH that includes sway control. Make sure you run every appliance. I would hold off on solar a little while - if you end up camping where you are in shade, even a little shade on a PV panel will cut its output considerably. If the pod doesn't already have an extended sewer hose tube, get one of those. The one that comes under the tongue won't take a full sized hose with attachments added.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

chiman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 03 Dec 2013 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Posted: 09 Apr 2015 at 10:41am
	Don't be put off on solar system. Yes solar is less effective in shade, but total output also depends on the wattage of your panel or panels. I have the zamp portable system that comes in a nicely packed luggage like carrier and plugs right into my 2015 178. It is a 120 watt system and even in shade nicely charges my single group 27 battery. Even more important is using your battery wisely like not having every light on, etc. Cheers
	2017 180 "Frog" towed by 2017 Toyota Tacoma with co-pilot "Willow" a 80 lb Labradoodle