The Customized 'Pod

Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic

   Our 2013 RP177 came with all the normal stuff, a lot of which we simply do not use.  Admittedly, we are not "wilderness campers", preferring the hookups and bath houses of the Florida State Parks system.
This got me wondering what magnitude of savings might accrue if a "Parks Only" edition of the R-Pod were available.  (Or maybe "Us Only" is the better term....)

The two-burner gas cooktop has been removed in favor of additional counter space, for example.  We simply do not cook inside the trailer except for an occasional microwave warm up and the coffee maker.

A very small ceramic heater is more than sufficient to take the chill off the coolest Florida mornings, and the water heater is always on shore power as is the fridge.  This pretty much eliminates the need for propane and the gas bottle still has the charge that it came with.  It and the associated plumbing could go.

We are always hooked up to city water.  How much does the water tank and pump system cost?

My opinion of the Jensen entertainment package has been documented in other threads, so I'll simply say "no thanks".

The bathroom sink and shower probably don't cost much, but they could be eliminated.

Now I realize the re-sale implications of stripping out the 'Pod and customizing it to our specific whims, so the question is fairly rhetorical.  I also understand that the "assembly line" production does not lend itself to customization and that any hardware savings might be more than offset by a labor increase.  

All this is just something I contemplate from time to time while lounging in the R-Dome with an NA beer.

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
coopercdrkey Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Aug 2012 Location: Cedar Key, FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 457	Topic: The Customized 'Pod Posted: 25 Jun 2016 at 7:26am
	Our 2013 RP177 came with all the normal stuff, a lot of which we simply do not use. Admittedly, we are not "wilderness campers", preferring the hookups and bath houses of the Florida State Parks system. This got me wondering what magnitude of savings might accrue if a "Parks Only" edition of the R-Pod were available. (Or maybe "Us Only" is the better term....) The two-burner gas cooktop has been removed in favor of additional counter space, for example. We simply do not cook inside the trailer except for an occasional microwave warm up and the coffee maker. A very small ceramic heater is more than sufficient to take the chill off the coolest Florida mornings, and the water heater is always on shore power as is the fridge. This pretty much eliminates the need for propane and the gas bottle still has the charge that it came with. It and the associated plumbing could go. We are always hooked up to city water. How much does the water tank and pump system cost? My opinion of the Jensen entertainment package has been documented in other threads, so I'll simply say "no thanks". The bathroom sink and shower probably don't cost much, but they could be eliminated. Now I realize the re-sale implications of stripping out the 'Pod and customizing it to our specific whims, so the question is fairly rhetorical. I also understand that the "assembly line" production does not lend itself to customization and that any hardware savings might be more than offset by a labor increase. All this is just something I contemplate from time to time while lounging in the R-Dome with an NA beer.
	Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71

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: 4508	Posted: 25 Jun 2016 at 7:49am
	Interesting!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3224	Posted: 26 Jun 2016 at 5:30pm
	IF you are purchasing brand new, maybe it would be an option to "special order" one with the spec.s that you listed above. We did that very thing when we ordered our 177 back in December of 2010. We are on the opposite side of the tracks from you as we normally boon-dock where no electric is available, however as we spoke to our dealer he called the factory and asked if we could have our pod built without the following: no A/C, no mircrowave/convection oven, no entertainment center. We were told by the factory that it would be no problem except we would have to wait a couple months to get it, and that wasn't a problem for us. So in early March 2011 we were able to travel 4 hours to the U.P. of Michigan in Escanaba to pick up our 'special edition/special order" 177. Have enjoyed it immensely for the past 5 years and looking forward to many more years of camping. Still using both of our original 12v. deep cycle marine batteries as well.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

coopercdrkey Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Aug 2012 Location: Cedar Key, FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 457	Posted: 27 Jun 2016 at 6:37am
	Good information, thanks! We also anticipate many more years of enjoyment from our 177, but if an "upgrade" ever enters the picture we will explore the options you describe.
	Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71

TigerPawd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 04 Feb 2015 Location: Corpus Christi Online Status: Offline Posts: 68	Posted: 15 Jul 2016 at 11:03am
	One small thought - a stripped down version might take a hit in the resale market. If you keep it "many more years," that might not be a problem. Or you might find someone looking for a stripped down version. As Yogi said, "Predictions are hard to make, especially about the future." Or something like that.
	Joan, Jerry and the two Pugs 2015 R-Pod 179