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dolphinpod View Drop Down
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Joined: 01 Feb 2017
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Posts: 3 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Can you help me choose?
    Posted: 01 Feb 2017 at 10:07pm
Hello! We are looking to purchase our first rpod. I have plans to attend an rv show this weekend. I know the dealer i have been speaking to is bring a 2017 178 with him. He says it will.come with the power jack and i hope to talk him into the rdome as well. 15900. My other option is a used (4 weeks in 4 years) 2013 for 10000. Comes with a gander awning, new mattress, lift kit and misc camping gear. What says the group
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Bama Pod View Drop Down
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Joined: 04 Oct 2016
Location: Huntsville AL
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Posts: 89 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 5:06am
My two cents: Guess it depends on your budget.
Keep in mind if your first camper you'll need to get ALOT of little stuff like levelers, power management surge protector, perhaps a grill, awning map, water hose, toilet paper, etc.  If you buy the new one, a new mattress.
What's your tow vehicle?  May need weight distribution hitch and/or anti-sway which means more up front cost.
So all this starts to add up.  I think we spent close to 2.5k so keep all this in mind.
Whatever you choose, welcome and have fun!
Bama Pod
Huntsville, AL

2017 Ford F250
2017 Airstream 26U
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 7:10am

I tend to agree with Bama Pod...it depends on your situation.

Personally, I would lean towards the used one, if it is in good shape (it sounds like it wasn't used much). One thing to look at would be the tires. Check the date code on the sidewall. 3-5 years is the life expectancy of trailer tires.
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dolphinpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 7:22am
Yes....the current owner said he would do another year on the tires. We are going on a long road trip this summer, so will replace them anyway. With the axle.lifted already, can i do 15 in tires? They seem easier to find.....
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4518 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 7:35am
Welcome! I agree with David.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Blue Highways View Drop Down
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Joined: 20 Sep 2016
Location: NC mountains
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Posts: 86 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 9:44am
Hi, dolphinpod (great answer, Bama BTW) also agree on David's key point.

The 2013 will probably hold its market value pretty well for awhile if you wanted to go that route, using it for 2-3 years, retaining the extra camping goodies, and with that adventure time, possibly learn exactly what you might want on a newer unit, which would put you close to the 2020 models by then. (Not that you couldn't have adapted your '13 to perfection, at that point.)

With the 2013, the lift kit is a nice plus, and moving to 15" tires after a year, by just buying a factory set mounted on 15" rims for the axle from FR would get you set up well for the years following, while lowering the # of revolutions of those wheel bearings.

Downside, if you want to use a bank and spread your outlay out into a RV loan, (keeping more funds liquid) the interest rate may be not as choice for the '13, and the loan length shorter than on a '17.

Upside of the new one, is maybe you could negotiate the R-dome into the deal, and use your 2013 option to get the salesman to budge on a sweeter deal. Tires would already be 15's, probably not the lift kit, but like Bama says, a lot of the needed camping bits that go on the hitch, inside, and in the storage hatches could rack up quickly past $1500+ .....so you could tally how much of that would come complimentary with the '13 deal.

With new, you do get at least a one year solid FR guarantee that everything stays working exactly as it should, but you need more than a few trips that first year to make that guarantee possibly pay off.

Good luck with your pro-con list. I would say that if you haven't given the 13 (+ free accessories) an extreme close look, try not to feel pressured at the show to buy the '17 that day. As you know, salesman love that "what can I do to get you to sign today on the unit?"  'show special' statement.

But, if he's a good man, his deal won't fall apart in the following weeks, allowing you to decide to take your time, and choose your '17 later, back at the dealership yard. 

I think we're all behind you whatever you decide. Main thing is to plan to get out and explore America and rack up some good Pod times in this era of less expensive fuel. (And may that last!)

Brad & Layli
179 HRE (WanderPod)
BG (10 Tundra)
Western NC
There are no unimportant jobs,
no unimportant people,
no unimportant acts of kindness.

( And as always, happiness is an inside job.)
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dolphinpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 10:08am
I do not plan to actually buy anything at the show as i still need to actually see the 13 in person. The 13 we would pay cash for so no financing issues....i also.figured if we didn't like it, it would be easier to get our money bavk out of..... tha ks!
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Blue Highways View Drop Down
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Joined: 20 Sep 2016
Location: NC mountains
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Posts: 86 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 10:18am
"10-4" on that.
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 5:07pm
Just a comment - I bought a used 2015 178, and the previous owners used it very little. BUT - they did get all the warranty repairs done in a timely manner, so when I took possession all they could find wrong had been fixed. Thus, I didn't have to do all the warranty travel and time to get the obvious repaired. Of course I didn't get a warranty and right now I have one issue I have to fix myself, the black tank back flush valve is in backwards, I haven't found the gumption to pull the sink to reverse the valve - so I'm living with it.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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