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New member with new Pod

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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10022
Printed Date: 29 Apr 2024 at 3:16am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: New member with new Pod
Posted By: VermontPodder
Subject: New member with new Pod
Date Posted: 23 May 2017 at 9:02pm
Hello all,

I just joined but have been reading and using all of your advice to help us make our decision on a new R-Pod. We ordered a new 2018 model 179 and just received it last Thursday. It followed me home so we adopted it. And yes I included a WDH and my 2014 Silverado 4x4 has no trouble pulling it around.

I used the nice weekend here in Vermont to go through everything, ensuring plumbing was leak proof and the drain connections were tight with no leaks. I crawled over every inch, and under to ensure there were no concerns which could cause us an issue from the start.My final summary is FR has stepped up with the quality on this new model. Many of the older mods were incorporated into this new model, including 15" wheels with class D tires. My only changes were adding a few zip ties under the camper to keep some wires tied together. They would have probably been fine but I am super conscious about loose wires. I would give the overall score for quality on our camper an A+. 

There are of course mods I am performing myself before our first trip. My wife bought a 10" memory foam mattress, Scotch guarded the cushions and started decorating it making it her new home away from home. I have installed a EMS-HW30C electrical management system, bought Rhino sewer hoses, fresh water will go through a dual filtration system, cut up rubber horse stall mat for stabilizing pads and leveling our camper.

We are not new to camping, as our earlier camper was a 36ft sailboat on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. We sold it, took a few years to help children through college and now will not be limited to the shores of the lake to go camping.

We have several weekends already reserved and now planning our two week adventure in August to travel out to Colorado. More trips in sight but no plans on those yet.

We have not selected a name for our Pod selected yet, but I'm sure our first couple of adventures will help form a name. How does everyone christen a R-Pod? Boats we smashed a bottle of Champagne on the bow on our maiden voyage.

So thank you to all of your contributions to help my wife and I start out the right way. And like everyone else I have a list of mods planned to customize our Pod so pictures will be coming soon.





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2018 Model 179



Replies:
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 23 May 2017 at 9:54pm
From a former owner of an Ericson 38 and a Newport 30 II, welcome.  Just like a sailboat, you'll have an endless supply of projects from your new jealous mistress.  It's a good thing your wife is keeping her in line and in her place. 

-------------
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost


Posted By: ArenaBlanca
Date Posted: 24 May 2017 at 9:21am
You might want to consider an Anderson leveler.  I got one to use with our 179 and it is sooooo much easier that those plastic block things.


-------------
Enjoy Life!!


Posted By: gncourtney
Date Posted: 24 May 2017 at 11:22am
How long did you have to wait to receive your R-pod after you ordered it?  We ordered our 182-G about 4 weeks ago and are still waiting.


Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 24 May 2017 at 12:09pm
Welcome to the group!

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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171


Posted By: VermontPodder
Date Posted: 24 May 2017 at 8:49pm
We started looking after April 18th as we had to pay Uncle Sam this year. So we started to seriously discuss with the dealer April 29th and put money down that Saturday. At that time they had just ordered 3 of the 179s and one with the Stone interior my wife wanted. They expected to receive them the first week of May and wanted 2 weeks to prep before they would deliver.

The dealer we bought it from has regular shipments of 3 or 6 units every 2 weeks. We had been watching the high discounted dealers prices and anticipated we would have to wait to pick one up. We drug it home on the 18th - so overall it was about 4 weeks. We could have picked it up earlier but we had other personal family issues that kept us away until the week we chose.




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2018 Model 179


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 May 2017 at 7:24pm
Congratulations and welcome! We have enjoyed our 179. I hope you make many fine memories with yours. We stayed at Emerald Lake last year in Vermont on our way to the Calef House in Washington for a church mission trip. We really enjoyed that park, even though it did not have any hookups. It was our first experience with boondocking. Emerald Lake is a beautiful place.


-------------
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS


Posted By: adventurelust
Date Posted: 26 May 2017 at 9:33pm
I picked up my new 2017 182G yesterday, but I think my expectations may have been too great.  I had read so much about the quality of the R-Pods and it gave me confidence in my purchase. I'm hoping I won't be disappointed in the long run. 

First thing I noticed when I did a pre-purchase inspection was the hard case propane cover was replaced with a soft cover.  The dealer said that is a factory change, but I showed him the feature list on the brochure and it clearly stated a hard cover on the propane tank. The dealer then capitulated and agreed to drop ship a hard cover. Next was the end cap for the waste water drain hose, which was handed to me for me to install. I expected a walk thru with someone to show me the features, but that didn't happen either.  

Now these are minor issues and did not prevent me from completing the sale, but it showed a lack  of customer care by the dealer, which I won't mention the name. 

The following morning I started to go through the trailer to learn how things worked.  When I lowered the table I noticed that it didn't set level on the supports.  It occurred to me that one side of the table was sitting on the structure of the bench, but it was snugly against the bench structure on the opposite side and resting on the support. The bench seats were too close together and wasn't allowing the table to sit properly on the supports. Also the plywood seat support on the forward bench was not cut straight, so it was also sitting on the bench structure instead of within the structure of the seat.  Both of these issues were clearly a quality control issue because they were installed at the factory. 

One of the window valence covers were hanging off the wall as if it was not completely installed.  I pulled on it and the screws just fell out.  Same thing happened to the collapsible clothes hanger. 

One of the handles on the rear hatch had surface cracks in the fiberglass around the handle. It looks like it was stressed,or perhaps damaged by being hit by something. 

The drain plug on the fresh water tank is leaking. This is minor and I can take care of it, but again it shows a lack of customer care on the dealers part. 

The kitchen counter has a nick on the side of it. I can live with this, but I just brings back the customer care issue. 

Now, you might be saying to yourself that this guy is a naysayer, but I have to tell you that I'm generally pretty easy going and optimistic about things.  I suppose if I had purchase a used trailer it would have been expected to have problems, but I researched the R-Pod before I purchased it and felt really good about it, even to the point that I passed over a Winnebago Drop, which was less expensive.  
I'm just hoping the dealer, or the factory will stand by this product and make it right. I sent the dealer an email with pictures today. If I don't get a positive response, you might be seeing a 182G at a bargain price on this webpage. 

Jim 



Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 May 2017 at 9:49pm
Please do post a review of the dealer (by name) in the appropriate topic area. There are others who will want to avoid a "dealer" with this attitude. Please communicate your experience directly to Forest River also. They may appreciate knowing that this "dealer" is representing them badly.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS


Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 27 May 2017 at 9:51am
Sorry to hear about your experience. Ours was much different. Our dealer prepped our pod, gave us a "tour" that took a bit over an hour while they explained all the various features and systems, including setting up the WD hitch. We've found no fit/finish issues, and we love our pod.

After a couple of tows, we noticed that the coupler in the hitch had some looseness. We called our dealer, and he told us about a maintenance issue that we had overlooked (and how to take care of it easily). The service manager even gave us his personal cell phone number in case we ever had questions.

Overall, it's been very pleasant.


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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost


Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 27 May 2017 at 10:07am
"I suppose if I had purchase a used trailer it would have been expected to have problems"

I am a fan of buying used. Not to mention the cost reduction, I have also found someone else endured the warranty issues which means I'm not moving the Pod to the nearest RV center. Granted I do the maintenance, but I'm retired and it keeps me busy. I bought a new truck in 2016, and have had it in for 8 recalls, had I bought a used 2015 the recalls would have been done. I will add buying used does entail looking closely at what you are buying. Just a consideration.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."


Posted By: birderdiane526
Date Posted: 27 May 2017 at 1:01pm
Congratulations on your new POD!! Happy trails!

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Diane and Michael
2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE)
2007 Toyota Tundra
BLOG:Podding in Paradise,
birderdiane526.blogspot.com


Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 28 May 2017 at 9:05am
From all the posts I've seen on this board about the woes of new pod purchases, I'm glad I bought a uses one, that's had the bugs worked out.  A well cared for used pod can be a great deal.

-------------
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost


Posted By: refotsirk
Date Posted: 28 May 2017 at 5:16pm
We are new to Rpod and this site too.   We just sold our 27 year old 16 foot Scamp Deluxe and it sold in 20 minutes of being on line.  Rpod was so recommended and we did our homework.  The wood interior of the Scamp felt like a small sailboat inside. 

We now have a 2018 Rpod 179.    What a difference.   It had been on the lot for a week of pretty wet weather, so when the guy pulled in the dinette area....water actually came in and onto the floor. He said it was normal as there was some on the roof of the extension.  I rather freaked out, assuming the rubber squeegee like thing would take care of that.  The guy said to tilt the trailer prior to pulling in the dinette. Anyone else experience this? I guess we might need a ladder too, just to keep the side slider debris- 
proof and inspected?    Other than the "new car" smell which will fade away...  We are very excited. 

Just like our old Scamp, we do not hook up to RV campgrounds. We camp off the grid 99.9% of the time. I am rather sad that keeping rain from coming in an open screen window isn't part of the scheme.  I mean, on a warm muggy night....no AC running....and a low to moderate rain, it would be nice to have some circulation.  I guess I was naive to think there would be a "Fantastic Fan" which could pull and push air when needed.  The exit air fan in shower area will have to do it's thing. We will install a cover so exit fan can run in rain. 
 I wonder if some sort of
flared , hood like plastic could be glued or taped over top of screen windows to allow for adequate air movement in a rain event. The old "trailer louver " windows did that I guess. This beast is too new for me to do my magic with duct tape.  But I could see a benefit to a visor like rain deflector for screen. 
Anyway...we haven't camped in it yet, but are excited to very soon.   I am thinking we just may have to install anti sway mechanism at some point.  It does seem to sway a bit with big trucks near by on freeway traffic. Shocked

Overall.....what a piece of work!   More as we go on I bet. The pod honeymoon begins. Smile
Off the grid in the 179.  Thanks for being here.


Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 May 2017 at 6:14pm
Yes, I have had that happen, it wasn't a lot of water but noticeable. You need a small ladder if nothing else but to clear debris from slide out roof and wipe water off before you bring it in.

I have good experience with fantastic fan (exhaust fan). I do have a cover so I can use it in the rain. I also have a small electric fan I set up on the floor beneath dinette to move air. Not good for boon docking.

-------------
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."


Posted By: adventurelust
Date Posted: 28 May 2017 at 10:03pm
   So today I put my carpentry skills to work and resolved most of the issues, including the table fitting when lowered into a bed. I even managed to capture about four cubic feet of additional storage by relocating a partition on the forward bench seat structure. ( I can see my outside carpet fitting in there nicely) the only issue for the factory is the fractured fiberglass around the garage door handle.  

Can't wait to do my first trip with the 182G. It will be a local excursion so I can work any bugs out before the real reason I purchased my POD. (The total eclipse of 2017 August 21st) I want a front row seat...Smile

Now I'm on the hunt for a used R-Dome. If anyone is selling their POD and have an R-Dome they want to sell separately, then please contact me.  

Jim 


Posted By: refotsirk
Date Posted: 29 May 2017 at 12:53pm
That is good to know the water issue is a rather normal thing.
I went out into the Pod yesterday during a heavy rain /hail event and was happy to see no water inside. I feel confidant about our purchase, but feel a tad nervous about all the weather  seal areas.  Window
ventilation being most.   Did your Fantastic Fan come with your purchase?  Mine is just a 4 speed exhaust fan.    Thanks for the input.


Posted By: OurPodRod
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 9:32pm
We think the quality is really good too and just got ours a few weeks ago.  Do you know what, if any changes there were on the 2018?

Happy Camping!


-------------
Zimms
2018 178 R Pod
TV 2016 Chevy Colorado


Posted By: VermontPodder
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 9:58pm
Well the things I noticed were changed in 2018 is a King antenna instead of the old wing style, 15inch class D tires, a Maxfan exhaust vent with new built in mounting tabs new style shades. The big thing was the heavier cushions on the extensions of the dinette area. Ours is much more heavier foam than the 2017 models were looked at. I think these are now usable and will last for several years.

Also we just took our maiden trip and everything was great, Got a chance to try everything out, and the biggest change we want to make is to remove the dining table. I just seems to be too big for a real table and since we would not expect using the dining area as additional bed I think we will opt for a smaller table.


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2018 Model 179


Posted By: OurPodRod
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2017 at 12:05pm
Interesting.  Our cushions seem really light so I can't imagine what they were like before, and in fact, one of them won't stay up because the fitting isn't tight enough on the frame so I plan to use some velcro. 

Thanks for the information about the 2018 changes.


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Zimms
2018 178 R Pod
TV 2016 Chevy Colorado


Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2017 at 7:10pm
Maybe things are different on the 179 but on our 177 we have never had water come in thru the slide when bringing in after a rain event or during huge rain deluges.  Granted, ours is going on year 7 of ownership but to me, this shouldn't be an expected thing to happen.  

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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."


Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2017 at 10:29am
Originally posted by jato

Maybe things are different on the 179 but on our 177 we have never had water come in thru the slide when bringing in after a rain event or during huge rain deluges.  Granted, ours is going on year 7 of ownership but to me, this shouldn't be an expected thing to happen.  

+1


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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150


Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2017 at 10:54am
+2

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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171



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