hello and questions
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
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=10462
Printed Date: 07 May 2024 at 4:56am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: hello and questions
Posted By: racezx9
Subject: hello and questions
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2017 at 4:34pm
|
I want to introduce myself, I am new to the forum. I am in teh process of buying an RPOD. there seem to be quite a bit of choice out there but it came down to 2 final RV for me the Mini drop and the RPOD, I am leaning towards the RPOD the community seems to much bigger and more available parts and accessory for it as well. I have a couple of questions as I move to purchasing. 1. what is a best price out there I am down to around 14k with out prep and set up fee and battery cost but there is tax and licensing. 2. where are some of the best dealewr to buy it from. I am talking to RV nation and Camping RV world. 3. I am thinking about upgrading the suspension for the RPOD for better off road or I should say country road capabilities. how easily is that doen adn can teh RPOD handle it I am looking to do some overlanding where I use the RPOD as a base camp and go off road exploring with my Jeep Wrangler JKU Any information, suggestion, experience is appreciated. |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2017 at 8:05pm
|
Welcome to the group!!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2017 at 8:46pm
I can only speak for myself but after looking at the Mini Drop, its tow weight and features, and compared to the Rpod it was a easy decision. You didn't say what model Pod your looking at buying but at 14K even with "extra's" added on it sounds like a good deal to me. As for where to buy it go on RVtrader or other sites like it and look at dealers who have the model you want in the distance your willing to drive to buy it. I wish Rpod offered an upgrade suspension package that would lift the trailer and give it a better ride and more ground clearance but if I'm not mistaken they don't. One of my few "beefs" against the Rpod is how low it is which really comes into play when going into some full hookup campsites and you find the sewer inlet is nearly even, level, or above to your gray and black water outlet. Luckily that's been few and not many for us. ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2017 at 9:02am
|
The Minidrop is a more expensive clone of the RPOD. As you can from this board there is much support here for RPODS. That was a big reason for me to get it as I knew nothing about travel trailers. $14K is a great price, if that is from a local dealer buy it and don't look further. Its better to buy close to home. Don't know about the suspension except that the Hood River Editions sold on the west coast is made for off road. But not an expert on the difference to see if what you plan to use the trailer would require a Hood River Edition. Agree with you Dave, it is impossible to clean out the black tank on gravity alone since there is so little force being so low to the ground. We wait until almost full being cleaning and if not full we add water to the tank using the outside flush. We bought a flush wand and the last day of a trip before we put away the RPOD for a a few weeks we totally clean out the tank. Every time we do this we find that what we thought was clean (ie., clear water coming out the outlet) it was not. Wish there was some type of pump. ------------- OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2017 at 9:21am
Hi RichandCindy, I wonder if anyone knows if you can buy a suspension add on that is used in the Hood River Editions from the factory that would raise the trailer height? Like you guys we wait until the black water tank nears full before dumping and flushing out with the gray water. I've also found that its best to flush out the black water tank, using the flush out water inlet, a couple times to clear the tank and not have any miss reading black water sensors. You can also add a bag of ice into your black water tank and let that slosh around and clean out the tank. I'm also lucky that I have a RV sewer inlet at my home where I can do a good flushing. ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2017 at 12:08pm
Welcome to the group (BTW)! ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: chiman
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2017 at 1:55pm
|
HRE is only available on West Coast. I have the HRE new 180. Has plenty of ground clearance. Perhaps you could plan a super vacation and come to West Coast to buy and then camp on way back home. With towing with a jeep wrangler you are going to be limited to one of the smaller Rpods. They still come with HRE and you wouldn't have to pay to upgrade a non-HRE. You might be able to get a HRE smaller Rpod for around the price you state but maybe not. Remember the cost of upgrading a non-HRE pod and factor that into your price range. There are plenty of dealers on the West Coast. I recommend Highway Trailer Sales in Salem Oregon. Have purchased a lot of RV's from them and like them a lot. They have good prices and are willing to deal some. Chiman ------------- 2017 180 "Frog" towed by 2017 Toyota Tacoma with co-pilot "Willow" a 80 lb Labradoodle |
Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2017 at 2:11pm
|
Actually I should not have said West Coast as they are sold in the 10 most western states so you may not have to go all the way to the coast to get one ------------- OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2017 at 3:20pm
|
I understand that they now have a dofferent axle for the increased tide height. In the past (lie with ours) the additional height was with riser blocks and many of us put them in. It is a mistake to think you can successfully "off road" with an HRE pod. Maybe on smooth ground, or unpaved roads, but truly off roading will destroy a pod. The differences between the HRE and a regular pod are largely cosmetic. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: chiman
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2017 at 7:14pm
|
You are incorrect in saying the HRE is cosmetic. There are many features to one that are not available on a east coast pod.
I have a friend that takes his HRE 178 off road a lot and on some rough roads and has done so for years and his pod has not had any problems. I have taken my 180 on a few not so smooth off roads and no problems My friend and myself go slow and don't do anything stupid. I believe driving on highways with bumps taken too fast will cause more problems than careful off roading I see far too many pods with poor use of WDH's bouncing down the road which is really hard on the trailer causing more problems than my careful off road use. Chiman ------------- 2017 180 "Frog" towed by 2017 Toyota Tacoma with co-pilot "Willow" a 80 lb Labradoodle |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2017 at 8:48pm
|
I wish there was a definition of "off road". My idea of off road us deep, soft sand, forest roads with mud filled ruts, or mountain roads that are only suitable for high clearance vehicles with 4WD and drivers with some experience in technical driving. Aside from side and height clearance, these are places RPods aren't going. Period. I think some people think of "off road" as some place you might not want to take your Prius. I agree, most Pods can go places you wouldn't take a Prius, slow and easy, and I don't think I'm being a 4WD elitist, but I think that almost by definition, if you can tow an RPod there, you shouldn't call it "off road". TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 1:11am
Mud tires and plastic deck plate make it look tough but in reality it i consmeti no matter what you or your friend think. It has far to little ground clearance and far to little strength to handle serious off road use. Have a great life. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: chiman
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 5:10am
|
To each his own thoughts. We will just continue to take our HRE pods to the beautiful places that are tucked away not on groomed gravel roads. Of course we don't take them on a Rubican type trails, use judgment, but ours have been places off the beaten path and survived quite well.
My HRE has plenty of ground clearance and larger tires than the stock ones that it came with. There are other features that we like. So, we will take keep taking our "cosmetic" pods to places it appears you don't take your pod. Me thinks you seem a tad jealous, but no need. You have your pod and take it where you want and enjoy it, we have ours and enjoy taking our "cosmetic" HRE pods where we want, so lighten up and have some 25 year old single malt around the campfire. Cheers, ⛺️😐🖖  ------------- 2017 180 "Frog" towed by 2017 Toyota Tacoma with co-pilot "Willow" a 80 lb Labradoodle |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 7:00am
As long as ypu are happy. My bet is that you don't go anywhere I wouldn't go. If you call that off roading so be it. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: chiman
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 7:31am
|
Man I am not into who or what is best, so will end off with:
Interesting to note that most of the posts in this thread are folks in areas where the HRE is not available, yourself included. If you're ever out to Oregon with your pod, you're welcome to follow us and come camp with us in some really great off the main path camp locations we go to. Having said that, I think for pod purposes, "off the main path" is better description for this thread, than "off-roading" which has the wrong vibe. As I said earlier, you are welcome to bring your pod and come camp with us "off the main path". Cheers, Chiman ------------- 2017 180 "Frog" towed by 2017 Toyota Tacoma with co-pilot "Willow" a 80 lb Labradoodle |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 10:32am
I highly suspect you are correct. That the HRE is tougher looking may give owners more confidence to get off the pavement but the idea of calling it an off road trailer is just wrong. Even the HREs are too wide, too tall, too long, too heavy, and way too fragile to be called off road vehicles. Not to mention the simple hitch that doesn't articulate. There are plenty of beautiful places you can take a pod beyond the end of the pavement but to call that "off roading" certainly stretches the meaning of the term. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: codycountry
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 4:02pm
|
I've had my 177 HRE up some entry level 4x4 roads, rough two track ranch roads, and truly on no road at all. I don't make a habit of that type of travel, but it will go places a lot of other camper trailers won't. The HRE's have more ground clearance, plus bigger tougher OR tires than the other eastern editions. The main thing I had to watch was the low clearance of the tank drains. If they'd have tucked them up higher it would be easier to avoid rocks etc.. I did shake loose some interior trim one trip. However for serious "rough road" or off road travel, one of the link below would be the ticket. Note that they are high, heavy, and wide. And $$$!!! https://earthroamer.com/
|
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 4:25pm
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: codycountry
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2017 at 5:45pm
|
Chiman, If you ever get to the Cody, Wy area and want to get some dirt, gravel, and rocks under your rpod tires and off pavement, pm me. It would be nice if you brought the 25 year single malt, but we could split that cost, since they do sell it here. I prefer the smoky peaty kind. Now watch this morph into a single malt Scotch thread, which is one of the fun things about this site. Most folks are fun and polite and have great input. Once in a while you have to take the bull by the horns. Or "Take the bull by the tail and face the situation". A lot of this discussion is really about where one lives, how you grew up, your camping experiences, so yes I guess it could be called subjective, from an oblique yet objective point of view. It is not the same in Nashville or New England as it is in the Rocky Mountains and much of the west, which I reckon is why they make a high axle and a low model of Rpods. The low ones simply would not work for me, they would drag just leaving my rural property where I live. Happy travels. Steve Copied from a quick dictionary web search: Now we'll probably have to define "r  ugh terrain"..... off-road ADVERB offroad (adverb)
ADJECTIVE offroad (adjective)
|
Posted By: chiman
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 10:49am
|
Tars, No trailer like the pod or such others are meant for really hard core "off-road" trails and I think I have tried to make that point and even changed the wording I used to "off the main path" Despite having changed the wording and trying to be polite, I have to say that you and Keith-N-Dar seem to have some axe to grind with whether or not a HRE should ever see anything but pavement. Perhaps you and him are from areas where an HRE pod is not available so both have not had a real chance to test them. codycountry thanks for chiming in on this tread and shows your experience with a HRE pod on "off the main or beaten path" use much like my friends and myself usage and experience. Might some day take you up on offer to get some more dirt under my upgraded tires. As to the single malt, I too prefer the peaty type such as Lacfulan (bad spelling") but no need to split the cost as I always carry an ample supply with me for such around the campfire usage, helps with the cigar use and telling of lies about adventures, fishing and so on. Cheers, Chiman ------------- 2017 180 "Frog" towed by 2017 Toyota Tacoma with co-pilot "Willow" a 80 lb Labradoodle |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 11:34am
|
So this thread is kind of morphed into what is and isn't off road and now single malt spirits. It kind of wondered away from the original question of is there some "lift kit" for the Pods that are not HRE? Does the factory sell this option ti improve lift and possibly the suspension?
------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 11:54am
|
It was available fro FR. I got mine in 2012 after scraping a stabilizer jack and ruining it. Installed cost from my dealer was about $250 if I recall correctly. Check with a dealer or with FR. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 7:41pm
No axe, but apparently a very different concept of "off-road", How much higher off the ground is the HRE than the regular Ohio version of a Pod with axle risers? Inches are important off road, but the difference between 14" tires and 15" tires is, arguably I'm sure, more cosmetic than substantial. I know you've more or less modified yoiur claim from the HRE being an off road trailer to "off the main path". As Glueguy said, all this is subjective without some set of standards to go by. I know when I think of "off road" it's not a place for any kind of R*Pod, but there are plenty of places we (you or I) can go that are off the main path. I'm not sure that given equal levels of common sense and sanity there are many places you would go with your HRE that I wouldn't go with my 176 with axle risers. Maybe. It's not just ground clearance though. A lot of off roading, in my mind, involves fitting between trees or boulders or driving over them. Here are some things that match my idea of an off-road ready trailer: https://www.pinterest.com/grade8garage/off-road-trailers/ - https://www.pinterest.com/grade8garage/off-road-trailers/ The important thing is that we're happy with our trailers... TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: codycountry
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 8:00pm
|
Tars, Give it up. It's not worth the fight. No one wins in this current discussion that you have decided to intrude into. I see lots of eastern Rpods here in Cody Wy on their way to Yellowstone, and they are mostly "low riders" from back east. I would not own one of that eastern model here in the Rocky Mountain west. The higher clearance Hood River editions are much preferred here, and really the eastern editions are made for the highway and ours can go a bit further. Simple as that. Get over it, and I can't figure out why it is an argument other than the fact that you like to argue. You live in the east and have no business telling folks out west how it ought to be. Or anybody else for that matter. Steve
|
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 8:34pm
Well. That's a little too offensive for a public reply. I'll respond by PM. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: codycountry
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 8:37pm
|
Laphraoig and Chohibas, yeah mon. |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 8:55am
" ... a bit further." That is the only important thing. Is the bit further predictable? No. the rock tearing out the guts of your black tank, that you didn't see, will wreck things unpredictably no matter the very slight difference between the HRE and the eastern version - both should stay on the better paths. This discussion has gotten too heated for the insignificance of the difference of the 2 Pod versions.
|
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 11:13am
|
I apologize for leading this post down the wrong direction. Apparently it was taken by a couple of members as an affront to them. It was not intended to do any such thing. Each of us needs to have our vehicles outfitted as we want them. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2017 at 6:23pm
|
GluyGuy got me thinking how subjective "off road" can be, so I Googled a bit and found this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Scale_of_River_Difficulty - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Scale_of_River_Difficulty Credit where credit is due, but here's the gist without having to click on the link: Warning: All rating is subjective. Never go on a trail alone and never be afraid to turn around if it gets to difficult. Trail ratings can change as a result of a simple rain storm, heavy winter, or a big gnarly trail rig with 42” tires tearing it up on a wet day. Conditions change daily. Trailsoffroad is not responsible for the accuracy of the ratings listed here on this site and are only considered approximations.
For what it's worth.... TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |