Which dome / tent is best
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11041
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Topic: Which dome / tent is best
Posted By: North Star
Subject: Which dome / tent is best
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2018 at 11:52am
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I am looking for advise on which awning / tent to get for our new 176. We have been looking around but can’t figure out if we should go with the R-Dome or the PahaQue R-Pod Trailer Side Tent. We expect some of our camping to be in rainy weather. Those of you experienced with either one, both or an alternate tent, could you please share your thoughts, and advise. Any draw backs on either one, what you like or dislike, set up, quality....anything else you feel is worth mentioning that can help us make our choice. Thanks for your help...
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Replies:
Posted By: riotkayak284
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2018 at 1:12pm
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I don't think the RDome works on the new models.... |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2018 at 1:43pm
The new models are built for a dome, OR an awning. If the OP's Pod doesn't have a factory awning, then it WILL have the keder track for a dome. We personally think NOTHING beats the dome. But that's just us. Over the years we have seen or used pretty much everything offered by the after market, and many different DIY awnings. Many owners have opted for a CLAM shelter, or one of the knock offs. We like our CLAM. You can't roll up the screen walls like the dome, but other then that (and the stuffiness it can cause in warm weather) The CLAM probably offers the most versatility. One of it's big pluses.. (and minuses depending on weather/situation) is that it isn't/doesn't, attach to the Pod. ------------- |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2018 at 1:57pm
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My opinion is probably slightly biased as i only have a dome, but, i have had an awning in the past. I absolutely hands down love the dome. I even put it up on a weekend stay most times. It takes no time at all. I won't use it when i'm late fall camping. I've sat in some totally drenching downpours in the dome, where we had water about an inch or two high flowing thru and sat in our zero grav loungers all cozy and dry. When ya get heavy rains especially, there is usually at least a little wind that blows it under the awning. The dome offers weather and bug protection from all angles. Oh btw incase i didnt mention it, i love the dome. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: ParPod
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2018 at 3:16pm
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Yeah...have to say the dome.....no doubt about it. We use it all the time we're out unless we're travelling and only staying for a night. It's pretty versatile as well because it can be a add-a-room or an awning with the front out and the sides rolled up. +1 with the other dome comments. ------------- Bob&Margaret 2017 179 2016 Toyota 4Runner 2 sets of Golf Clubs |
Posted By: rda54
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2018 at 3:38pm
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We have the r-dome and I made my own awning out of a 9x12 gray tarp and have used both and like them both. We did do some late fall camping in Minnesota and it rained on us and I only used the awning and it worked good. If we are at a spot longer then 2 days the dome works the best. ------------- Ronald & Lonna 2014 178 2016 Chevy 1500 |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2018 at 3:59pm
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I've had both the dome and a visor for the Pod, awning on my last Class C and Airstream. I gave the dome away, I didn't use it, I use the visor and like the fact it doesn't require any anchoring away from Pod. Awnings and the visor were easiest to take down in changing weather conditions. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2018 at 5:52pm
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Another one biased toward the dome, that is all I have ever had so can't compare to the alternatives but even though it takes 15 minutes by myself to put up, it is well worth the effort if you plan on staying for a few days or more in one place. Great room to get out of the elements and away from critters and insects. Have used it since 2011, still in great condition.
------------- 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: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2018 at 7:31pm
I love our dome, bought in 2015, BUT ours is definitely flimsy. My guess is that they cheapened the material sometime after 2011, unless it's just us. So ... maybe the Pahaque is the best alternative(?).
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2018 at 8:05pm
Last summer we had our first rip located along the channel that runs through the kedar. The rip was about 4 inches long, could have been much worse but was caught in time. I was the culprit, used to pulling it through the kedar by myself, got impatient and pulled too hard, causing the material to rip. It ripped in an area where the material was triple thickness. Fortunately my wife of 41 years came to the rescue (as always !  ) got some fishing line out (50 # test i think) and hand stitched it shut. Used it a couple times after that, once in a big storm that had some pretty impressive winds. Her sewing job was stellar, the area fixed remained intact. Our dome is blue and yellow, that is the only part i don't like about the dome, but that is because I am a "green and white" alumni from M.S.U.
------------- 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: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2018 at 10:57am
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We really like our PahaQue awning. Easy to setup and great shade. Was not really interested in adding a room, was more interested in shade. Have not really ever seen a rdome in action, so can't comment on comparison. Both seem to do a great job. Jeff   ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: Carl Render
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2018 at 12:39pm
| paha Que's tent is hands down the winner. No contest. The "r-dome" isn't even made for R-pods, I think most people don't know that. Plus it's made in China and you get no choice of color. Mine was flimsy and a real pain to put up. Save yourself the trouble and go with the quality. |
Posted By: Carl Render
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2018 at 12:47pm
| paha Que's tent is hands down the winner. No contest. The "r-dome" isn't even made for R-pods, I think most people don't know that. Plus it's made in China and you get no choice of color. Mine was flimsy and a real pain to put up. Save yourself the trouble and go with the quality. |
Posted By: Our pod
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2018 at 1:34pm
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My preference is an awning and a screen-room tent. The awning gives some shade and rain protection, while the screen tent can be placed where best while giving insect protection. Works well for us. ------------- Life is good. |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2018 at 10:08am
I've been thinking about this. I also always put the r-dome up by myself and of course it will catch at times. Did you then pull it terribly strongly? If not, in a triply-sewn area, it shouldn't have torn. That's why it's triple-sewn, and that's what I mean by it's being 'flimsy'. I wish the sides of the Pahaque were wider, and I wish there was no floor to it, but in my opinion the quality is clearly superior in the Pahaque.
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Posted By: Live2Camp
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2018 at 12:56pm
Did it tear along the stitch lines? I know it's obvious but I'll mention it anyway, fabric quality is key since triple-stitched also means 3 rows of holes in the fabric. Where synthetic fabrics are made makes a big difference. For synthetic items that I make I sew only with U.S.A.-made synthetics because of the high quality. There's no real price difference and the longevity & other factors makes it more than worth it. It's likely that respected U.S.A. manufacturers are using U.S.A.-made synethics for their awnings & other products; for several reasons including that U.S.A.-made synthetic yardage is easily available. Canada may also have equally high synthetics-yardage manufacturing; just not familiar with it. ------------- 2017 R-Pod 179 HRE (the green one) His:Ford F150 double cab 4WD; Hers/mine:Tacoma V6 double cab 4WD Still love rugged, diggin' comfy too |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2018 at 3:37pm
Ok, I found pulling it thru to be a pain in the butt. I always stand on the right side of the keder rail, and i push the dome thru. I have little trouble this way. It's hard to rip it if your just pushing it. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2018 at 4:41pm
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+1, always better to push and silicone spray rail, forcing things never works. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2018 at 7:26pm
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In answer to the above question. No it did not tear along the stitch lines. Normally I push the rail through the kedar until it stops, about 3/4 of the way, then I go to the other side and pull it the rest of the way. Normally, no issues however this time I was having a brain fart and pulled way to hard and the result was a "slice" that started 2" inside from the outside edge and since I pulled quite hard it sliced the material (hit a rough spot on the leading edge of the kedar rail) with the result looking like I took the fillet knife and sliced the material. My wife took a piece of sail cloth and repaired my mess. It has held up well since then, no more tears, and no more stupid pulling on my part. I have been impressed with how well this has held up over the 7 years we have used it. A few times it tried to take the pod for a ride as storms have suddenly come up over night-time, blown all stakes out of the ground with the result having the r-dome looking like a parasail either above or tight against the pod. We have been very fortunate in that neither the dome or pod has suffered any significant damage. The extent has only been some cosmetic damage on the clear coat finish due to either stakes or extension rods banging against the side as the wind caused the dome to act like a sail. ------------- 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: North Star
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2018 at 8:27pm
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Well, thanks everyone so far for all the replies. To be fair the PahaQue Tent is what I really wanted to compare to the R-Dome to. It is still good to know about all the other opinions out there. The tent seems very versatile to us and gives us the most options...and lets not forget, currently it is a lot cheaper. It sounds like a lot of people like the versatility of the dome and some like the quality of previous PahaQue products. Any more info about what everyone likes and dislikes about products is still appreciated.
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Posted By: RobnCari
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2018 at 6:07am
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X2 on the silicone in the Keder rail. I've heard this is the key to R-dome set up from multiple sources. We ordered our 2018 179 with a R-dome. Unfortunatly it was delivered in Nov. Can't wait until spring to try it out! ------------- 2006 Toyota Tacoma 4WD AC 2018 RP 179 |