172 vs 179
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Topic: 172 vs 179
Posted By: Cannot
Subject: 172 vs 179
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 8:43am
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Hi all, I have been looking for R-Pod for a few months. The best choice for my family (wife and 2 boys) I can find is 172. The kids really love the bunks. In fact, I do not have too many choices due to the TV. I will be using 2007 Toyota Sienna with tow prep package (3500 lbs towing capacity) to haul the TT, and I will not change TV in next 5 or 6 years as I’m planning to give it to my oldest son when he goes to high school. The closest dealer (2 miles away) do not have 172 in stock. The sales rep told me they could order it for me but the price he quoted was $2500 higher than another dealer (160 miles away). I prefer to buy it locally as I understand the local dealer do not obligate to work on my TT since I don’t buy it from them. I don’t know if there is a room to negotiate but I will try it in the next few days. The local dealer also have three 179 on sale. The weights on the labels are between 2921 – 2948 lbs. I assume the weights include dealer ordered options/dealer installed options. I think the minivan will handle 172 well with correct setup…..WDH w/ sway control, brake controller, etc. but I don’t know if it can handle 179 since it’s about 450 lbs heavier. There are 3 state parks near by so we just go to camp grounds for a couple of night during the weekend and I don’t need to load a lot of stuff. Any thoughts on this? Thank you. |
Replies:
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 9:03am
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We have a 172 in which I took out the upper bunk and raised and, consequently, widened the lower bunk. There are two of us, as a general rule, using the trailer. and even with two it gets a little crowded. Assuming your 2 boys are pretty active you might find the 172 a little cramped. As for your TV, the Sienna, with a 3500# towing capacity, you'll be grossly underpowered and will find it a little frustrating on the first long grade you come to, such as driving in the direction of CO. As long as you drive where it's flat, you'll probably find the Sienna adequate but marginal. Maybe you should consider the cheaper 179 from your local dealer and buy a used pickup truck with the towing capacity to pull your Pod. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 10:21am
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We have a 179 and really like it. We used to tow it with our Dodge Grand Caravan. Never had a problem up and down the east coast from Vermont to Florida. We upgraded to an F-150 in preparation for going out west and heading to Alaska. We really like the large kitchen but the overall consensus is that the couch really sucks as a bed. So unless you made some type of mod or the kids were going to sleep in cots out in the rdome, they might not be comfortable. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: NAP1947
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 11:04am
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Welcome Cannot, we have a 179 and tow with an AWD, v6, Venza and are pleased so far. Please carefully read your owners manual regarding towing, Toyota rates the Venza as 3500 pounds but unlike most others excludes the weight of 2 people, luggage for 2, towing package if equipped and a weight distribution hitch. To me this means closer to 4000 pounds. Just for your info I weighed our 179 with full propane, 2-60 pound batteries, about 2/3 tank of water and our stuff at 3087 pounds. It certainly handled both 2 lane and multi lane with steep hills very well and with the Andersen hitch we use I felt no sway from medium cross winds or transport truck/buses. Good luck, let us know what you decide. ------------- Susan and Norm 2016 Venza, V6 factory tow 2018 RP179 |
Posted By: Cannot
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 11:55am
Thank you for the reply. Space might be an issue but we will spend most of time outside. Should be ok. I plan to buy a pickup truck once I give my van to my son. Don't really want to spend extra money on tow vehicle now.
Thank you for sharing. The floorplan shows 75x45. It's probably not wide enough for kids.
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Posted By: Cannot
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 12:06pm
Thank you for sharing. The dealer actually recommends Andersen hitch. Would you mind telling me what model you have?
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Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 3:10pm
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From one Canadian to another. I hate to say it but you are full of it. The dry weight of the 179 is 2756#,2 batteries 120# 2/3 water 200# lp 48#. You have a total of 3124# and you haven't put a hairpin into the pod ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 3:17pm
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Cannot,
I think you are OK with the 179, especially considering you add on tow options and the fact you are camping locally. If you were to head West into Colorado, I'd say you were light with your current TV. If in doubt after you outfit find a weigh station and know your actually weight. Folks have a tendency to overpack and then after a few trips realize they didn't use the stuff. You don't need multiple batteries and full tanks of fresh water. You can adapt. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Cannot
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 3:30pm
That's why I prefer 172.....at least a few hundred pounds lighter. |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 3:55pm
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We have a 2011-172, but there is only two of us, however we more or less sleep in the pod. In bad weather if were at the GC we play cards in the r-dome. The other thing we did not want was a slide, another mechanical thing that brakes down and a big hole that can leak. One other thing to check is the weight of the axle, ours came with a 3000# axle that we changed for a 3500#. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Cannot
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 4:37pm
I'm lucky as there are 3 state parks close to my house. The closest state park is only 18 miles away and the furthest is about 55 miles away. So I will start camping locally and learn more things about RV before going a long trip. Of course, I may need a more powerful TV for that.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 5:28pm
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I was looking closely at the label on the R-Pod and IIRC, I saw that the factory cargo carrying capacity includes a full tank of water. I don't know if that includes the hot water heater's 6 gallons though.It was on the yellow label with measurments in metric. The other label did not have that statement. Weights are:Dry weight: 1 256 KG Cargo carrying Capacity: 317 KG Water Tanks full Cold: 113 KG Hot 23 KG Mass of waste water tank full: 226 KG The other label states, The weight of cargo should never exceed 453 kg or 998 lbs Caution: A full load of water equals 136 kg or 299 lbs of cargo @ 1 kg/L (8.3 lb/gal). Dry weight on my 179 is 2770 lbs. ------------- 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: NAP1947
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 6:03pm
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Thanks Marwayne nice friendly response, unusual on this board, I will take your numbers to the truck stop with the Cat Scales where I got weighed and tell them they are full of it. Can I give them your name and address? ------------- Susan and Norm 2016 Venza, V6 factory tow 2018 RP179 |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 6:58pm
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Sorry about that, I just couldn't help my self, I normally don't do that. My wife always tells me if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all. This one got away from me. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 7:21pm
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"From one Canadian to another. I hate to say it but you are full of it. The dry weight of the 179 is 2756#,2 batteries 120# 2/3 water 200# lp 48#. You have a total of 3124# and you haven't put a hairpin into the pod "
Thanks Marwayne, I was trying to figure out how an OP from KS got your dander up. Funny. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: NAP1947
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 7:40pm
mcarter, can you explain what OP from KS means, maybe I should be po’d at you to, or better maybe I will not come here anymore. ------------- Susan and Norm 2016 Venza, V6 factory tow 2018 RP179 |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 7:41pm
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Didn't get my dander up. Just part of the normal day-to-day around here.
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 7:51pm
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NAP1947 the reference was to the original post, which was from Kansas, I took it, which confused me when I saw the follow on posts. You are welcome to be PO'd at me but I have done nothing to you. So OP means original post and KS is Kansas a state next to Colorado a bit away from Canada. I was trying to place KS in Canada, then gave up. Welcome to be PO'd, you figure out why. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |