New 171
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=1359
Printed Date: 11 May 2025 at 7:16am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New 171
Posted By: olphart
Subject: New 171
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2010 at 1:37pm
|
My wife and I just bought a new 171, right after buying a small pop up. Actually she saw the pod when we went to pick up the little Starcraft and fell in love. 2 weeks later, we're trading in the pop up for the 171. We went ahead and bought a used van to pull it, but in spite of the 3500# tow rating, and the salesman's assurance that it would pull 2200# just fine, it had a great deal of difficulty getting past 50mph on level ground. There's a horror story that follows that, but I leave that for when it's all resolved. Anyway, we have the 171, and pick up an 04 Sienna tomorrow, and once I get the hitch on and wired, then the brake controller installed, we'll be able to do more than play with it in the driveway  We're looking forward to exploring the Southwest USA in our "Escape Pod" during the next couple of years. |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2010 at 3:47pm
|
Welcome olphart. Everyone here agrees that once you get above 50 your reserve power drops off quickly. People have done airflow models of the 'pod and apparently a large vacuum develops behind it. If you haven't purchased your brake controller yet I highly recommend the Prodigy. Older controlers are just timers that phase in the max setting you set. Newer controllers like the Prodigy have inertia sensors that give you a proportionate amount of braking depending on how much brake you are applying. Once I switched I was much happier. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|
Posted By: popgoesweasel
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2010 at 4:59pm
|
I will again plug the Nissan V6 Frontier 4x2 (towing capacity of 6500 lbs) as a great tow vehicle. It made our trip from FL to the first Eastern r*pod rally in KY a very easy trip even though we went through Atlanta and then up the mountain to Chattanooga and through TN & KY to IL for a family reunion. We then went back to the rally at Boonesbourgh state park. Our mileage at 12-13 mpg was about half what the Frontier gets without the pod. We drove at about 55 mph which was at a speed below almost everything else on the road. We disengaged overdrive while pulling the pod per the instructions in the owner's manual. With overdrive engaged, there was too much shifting between OD and the lower gears. We also have an inertia sensor brake controller and highly recommend it. ------------- R171 2010 Frontier 2009 Site 40 Eastern Rally 2010 |
Posted By: Caverkim
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2010 at 9:52am
|
Congrats! Hope you are enjoying your camper!
------------- caver*pod 175/Louisville KY |