Why did you choos an Rpod over others?
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Topic: Why did you choos an Rpod over others?
Posted By: KSinclair
Subject: Why did you choos an Rpod over others?
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2010 at 11:04am
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Hi there, DH and I have now looked at three models of ultra light travel trailers. The RPod was the first we looked at, and we loved it. Next we looked at the MPGs, and did not like them at all (not because they were knock-offs, we just didn't think the quality was as good. The fit and finish was terrible.) This last weekend, we met up with a Casita owner and looked at her little TT. I must say, we were really impressed with the layout and especially the build quality of the Casita. It had tons of storage, everything secured with marine latches, which makes perfect sense. Also, it would be closer for us to go pick up, Texas vs Ohio (there is no dang way we are paying over $15k for a 172 here in California, or paying $3k for shipping). The woman whose Casita we looked at said she had a Scamp prior to the Casita, and the Casita was much better quality. DH wants to look at (used) Airstreams too, but I'm putting my foot down there. I don't want to pay the price of a new TT for a 10 year old Airstream. I don't care if they are the ultimate in TT quality. That got me wondering what other small TTs Rpod owners looked at before getting their Rpod, and what tipped the scales to choose the Rpod over the others? |
Replies:
Posted By: psaman
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2010 at 11:30am
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To be truthful, I never heard of Casita trailers, but I don't get out much. After taking a quick look at the schematics online, I see the weights are about the same as an R-Pod. What tipped the scales for us was the slide out out on our 177, it gives more room. Plus, we like the queen sized bed on one end and the option to use the dinette as an additional bed if needed, on the other end. Lastly, I like the lines of her, she looks 50's retro to me.
------------- 2011 R-177 "Sponge-Pod" 2011 F-150 XLT "Texas Edition" |
Posted By: Tusten Traveler
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2010 at 1:43pm
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We looked at Airstreams, and I still want a big one, but the small Airstreams do not come with a slide- it makes all the difference in something this small. I wouldn't get a small TT without one IMHO. ------------- John and Linda One 14 lb Cockapoo 2010 RPod 174 |
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2010 at 7:21pm
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I have heard that the quality of Airstreams has slipped. That is just something a couple of people told me. I haven't checked them out. I looked (on line) at tons of small campers. The R-Pod has everything you could want in a camper. Unless you want a spiral stair case going to the roof. Yes, there is a motorhome like that. I don't think you want imported Italian marble floors and gold plated facets.  Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: Sistahs
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2010 at 8:00pm
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We came very close to buying a Casita until we saw the rpods. No contest. The Casita rear bed is only a full, too small IMHO for two, and the side bed is miniscule, not wide enough for one. Yes, the quality is good, but the price is higher for less space and convenience. We bought a 171, no slideout, and have plenty of space. And, we did not have to wait six months for a new one. We love our pod! ------------- F150/R-pod171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2010 at 10:56pm
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I looked at about 20 ultralight TTs online after finding out about the 'pod. 3 or 4 had the features we wanted and were light and small, but ALL of them didn't have one thing the 'pod had - nice-looking interior with cool retro exterior. Pod won (of course).
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: KSinclair
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2010 at 11:57pm
| good answers, all :) I think we better drive out and look at the rpod again :) |
Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2010 at 12:06am
| With just the Wife and I and our dog (kids no longer want to go) i listened to what my wife wanted. A full Bathroom and a dedicated bed. The 171 won. We almost bought a smaller unit called the I-Camp (A Chinese made camper) but after researching around found they were having problems importing them to the US. If I had my way we we would have a 5'X8' Teardrop. Maybe one day. I was restoring a 1964 Shasta but had to sell it before I was done. |
Posted By: Butterfly_Lee
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2010 at 12:20am
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My youngest child explained to me that I was too old to mess with a POP up, Casita seemed a little too close quarters, T@B didn't have a bathroom (the one I looked at), a couple nameless "light trailers" were not so light. My TV is 4 cyl and has a 3500lb limit. The r-pod 172 fit the bill for weight, requirements (a/c, bathroom sleeping arrangements plus more). I travel with a daughter Myra (who has Down Sydrome), and sometimes we need our space from each other. I have a 172 (which has the larger bunk), she has the upper bunk with curtains. She is small enough to sit up right a use her laptop, or lay down and watch a DVD. So we can be away from each other yet still close. I have the bottom bunk with curtains too, so if she wants to watch t.v. I can go to my place as well. Also since it just her and I Podterfly is easy enough for set up that I can do it by myself. On long driving days, I have been able just pull in, hook up electric (must have a/c and take a nap), Myra has her area and is safe and I can truly relax. Setup is optional and easier after a nap and snacks. Lee  ------------- Still a work in progress, lots of pictures. http://podterfly.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: pmjensen
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2010 at 11:13am
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We were ready to purchase a 16' Casita, we had researched them and my daughter in-law had had one. But after talking to our kids who have been RVing for several years, they suggested we look at the R-Pods even the one who had the Casita. The resale on Casita's is fantastic, however for the features and the money the R-Pod won out. There are just two of us and we chose the R-176. It give us alot of storage in the bunk area. The slide out is another reason. A great dealer in Texas is Colonia Del Rey in Corpus Christi.
------------- 2011 R-176 Nuestro Pod 2014 Silverado |
Posted By: peachpod
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2010 at 9:14pm
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We love the 35 gallon gray and black tanks! The R-Pod is the only TT its size with tanks this size. Also, it's the only TT with all the features we wanted that can be pulled (barely) with our Escape. ------------- Beth and Joe 2011 Prime Time Tracer 195M 2010 Toyota Tacoma |
Posted By: uphillracer
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2010 at 1:27pm
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After deciding against both extremes - 5th wheel and PUP - we decided on a compact TT. I researched Casita, used Airstream, Outback, Camp-inn, Scamp, MPG, Poderosa, Jayco and others I can't even recall anymore. We finally selected the RPOD 171 which we will pick up this Thursday at RV Nation!
Features - W/G/B water capacities, Queen bed, shower/potty;
Size - 18'4" outside - spouse feels comftable she can learn to drive with it; Inside - enough for a couple with an Italian Greyhound and a Whippet;
Perception of build quality and improvements to this newest 171 model;
Price - compared to ALL the others - we concluded this was a VERY well priced vehicle. I recently got soliciting emails advertizing price drops on the MPG but I didn't think it was a good as or as well priced as the RPOD;
Dealer - working with Brannon and Jeff at RV Nation was a pleasure as was arranging everything about the transaction. The price didn't hurt one bit compared to alternatives with less features and capabilities.
Shape - my spouse was in love with the teardrop shape.
We will tow with a Land Rover LR3 so I don't anticipate any issues - more than enough weight on the TV and more than adequate HP and torque.
We are looking forward to our maiden voyage back from Hamilton OH. While we are experienced back packers and campers the "towing" learning curve begins.
Uphill ------------- Uphill, Di, Tracer & Jorja 2011 171 2008 LR3 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2010 at 6:22pm
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Welcome! Backpacker here, too... although as the kids grow I tend to get out car camping much more than up in the mountains.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: kotasnana
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2010 at 4:20pm
| It was the smallest tt with all the features we wanted. Also, we did not want to have to do a lot of work after arriving or before leaving like there is with a pop up. We are all about relaxing when camping. Ha... |
Posted By: sylviablue
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2010 at 7:46pm
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The pod is our first TT. I loved the shape and the overall look but what sold us was the features like weight, holding tanks, full bath (his requirement), price and dedicated queen bed (171). It's easy to pull and even without mods, suits us well.
------------- four peas |
Posted By: Runebane
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2010 at 10:38pm
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I was looking at pop-ups and my wife told me no way in h-e-double hockey sticks we were getting a pop-up. So with a 4 cylinder toyota pickup my options were limited. I looked at all sorts of "ultra-light" travel trailers. Most were in the 5k lbs range. The key features were permanent bed, full bath (wife only needed the toilet, I have issues not taking a shower lol), and a little space. The 177 with the slide out was perfect for us, under 3k lbs with the options and items we have in it (usually) and was very affordable. I honestly stopped looking further once I found the R-Pods. I was originally looking at a 172, but wife came with me to purchase and picked the 177 ;) -Runebane ------------- RP-177 |
Posted By: Folornhope
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2010 at 10:41am
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Was camping with friends and saw a 176T. I liked the teardrop shape and the small size (at the time I had a Ford Ranger 3Liter) and thought that I could tow it with my truck. Started looking at ultralights online but none of them seemed to have all the features that the R-Pod did for the price (slideout, larger refrigerator, largest water tanks, fresh, grey and black to mention the main ones) Wife and I stopped in at a dealer in Conroe so that we could actually see what the interiors looked like and how we fit inside them (I would recommend this step for anyone who is thinking about buying a TT). Momma and I are not small people, I'm 6' and she’s 5'10", because of the shape I wanted to make sure that we had adequate headroom while standing. Last thing I wanted was to be all hunched over while walking inside. We looked at various models after looking at the first two I knew I didn’t want to deal with the narrow path between the bed and entrance way. A slideout was going to be the best bet for a little more room (no other company that I looked at had a slideout for a trailer this size). I wanted the 175 for the couch, and momma wanted 177 for the dining table...and since she’s the one who called and ordered it want to guess which model we got? Short version? For the price this travel trailer had the most bang for the buck.
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Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2010 at 4:05pm
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When we first looked at the RPods at a RV show I thought The shape looked strange and didn"t like it and moved on to look at others. A couple of months later I did some research and found that my mind changed. The shape has taken me some getting used to. Our decision mostly was it being light weight and afordable. The layout of the 171 we liked and the looks and quality of the cabinets. I have had more fun and spent more time doing mods than having the time to go camping. After 2 years we have only used a half of a tank of propane. Each year we take a 2 year vacation up to the mountains and visit family. Its great to have at that time and get a lot of enjoyment out of it. Great support with the RPod fourms is a great advantage. David and Danette ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |