No R-Dome came with it.  So, I'm wondering what experienced owners would recommend, whether purchasing and R-Dome, or something else to serve as an "awning."

I've always had old-fashioned aluminum sided campers before, and I keep my camper under a pole barn, but the sun does hit is.  Will this fiberglass oxidize and fade like a boat?  Is a cover worthwhile?

Finally, any opinions on best way to carry bikes; behind the trailer or with one of these new tongue racks?

Thanks for any info.  I'll hang up and listen.

Congratulations on your 171!  I am sure you are going to enjoy and make many fond memories with it as you travel.  Does your 171 have a keder rail on top and along the bottom edge?  If so it is set up for having the r-dome.  I didn't use ours the first year of owning our 177, as I didn't want to fuss with setting up and taking down a tent.  The thought of just being able to set up the 177 in about 5 minutes was perfect; taking more time with the dome just wasn't in my sights at the time.  However during the second year of ownership we met a few podders who used their r-domes a lot, so we tried it, and now use it anytime we are going to be in one location for a few days or more.  Takes one person about 15 minutes to set up, much less to take down.  Many here also like the use of a clam as they only take a minute or two to set up, each has their place and different folks have different tastes.

Our 177 is nearly 10 years old and still has  that 'showroom' appearance probably due to an annual application of MeGuiar's Ultimate liquid wax in the black bottle.  There are many other great waxes out their, this just happens to be the one we use. 

The cover is probably a good idea, not only to keep the sun off for extended periods of time but also if you are in an area where trees are mature and you park under one (to keep it out of the sun) it will protect your pod from a lot of sap dropping on it, and from experience, it is not a fun job getting on the roof to remove tree sap.  We park our pod in an old horse barn so never had any experience with a cover.  Looking at your post, if you park yours under a pole barn you probably would not need one as you would be protected from the elements and the sun.  How does the sunlight hit/shine on anything inside a pole barn unless it has no side panels on?

Finally, we have carbon frame Specialized road bikes and keep them inside the pod while traveling.  Again, I don't like having to clean bug juice and worse off the bike as well as cleaning the chain as it will pick up dirt and debris from outside travel.  I am sure many others will have much more info that you are looking for in regard to covers and bike carriers.  Certainly, for the most part look at a carrier you can mount to the front a-frame of the pod.  Unless you are going to beef up the rear end of the pod with additional metal and welding, you will be asking for trouble if you put a bike carrier on the rear of your 171.

We have not done any huge trips with it this year mainly because my wife has had some health issues due to a bicycle accident BUT here is what I can report on- travel has only been in Michigan.  Short trips we have averaged 14.5 mpg but that is slow driving and only speeds up to 55 mph.  On longer trips including expressway driving (70 mph) and a lot of driving at 55 mph in the U.P of Michigan the average dropped to 13 - 13.5.  Last year we traveled for 30 days out west to Colorado and Utah with a 2011 F-150 with the 5.0 V-8, average was 11.5 for 6000 miles.

Have really enjoyed the ecoboost as well as the comfort level of this truck.  Quite an upgrade from my old '94 F-150 with the 5.0 V-8 stickshift with 322,000 miles and 31 deer kills.  Would be afraid to hit a deer with this truck though, we are in thick deer country where I live, drive like an old lady on our road, S L O W, like molasses!

Hello -

Welcome from another NC podder.

As Jato said, having the keder rail at the top of the pod is essential to have either an rdome or an attached awning.

We have an Rdome and also made our own awning. We use both, depending on circumstances.

 We use the rdome if the weather is bad-rain or cold because it gives us some "outdoor space" that is still very livable.  We have weathered many rainstorms and the rdome is dry.  wind is ok up to a good stiff breeze-then it will shake and move, but still stand.  We have used a small heater in the rdome in cold weather and made it comfortable for sitting and visiting.We also use the rdome for added privacy if the camp sites are close or crowded.

We will use the home made tarp if the weather is good and we just need shade. also it will keep our bikes, chairs, grill, etc out of the evening dew and even a nice place to sit in a gentle rain.

So, both are good accessories. 

Travel safe

Vann

Congratulations and welcome from another NC Podder. I hope you have many fun adventures and make many great memories with it.

Since there have been several positive comments on the rdome, I thought I'd represent the alternative viewpoint. We had an rdome, used it twice, sold it and got a Clam. Our observations:

Rdome: far too much effort to put up and take down, including getting on a ladder. 

Must be placed right next to the trailer, even if that is not level or an attractive spot

Can't be made fully bug-proof

Takes too long to take down if you have a windstorm coming

The suction cups fall off. 

Clam: takes seconds to pop up. 

Can be placed anywhere to enjoy the view

Can be taken to the beach or lake for the day

Bug proof

Can cover all or just some sides of your choice to block wind or provide privacy while maintaining a view. 

Can quickly drop it flat in place for a wind or thunderstorm

Comes in many sizes depending on your needs.

 

And so I thought I'd buy a pahaque visor...and yeah it looks cool but any breeze over about 5 mph, and now you gotta take that thing down. I found the best solution for me was to DIY a simple shade-sail awning with poles and stakes and marine hardware that lets me attach it to the keder rail...and its very sturdy, easy to put up and take down. Cheap and easy to pack. Works for me.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we also made a tarp that woks well.  We bought a standard 8'x12' tarp, ordered the correct size keder tape and sewed it to the edge of the tarp. 

https://postimg.cc/pp7drpsp">

We love it, but we also still love and use our Rdome as well

Vann

At the beach in NC as an example in the right weather conditions the skeeters will find any little crack or gap, so the rdome does not work there either. They want your BLOOD and they will find a way to get it if there is one. The Clam or an equivalent pop up fully screened tent will keep 'em out, and that can make all the difference between enjoying being outside or getting eaten alive. 

Are those referring to the "clam" and the "visor" referring to the same thing?  The Paha Que product?

This is one of the Clams, there are several sizes:

https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Set-9870-Traveler-Protection/dp/B00TMBENB0?ref_=ast_sto_dp - https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Set-9870-Traveler-Protection/dp/B00TMBENB0?ref_=ast_sto_dp

And this is the Pahaque 'visor' on my 171....hey it looks cool...well made and all that...but....if it's even slightly breezy....you really need to take it down.

https://pahaque.com/collections/trailer-shades/products/r-pod-trailer-canopy

Once it comes in and I use it, I'll post a review.