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Scared abt new r pod

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15183
Printed Date: 07 Jun 2025 at 7:26pm
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Topic: Scared abt new r pod
Posted By: WatchnTheWheels
Subject: Scared abt new r pod
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2022 at 10:31pm
So, we make delivery of our 2022 R 193 in April and my wife and I are a little scared about the maintenance aspect of owning. Looking at these forums and Facebook groups, it appears that all anyone does is fix broken leaky campers. I get it, we’re towing a mini house made of plywood and small screws down the road at 55 mph, but please tell me the juice is worth the squeeze! Is it ALL just problems or are we just seeing the internet play tricks on us?

Signed,
Hopeful but wary

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Newbie
R Pod 193
TV VW ATLAS V6



Replies:
Posted By: poston
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 12:53am
Originally posted by WatchnTheWheels

Is it ALL just problems or are we just seeing the internet play tricks on us?

You will have some problems, but you won't have all the problems that you're reading about unless you have a fleet of Rpods!  Remember that you're seeing problems related by many Rpod owners.  Any  one owner is not going to have all those problems.

I have not had any major problems (other than a frozen toilet valve due to my own poor winterizing).  Just loose screws.




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--
Jim
Virginia City, Nevada
2016 R-pod 180
2015 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X


Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 4:51am
While it does appear that build quality has suffered in the past couple years it is also noteworthy that those of us like Jim (poston) tend to be quiet on problems because they simply haven't many, can simply fix it themselves, or see it as regular maintenance as with any item that we own.

Those who do have problems will be quick to post and complain to let others know how cheaply these travel trailers are assembled but also come on this forum to get helpful advice from others who have traveled this path before and are able to assist in a solution.  Personally I have been blessed with the 177 that has been almost trouble free for the 11 years of ownership.  Yes, a replacement Dometic fridge was purchased when the original decided to 'retire' after nearly 10 years but I have been told that is about the normal lifespan of that style of refrigerator.  And yes, I had to retire one of my original 12v batteries last August with a Trojan T-1275, but I really cannot complain as the one replaced (Interstate group size 24 deep cycle 12v) would have turned 11 years in another 5 months.  The other original battery will turn 11 years old next month and has held a charge over the winter very nicely.  It has not been charged since November 1, 2021 and yesterday I checked it and the reading was 12.38 volts, not too bad after sitting on a cold concrete floor in an unheated garage in northern Michigan for 19 weeks.

That is one of the great things about this forum which I have benefited from many times, being able to bring an issue or concern and getting good advice from those who know a lot more than me.


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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: offgrid
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 5:56am
When reading these forums you have to keep some perspective. Anything and everything you buy comes with baggage of some kind, so don't buy stuff you're not going to make good use of. A travel trailer just sitting in your driveway dropping in value is not going to make you happy

As others have said folks come here to get advice about how to deal with problems, not simply to report all is well.

So categorize the type of problems that are being reported. Which ones involve total loss of your investment? Be sure to address those proactively.

Which ones are serious but can be prevented inexpensively by being proactive. Address those next.

Which ones are minor and can be fixed for a few tens or hundreds of bucks with average skills? Don't worry about those till they come up.

The first category are generally all related to water intrusion. Be diligent and meticulous to prevent that.

The second generally involve normal preventive maintenance, like bearing repacking, winterizing, battery maintenance, etc. Do that on a regular basis.

There is one other area where you might want to consider taking preventive action. That is frame/floor/axle reinforcement. Consider that based on the model you have, how heavily you load it and what kinds of roads you travel on.

Lots of discussion on here on all the above, just use the advanced search and be sure to go back a few years.





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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2022 at 11:57pm
Mine has been good. Internet discussions are about squeaky wheels. You don't hear from the ones that don't.

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John
'16 R-Pod 180


Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 20 Mar 2022 at 1:28pm
My current pod is a 2020 Rp195. I've only had the pantry shelf brackets cave in, they were very cheap. But I also overloaded them. I like to keep a small grocery store in there. So I replaced them with metal brackets. I've had nothing but problem free camping. You do want to make sure you constantly look for issues before they become issues. Like checking all your plumbing connections for leaks first thing when you set up every time. Remember, you just shook the hell out of it to get to your destination. 



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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding


Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 20 Mar 2022 at 10:37pm
We're on our second Rpod, a 195 following a 179. Both have been great but needed more initial care than our tow vehicles. The issues were handled quickly when scheduled with a responsible dealer, letting us enjoy the TT's ever sense. Easy for us to say don't worry, but your dealer should fix stuff when they prep it, then you make a list after using it a time or two and schedule it for repairs (don't take it in and drop it off because it might be there a while from what I've read here. Our dealer usually schedules us in a couple weeks out, then we're in and out the same day.) Be safe and have fun!


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Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE
'07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages
1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff



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