Greetings from new owner
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=2420
Printed Date: 13 May 2025 at 7:12pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Greetings from new owner
Posted By: Mr. Mike
Subject: Greetings from new owner
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2012 at 12:40pm
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Just purchased new leftover 2011 R177 single slide.
I have been a sailor for 40 years. Blue water trimaran 38ft. and crusing catamaran 40 ft.
But now I've gotten too old to hoist the sheets or grin at the gale.
I tried a motorhome but didn't feel "in touch" with nature. I think this camper will help with that and be a lot better than sleeping on the dirt.
It doesn't need to be roomy, I'm used to cramped berths and galley's.
My tow truck is a gold 07 Tacoma 4 dr. TRD with tow package.
The reason I bought the R-Pod is simple. The folks here are both happy and friendly.
That speaks to a good product.
I live in Tallahassee Florida and will be going to the National Parks. People in RV parks are just not my kind of folks. Nosey and smug with their little yappy dogs. I have an Aussy and love critters of all kind.
Of course I have questions but only two. (So far).
Boaters name their boats. My trimaran was named "Breaking Wind" and my cat was called
"Bow Movement". Did you name your pod? I was thinking "Doodle Bug" or "PokeyPod".
Second question. I didn't get the R-dome screen room. Has anyone put a regular RV awning on one?
I'd need to know where the metal wall studs are located for sure.
Salute.
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Replies:
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2012 at 1:13pm
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There is a company in Wisconsin that makes an awning that uses the slide for the R-Dome and two posts. Not quite as slick as a regular awning, but less than the Dome. Perhaps one of the admins can help finding that thread. We also have the 177 and love it. For the two of us it is quite comfortable. I had one of the big guys camp next to me last fall, and he came over when I was outside. He said he laughed when he pulled in and saw our Pod, but when he looked it up on the internet he found that "it has it all." While we often feel like guppies among whales we know it has what we want and that is what is important. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: turncoat3
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2012 at 3:02pm
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Welcome to the PODING world. I am sure that you will really enjoy the 177. We have had our 177 for two years and have found no problems with it. We like the extra butt room. Be prepared to show the camper wherever you go. People think they are "cute" and want to see inside. Best wishes for a happy experience. ------------- Ben & Lorrie 2013 Surveyor 264 |
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2012 at 4:01pm
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Welcome. Alot of us would like an awning but at this point nothing is out there for the POD other than the R-Dome or what Keith-N-Dar was talking about. Just like your boats you can attach any name that strikes your fancy. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2012 at 5:46pm
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Greetings Mr. Mike, I too am a sailor, never sailed as large of a boat as you have, 25 ft. Hunter was my largest. I was more of a daysailor and raced in several regattas when I was younger here in south Florida. There was just a post about the aluminum framing of the rpods and pictures of the pods being assembled at the factory. And there are pictures somewhere of custom awnings too. Hopefully other members could lead you to those. I have owned about seven sailboats never named a one of them but our Rpod we named it the flowerpod. I have a CL14 sailboat now thought of naming it, but like my other sailboats may never give it a name. Welcome aboard ! 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 |
Posted By: Mr. Mike
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2012 at 6:35pm
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David;
Big sailboats are for traveling while small boats are for sailing. People forget why they "sail" as they buy bigger and bigger boats. Same way with RV's. Motorhomes are for traveling while campers are more for 'nature lovers". Barb and I will again visit all the major Civil War battle sites including Andersonville in Georgia. We are also into Native American history and plan on visiting sites in AZ and NM.
Although I'm new to this I did visit Cooper Creek camp site near Suches Ga. Water, restrooms but no power. We hand fed small rainbow trout and panned for gold with our usual no result outcome. Lots of bear so mind your food and trash.
Mike
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Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2012 at 7:16pm
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Welcome, Mr Mike! I've got the r-dome, but it didn't take me long to realize that I'd want something simpler for most trips. So, I had a little awning made for my r-pod: http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2625068790105331225kPvuiV">  http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2289363290105331225yhtHcE">  http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2934973140105331225XyblLm"> Its just a standard 6'4" wide awning for a tent trailer. Its takes about 3 minutes to set up and about 5 minutes to take down and roll-up. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2012 at 9:23pm
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Welcome. Many people here have named their pods, although after owning ours for a while now we still haven't settled on one. Most of the time we use one or both of our EZ-up awnings, reserving our Dome for rainy weekends or week-long trips. While they aren't attached to the pod, in some sites that is an advantage due to slopes or obstructions. I just did a quick search and found this long thread about adding aftermarket attached awnings. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1968 - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1968 ------------- 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: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2012 at 6:41am
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I made my own awning from an old headsail, using the existing awning track. Bought the poles and awning rope from Sailrite. (We know it as bolt rope, and I know you know Sailrite.) I still have enough sailcloth left to make at least one more if need be. We have the dome, but never put it up last year. The dome IS nice for privacy if you want to leave the door open at night. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: Mr. Mike
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2012 at 10:22am
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HuronSailor;
What a great (and logical) idea.
I'll do some syphering and then hit a used sail loft.
Battened sail might help with rain.
Tacking might be a problem if the park is crowded.
But if I'm under sail the Coachmen must yield, correct?
Mike
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Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2012 at 12:24pm
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I have an old full batten main too. Maybe I'll use that for awning v2.0, good idea. The stinkpot Coachmen probably won't know the rules, so Hard Alee! And don't spill your beer. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2012 at 1:18pm
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Maybe you guys have found the answer to improving the mpg going down the road. ------------- 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: Mr. Mike
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2012 at 1:43pm
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Actually I've done a lot of "one off" fiberglass fabrication.
I was thinking about making a fiberglass "V" that would contore to the shape of the front of the pod so well it could be attached by using a marine grade sealant like 5200 or better to see what effet it would have on gas mileage/wind resistance.
It wouldn't be a simple "V" as the V itself would have convex sides and top for that "oh so slippery feel" and dramatic looks.
Making the mold for more than just a 'one off" would be expensive as I no longer have free access to a fiberglass shop (but) plastic extrusion might be the way to go (even lighter than fiberglass) if enough POD owners committed to buy.
This is just an idea and I haven't even created/or drawn a template yet. Let me know your thoughts and maybe one of your forum members can guesstimate fuel savings.
I know somebody makes a camper with a "V" in front but it's ugly and without design imagination.
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