New Owners Questions
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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=3054
Printed Date: 14 May 2025 at 3:40pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New Owners Questions
Posted By: Jimgi3
Subject: New Owners Questions
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 8:22am
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Hello Podders! We've always been tent campers, but wanted to get a trailer for longer trips we hope to make after retirement. We live in beautiful Georgia, but want to go west and explore! After doing months of research, I finally settled on an R Pod 177 for us! Then after looking on Craigslist for another month or more I found a 2010 close by and we went and bought it! We picked it up with my 2000 Chevy Astro with tow package. We found that it towed fine as long as there wasn't a big head wind and fairly flat, but the van shifted into 3rd gear in big wind and going up larger hills. I am now thinking my van will not be big enough to pull in the mountains....and my mileage was cut in half... I usually get 18-20 mpg.... Got 10 mpg towing. So, I am wondering what you all pull your Pod with and what kind of mileage do you get towing. I figure if I can get the same 10 mpg with a bigger engine towing, I might as well get a bigger towing vehicle! My other question is about putting risers on our Pod. Do you all think that's essential ? I know you can get 4" risers....is there such a thing as 2" risers? Thank You Everyone! Jimgi
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Replies:
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 8:28am
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Pretty much everyone's gas mileage gets cut in half pulling our pods. They are very similar to large brick walls behind us. So you're on point with the rest of us on that one. Risers. I've never heard of 2 inch risers. Are the 4 inches necessary? Some would say yes, some would say no. It only takes on time for you to be leaving a campground or a weirdly slanted gas station and to drag or rip off a stabilizer to wish you'd had them. Personally we have them and have been at some camgrounds where without them we would have scraped stablizers. Having risers will affect how your dome fits your Pod, and that's one thing that I do not like about having them. Lastly big hills and strong winds sound about right for not having quite as much oomph when towing. Happens to me with my Jeep from time to time. What is the towing capacity of your van? Good luck and congrats on the Pod! ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 8:48am
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Congrats on becoming a Podder! We picked up our 171 last weekend for the first time and averaged 10.4 mpg over 70+ miles, down from the 19.6 mpg I have been getting combined city/hwy up to that point, so yup just about half. That was with a headwind and driving through some hilly parts of NC, so I believe it will improve a bit on flatter stretches. I have a 6 cyl with 3500# capacity and also found myself downshifting on the hills, but I have a manual shifter option so it made it easier for me to keep it at the right rpm's that I wanted. As for risers, I don't have them ... yet. Definitely on the to-do list for next year.
Have fun and enjoy your Pod! ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Paige
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 9:21am
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We are holding off on getting the risers as most of our camping adventures are in Florida, the flat state. Also we don't want to lower the MPG anymore than we have to! We had our light package recall put on two weeks ago and I think we increased our mpg by about one mile more. The jury is still out on that one.
------------- Paige and Pete 2010 177 - RPug 2012 Rav (six cylinder) New York & Florida residents 
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Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 9:34am
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We tow with an F-150 with a large V8 and the factory tow package,so we have lots of headroom to the towing limits. If I try and drive 70-75 MPH on the interstate then mileage drops to 10MPG (in half). at 55-60 it gets 14mpg on the flat. I will have risers before our next trip. I replaced a destroyed stabilizer that scraped getting on the Washington Island (WI) ferry last summer. In spring the risers will go on. I hadn't thought they were needed until then. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Podsible Dream
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 10:07am
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My driveway apron is about six inch drop over three feet. First time in and out, I scraped the jack and then the rear . Added the risers (actually about 3.5") and now clear just fine. We've gotten into a couple of "unimproved" sites that would have removed some dirt without the extra clearance (also they keep the drain points on the water tank higher too). Definitely recommend them.
Your mileage sounds typical-10 to 12 mpg is the standard, it seems. Welcome to the podding culture, let us know how we can make your experience more enjoyable! ------------- Chris and Walt '10 RP-171 'Free Spirit' '13 Dodge Durango Crew 5.7 L Hemi V8 |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 4:04pm
Your mileage as others have said is typical. I tow with a jeep liberty and It has enough power to pull the Rod but no extra. it takes a little time to get up to speed and I learned real quick to pick up speeds on the downhills in order to carry enough speed into the uphills. I am not going anywhere fast but I can average 60mph which is fast enough. It's great when I get a tailwind because that is good for another 10 mph.  You will probably find you would get the same milage with a bigger TV but you would not get as good millage when you were not towing. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 5:33pm
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I get around 17 MPG normally and 10-12 towing, so that's about right. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: Bill Ky
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 6:29pm
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Having the risers is one less area of concern for me. From my experience with several trailers over the years and now the pod, my advice for better MPG is if you can, take your time getting there. I have found driving at 60mph instead of 70 increases my MPG by as much as 30% depending on conditions.
------------- Bill & Marilyn, Tinker Belle (Yorkie), Sparkle (Mini Dachshund) & Tootsie (the turtle) '12 RP175 '07 Dodge Ram 1500 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 7:59pm
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Hi, We have a 171 and tow with a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan ( it has the new pen star engine that puts out 283 horse power). On our trip south out of Vermont we got 12.5 mpg in the Mountains and got 15 mpg once we hit Massachusetts all the way to Rodanthe. It has plenty of power for the hills. We have not added the risers, have towed up and down the coast with no problems yet ( fingers crossed). The secret is basically taking your time and going 50 mph to 60 mph seems to give us the best mileage. If people dont lke it they will pass you. Good luck! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 7:59pm
Ky Mooses is right on, you need the risers, I doubt the 3.5 inch lift will change the mpg much, I pull with a 08 chev trailblazer rated for 6500 lbs, it has the in line 290 horse six banger. I dont exceed 60 mph on the interstate and up hills drop to 50 or so, i get consistant 10.5 to near 12 mpg it does not get better period. when you double the velocity you quaddruple the drag, its the law of physics, the pod looks aerodynamic by its tear drop shape but it really is not. Have you ever seen an airplane shaped like a Pod ? Donna and I dont care, its still fun and cheaper than staying in a hotel/motel  ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: Iteach5th
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 8:13pm
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Those of you with risers, do you find it's easier to dump your black and grey tanks? ------------- "Whether you think you can or think you can't, either way you are right"- Henry Ford 2011 RP-177 2009 Jeep Cherokee 1982 Coleman Redwood pup |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 9:18pm
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Definitely ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 9:51pm
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Not much. I still put something under the far wheel when dumping which helps a little.
------------- 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: techntrek
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 10:05pm
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Welcome Jimgi. I also recommend the risers, I went a while without them but scraped enough times that I'm glad I have them now. With our Sienna we got between 8 and 12 mpg depending on conditions - 8 with a headwind, and 12 with good conditions. So far with our Suburban I get 9.7 mpg every trip.
------------- 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: Jimgi3
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2012 at 7:54am
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Wow, thanks everyone for such a warm welcome and so many responses! So, I'm getting a better picture about the gas mileage. I was surprised such a small trailer, compared to much of what is out there, would impact my mpg as much as it did....but, then again, I've never pulled a trailer before, so what do I know!? Thanks to you all, I know a little more. We are going to borrow my folks big Ford Econoline Van....see how that feels. I'm a speed demon on the hwy. Usually drive 5-8 miles above posted speed...I know towing is a different reality! I'll have to learn a new way. Thanks again!
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Posted By: Mikey
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2012 at 1:14am
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------------- Mikey |
Posted By: Mikey
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2012 at 1:26am
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Hello to all. I just purchased a 2011 177 and towed it home from Montana where I bought it. My question (s ) are: 1. Where do you get something showing where the studs vertical /horizontal are ? 2. I also would like to know where to order parts or accessories. I have had no luck with Forrest River to my inquiries. 3. Where would I get the risers I have been reading about on the forum and installation instructions? 4. Is there any manuel or something to serve as a maintenance guide for the R-pod? I really like my Pod and plan to be up in the Eastern Sierra's to go fishing soon. I had a rear light spoiler installed as per the re-call. It was taped down with flimsy tape and blew off on my way home so I took it off. I couldn't believe anyone would expect it to hold when underway not to mention what the weather would do to the tape after a little time. Is this some kind of a legal issue if I leave it off? I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts and appreciate the Family type atmosphere you all have. Thank you, Mikey ------------- Mikey |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2012 at 7:16am
I am not sure what you are referring to here?
This thread has Forest River Rpod contacts in it. Susan Thornburg is the parts person. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2747&title=misc-forest-river-contacts-and-other-info - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2747&title=misc-forest-river-contacts-and-other-info
You can order them from Forest River or an Rpod Dealer. You will need the model year of your pod the model and the VIN as there are several different ones depending on the axle in your pod.
There was a general manual that came with the Rpod but it was not very specific there is a maintenance thread on the forum here http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723&title=creating-an-instruction-maintanence-manual - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723&title=creating-an-instruction-maintanence-manual
If the light was put on properly in the first place it should not have blown off. The tape they use on these is the same tape used in automotive applications to hold ground effects kits, body molding and such on. also the edges of the spoiler should have been screwed into the frame of the trailer. I would talk to forest river about this as you do need to have these lights it is a safety and and legal thing.
Hope that helps some ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2012 at 9:02am
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This thread gives some general information about location of framing/studs http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2805&title=rpod-framing - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2805&title=rpod-framing Remember this is generic and may not be the same in your pod. Welcome aboard! ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2012 at 9:39am
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Risers help to keep the Pod from scraping off the rear stabilizers in a rough campground but also if you go over an inclined driveway. ------------- TIDALWAVE |