Soon to be new Rpod Owners
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=4343
Printed Date: 12 May 2024 at 12:04am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Soon to be new Rpod Owners
Posted By: COSPod
Subject: Soon to be new Rpod Owners
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 9:27am
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Been reading the site for some time but finally getting close to being an Rpod 172 Owner. We've considered owning an Rpod for about ~3 yrs after a 20day excursion with my Parents and their 5th Wheel back in 2010. However a house, Tow Vehicle, and 2nd child delayed the purchase just a bit. Looking forward to this summer though and hitting up the vast camping opportunities in Colorado (with some NM and WY likely mixed in). Thanks to all the posters here, this site has been extremely helpful already and I'm certain will continue to be great source of info.
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Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 9:40am
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Welcome to the group! Great place to share and learn. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 12:16pm
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Welcome. ------------- 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: bodie55
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2014 at 1:53am
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Beautiful sights to be seen in your neck of the woods. Enjoy! ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: COSPod
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2014 at 11:51am
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Official owners now. Put deposit down on the 172.. now to just wait for it to show up at the dealer in a few weeks. Already have 5-6 trips planned, including a nice ~2 week excursion here in Colorado.
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Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2014 at 2:54pm
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Welcome. Now the real fun begins. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2014 at 4:44pm
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welcome to podding, sounds great that you already have some trips set up!!! ------------- 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: COSPod
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2014 at 10:28pm
After the wife made the 3rd or 4th set of reservations, figured I should probably make it official  Shakedown trip also booked. Thankfully Cheyenne Mountain state park is only about 20min drive away. Very happy to have full hookups first time out and in particular to practice my first tank dumps on site. Was amazed though that the park is basically fully reserved up for the whole summer already, weekends in particular. Had to go early may to get a weekend site, hopefully it's not snowing.. this Winter means business (but if it means less fires, I won't complain). |
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2014 at 10:47pm
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No doubt an early camping adventure means burn restrictions may not yet be in effect. A nice way to keep warm on a late spring night! ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: HavaPod
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2014 at 10:55pm
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Welcome from Washington State! We were about where you were (with newness of R-Pod, but a few years older) last year this time. Our first year we went on five trips and I hear you about the need to make reservations early. We're sure you will enjoy this first year very much! ------------- Steve and Peggy Thorndill HavaPod 2013 R-Pod 177 Tacoma, WA |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2014 at 8:25am
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Welcome and congrats. Don't forget to reassess that mattress. A backbreaker. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: The Pod Couple
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2014 at 2:46pm
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When we bought our 178 last October it came with a nice mattress. We had bought one through Camping World before we actually had the trailer. We ended up returning the mattress because we didn't need it. I would advise you to hold off getting a new mattress until you see what your trailer comes with. And welcome to Podding! ------------- Larry &Pat The Pod Couple 2001 Ford F150 2014 RPod 178 |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2014 at 3:09pm
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Our new 178 was delivered in late November. We, too, can not find fault with the queen mattress and have no plans for replacing it.
------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2014 at 6:21pm
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I advise people to try the mattress before buying a new one. We still have and enjoy ours in our 2011 Pod. Some try it and get a new one, others don't try it, get a new one, and tell people how bad it is. Some of us tried it and like it.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: francoisfrogpod
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2014 at 12:09am
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Welcome! You've come to the right place for advice, encouragement and all around great fun
------------- Denny and Linda 2013 Pod 177 '08 Santa Fe |
Posted By: barring
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 11:24pm
| Colorado is the most wonderful place to have a small trailer. There are so many boondocking opportunities here, you don't even really need campgrounds. |
Posted By: HPY CMPR
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2014 at 10:43pm
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Hi, I just purchased a RPod 178 this weekend. Now looking to purchase a vehicle to tow it with. I am so confused as to what I should be getting. I don't really want to buy a large SUV or Truck. I was told by the dealer that I bought the trailer from that all that is required is a TV that can handle 3500 lbs. Reading all the forums, I am getting nervous that I will have to buy a larger vehicle. Any insight on this would be appreciated. I am not picking my unit up until May so I do have some time to get a vehicle. Thanks |
Posted By: HavaPod
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2014 at 11:29pm
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To: Happy Camper
We have one of the smaller vehicles out there, but so far we've run into no difficulties in the five trips we took our first year. We haven't though done any substantially high mountain passes though. Although we will likely get a bigger rig before doing a cross country type trip, we have felt comfortable so far for shorter, not terribly mountainous trips. We have though done a few thousand feet in elevation gains on several trips so far an as I said, we've had no problems. ------------- Steve and Peggy Thorndill HavaPod 2013 R-Pod 177 Tacoma, WA |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 7:03am
If I were getting a TV for the Pod I would not get something with only 3500#, I'd go for something that can do 5000#. Most anything will pull a Pod around, and "MOST" folks can still stay under a proper loaded vehicle weight, although I don't doubt for an instant that a lot of owners are overweight when towing. Just mentioning because there have been a LOT of people over the years start off with a 3500# TV and eventually move to something larger. This is not to say you have to or that they couldn't tow their Pods they way they, only that for how they liked to tow and how it felt for them that they are now happier in something bigger. Presented with the choice of TV ahead of you a personal opinion would be to tow with 5000#. However that opinion varies widely amongst all members of these forums, and it does have a lot to do with where you tow, how far you tow, how often you tow, and quite honestly how much stuff you try to drag along with you. Passengers and and all the stuff you bring with you will count against your limits and towing experience. Congrats on the 178 though, it is a wonderfully popular model and has a lot of nice space to it! ------------- 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: bodie55
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 9:26am
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In our person experience, we wouldn't pull the pod without a V8. The power necessary to perform emergency evasive maneuvers in traffic with poor drivers is important for us. We also tow over high mountain passes. We previously had a V6 Ford Escape when we began Pod shopping. Our research led to purchasing a bigger TV before buying the pod. One CAN town with a lower weighted vehicle. Think about where you drive, the weight you will be carrying, and what type of driving environment you are likely to be in. Yes, you will use more gas but safety and power have their advantages.
We love our 178 and hope you will too! ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 9:52am
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This from my personal experience: I towed a 172 with a Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD rated at #4500. My last trip was 5000+ miles including the Colorado mountains. The Pilot was adequate on the flat lands but struggled up the mountains. OK if you go slow; 10-20 MPH on some grades. Note the 4WD version of the Pilot includes the towing package with transmission oil cooler so it is rated #1000 higher than the 2WD model. My new Camplite trailer is about #1000 heavier than the Pod so I moved up to a 4.0L Tacoma. My preference was a small V8, but that was not available in a small pickup. Bottom line, a #3500 rated vehicle would be marginal even on flat terrain. Your 178 starts at #2500 plus some options. By the time you add people, battery(s), full propane tank(s) and "stuff" you'll easily exceed #3500.Since you have the luxury of selecting a new TV my suggestion would be at least a #5000 rated 4.0L vehicle. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: HPY CMPR
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 10:10am
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This is great information, thank you all so much for your quick replies. Selecting a vehicle has been quite the chore. One other quick question...what is better FWD or AWD. I should have also mentioned that I am from Ottawa Ontario Canada. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 10:29am
Well, since you've selected the trailer you're half way there and used to the back and forth decision process . AWD is really full time 4WD under the control of the car's computer. It's fine for the majority of road conditions. The Pilot was really AWD under normal conditions, but can be locked up with a switch. I may be a control freak and an engineer, but I like to have some options. If you're stuck in sand or snow (think Canada  ) you want the option of firmly engaging all wheels and limiting all slip. For me, I've always had 4WD vehicles. I live in Florida but I call Colorado home. Lots of snow. Try buying a 4WD in Florida  . Selectable 4WD is an advantage if you can buy it. Good luck and keep us posted. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 10:46am
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We were driving a 2006 Chevy 1/2 ton with a 4.3 V/6 about 190 hp and We towed the 2010 174 and it did ok till you came to much of a hill and it would star shifting up and down. Also ok on the flats up to 50 mph then it struggled till we hit 60mph. Towing at about 10 miles per gallon.Soooo it forced me to upgrade to a 2011 ford F150 with a v/6 ecoboost it has 365 hp and no problem towing now and much better fuel economy . But mostly I was just looking for a reason to justify a new to us truck,at least that's what my wife thought. Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 11:20am
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I guess I'll throw in my two cents worth. Currently we tow with a 2005 Chev. Tahoe with a tow capacity of 6,800 lbs. Perfect except the age and mileage. I like the handling up hills and lots of stopping power. I recently received the Trailer Life guide to towing for 2014 listing all the vehicles and their towing capacity. After reading lots of posts, I've decided for us to look at vehicles with 4WD and a minimum towing capacity of 5K lbs. I find that at the 5K mark, all the vehicles provide AWD only. I like the Tahoe's 4WD selectivity but alas, it's is not available in the 5K range. So what to buy? After a lot of research, I have selected the Toyota Highlander with 5K towing capacity. Far better city mileage than our Tahoe but with adequate towing capacity for those big hills we seem to have here in Oregon. There are three versions of the Highlander depending on your wants and checkbook. Hope that helps. We are having a Roundup this September at Charleston, Oregon. Have reserved 40 full hookup spaces and after only a week have about 20 left. So far we have 12 Rpods registered. Marwayne, who I consider personally to be truly the master modder of Rpods, is joining us from Alberta. Being able to see his mod's is reason enough to come and join us. We are right on the beach and a great time should be had by all. Hopefully you can join us. All the details can be seen under the Camping Adventures forum. Safe Travels.
------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: HPY CMPR
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 11:59am
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Thank you for this, I am somewhat still pulling my hair out. I have a Lab Retriever so I need to get leather which means all my choices are very expensive. Cant wait to make a decision and then move on to planning on where to go. Your post has been very helpful. I was just about to start looking up the Highlander. So far I have priced out the Santa Fe 3.3 V6..Ford Explore Ltd 4WD ------------- Ottawa Ontario Canada |