RP-179 Profile
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Wish List
Forum Discription: Tell Forest River what you would like to see in the r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4406
Printed Date: 04 May 2025 at 10:59am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: RP-179 Profile
Posted By: cody91
Subject: RP-179 Profile
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2014 at 1:12am
|
I"m in the process of trying to decide which Rpod model to purchase. I've been reading some of the past posts about the Rpods and the ones about its aerodynamic profile are quite intriguing. I've noticed that the rear section of the new 179 seems to be flatter and less tapered then the previous models. I was wondering if this was an attempt by FR to improve aerodynamic efficiency or merely accommodate the new location of the kitchen? Does anyone have any thoughts?
|
Replies:
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2014 at 6:24am
|
My guess would be to accommodate the new kitchen. ------------- 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: rascalrv
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2014 at 7:18am
|
I like the new layout inside and outside shape of the 179 more than the the tear drop look of the other floor plans but it comes down to personal preference. ------------- |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2014 at 8:35am
|
I like the 179 and 178 but not enough to make me want to trade in our 177. The only improvement we would like is a bed that we could make by walking around it. All the rest works fine for us. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2014 at 8:41am
|
I also think the new shape is to accommodate the kitchen. an earlier model Pod had a kitchen across the front and there were headroom complaints. There is not much to be done for aerodynamics in a travel trailer. Even the Airstreams aren't really aerodynamic. Lots of experience, and even some sophisticated computer modeling, show the Pod isn't either. Just accept that MPG and Camper don't belong in the same sentence.
------------- 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: cody91
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2014 at 11:11am
|
Charlie, Thanks for the response. Yea, I'm starting to realize that most campers aren't very aerodynamic. It just seems there would be a really great market for well equipped campers that were also very streamlined, if someone decided to build and sell them. For now, I guess it's fine that the Rpods just look cool.:-) |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2014 at 2:00pm
|
Pods are like towing nice egg shaped brick walls. The new design of the 179 is just a new design to allow all that storage space that it has. The kitchen is huge and you could literally take everything including a couple extra kitchen sinks with this new floorplan. The floorplan was as it has been with each other model of new Pod a shot at giving customers what they wanted. They know a lot of folks wanted better cooking areas and closets and storage and pantries and what not. So the 179 was born. I'd be surprised honestly if the new profile sticks around on the Pod models of the future, but who knows. ------------- 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: Boomertype
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2014 at 3:03pm
|
My guess is to allow headroom in the galley(kitchen), and to accommodate the door being at the rear. I'd like to see how much room you have to get around with the slide "in". If you need to access the head or the storage by the bed, do you have to crawl over the dinette seating or even open the head door?
|
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2014 at 3:10pm
|
[QUOTE=cody91]
Charlie, Thanks for the response. Yea, I'm starting to realize that most campers aren't very aerodynamic. It just seems there would be a really great market for well equipped campers that were also very streamlined, if someone decided to build and sell them. For now, I guess it's fine that the Rpods just look cool.:- If you look up Curtiss Aerocar Company 1929-1934 this was I believe the first company to build a aerodynamic travel trailer it was matched up to a aerodynamic TV. Its been done before but for some reason not a success. Perhaps the depression years made it too difficult. David
------------- 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: kymooses
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2014 at 6:29pm
there's a small hallway of sorts with the slide in. similar interior profile if you have a pod without a slide at all. so everything is still useable with it in. ------------- 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: furpod
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2014 at 8:12pm
Actually there have been some attempts, the Evergreen Element, the F.R. Aviators, are some of the latest, that are not folding or collapsing systems, like the hi-lo, trail manor, and others. Honestly, the market wasn't/isn't there. The shape means for expensive tooling and materials, and the high dollar TT market is pretty much owned by the same company for the last +80 years. A recent new comer, which I hope to see soon is the "Alto" out of Canada, but again, it's an 18-20 footer in the $30K range. Rarefied air when you can get a 171 new off the lot for near a third of that. ------------- |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2014 at 9:34pm
Areodynamics in trailers is like hydrodynamics in boats To get a lots of room you have to sacrafice areodynamics or hydrodynamics. to get good flow around the trailer they would have to look like an airplane long and thin and the pointier at the ends the better. Boats are the same the scow or the barge gives you the best displacement or, load carrying capacity, but takes more energy to move it though the water. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
|
Posted By: ANGCHIEF
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 2:33pm
|
We just bought our 2014 178 in late October so it went right into storage for the winter. Then we saw the 2014 179 and was amazed at all the storage and the larger kitchen. Kinda wish we had waited! We've always had RV's with lots of storage (we also have a 30 ft. 5th wheel) so finding spots for stuff for our 2 month driving trip to Alaska this summer will be a challenge. Can't wait to get our pod out for the first shakedown trip. If I had my preference, I'd go with the 179 with the back kitchen and storage, but keep in mind if you have more storage you will load up more stuff... ------------- Jan and Dean 2014 178 |
Posted By: Traveler
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2014 at 7:54pm
I agree about a walk around bed. We are currently looking at small travel trailers, after downsizing. Our biggest concern with the R Pod lay out is the bed. Being seniors, we are up often during the night. An island bed in the 179 would be a good fit for us.  ------------- Traveler Dennis & Sharon Looking for Pod Live Alabama & Florida TV 2011 Honda Pilot 6 cyl |
Posted By: bonanddoug
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2014 at 9:08pm
|
Can't see a walk around bed in a 179. Current bed is 60 inches wide, width determined by the slideout and the bathroom. Even if there were a way to rotate the bed the outer edges are occupied by the furnace, the water pump and heater and outside storage.
------------- 2015 179 HRE 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 |