Soon-to-be Podder: 182G questions
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Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4528
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Topic: Soon-to-be Podder: 182G questions
Posted By: danielppd
Subject: Soon-to-be Podder: 182G questions
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 9:29pm
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Hello All, Family of 4 in the Seattle area, looking for a 182g as our introduction to RV'ing. We've rented a Class C before, but looking forward to new adventures in our own rig. Some questions as I look into pricing: (1) You definitely see pricing differences between east coast and west coast dealers, but as another thread mentioned it isn't exactly apples-to-apples since the HRE is primarily west coast. I know about the heavier duty tires, the diamond plating on the front, but other than that what are the other features that are missing from the east coast version? I personally don't think those are must-have features, but maybe there is something I'm missing. (2) For the west coast HRE 182g's, I see a big variation in price from different dealers so I'm assuming that has to do with extras on the more expensive ones. I know the AC unit is extra (not sure how much), but what else should I note whether a unit has a non-standard feature or not? Thanks, I'm sure I will have many more questions. Looking forward to making a decision in the next month. Daniel Seattle
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Replies:
Posted By: Cap-n-Cray
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 9:52pm
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Welcome Daniel, Where in Seattle are you. I am on Bainbridge Island. It takes some digging, but there is more of a difference. I just bought a 177 and am very happy. If you have visited dealers in the area, you don't get a lot of information. I bought from a dealer in Idaho and it was worth the drive. If you want PM me your name and I give it to my sales person. She was very good about just giving you information and not trying to just make a sale. Cary |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 9:58pm
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Welcome to the forum, I left you a private message and some links about the HRE and the Crown Package. Hope you find what you.
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Posted By: danielppd
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 12:25am
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Hey Capn, I'm in north Seattle / Ballard area. I'm heading down to Poulsbo RV on Saturday to take a look at a new one in person. Not likely I'm going to buy, given their starting price. Still doing my research. Please do PM me your dealer, I'm happy to talk to various sources. Any opinions on a 2011 or 2012 used model, versus new? Did they do any major changes or are they pretty similar?
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Posted By: Cap-n-Cray
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 1:11am
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danielppd, There are some differences. The newer Rpods have more whistles and bells, I think. Maybe someone with more experience with the older models will post. The Hood River Edition is pretty new. There are some other changes too. The outside patterns are different. Many of the changes are subtle. |
Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 6:35am
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we are picking up our 178 from couch's on saturday. Though not an HRE, it has every available option, except the bike rack, solar panel & cover. It has the front diamond plate & the risers. The only difference that I see is the 15"wheels & off road tires. The earlier ones had different decals. But not sure about that now. Someone mentioned diamond plate in the wheel wells. Never heard of that. Our price on the loaded 178 is 13,795. If I can find a way to wedge ours in the garage with room to spare, I'll be putting the 15" wheels & off road tires on ours after we wear out the first set of tires. I'm not hugely fond of the stock wheels this year. ------------- Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 8:15am
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We purchased ours September 2013. It was 15,500 with everything except the bike rack. I don't have the crown package. We bought ours right before it was offered. Not much of a difference, but the crown has nicer shades. We also got the slide out topper and axel riser in that price. They also delivered it from Muskegon, MI which is the west side of the state (about 3.5 hours).
If you're paying more for less, stop. Start asking for this stuff and they will eventually cave. At least they did with us. Good luck and have fun!!!! ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: danielppd
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 9:44am
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Thanks Wingnut & Hairy. Wingnut, what's a slide out topper? Haven't heard of that. Also, what size are the wheels, if they aren't 15"? Here's a total newbie question, but I'm not clear what the axel riser does? My understanding is they may bottom out without it, but I can't visualize what that is.
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Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 10:33am
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The risers go between the axel and the trailer frame and gives you approximately 3 1/2 inches more clearance under the trailer. Suggestion, have your dealer install them while the pod is still in their possession . All you have to do is bottom out and damage could be more than the cost of the risers. I did install mine(about 2 hours) not that hard if you have the tools and time and most of all the desire!!!!! Cost was 185.00 from Forrest river factory including shipping. Moe
------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 10:59am
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A slide out topper goes over the slide out like an awning. It pull outs and retracts with the slide out. The riser is good if your going to be on uneven roads or ground. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: danielppd
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 11:03am
| Got it. Purpose of the topper? I assume it's already waterproof. |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 11:05am
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The slide out can collect water, leaves, debris and other junk. The topper keeps it off and out of the pod. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: danielppd
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 11:08am
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Ah. Ok, so did you install it or did the dealer? Also, with the axle riser, does it raise the pod portion up? How important do you think this is to have?
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Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 11:17am
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I had them do both. The topper would just be nice to have. The riser raises the pod and makes the rdome not touch the ground perfectly. Depends on the kind of camping you're doing. I got both because why not. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 12:12pm
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IMHO the risers are a must. Even if you stay on paved roads, just one encounter with a gas station entry where you rip off the rear stabilizers will prove their worth. True, the RDome fit is awkward, but it's very workable. The slide topper is also well worth it. Mainly keeps crud (dirt, leaves, snow, water) from accumulating and interfering with closing the slide. Also, consider upgrading the sewer hose to a 15 foot RhinoFlex hose and mounting a 60" hose carrier tube underneath the Pod.
------------- 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: techntrek
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 1:02pm
I always chuckle when I see "axle riser". Technically the axle stays at the same level. It should be called "pod riser".  ------------- 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: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 8:05pm
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Or, like my Jeep; a lift kit.
Which causes a new delimma. My Jeep only has a 2"lift.... ------------- Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |