Soon to be owner
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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=5169
Printed Date: 07 Jun 2025 at 8:06am
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Topic: Soon to be owner
Posted By: lucky2
Subject: Soon to be owner
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 8:11pm
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We are looking at R-pods and hope to buy one before the end of this month. Not sure what we will end up so far we have looked at the 182 G. Next week we will be looking at he 178 and 179. As far myself I have already set my mind on the 182 G,but DH( dear husband) thins we should look at the others. He likes everything about the 182G except there is not much storage in it. I have been looking here and on the Forest River sight to get better insight about theses units. I sure like what I see in both places. I think I have read just about all the post here and have NOT seen anyone complain about their unit. There is just the 2 of us,we most often camp with our DD(dear daughter)and her family,but they always use their tent,any others we have with have their on campers. So we don't need lots of space,but would like to have room to sleep at least one grandchild when they come to visit. We like to camp,ride our bikes, do a little walking on the hike trails we also do some kayaking and geochaching. We have 3 married daughters and 2 grand sons( 9 & 12 ) 1 grand daughter( 20) Would welcome any comints that might help us decide which unit to buy and anything special to look for. How do others like the R-dome screen room? Is there a canopy or awning for any of these units? Happy Camping to all
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Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 8:19pm
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Welcome to the group!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 8:54pm
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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: Puck Podders
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 9:53pm
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We bought a 178 in June. Love it. Just the two of us and our 120lb dog. She sleeps at one end and us at the other. We use the dome and found it relatively easy to put up. Originally we towed with our Rav4 6 cylinder but bought a Sierra 1/2 ton to save the Rav. So far everything great and have purchased a few items recommended on this forum. It is a great source of helpful hints. ------------- Rick & Wilma 'Hairy' Gracie 2015 178 GMC Sierra |
Posted By: tovissima
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 12:04am
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I am also a soon to be owner and am looking at the 182g. Does anyone have any tips on the purchase - questions to ask the dealer, options you wish you had included or concerns that you wish were addressed when you bought your first Pod? I am considering the RDome as well, or an after market one from Dometic. Pros and cons of the RDome? I've read through past forum posts but found most to be many years old and was wondering if anyone has experience with 2014 or 2015 models. Or any other after market companies in the West, California or Nevada, to look into for another awning? We are an active couple with two dogs and lots of toys. The 182 looks like our best option. The 179 is great too, but lacks the garage with utility sink for cleaning up our muddy gear when we come in from a ride. Has anyone tried the new Swagman bike carrier that goes between the car the the trailer? Thanks! This forum has helped me to make some decisions. I appreciate the efforts everyone makes to share their experiences. ------------- T |
Posted By: 3ofUs
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 7:39am
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Former Aliner Expedition bought 2011 182G last year. So far been very happy with it. Husband took over the garage, so no outdoor cleaning up there. We do cook outside with minimum cooking inside using convection oven which I love. Downloaded convection cookbook to Kindle last night. It was the first we had ever seen and the price was right. Wish it had a permanent bed arrangement other than bunk. Quite a few have made dinette permanent, not putting up and down, but I hate to lose the table since I do crafts on the road at times. Top bunk mattress was removed and we use the 31 tote bags for our clothes, towels and linens. Works out great on that 8" ledge and we leave it closed up except when we need something behind the bunk. Not into extreme mods like some, but have made some conveniences for us. We pull it with our Ford F150 V8 Lariat.
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Posted By: Bulldogpod
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 12:22pm
| Welcome! We bought a 178 this year and love it! It is big enough for our small family of 4. Our children (ages 8 and 5) sleep on the dinette comfortably. The RDome is definitely worth the purchase. Even when it is raining, we can sit under the dome- much less confining than being indoors. |
Posted By: tovissima
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 2:25pm
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Thanks 3ofUS that was helpful. The bunk struck me as being very good for storage of duffel bags and gear while we sleep in the dinette. While the 181 had no extra storage and such a small table to work at. Is the bunk ok for an adult less than 6' tall to sleep in? I'm going to defend my right to the garage and I love your idea of using the storage pockets inside hanging in the bunk area. Cheers. ------------- T |
Posted By: Row pod
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 2:28pm
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We bought our 182G this time last year. We love it, we use the R-Dome for more than one nighters and homemade awning for overnight and/or if it has been wet and we get the Dome dry we put up the awning. We have the dome down to about 15 minutes. The awning takes about 5. Picture is in the awning/dome discussion. It cost a little less than $125 and works great. Just had it up at the Oregon coast which was a bit breezy and everything stayed up. I love the garage can store "bad" stuff out there, like bug spray and tiki oil. I cook on the included grill (might see if that option is still available as it was included in the price). We have moved the TV into the inside using the same straps included from the garage. We love the bunks. Have added a foam pad to the bottom and put some upholstery material on it and sleep in a sleeping bag which is stuffed along with the sleeping bag from the top into a extra long pillow case. We put the top bunk up and now can use the bottom as an extra couch with the long pillow case behind us. I just added a self inflating 3.5 inch camping pad to the top (deflate in the morning) and I can sleep as long on it as I can a regular bed. We had to make curtains for the bottom bunk as the person is too long and kept fighting with the blinds. I also use the garage for extra storing. The grill goes in the larger of the "holes" tiki lamp in oil in the smaller two and the hose for the sink and water are in the sink. We tow with a 2006 Ford Expedition with large v8. We normally carry two kayaks on top and have added the highland bike rack on back. We made straps that hook on the jacks (there is a little hole on top) that allow us to really secure the bikes from swaying or moving really at all. Just took the dog for the first time. He takes up half the floor space but it all worked. As for other storage you'll soon become a minimalists. But we have everything we need and more. As we say there are cheaper and bigger but nothing is as cute as an R-pod! |
Posted By: 3ofUs
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 9:14pm
| I'd love to show you a couple of photos of the bunk area. Like I said, removing the mattress on the top, opens it up and 31 totes or duffels fit nicely and you can close the bunk up. I've seen one post where the owner cut the center out of the bunk, but we like our system. I make the dinette at night for me and our dog. Yes, she has always slept with me. My husband prefers the lower bunk and he is 5'10/220. I've seen post where the wife sleeps in the top bunk, but I'm afraid I could not manage the height. We did remove the mattress from it after one weekend and upgraded to a nice twin 8" memory foam. We bought twin size and I measured and marked the line with a PermiMarker. It laid on a table in the garage with that section off the table and using an electric knife, I was able to cut right down that line. My husband stood and supported the mattress on the table. If you want to PM me at bwejfe@gmail.com I can share some photos of the bunk area, but I imagine you got the picture. |