Hit the reset, which rpod would you pick now?
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Topic: Hit the reset, which rpod would you pick now?
Posted By: green18
Subject: Hit the reset, which rpod would you pick now?
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 12:31pm
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I am really struggling in my choice of r-pod and it is enough to drive me nuts. A little history first. I have an XLR Toy Hauler that I really love but I am simply not comfortable towing it. I purchased it because I thought my family of 4 (two teenagers) would camp a lot and it was going to be a blast. Well, as often happens life did not exactly follow my game plan. I would say 80% of the time it is just me camping, 15% of the time it is the wife and I...and maybe once a year the kids are with us. As much as I love the toy hauler, I do not enjoy towing it and find myself sticking close to home. I go less often because it is a production to get it ready and it is too large to pull in the driveway so I have to haul all of my stuff to the storage to load it. I know I want to downsize. I know I want an r-pod. I am really struggling with which model so I was hoping to tap into those of you that have lived with them for a while and have real life experience. Sometimes you have to live in them to know what you would have done differently. Here are my thoughts: I have narrowed it to the 179, 178, and 182g. Thoughts on each are as follows, but now I want real world experience. 179 - Love the interior cabinets but do I need that much kitchen space? There is almost no exterior storage. I also find the dinette a little strange in placement and the fact that I couldn't really sleep 4 in a pinch very well. My biggest gripe is the door which only opens 90 degrees and where it is located. 178 - I really prefer this to the 179 I think. It has tons of exterior storage and the interior to me felt far more open in person than the 179. This was odd because the pictures made me think the 179 would feel more open. I much prefer the placement of the door and the larger dinette/second bed but where on earth do people put food? 182g - probably my favorite but it is also several thousand more dollars. It also lacks a dedicated bed which is no issue when i am alone as i would sleep on the bunk but perhaps in the years ahead I could see myself wishing we had a large bed always ready. This solved my concern about where to put food though as it could all sit in the garage. I LOVE the garage. My question to owners is how much do you use your garage when you also have an r-dome. I see myself using the dome a lot so would i really spend much time back behind the unit? One other note is this unit is in the older color scheme. I am not sure which i prefer but leaning towards the new colors. All have pros and cons. I am not worried about where to store clothes as I tend to live out of a duffle bag when I camp. I would just love to hear feedback from owners of these 3 models on what they love or hate. I know I would have a ton of feedback on my toy hauler after my time with it. Thanks for any thoughts. The decision is driving me bonkers but anxious to join the group.
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Replies:
Posted By: JStrube
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 1:40pm
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I have the 181G, so far, totally enjoy. Lots of outside storage, the only thing I have not figured out is where to put my bags. Still learning it, as we have taken it out twice. Love the garage though! ------------- 2012 181G |
Posted By: Whatmud
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 2:39pm
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We just purchased the 181G. We have always been tent campers but wanted some more comforts of home i.e. heat and air. We will use it for sleeping only, cook and hang out outside as that is what camping is all about. I worried about storage until I loaded all of my tent camping stuff into the Pod and still had room. If I wanted to stay inside, I'd stay home...I can't understand the people who pull up and spend all of their time inside. Even our friends and their two teenagers still spend most of the time outside. ------------- Debbie & Larry 2015 181-g Knoxville, TN |
Posted By: green18
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 2:57pm
| Thanks, I do like the 181G though i have never seen one in person. Do you actually find the bar stool thing usable? I feel strange about having no interior area to play board games or whatever on a stormy day but outside of that it seems like a cool floor plan. |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 2:57pm
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green 18: I am curious about 1 thing regarding toy haulers (27-29 footers), as I always look at them. it is frequently discussed about the 300+ pounds of fresh water behind the axle on the pod and an increased concern for sway. I have always wondered then how 1400+ pounds of hog would be on the rear end of these. Or does the dual axel take care of this? I'm curious on other feedback (pros/cons) as well. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2023 F150 2017 HD Streetglide CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: green18
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 3:04pm
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Hey hogone, I almost never loaded my freshwater for towing as I basically stayed close to home where i had city water hookup. I will say the dealer loaded it with water and I never had too much of a problem with sway. I purchased a toy hauler because I can store my kayaks inside and the bed comes out of the ceiling so it doesn't take up floor space. Pretty cool! That said, it is still 6000 pounds and 28 feet long and every time we discuss using it further from home I find myself not really wanting to tow it. It actually hasn't been too bad but i just really feel like the tail could wag the dog if i get in a weird situation. I do think the dual axle and the beefy frame would support any weight. I live at the end of a street that is a curve so i have basically no frontage area in front of my house. Part of my reasoning for downsizing is the ability to pull the r-pod in my driveway to load up food and clothes. I would never say anything bad about the toy hauler other than the fact that i am going to take a financial bath trying to trade it. It is such a cool layout and so versatile. 6k is just a lot of weight and when i primarily camp alone I find myself only going if I am going to be there 3+ days. I think with an r-pod i will be far more willing to take 1 or 2 day quick trips to the campground.
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Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 3:16pm
green 18: sorry if I made my post confusing. my comment was that those with rpods that fill there fresh water tank (300+ pounds of water which is behind the axel) have encountered (at times) excessive sway (usually with undersized tow vehicles). i guess my question to you would be what about 1400+ pounds of weight behind the axel on a toy hauler. it sounds though like you did not haul large amounts of weight behind the axel with it. as far as rpods, i have a 177 which didn't make your cut !! i am very happy with iy however. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2023 F150 2017 HD Streetglide CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: JStrube
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 3:31pm
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I went from a 24' 6500# Toy Hauler to the POD & with my F250, had 2 BMW RT motorcycles loaded once. You load them pretty far forward, though each bike about 600#, I'd say they were centered over the axles. So, not really back loaded. On the longer haulers, you have so much weight forward, a little in the rear doesn't hurt much. My biggest reason for going to the POD is that I hated towing that much crap around. For a long trip, I just dreaded it, fuel mileage is now up by 4MPG, fatigue from towing is down a TON, you don't even know the POD is behind the truck. Granted my tow vehicle is way over sized, but that is a good thing, keeps the stress off the driver. No way would I go back. I need to buy a slightly shorter motorcycle, as my RT doesn't quite fit in my 6'6" bed... ------------- 2012 181G |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 3:35pm
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i would love to have a F250!!!! thanks for the info and feedback jstrube. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2023 F150 2017 HD Streetglide CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 8:02pm
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i'd still pick my 181g, only other consideration for me would be a 175 or a 173 with the alternate floorplan of having 2 lounge chairs back in the day. oh and the barstools for us at least in the 181g are pointless. ours became part of a great bonfire at camp the first trip out in our 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: techntrek
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 8:07pm
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hogone, the water tank isn't always in the rear on the pods. On the 171 it is well forward of the axle. greene18, kind of funny, we just moved to a 26' 6000+ pounder. The week we picked up our 171 they announced the 177, and it is likely we would have gone with that if it had been an option. Now I probably would go for the 178. ------------- 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: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2014 at 6:24pm
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I haven't been in one but am interested in seeing a 179. But the only real change I would like over our 177would be a walk around bed. I don't think the 179 has that so I will keep what I have. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2014 at 8:38am
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we love our 173. Our biggest change has been to remove the jack knife sofa in the rear and replace it with a folding bed with storage underneath. We no longer have to use the dinette for our bed. see our mods for this change. we use our pod mostly for long distance, multi-week travels for just the two of us. Vann and laura ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2014 at 9:43am
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4 seasons down in our 177, possibly would do a 178.. but not sure. The 177 has been perfect for us. Interestingly, we went AWAY from a 31 foot 7000lb TT for the pod.
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Posted By: Whatmud
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2014 at 1:19pm
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Not sure about the stools, maiden voyage this weekend! ------------- Debbie & Larry 2015 181-g Knoxville, TN |
Posted By: green18
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2014 at 7:55am
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Sorry I misunderstood the toy hauler question. True, I never loaded it heavily in the back but I have never really had any "problems" towing. In other words not much sway and the truck handles it ok. It is hard to describe but it is just not comfortable or enjoyable. It is almost like the other poster said...I just hate hauling that much length and weight around. Adding the tow mirrors each time, the weight hitch, backing it into the storage garage, blah blah blah. I love the space inside but at the same time I just don't need the space inside. I spend most of my time sitting outside the door so the r-dome will be perfect. I think I am narrowing down to the 178 or 182g. I may need to sit in them again. If I remember right the 178 felt nice and open inside with the extra windows and space. That garage though!
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Posted By: Old Dingo&Mrs.Dingo
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2014 at 9:35am
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We have a 181G and love it! But there are only two of us camping. So we do not need extra beds. Regarding the stools - we put a bungee cord around them, hooked on to the storage net under the table. Otherwise the stools fall over and slides around on your floor. The table is adequate for two of us to eat a meal there if needed (i.e. if it is raining outside). Regarding the garage - WOW - we really like the garage. We have an E-Z up that we put up behind the garage and set up our table and chairs and LIVE outside all the time. My husband designed a cantilevered bracket that he secured onto our grill/stove operating off the LP system, and placed the grill/stove in our dry sink in the garage. That way we can pull it up when we use it and put it down and cover it up when not in use. We wash all our dishes back there. Also with the extended hose we could wash off anything else that needs rinsed off. We have a toaster oven up on the wall rack, it is securely mounted and we do not move it inside when we travel. Of course we have the TV back there and even sit out in the dark and watch movies, just like the olden days pretending we are at the Drive-In. As stated before there is plenty of storage space in the 181G, considering the wardrobe and drawers for our clothes and lots of space under the bed and the outside storage areas. Oh, yeh, husband added a 4th shelf to the shelves section. That way we each have 2 shelves and 2 drawers for all our clothes. Note the 182G does not have a wardrobe and drawers, you have bunk beds instead. So our choice remains the 181G. ------------- Old Dingo and/or Mrs. Dingo 181G 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
Posted By: 3ofUs
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2014 at 7:42am
| We have 182G. The garage is totally garage and not used for outside cooking. With organizing water and electrical hoses, etc. there, this opens up the compartments for grill, dome, screen room, etc. We upgraded the lower bunk to a foam mattress that cuts easily with electric knife for a perfect fit. We removed the upper bunk mattress and there is ample shelf against the wall to store soft side totes for his and her clothing, towels and linens. I store nothing on the floor inside the Pod. The dinette gets lowered for another bed. As for storing in compartments, only use clear totes for visibility. |
Posted By: Row pod
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2014 at 11:25am
| I also have the 182G. Love the garage, used mostly for storing all the stuff you don't want inside. Do use the sink from time to time. We use the grill at least 2-3 times on a 4 day trip, love having tunes playing while I grill. We store our clothes under the lower bunk in rubber tubs. Only have to open it once a day to get the clothes for the day out. We have larger tubs in the back of the TV for kayaking and biking clothes and gear. There is lots of under the trailer storing. We carry the R-dome, homemade awning, blocks, chairs, rug and misc parts in the storage areas. We love the dome and like many others have a small space heater that keeps it nice and toasty on the chilly mornings. We did add a foam camping pad on the bottom bunk, and I have a self inflating sleeping pad (REI) that I added to the top bunk. Simply deflate it in the morning and then lock the bunk up to give a more open feeling. Good luck on whatever Pod you go with..... |
Posted By: green18
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2014 at 3:30pm
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Thanks so much for all of the feedback! I spent about 2 hours crawling in and out of the 179, 182 and 178 yesterday. This was a tough decision!!!! I loved the 179 when you walk in. It feels so nice and modern and HUGE! At the end of the day I just could not stand the dinette. I regularly need to sit 4 at a table for board games and it just seemed problematic. That led to almost a coin flip between the 178 and 182. I loved the open feeling in the 178, all the windows, the opening under the bed, the additional outdoor storage and ALWAYS having a queen bed ready and waiting. It really seems like the smart choice. I tend to not always make the smart choice which led me to choosing....the 182. Throughout the 2 hour tour I continued to find myself just standing at the garage. I don't know why, not sure what I was doing back there...my wife just kept finding me standing and playing in the garage. I think there is just a part of me that would always feel like something was missing if I didn't have that garage...like I was missing my left arm or something. Even though I much preferred the interior of the 178...I just couldn't let go of the garage. I figure if I really don't like sleeping on the bunk I will just permanently (well, by permanently I mean the full trip) set up the dinette with memory foam and build storage into the bunks. Thanks again to everyone, I should be officially joining the club on Saturday.
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Posted By: JStrube
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2014 at 5:48pm
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Yeah, the garage sold me. Love my 181G! ------------- 2012 181G |
Posted By: Plantguy
Date Posted: 17 May 2015 at 9:48am
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We carry most of our clothing and food and misc. in the back of our Toyota Tacoma with camper shell. I don't like crawling into the shell to get at the plastic crates so I put a hook on the end of a 5' pole. i pull whatever is stored in the front to the back. the food we keep in the "pantry" of our 179 we secure by stuffing a pillow inside the pantry. i would rather pack the back of the Tacoma then keep stuff in the trailer. ------------- Life is too important to be taken seriously!i |
Posted By: beaster
Date Posted: 20 May 2015 at 4:47pm
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I have the 182g, love it, after having this with the garage, I would not have a trailer without. You can put your chairs, fire wood, food,etc
back there when traveling. You don't have to go into the trailer for any thing, the food, bar and everything is there. I have never used the inside of a trailer for cooking anyway. I keep the table down all the time, with an added down mattress. I would never sit inside anyway, even in the rain, I would be under the canopy over the picnic table. I also had a canopy made for the rpod, a boat canvas shop made me a 10 x 10 canopy, with a 3/4 in. sleeve at one end.I use plastic water tubing from Lowes in the sleeve and it slides right on the rpod. It was not cheap to have the made, about #300. |