New Adventure
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=5677
Printed Date: 19 May 2025 at 4:03am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New Adventure
Posted By: LLSJKS49684
Subject: New Adventure
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 5:41pm
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Today we ordered our 179 Rpod. My wife and I are purchasing this on the rebound after selling our 35ft 5th wheel. For the past few years we have been living on the road with infrequent stops at our home base in Traverse City, Michigan. Due to medical reason we now need to ground ourselves but want to hang on to some RVing. The winters are spent in Gulf Shores, AL where we have a second home and summers in Michigan at home base. This year we will do a six week trip to Utah and a trip through Canada and the east Coast. We have had several RVs since 1971 so cannot imagine life without one. I am sure we will miss the square footage of the 5th wheel but not the pulling or finding a site that fits in the National and State parks we frequent. It will be interesting downsizing to 20ft. It will be a different however as we are now on the road for weeks not months so we do not have to take so much stuff. The dome tent is new to us. Interested to hear how it really works. We are adding a second battery and propane tank which are quality of life issues. I think we may do the Zamp solar but still need to do some more homework to get to a final decision. The tires look small, has anyone upgraded to ones that are larger? Currently the tow vehicle will be our 2005 Silverado 2500HD diesel with 200,000 miles. Looking at a a replacement. The considerations are a Tahoe, Volkswagen Tourage, Highlander and Pilot. Welcome any comments on what others use to tow their unit and/or their experience with these vehicles. Looking forward to being part of the Rpod family. Larry and Jan ------------- Larry and Jan 179 2015 2005 Silverado 2500HD Diesel |
Replies:
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 6:42pm
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Welcome aboard! I hope you two enjoy your new r-pod. The length is really convenient - you can fit on most campsites, and you can fit into a double parking spot at Walmart. Some love the dome, others can do without it. It is fairly easy to erect, and I can do it on my own in less than 10 minutes. But, to be honest, I only put it up when I camped for a while and there's going to be poor/rainy weather, or when I'm camping with a group of people and we'll need someplace to gather. The rest of the time, I use a simple awning which slides into the rail and uses two poles and guy ropes - but that's me. As far as tow vehicle... my best advice is to chose something with at least 5000 lbs tow capacity. I'll also caution that, although r-pods look aerodyamic, they're not. Its an easy tow (although you'll want anti-sway, and perhaps WDH depending on your vehicle), but I suspect that your gas mileage won't improve as much as you expect compared to your 5'er. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 7:21pm
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Welcome. If you keep that diesel you'll never know the pod is back there. If you are considering the Tahoe I'd step up to the Suburban to get the longer wheel base. There is no difference in mpg between the two, and when we were pricing them used there was little difference in price. ------------- 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: LLSJKS49684
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 9:28pm
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Thanks! We will keep the diesel for the next trip and then decide where to go from there. We had a Tahoe before. However we were pulling an Airstream and it was right on the edge for comfortable towing. ------------- Larry and Jan 179 2015 2005 Silverado 2500HD Diesel |
Posted By: LLSJKS49684
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 9:32pm
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We are getting the sway bars based on the salesman's recommendation. We are going with the Blue OX which looks pricey but the upside is the ease of use. I had Reese with the Airstream and they were not always easy to use. Thanks for the other info...downsizing has real appeal and opens the doors for flexibility on finding a place to park. ------------- Larry and Jan 179 2015 2005 Silverado 2500HD Diesel |
Posted By: Pod4Two
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 9:49pm
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Welcome ! ------------- Ina & Philip Kennedy 2011 -177 2014 GMC Z71 4x4 |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 10:28pm
Welcome! And good luck as you get acquainted with the Podder side of life (though, with your experience, I somehow doubt you'll face many challenges!)  ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: JStrube
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2015 at 10:58pm
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Keep the diesel, leave the sway and lift bars behind. I tow with a F250, no sway, no lift, don't even feel it back there, can get 13.5 mpg if I go 60, get 11.5 if I go 80. Why go to anything lighter? Sway and lift are overkill with a 3/4 ton. Have towed many car trailers with double the weight without them. Sometimes, if I forget to hit the tow/haul button, I can tell I have a load, but have climbed any CA grade easily. If I wear it out, I might go to. 1/2ton, but until then, love the extra power. ------------- 2012 181G |
Posted By: retireclose
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2015 at 8:21am
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Welcome, keep the diesel. We have a 1/2 ton 2014 Silverado 1500. We have the friction bar and no sway bar. Made two trips this past summer to Smokies and Yellowstone. Overall 13.3 mpg and no sway to speak of. We also downsized from a 5th Wheel last year. Takes time to get use to the smaller living quarters with two adults and a golden. Safe travels. ------------- Gary and Jill Winters Bella Golden Retriever 2014 Silverado 1500 2015 R-Pod 179 -(SOLD) 
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Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2015 at 9:17am
Congratulations on the acquisition of the new 179!  Looking forward to hearing about what you think about your new setup. Be Safe and Have Fun! ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2015 at 9:57am
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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 |