I would LOVE to see a model that would offer the permanent bed,smaller dinette and storage of the 179...and throw the garage on the back.  All they would need to do is flip the smaller sofa/dinette to the rear, go to the standard kitchen size but add the storage closet in the large slide and you would have a couple feet leftover to add a garage without making the pod any larger.  This would yield an r-pod that would comfortably sleep 3, have seating AND a permanent bed, a storage closet and a garage.  Have cake and eat it.

Build it and I will...oh, who am I kidding...I will get one anyway once I finally flip a coin and pick one. It doesn't stop me from wishing though.

At the end of the day it may come down to how usable the bunks are when I go by myself and how easy the bed conversion is in the dinette.  The wardrobe is cancelled out by the storage under seats and bunks but the pantry is tougher to replicate in the garage models.

Unfortunately no one carries the 181g so I probably have to rule that one out.  I am not going to order one without seeing it.  I have been struggling with this decision for nearly a year, lol.

The 181g is fabulous!

That breakfast nook is particularly appealing to me as a place to work on my laptop (i am a web developer)....but most reports seem to indicate the nook is not used and the stools are firewood.  Also don't love the whole black tank drain but that is a minor concern.  Did i mention tradeoffs?

That 179 sure seems all the rage these days.  I am sure it is the runaway best seller.  I am more of an outside guy though and the lack of hatch storage, door opening 90 degrees, no option for me to run a tv feed when I get up 4 hours before my wife which is the norm.  Did I mention I am a year into this decision!

You guys (especially KyMooses) deserve a pat on the back.  In years of lurking and dual identities...it is the community that has me sticking with the r-pod.  Thanks all. 

I have a few people coming to look at my toy hauler so I am waiting for a week or so to see if I can sell it outright versus trading it in.  

Either way, I am going with the 182g.  It was hard to ignore the luxury and storage that the 179 offers, that is for sure, but I chose it for the following reasons:

- outside storage is very important to me and the 182 has more.

- i spend most of my camping time outside so I like the convenience of the garage.

- the door opening flat against the camper is surprisingly important to me.  I realize this is a non-issue for most but I almost always use a screen and do not want to lose that room in the r-dome with the door open.

-  I found the bottom bunk makes a very acceptable seating area.

-  The storage under the bottom bunk is amazing and I hope to someday modify the bunk area to include a pantry or wardrobe.

-  I like that I can sit across from my wife at the dinette to chat...versus sitting next to each other in the 179.

-  I was able to make up the queen dinette into a bed very quickly so decided a permanent bed, while nice, is not a deal breaker.

-  I really preferred the tv/entertainment location.

-  While nowhere near the counter space of the 179...the counter is quite deep.  It can work when you consider most of our things will be in the garage.

I definitely understand why the 179 and 178 are the most popular.  There is a wonderful feeling sitting in them and they definitely "show" better.  At the end of the day, the 182 just keeps calling me every time I go try and talk myself out of it.

I sure wish I could have compared it to the 181, I still think that might have won the day.  I just really don't want to drive 8 hours round trip just to view one.

Thanks for asking!

The 181g even though you can't see one yourself really is a great one, what you would have seen if you could get the chance to hang in one is that the floorplan is just completely open, no weird corners or closed in hallways, just one big open room.

I will say the breakfast nook half moon bar thing is nothing much more than a catch all for whatever is in our hands in a day to day camping routine.  But if someone wanted to use it as a work station like you suggest that would work well I think.  Just a matter of how comfy you'd be on the stools, but I'm sure there are other options.

But anyways 182g, another great model.  I think for the reasons you listed about why you like it are the ones that you'll say later is why you love that model.

We'll be anxious to see how it turns out, and to welcome you and your wife into the exciting Podding world!  We'll be thrilled to have you out there with us!!

I am really, really getting excited and can not wait to be part of the great community.  Often times I go alone for 2 or 3 days and my wife joins me for the final night (when we go to nearby campgrounds).  The pod is going to be SO MUCH better for quick trips than hooking up the big toy hauler.

Now I just need to figure out if I need WDH.  I drive an F-150 eco-boost but still not sure if the tongue weight might be a tad high to go without WDH.

Ya know I had a WDH/Sway combo for my old tow vehicle.  I know myself have an F-150 eco-boost myself and am still using  my setup.  I've towed with and without it, and it's not bad without it but the Pod does feel different when using it.  She tracks behind me perfectly when changing lanes, she doesn't waggle at all, she is literally at one with the truck.  Just feels like one big unit.  Towing without it, well I feel her back there, fells like I'm towing a camper, she wiggles a bit, shakes her tail, and doesn't track the same when turning or changing lanes etc.  I like the way it feels.

What's your general area where you'll be camping, maybe we'll bump into you at a rally someday!!

 link. http://www.i94rv.com/inventory/368874/New-2014-Forest-River-RV-R-Pod-RP-181G.aspx  

There are a few videos of my 181g there.  When I shoot Pod videos I usually use mine as the star.

Back to watching more videos...these are really giving me a better feel for the 181.  

Yup, I'm R-Pod Spotter

Thanks again and good luck! 

Obviously if you need the bunks ignore my suggestion...and I assume you do.