Prospective new owner in FL
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Topic: Prospective new owner in FL
Posted By: JohnBG
Subject: Prospective new owner in FL
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 1:35pm
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Hey everyone... My wife and I have been looking at small travel trailers, we have never camped before and now that we are pretty much empty nesters, we want to get out and see some places. I ran across the R-Pods at a dealer in Sebring and really like them, although they are a tad pricey, but I am looking at some used ones locally on Craig's List and other sources.. The one I saw was the RP-178. We don't want anything huge that would be a pain to pull or maintain, looking for something simple. Just hook up and go for a weekend or maybe a week at the most. We have a Honda Ridgeline to use as a tow vehicle (it will tow up to 5000 lb.) which is why we want to stay small, but I will need to add the 7-pin harness and a brake controller. A couple of quick questions from a total noob: Does the pop-out kitchen make a huge difference in living area? I did not get to see a RP171 to compare. Anyone else use a Ridgeline to tow? I was looking at the towing thread and it looks like some folks are using vehicles smaller than that. Does the R-Pod have a connector for a gas grille? What do I need to look out for with used R-Pods? How easy is it to set up the R-Dome?
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Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 1:47pm
My replies in red.. Welcome and good luck in your search. ------------- |
Posted By: JohnBG
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 2:03pm
Thanks... By pricey, I meant in comparison to some of the non-teardrop campers we had been looking at. Maybe it's just the market here in FL right now but a new 21' Winnebago with a full bath, awning and couch slide-out can be had for about $15K. The RP-178 I was looking at was ~$17.5K
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 2:12pm
Posted By: JohnBG
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 2:40pm
Yeah, bit KY is a little far...  The dealer in Sebring quoted me $15,995 for an RP-178, then I find the exact one I looked at on RV Trader for $14,300... Link: http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2015-Forest-River-R-POD-RPT178-112754117 - http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2015-Forest-River-R-POD-RPT178-112754117 Looking at a used 2011 RP-177 for $9K/ob and a 2012 RP-171 for $8K/obo I found locally. I'm trying to avoid having to haggle with dealers and avoid payments.
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 3:04pm
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The advantage of new is you know what it's been through, and you get a warranty.. One thing to remember about RV loans is any interest is usually deductible.. Talk to your tax advisor tadayadayada. ------------- |
Posted By: danmarkian
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2015 at 12:05pm
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We looked at a 178 and 179, and went with the 179 because of the layout and storage. We drove to Hamilton Ohio to Jeff Couchs RV Nation, brand new with rdome was just over $14,000. |
Posted By: JohnBG
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2015 at 1:06pm
Trying to avoid payments if possible and that huge depreciation hit that happens once you drive any new vehicle off the lot...  I usually buy my vehicles low miles certified used with warranty and let someone else take the depreciation loss. What's the standard warranty on an R-Pod and does it convey to a second owner? One of the things I like about these units is the one piece fiberglass roof instead of a rubber condom roof on a standard travel trailer. Seems like it would last longer and be less prone to leaking, right?
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2015 at 4:06pm
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R-Pods hold their value well.. for instance you are looking at a 2011 for $9K.. We paid $12.6K new for our 2011. So, about 8% annually in this instance. The pod standard warranty is one year, most of the appliances have 2, though in the second year the leg work is all on you.. neither here now there on a 2011. So far, we haven't seen Pods to be leak prone anywhere other than at penetrations, but inspect and keep up with the seals, and all should be good. And this is of course true of any surface with a hole in it.. LOL ------------- |