Solo (+ dog) Soon-To-Be 179 Owner
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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=7211
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Topic: Solo (+ dog) Soon-To-Be 179 Owner
Posted By: fleurdenola
Subject: Solo (+ dog) Soon-To-Be 179 Owner
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2015 at 11:02pm
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Hi everyone! This is my maiden post and I hope to soon be on my maiden voyage. I am hoping you guys can provide some insight and assistance. I apologize in advance for the long post. I am long winded and over analyze everything :)
I am a 30yo single woman with a crazy, adventurous and independent streak. There's a huge world out there, and I love exploring it. I'm fortunate to work in an industry and for a company where working remotely is not unheard of--I'm an IT consultant and work largely from home right now, traveling to clients and conferences as needed. I'm ready, and have been for quite some time, to parlay this freedom into close long weekend, semi-close longer weekend, and not-so-close extended trips, and I want to embark on these adventures in a space of my own where my beloved pup (60 lb. Catahoula Leopard Dog) is welcome too. For around 5 years I've been seeking the "perfect" vintage Airstream for my adventures. I love the charm, I love the ability to make it my own. I hated the unknowns. Have the axels been replaced? Is there floor rot? If it's a 67-69 and one of the curved windows is broken, how will I replace them? Etc. And so here I am, 5 years later, trailerless and adventure craving. A month or so ago I decided the vintage Airstreams will always be there, and what I want and need is to get into this now. This past weekend, while tagging along with a friend shopping for a MUCH bigger trailer, I stumbled across a used r-pod. And it was love at first site (mostly). So unique. So streamlined. So manageable for the solo camper. Since them, I've read every Google r-pod result that ever existed (IT consultant who works from home, remember). I've investigated alternatives (discontinued mpgs, cheaper but boxier alternatives, white water retro, etc). I've gone to see new and used r-pods and alternatives in person. I looked at a 171, a 178, a 179, a 180, a 182g, and a 183g. I believe the 179 is my trailer. I'm hoping based on what I've told you so far, you guys can provide some insight. * I LOVE the layout of the 179. It's still a small trailer, but offers a lot of counter space, a larger dinette (queen/full bed), and a queen bed * I love the interior storage in the 179. Wow. There's so Much! * I love the undermount sink and sink insert that makes it seamless with the rest of the countertop. Such a little thing that makes such a huge difference. Why don't they do this on the g models? * I love that the table isn't built in (I believe this is the case for all r-pods), so I can use the table as extra kitchen prep space, outside, or fold it away all together and just enjoy my "sofa" * I'm sad to lose the outdoor garage/kitchen offered by the g models. But would I really use it? * The 182g has way less indoor storage but way more outdoor storage (accessible from inside) while the 179 had way more indoor storage and less outdoor storage. What are your opinions on this? * I don't like the r-pod awning options and have seen posts on alternatives. As a solo traveler, is an alternative the way to go for me? I appreciate any insight you guys can offer. I hope to make a purchase before the end of the year. Right now I'm leaning towards a new, 2016 179, but your opinions and/or a great condition used one may sway me. Kathryn |
Replies:
Posted By: Grandpa Hiker
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 6:22am
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fleurdenola, Welcome to the forum!! I am from the IT world also. I retired on March 27 & drove to Couch's on March 30 to pick up our 2015 179. We had been looking at Pods since the previous October & decided the 179 was a perfect fit for DW & me. * I describe the Pods as compact rather than small!! Pods are the laptops of the RV world. Everything you need is there; just compacted into a more portable size. I also like that I did not have to upgrade my TV in order to tow where we wanted to go. * Yes the interior storage is great, but there are several ways to increase the outside storage. * The undermount sink is new for the 2016. I wish my 2015 had that. It is a great feature. * The folding table was one of the first mods for us. The table that came in our 179 was heavy & did not fold down all the way. We replaced it with a lightweight folding table from Wally World. * Couch's included the R-Dome with our purchase. Initially I was not happy with the R-Dome but after a couple of easy mods I am now totally happy with it. I can completely get it put up by myself in less than 10 minutes & it does provide much more room. Again, welcome to the forum. I don't post a lot, but I lurk every day! ------------- Rob & Becky 2014 Ford Explorer 3.5 SOHC V6 2015 R-179 Pod aka Piddle Pod "Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain!!" |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2015 at 8:54am
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Welcome to the group! We have a 179 and really like the floor plan and the amount of storage!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2015 at 6:50am
Welcome. I'm also in IT and I'm working from home right now. 
While the pods appear to be streamlined, we've all found that they don't get better mpgs than other TTs (travel trailers). They still push the same wall of air once you get above 50 mph. Wind resistance and not weight determine most of your mpg. The popup we had was heavier than our pod but we got better mpg pulling it. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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