R-pods sold after a couple uses?
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Topic: R-pods sold after a couple uses?
Posted By: wolfeyez77
Subject: R-pods sold after a couple uses?
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 11:16am
| I was curious if anyone here might know why, but I was speaking with an RV salesman, and he said that often he'll get in various R-pods from people who have only used them once of twice. They won't tell him of any problems, probably for fear of him not buying. Does anyone on here know of any common issues severe enough to cause this? |
Replies:
Posted By: MoPod
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 11:42am
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IMO I think many folks buy not thinking the process through - however this is just not an RPod issue. When the pipe dream of RV ownership, hitting the open road, driving to where ever, staying when and how long you like, hits the reality of overcrowded, overpriced, poorly maintained campgrounds at the side of an interstate the vision changes. One can't just hit the road without some (or in my case a lot) of pre-planning. Meals have to be planned in advance down to the condiments and spices needed - in our take-out world some are not accustomed to this. Additionally, I feel many folks are not ready to perform the minor, but regular maintenance on an RV. Specific to the RPods: RPod are cute and certainly have a devoted following which may draw many to our ranks. But honestly, I do not see them as a product for families with older kids. I think folks buy them thinking they are going to tow with the mini-van or small pick-up and to late discover it's not practical. And of course there is the myth about the gas mileage...they are so little and so aerodynamic looking they can't hurt my gas mileage that much. Just my 2 cents worth. ------------- Bill & Nancy 2015 RPod 179 Previously 2010 RPod 176 2014 Explorer Sport |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 1:14pm
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,,,same thing happens with motorcycles and boats. Owning an RV it a lot of work and there is no money to be saved. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 2:42pm
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Or as I have heard, "You can go broke saving money."
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 3:04pm
Agree with Mopod...........................not motorcycles 
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 3:07pm
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There are many instances of folks just not choosing the right camper in the first place. They take it out and don't like something. It's too small, they don't like the wet bath, they don't like the bunks, they don't like to setup the bed or table, etc. There was one instance of a couple trading their one trip old RPOD for a 30' trailer. Go figure.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 4:35pm
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It would be nice if campers were like automobiles if you buy a fairly new camper used you get the balance of the factory warranty. I don't know why it is this way with the Rv manufactures that I know maybe there are some that do that I don't know of. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 6:48pm
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I have noticed the same phenomenon and had wondered what was up. We bought our 2014 177 last spring. We couldn't even tell it was used when we saw it on the lot and even though the dealer said he rarely has used rPods, we saw the exact same year and model units on his lot twice more within two months. I have since run into other 2014 177 owners in the Pacific Northwest that got theirs with a similar story. Used once or twice and then traded in (the reason seems to vary.) I found it quite odd, but, since we got a good deal and have had only one issue (the common reversed black flush valve) we are quite happy. Just curious. ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 29 May 2016 at 7:36am
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A quick reversal, aka, 'buyers' remorse', often results from an impulse buy without having done due diligence. I will hazard an opinion that the happiest r-pod buyers are those upgrading from tent camping. The creature comforts of even the most humble travel trailer are heavenly by comparison- especially when the old bones begin their protest. Again just a guess, but the folks who ditched their r-pod in favor of the 30 footer may have been down-sizing from a motel room! The adjustments in terms of space and storage alone would prove disappointing. And then some lucky folks, us included, simply stumble into RVing with little experience and end up loving our totally uninformed decision. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 29 May 2016 at 8:56am
It also may be the salesman was attempting to get you into a trailer that would get him more commission. At least around here there are very few used Pods for sale. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 May 2016 at 6:59pm
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+1 for MoPod ------------- 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: Retroactive
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 7:13pm
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Some people buy a TT, and end up only using it once a year, then realize the costs and maintenance etc. Some things are extremely predictable, like a flood of Jetskis and Seadoos going up for sale at the end of the year - because here in New England you have only about 3 good months to use it. Hell after my pod popped off the hitch, I am still fighting the urge to put it on Craigslist...homey don't need this kinda stress! ------------- |
Posted By: Mfinger
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 9:58pm
| I can't imagine this happening either. I grew up camping but my wife did not. All of a sudden she drank the kool-aid and wanted to jump in. That was after researching for more than a year. We have now had our R-Pod for a little more than a month and we love it. Been out three times already and have no plans to thoughts of wanting to get out of it. She (we) are hooked and having a great time. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 10:35pm
I have many fond memories of camping with my family as a child. We tent camped when our children were young. The last time we tent camped was while we were stationed in Hawaii. It was then that we both realized that we were getting too old to be getting up and down from ground level. I had wanted for a long time to get some sort of RV. We stayed with my parents in theirs when our older daughter and son-in-law graduated from college. However, I did not really want a motor home. I kind of wanted a 5th wheel, but the cost of a suitable vehicle on top of the cost of a 5th wheel stopped that. I had wanted to get a Casita, and thought I had a purchase arranged. That turned out to be a scam (Craigslist) in which I lost a significant sum of money.
 When I saw the R-Pods, it restored my hope that we could get one in a timely manner as we had planned a trip out to see our daughters and grandchildren (It has been a long time since we camped with them). While I originally wanted the fiberglass shell of a Casita, my wife and I are really enjoying the space of the R-Pod 179. We saw the kitchen space and debated about a half-second between it and the 180's bigger bath. We both figured the increased working and storage space of the 179 far outweighed the disadvantage of the smaller wet bath. Since purchasing it, I have done a number of mods, as detailed in my mods, the link of which is in my signature. We have done much to making it ouR escaPOD. My best wishes to you and your wife for many happy memories. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 11:10am
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Our 179 was a little bit of an impulse buy, although I've been researching lightweight travel trailers for years. Yes, the wet bath is a bit small, but I don't plan to spend more than a few minutes a day in it. A larger living area was more important. The R-Pod's interior height was a big selling point too.
People who think they'll save money by buying a travel trailer instead of staying in motels are deluding themselves. I wanted a travel trailer to stay places where a motel would be inconvenient. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 11:28am
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Plus there is a lot to be said in taking your own bed and bedding with you as opposed to staying where you might be bringing home uninvited guests (bedbugs). That happened to our daughter.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: COSPod
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 12:16pm
I'll second that!! (except the old bones part  )We tent camped in our younger years, now that the kiddos were reasonably old enough to camp, we wanted to get back out there. The warmth/comfort of a (mostly) real bed off the ground, hard sides, and having a shower/bathroom were too hard to pass up though. Compared to a tent it's definitely luxury, particularly when that afternoon mountain T-storm comes through and/or it gets down to the 30s at night. |
Posted By: Don Halas
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 12:29pm
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Lots of good insight. I think the observation of those of us who have been tent campers vrs. those who are trying to have all the comforts of home on the road.
I'll admit I thought there would be some cost savings, but unless you're using the POD frequently and taking advantage of free or low cost camp sites it's not likely. We also bought assuming our car, a Mazda CX-9 was capable of hauling it around. While it may be, I think it probably would have caused a lot of car maintenance issues. Fortunately we were able to buy another vehicle, an F-150. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 9:16am
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We had purchased our Ford Escape SE with factory towing package with the thought that we would be getting a Casita. when that turned out to be a scam, I started looking for something that was within the 3500 lb tow limit of the Escape. We looked at some others, but then I came across information about the R-Pods. We figured that we could just make it with the 179. So far, it has worked out well. We paid for the R-Pod outright. We need to pay off the Escape, as I really can't afford to trade it just yet. It may not be the ideal TV for the R-Pod, but it has proven to be adequate. The combination is very maneuverable, given that the R-Pod is longer than the Escape. With the Escape's already tight turning radius, I have been able to get in some rather tight places. Think of the average tractor-trailer combination. The tractor is very short compared to the trailer. The 2L Ecoboost engine has also proven to be quite adequate, even while climbing longer, steeper upgrades. While my ideal TV would have had a Diesel engine, I'm satisfied with my Escape for now. The R-Pod 179 had the best combination of features for us. It had the toilet which was my wife's "not without which" feature. It has the large kitchen, and it has the queen bed. The only thing I wish Forest River could have figured out was to have put a walk-around bed instead of the sideways bed. I would have settled for a smaller slide-out in order to get a walk-around bed, even if it were a double bed instead of a queen. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |