Proud owner of a new 2017 176 in Denver Co
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=8316
Printed Date: 24 May 2025 at 3:38am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Proud owner of a new 2017 176 in Denver Co
Posted By: ozon8r
Subject: Proud owner of a new 2017 176 in Denver Co
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2016 at 10:03pm
|
We just took delivery of our 2017 Rpod 176 for a family of four with two teenagers and just completed a three day maiden voyage. Wow! Love this thing. The 14" added over previous year models widened the bunks to 42" and added a closet with three drawers below. Perfect for a family of seasoned tent campers wanting to graduate from the ground level to something better. Everything worked out the gate (fingers crossed). Although we had a little trouble with the black water tank level indicator while at the campsite, a few twists and turns through the Rocky Mountains must have jostled free whatever was interfering with the sensor. For anyone in the Rocky Mountain region, definitely look at Chamber Lake CG, sites 32, 33, or 34 (ours). Some of the best lakeside campground views in Colorado.
Loaded up, we weighed in at 3250 lbs (just gear and empty tanks) and the 2014 Jeep Wrangler made easy work pulling it to our campsite at 10,000'. While I definitely felt the Rpod, the engine and tranny temps stayed well within the normal range I see daily driving with no load on the hitch. We are looking forward to at least three or four more trips before the end of the season and the kids can't wait (but wished it had wifi). Cheers! Matt |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2016 at 7:22am
|
Congrats on your 176!! Welcome to the group!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2016 at 2:19am
|
Wait..your me! 2014 Jeep JKU...2017 176...two teenagers...
Except your not me as I couldn't get the time of day from the dealer off I70. Went there three times and ultimately drove to Iowa. Buying experience was pretty sad actually. We drove to Texas for our 1st getaway and the all night bird chirping was too much to sleep. How did your jeep handle Loveland pass? Derek |
Posted By: Patriot Dave
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2016 at 6:39am
Congratulations ------------- Dave & Joyce Never Forget, In God We Trust; This Our National Motto. Member; Patriot Guard Riders, Michigan Chapter Retired; So Every Day is Saturday.... Except Sunday |
Posted By: ozon8r
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2016 at 10:08am
We had the same issue with "that" dealer and were left with no option but to buy out of state. We bought our's in Tyler TX. My JK is heavily modified with 5.13 gears, 4.5" lift, custom bumpers and armor, 37" tires, chromalloy axles and weighs in at 6200 lbs fully loaded with crew and gear. And with the pod weighing in at 3250 lbs, I was worried about the engine and tranny watching the temps like a hawk. I hit 230 degrees in 3rd gear pushing 3500RPMs on a steep grade, switched to 4th and dropped down to 215 degrees pretty quickly. We went up Poudre Canyon on our first trip, but will attempt Eisenhower tunnel at the end of this month when we visit Turquois Lake outside of Leadville. This weekend, we are heading up to Indian Peaks area outside of Nederland and there are some steep grades on that drive, but plan to go empty and fill up fresh water tank once at altitude. Hitting Grand Lake in early September too and will need to conquer Berthoud Pass. We will have to synch up a trip and share mod stories, both Jeep and R-Pod related. Best, Matt |
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2016 at 1:45pm
|
We bought our 177 in Omaha. Much cheaper than any Colorado dealer. I'm closing in on two years, and no problems, so getting warranty work done on a trailer purchased elsewhere hasn't been an issue. Enjoy our beautiful state in your new Pod!
------------- 2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills." 
|
Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2016 at 1:58pm
|
I just stayed in Tyler on Sunday with my 176.. birds were so loud I couldn't sleep at all. That was an unexpected surprise. Were going to the Ozarks tomorrow and then back do Littleton. Next Thrusday we head to up by Yampa for four days. Derek
|
Posted By: ozon8r
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2016 at 2:12pm
Already identified warranty issues with DVD player and bubble on side of rpod. Not big issues but will need to fix probably in the offseason. Where do you go locally for warranty work? Thanks, Matt |
Posted By: ozon8r
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2016 at 2:17pm
Seeing your post, I called Omaha first but they couldn't deliver until late August. Very friendly and helpful though. Do you have any campground recommendations? I loved Chambers Lake, sites 32-34 have best views and privacy. We also enjoy Dowdy lake and Turquois as well. |
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2016 at 5:27pm
I didn't wait for delivery, but drove out to Omaha, stayed overnight in a motel that was practically across the street from the dealer (AC Nelsen, btw), did the walk-through and signed the papers the next morning, and was home that night. It probably cost me a couple hundred dollars for gas and motel, plus two days of my time, but we saved over $5,000. As far as campground recommendations in Colorado, we love Brainard Lake (Pawnee Campground), Telluride (Matterhorn campground), Yeoman Park (National Forest, primitive--no water, but just up the road from our house), Rifle Falls, Redstone, etc., etc., etc. ------------- 2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills."
|
Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2016 at 1:35am
|
Thats exactly what I did, but A.C Nielsen transferred my 176 to their Iowa store. Very nice people although I didn't get any keys to my trailer. Neither did someone else because I had theirs. I find it odd that the 176 isn't offered in Colorado (because its not made in Oregon) and I would be forced to go get one. There is no reason to go to Omaha ever, but if you do they have the best Zoo in the world. I am a member to be a supporter. Its fantastic. I like to go camping at Stillwater Reservior near Yampa. Been going there since I was a kid. Now I take my kids. Hanging lake is nice too. |
Posted By: COSPod
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2016 at 11:24am
|
The rpod dealer down in Springs has been great for us (Sun City), though they are a relatively small operation compared to the bigger dealers, in particular getting work during busy season often takes awhile, but overall no complaints. Usually the owner is who you deal with and he's straight up honest guy. As to camping in CO, we've found the CO State Parks rarely disappoint, but get reservations early, they aren't a secret at all. Forest Service campgrounds we've stayed at are generally nice, though we're finding in most cases the smaller the campground the better the experience. Some places we've gone: Collegiate Peaks - nice location, campground seems more geared towards tents. There's some larger sites for campers.. but of the ~50 I'd only want to back into about 10 of them. Bring extra leveling boards, and don't even bother trying to get water there.. hand pump, and for all that work you get nice brown water... Heaton Bay - best FS campground up in Summit, with best location Prospector - another FS campground on Lake Dillon (sorta.. it's on ridge ~100 feet up). Not as crowded, but location and facilities aren't as good as Heaton. It's also HUGE.. pushing 100 sites and was only 1 host during our stays, so it can get pretty nuts on busy weekend (July 4th up there was a zoo.. those that also applied to Heaton bay as well). One Mile - Near Almont/Crested Butte. One of the nicest FS campgrounds we've ever been in, even has electric. Hosts were very friendly as well. Of the campgrounds along Taylor river, this seemed the best. Curt Gowdy SP - Up near Cheyenne, if you're into Mtn Biking, great place to go. Bonus is easy drive with no passes to climb. Pueble SP - nice during off season when it's not 110 degrees. Also has good Mtn Biking (also bonus of easy drive) James Robb SP Fruita - This is like the Four Seasons of campgrounds. Nearly perfect flat loonnggg pull through sites that are paved, full hookups, bathouse with showers ($1), nice gravel picnic/tent pads, shade covers *with hammock hooks*, playground for kids, great location near about everything in Fruita. If it wasn't a 5+ hour drive would be there regularly every spring/fall Also FYI on Turquoise Lake camping, was up there 2yrs ago and they'd switched nearly all the water faucets in the campgrounds to the threadless kind, so it can be "challenging" to fill the water tanks. We lucked out and found one that was still just a regular faucet one with threads cut off, so my rubber water faucet adapter worked out. That one was an exception though, and plausible they've got them all converted now. While on the topic of CO campgrounds.. if anyone knows of a dump station around Glenwood Springs would love to know (or Carbondale more specifically). So far I've only found one, and it's baffling to me that the cost is $20!!
|
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2016 at 1:55pm
We've run into that same scenario. There just doesn't seem to be any dump station in that area. I called one campground in Glenwood that supposedly allows public dumping for a fee (perhaps that's the one you used), but they were so rude on the phone that I didn't bother. We happen to know the owners of the KOA in Carbondale so they have allowed us to dump there for free when not camping there, but I don't think that's an option for the general public. The CDOT rest stop in Edwards has a very nice dump station, which I've used several times. I believe the one in Rifle has one as well. But nothing in the Glenwood Springs/Carbondale area. Very frustrating. ------------- 2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills."
|
Posted By: ozon8r
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2016 at 5:20pm
|
Seems as though dump stations are becoming more difficult to find. Cabela's is my go-to here in North Denver metro area. Broomfield waste water also offers free access to residents or $25 annual pass to non-residents.
Other than that from past experience, I rely on Flying J/truckstop gas stations. |
Posted By: cdickgo
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2016 at 4:18pm
Hi Matt, We are looking at the New RP-176 as well, mainly for the wider bunks. Do you think it is possible to sleep 2 people per bunk? Maybe couples that like to snuggle? I spoke with a dealership about the bunk size difference in the 176, since I saw conflicting sizes on the FR website vs. actual inventory at different dealerships. She contacted the manufacturer and they extended the trailer size mid 2016 to the wider bunk. She also advised me that the 2017's would have a traditional awning vs the tent add on they have today. Did you have the option of a traditional awning for your 2017? |
Posted By: ozon8r
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2016 at 4:29pm
The bunk size for 2017 176 is about the same size as a full size bed, 42" vs 31" on older models. The top bunk is limited to 200 pounds. I don't think weight should be too much of an issue on bottom bunk. You also get a nice pantry where the tv was in prior years and a good sized wardrobe with two drawers below. Awning option was never mentioned. I was provided the R-Dome upon my request. They actually gave me two. (Score). |
Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 10:42am
|
it's called a truckers bed according to my wife who found sheets. we tried sleeping two this weekend. My daughter is 10 and really tall. Her friend is probably the shortest girl in the 4th grade and 35 pounds. They both fit, but a short railing keeping the sleeping bag on the bunk is something I'm going to build.
My son is 13 and he's friend is also smaller. There was no way they both would fit. |
Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 11:02am
|
One other weird and good thing. My rpod holds two batteries. The Forest River ones don't. It's like buying a new truck and the red one really is different from the blue one. What I have yet to determine is the clearance because of the new axle.
Derek |
Posted By: ozon8r
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2016 at 1:18pm
Not sure I follow on the battery tray comment. Although I only have one battery, the tray will easily accommodate two and it is made by forest river. I bought and installed the axles risers which add 3.75" of clearance to the frame which places the ball height at about 22". The install was very simple with jack stands and wireless impact gun. |