Hey Jackie!!
I have a 2015 179 for about a year and a half and have done some camping in it... it has also spent many days (150+) @ the local Camping World getting not getting repaired.
Have had some concerning probs with the Pod. The big one is it came from the factory minus a washer for one of the water lines to the sink ... I thought the dog was just spilling her water on the floor - no such luck there was a slow leak/drip that soaked the cabinets & shelves on the inside which additionally peeled the "finish" off of some of the exterior molding - the microwave blew out (thank goodness during the warranty and FR Fed-Exed a new one overnight so a camping trip with the Grandkids could be had), the "porch" light cover melted on the same camping trip. The gray water sensor has never worked and when you look underneath the pod there are all kinds of wires just hanging down - not fastened to the body... just hanging there! So much for workmanship. Recently just had a tire explode which ripped the fender/lights completely off the trailer (No one will tell you but the MAXIMUM tire speed is 65 mph - this I obviously found out the hard way.)
I am still waiting for CW to complete the work - lots of it was damage they created while "repairing" something else - they broke cabinet door trying to get in to repair the water damage (neither of which is fixed), broke frame around slide repairing the slide leak (slide fixed but not the break, trim on frame not ever put up right (not fixed), scratched decal on outside so deeply on the outside while in parking lot for 110 days it had to be replaced(that is fixed!!) , broke handle on black tank valve (not fixed.) The delay mostly lays with Camping World.
As to the tire issue, even though my Pod is now out of warranty, Jessica @ Forest River (who gets copied on all correspondence to Camping World...egad, she must be sick of me by now) contacted tire manufacturer & they have offered to replace the 1 tire & the rim if it is warped & FR has offered to replace the fender as a goodwill gesture... Of course that leaves me paying $125 per hour for Giant Rec World for labor!
When I have had the Pod in my possession - I have had fun with it! A trip to TN to see my son & a glorious stay at Defeated Creek Campground! The G-kids & I have been on some short trips to the Springs throughout the state. The couch bed is a real bother the cushions have a wierd configuration and just plain do not stay on the table top when you roll over they just slide onto the floor. and I haven't figured out quite what to do about that - I would pity 2 adults if they had to try to sleep on that bed-I think it would be impossible to actually do any sleeping!
Now, all that being said, I brought up all the above because those are some of my reasons for looking for something a little more long term friendly for me & the dog. Frankly, the refrigerator is just too darn small, I hate making the bed which is a real challenge, and I want a "dry" bath not the wet bath, I want a guest bed that can actually sleep 2 if necessary and finally, I definitely want an attached awning! The R-Dome is just too much for 1 person to put up... if I wanted I tent I would be camping in one - and it just never looks right because of the axle risers it sort of hangs from the keder rail.
I have looked at the Winnebago Micro Minnie 2106FBS with walk around queen bed & jackknife sofa- looked underneath - everything is enclosed which makes it better for chillier climates and it protects the undercarriage wiring. Also has a fridge with separate freezer, a dry bath, and I really like the light interior colors... which you can get with almost no brown!! It can carry a ton more gear (if your tow vehicle has the capacity.) It has a power awning with lights. Not to mention it comes in RED!
I recently have been also looking at a http://gulfstreamrvtrailers.com/emerald_bay_sport/specs.php - Gulf Stream Vintage Cruiser - I am over 50 so I love that retro thing - am particularly looking at the ERD model with a sort of clever layout for the bath with the shower separate. It too has the fridge, walk around bed, power awning, and enclosed undercarriage requirements + it has a real roll & tuck diner eating nook, with cute curtains and other clever attributes. The Vintage does not have a slide like the Micro Minnie - but I can see the advantages of not having to maintain a slide!
So there are some of my thoughts on the R-Pod 179 - Hope they help
------------- AmberKate & RIP Little Tootsie -
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