R-pod vs. small RV?
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Topic: R-pod vs. small RV?
Posted By: Neserk
Subject: R-pod vs. small RV?
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2016 at 1:31pm
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We haven't actually bought our tow vehicle or our R-pod. I know some of you are experienced with different sizes of vehicles from travel trailers to RV's to 5th wheels. Just wondering what your thoughts are on buying a small (for two people, with a shower and toilet) RV vs towing an R-pod. Since we are a few years out for buying, want to consider all of our options. Thanks, Denise |
Replies:
Posted By: MoPod
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2016 at 2:47pm
Denise, Having had all sorts of TTs and RVs here is my 2 cents. Think about how you are going to use it. Just one night stays or lengthy stays in a single location? Do you plan to cook over the fire or inside using the appliances. How much time do you plan to spend actually in the unit. Small is good most of the time, but several days in a small unit during rain or bad weather can be a bummer. RVs in most cases requires another vehicle or transportation source. As obvious as this should be, years ago we took our Class C to camp along a bike trail. Fortunately we had two bikes, unfortunately one had a very bad tire. Since we were already set up I had to ride 8-10 miles each way to a small town get hubby's tire repaired. If you forget anything or run out of anything you have to break camp to drive to the nearest town with a grocery, auto parts store, or whatever your need is. I didn't like to temporarily break camp and leave anything at the camp site for fear it would sprout legs while we we gone.
------------- Bill & Nancy 2015 RPod 179 Previously 2010 RPod 176 2014 Explorer Sport |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2016 at 4:36pm
| I had a Coachmen motorhome prior to the RPod. I agree with MoPod. I had to break camp to do anything unless I towed a transportation vehicle. I recently saw a motorhome in a central TN campground that had a power cable fail and he had to break camp to get into town. We often take a boat and RPod which requires we use two tow vehicles, but we would have to do same with motor coach if we wanted transportation other than motorhome. I like the fact I can put trailer on site and still go to Wally World versus pack up motorhome - go to town then - put coach back on site. I'm convinced the TT is better way to go, after owning both. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2016 at 11:17pm
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Consider if you want a dry bath vs. wet bath (wet bath has the toilet in the shower pan so it gets wet when you shower). Walk-around queen vs. crawl-over queen (you need an 8-foot-wide camper for a walk-around). Dedicated bed in a longer camper vs. a convertible dinette in a shorter camper. Slide-out vs. no slide out (it feels a lot more open with a slide-out). As mentioned above, if you'll do a lot of touring (the camper is a movable hotel room) or a lot of camping. Our pod was great when we were mostly camping, only going inside to sleep, grab a snack or use the restroom. When we started doing a lot of touring and there were overnights at rest stops and truck stops, there wasn't enough room for 4 of us especially w/o a slide-out (the slide-out models didn't exist until literally the week we bought our 171). I also got tired of drying out the shower and crawling over my wife at 2 am to get to the toilet. Some of these things aren't an issue with the newer pod models. ------------- 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: Sailor John
Date Posted: 31 Dec 2016 at 12:23am
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Remember, with a M/H and a towed car, you now have two motors, 4 more tires and running gear, plus insurance on 2 vehicles. also remember you can not back up with the car behind you. You will also get about 7 to 8 mpg. One last thought, I can park my TV and 179 in 2 parking lanes(front to back), much nicer when at the supermarket.
------------- John & Reina 2015 r-179, 2006 Jeep Liberty Retired Sub sailor West central ID |
Posted By: Neserk
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2017 at 2:19pm
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Thanks everyone for the input and your thoughts and experiences. I have a feeling we will stick with the R-Pod and a tow vehicle. Many for the advantages you've all pointed out. Although purchasing a TV and RP is similar in cost to buying an RV, we will actually be in need of a vehicle in the next year or so (and not yet be ready for the camping part). The bed isn't an issue simply because we'd be purchasing a very small RV that would either have the overhead bed (above the driver's and front passenger seat) or the Dinette turned into a bed (I prefer the dedicated bed, but climbing up there would be an issue for my husband). Same goes for the wet bath vs. shower and separate toilet. Although I'd like them to be separate, that just isn't going to happen with the size we are looking at. Plus, I suspect, like a lot of people we will more use a campground shower and save the Pod shower for when the campground one is not acceptable. Having access to a toilet that doesn't require a flashlight and walk is something I do like. Our plans (although we all know how those change) is to most go and camp at a spot and then spend several days visiting nature. I prefer camping to a hotel room because it keeps me out in nature. I mostly see us using it to go away for 4 days as a replacement for a tent. Although I do have a 20 day adventure planned, that will not be likely our primary way of using our "mobile hotel." We live in Southern California and can easily use it year round. I'm a teacher and get sizeable breaks (currently on a 3 week winter break) and being able to "grab" the R-Pod to make a getaway would have been great. |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2017 at 2:09pm
I prefer to think of it as the toilet, minus the bowl, getting cleaned when I shower. :) |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2017 at 4:47pm
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Hey, put a 2nd shower curtain, that goes over the toilet when you shower, bam!!! dry bath. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: Neserk
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2017 at 5:27pm
| There you go, I like the way you think. Although based on the size of it when I stepped inside (I'm not a big person, 5"1" and petite) I have a feeling I will be taking a sit-shower. I do get a bit claustrophobic which is why we moved from the 171 to the 178 after we actually went inside of them. |
Posted By: Nowakgolden
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2017 at 7:42pm
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We finally figured that out-instead of draping the shower curtain behind the toilet drape it over the front. The floor still gets wet but the toilet stAys dry. ------------- Sue |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2017 at 4:20pm
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I think the " sit shower " is the best, and if your more than 5'10" about the only way to go. I certainly don't mind. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2017 at 9:06pm
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We tried putting the curtain in front of the toilet but it never solved the problem of all the other wet stuff when the next person needs to use the toilet. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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