new to the forum NEED HELP
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=9684
Printed Date: 25 May 2025 at 10:17pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: new to the forum NEED HELP
Posted By: bigjewpapa
Subject: new to the forum NEED HELP
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2017 at 6:43pm
|
so i have been looking at these 2 brands the forest river Rpod 2015 179 ($14,995) http://rv.campingworld.com/rv/1403078 this is in great shape, and used ones are very hard to find. I have only seen 2 in the 1 year or more i have been looking. Biggest negative is the bathroom inside the shower. the starcraft satellite 17rb 2017 ($15,500) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gkkNGAMYis I like the star craft because of the full bathroom, big storage areas, WIFI upgrade, and not to mention the 2 year warranty. Also it is brand new these are the 2 TT i am looking at very hard. I just dont want to make a bad choice, and regret my purchase. I really would love some feedback on either of these 2 trailers. I want to purchase this week if possible. To me, both seem to be the same exact trailer, except the starcraft is brand new and has a full shower. why is it so cheap new? not built as well? fall apart quicker than the rpod? i would be buying a extended warranty with both anyway. i am pulling with a 2007 titan Nissan so that is no problem either way. is there something i am missing? input would be awesome thank you!
|
Replies:
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2017 at 8:34pm
|
Although I am not real familiar with the Starcraft Satellite I do know it is yet another R-Pod duplicate, wannabe, copy who has now followed others like the MPV, the Winnebago winnedrop, and the Jayco hummingbird, to name a few. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? Not too sure in this case, yet Forest River has done something right to have so many in recent years make a near duplicate of their 179/180 not only in outward design/appearance but also to nearly duplicate floor plan and amenities. I know there is no such thing as a perfect trailer yet IMHO i think my 2011 177 comes close  .On this forum you will get seasoned owners who will talk about the positives as well as the shortcomings of their particular model of R-Pod. The support from fellow owners is fantastic here as well as the R-Pod facebook page. Does Starcraft offer a forum like this? Do they have their own Facebook group? I did note that to join the Starcraft group you have to pay 15 bucks up front; to me that is rather cheesy! FREE here on this forum. To me support is a big deal, whether from the dealer or from other owners, but that is only my opinion. As a golf course superintendent dealer support as well as support from other like minded superintendents will always steer me to make specific choices as related to the equipment I purchase. You know what you will be in for after parking yourself here in this forum and reading the mountain of feedback both + and -. Do the same with the competitor and see how they stack up, then make your decision. Pray for wisdom and patience before pulling the trigger, I lack both so I need to do this daily anyway. When you reach your decision please come back and let us know what you decided upon and why, so we can all learn. Thank you. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: MikeE
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2017 at 8:50pm
|
------------- 2014 RP-179 Happy Campers |
Posted By: MikeE
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2017 at 9:01pm
|
I looked at and researched the Starcraft, hummingbird and R-pod. Started out looking at A-Liners. Saw our first R-pod and said this is where we need to be. Not ready to pull the trigger we looked at the competition. Lots of blinking lights, but hey we just want to go camping again. Ended up purchasing a very slightly used 2014 179. The layout on the 179 fit our camping style. To be honest the support and information on this forum was a big deciding factor. You need to do what is right for you but the Rpod was spot on for my wife and me. We have owned 6 different campers from tent trailers to PU to 27' TT. The 179 is my favorite to date. Good Luck and do what's right for you! Sorry for the blank post. ------------- 2014 RP-179 Happy Campers |
Posted By: densmorema
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2017 at 8:14am
|
Prices very at rpod dealers,We bought our 2015 179 brand new for 15,900 plus taxes so be sure to look around.I don't know where you live but we live in Michigan and are thinking of selling ours for 12,500 and still has 4 years of transferable extended warranty on it. It's in great shape and has been stored inside in winters.Never had any leaks and the only mods done were to upgrade the mattress and install a battery cut out switch. ------------- Mike and Cherie Michigan 2015 R179 2016 silverado |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2017 at 8:29am
|
I suggest going to the dealership going in each of the, try out the bed and benchs and get a feel for them and then decide from there. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: ArenaBlanca
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2017 at 9:39am
| Have you looked at Blue Book values for a 2015 R-179? This might let you know whether the price of the used model is too high. |
Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2017 at 12:37pm
|
Whatever you decide get a better deal. For the quoted price you can buy a new RPOD 180 which has some newer features such as the window in the door. So if you like the rear bath model, find a dealership that will sell it to you for $15,500. Should not be a problem. Do not be pressured to buy the used 179 if you do not like it (the 179 is actually the bigger seller since most people want the larger kitchen and more storage space). But we are like you we went with the rear bath 180 model ------------- OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel |
Posted By: bigjewpapa
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2017 at 4:20pm
|
i was able to find that the rpod 180 2017 model sells in az for $18,464.00. think i could talk them down about $1,000 basically thats $2000 more for a rpod 2017 compared to the starcraft
|
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2017 at 4:41pm
| What's the weight on the StarCraft? The knock-offs usually end up weighing considerably more than the original. |
Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2017 at 12:31pm
|
There have been many posts on this site about wholesale dealers selling RPODs for around $14.5. Add $1500 and you should have no problem finding a dealer within a couple of days drive. You can make a vacation out of it. It may be well worth the savings. Also knowing there are dealers selling it at $14.5 you may find a dealer willing to match it (or come close). Our local dealer would not budge on $17.9 and then added $2000 additional costs. We found a dealer 90 miles away who would go $500 over wholesale at $15 (with all the options minus the bike rack).
------------- OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel |
Posted By: bigjewpapa
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2017 at 1:12pm
how do find out where the wholesaler rv dealers are?
|
Posted By: Don&Amy
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2017 at 2:40pm
|
I recently purchased (ordered) a 2018 R-Pod 178. My out-the-door price was $14,750. I researched for nearly a year before deciding on what/where to buy. My local (Virginia) dealers were not willing to do much negotiating so I went online in search of a better deal. What I found was R-pods in Ohio, Indiana, and eastern Iowa were by far the most reasonably priced. Once I decided I was ready to pull the trigger, I began contacting several dealers, first by their "Internet Quote" buttons and then via telephone. I was able to get my best deal by letting them know what I was being offered and I had two dealers come way down in price. The dealer I ultimately purchased from is in Indiana. He wanted my business and was able to arrive at a price we were both comfortable with. Insofar as providing any advice on the two models...well I am not in a position to do that as I am still awaiting delivery of mine. However, I would definitely give much thought to those on this forum that are experienced Podders. They are a wealth of knowledge! Good luck with your search and I hope you are able to find what you are looking for!!
|
Posted By: backin15
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2017 at 6:13pm
|
StarCraft must be owned by Jayco, it looks exactly like the Hummingbird. We looked at the Jayco before purchasing our Pod, it was an exact replica. It was also a few hundred pounds heavier and a bit more expensive. We went with the original. Our R-Pod dealer told us Forest River has successfully sued Jayco and other brands to stop production of the copies. Not sure if this is true or salesman hype though.
|