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RDome or Awning?

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Topic: RDome or Awning?
Posted By: Pamme_Jo
Subject: RDome or Awning?
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 7:45am
My husband and I are in the market for a 179 but have yet to decide which option we would like, dome or awning?.  

Please share opinion on the pros and cons of each.  Any input is greatly appreciated.



Replies:
Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 9:24am
R - Dome -- harder to set up, GREAT at keeping the bugs out of the trailer

Awning - obviously less work for some shade.   I am from Colorado and your bugs would drive me nuts and you wouldn't catch me without the R-Dome.    We stayed at a campground in Kansas last year, Kannopolis, and they were so bad, the Fantastic Fan sucked them on to the vent screen in such volume I had to wipe them away.  So gross.

Derek 


Posted By: Pamme_Jo
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 11:02am
Originally posted by computerfixitguy

R - Dome -- harder to set up, GREAT at keeping the bugs out of the trailer

Awning - obviously less work for some shade.   I am from Colorado and your bugs would drive me nuts and you wouldn't catch me without the R-Dome.    We stayed at a campground in Kansas last year, Kannopolis, and they were so bad, the Fantastic Fan sucked them on to the vent screen in such volume I had to wipe them away.  So gross.

Derek 

Thanks for your input and that is the exact reason that I am leaning towards the R-dome.  The bugs in the south are the WORST!!  My only concern is how strong is it?  I mean weather wise, Is it best to take it in every time the wind blows or when it rains?  



Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 11:12am
I don't take mine in.   There is a strap, upon your first discovery you will wonder where it goes, but it secures one end of the dome to the other across the ground.  It keeps the tent pole the U shape.  Took me so long to figure that out.  There are only a couple tie downs otherwise because the burden of securing it is largely on the trailer.  

That being said.   I would roll up the doors if the wind was real bad to make sure there just less wind shear.  If it doesn't move, the wind wont be a big deal.  It depends on how well you secure the bottom.  Because there aren't alot of tie downs, which is nice, the bottom skirt, across the ground, just flaps about unless you put something on it.  My go to items are drinks and the bars from my trailer hitch.   

Eitherway, after Kannopolis, ...  never again will I not use it.  I look at the new RPods with the awning and as time saving as that is..  there is just no way.  Maybe in the winter.   But even then it keeps the snow out of my trailer.



Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 11:15am


Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 11:29am
my attempts to post a picture have been met with too many challenges.   I know there is a way to make this easy, but my way is not that way.


Posted By: ragadas
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 12:25pm
We use our dome nearly every time we go out, and have been in some pretty serious wind / rain storms with no ill effects. There are guy-out lines on the front "corners" and elastic tie down loops all along the bottom edges. We usually only use one stake at each corner and one in the center of each wall.
The only time it's been wet on the inside is when the water flowed under the trailer.

-------------
Dave & Chris
RP 179
2011 Tacoma Access Cab
V6 6 speed manual.


Posted By: Rodncerita
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 10:14pm
Took our 2017 179 out for first time last week and my wife and I put up the R dome with no problems. Pretty quick and easy (with 2 people) to set up. We were surprised at how big it was and just bought an outdoor carpet for it. Personally, I just wasn't impressed with the Thule box awning that was the other option. Too short due to the curvature of the trailer and looked rather flimsy. It's a personal preference kind of choice but we're happy with the R dome.

-------------
Rodncerita
2017 R-Pod 179
2016 Ford Explorer


Posted By: Pamme_Jo
Date Posted: 03 May 2017 at 5:40pm
Thanks everyone for your thoughts.  I'm thinking we will be getting the dome.



Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 04 May 2017 at 10:47pm
ha.. i figured it out..  Rdome in the snow... way less mud !



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