R-pod Owners Forum : Our Rpod journey comes to and end https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Miscellaneous / Off-topic : Our Rpod journey comes to and end Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 12 Jul 2026 18:27:03 +0000 Mon, 28 Nov 2022 18:53:59 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=15531 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Our Rpod journey comes to and end : OTOH, the slide-out has been one... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15531&PID=150175#150175 Author: StephenH
Subject: 15531
Posted: 28 Nov 2022 at 6:53pm

OTOH, the slide-out has been one of the most reliable parts on our 179. I am 69 now, but I have had two strokes. That is the part that concerns me. Hitching isn't an issue as long as I have a power jack and other tools to make it easier. The Hitch Grip has really helped with handling the Equal-i-zer hitch head.

I like the Escape models from what I have seen on the web site. I did see a Bigfoot in person. It was quite nice also and is also a four-season model. The dealer that had them has shut down though. I hope you find the Escape to meet your expectations and provide you with many years of great travel.
]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2022 18:53:59 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15531&PID=150175#150175 Our Rpod journey comes to and end : @StephenH. All valid points to... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15531&PID=150172#150172 Author: gpokluda
Subject: 15531
Posted: 28 Nov 2022 at 12:49pm

@StephenH. All valid points to be sure. Our age is what drove us to take the plunge on a new rig. We aren't getting any younger.  We believe we should get at least 10 years out of this rig, which at the end of that time we will be pushing 80 and ready for a class C or whatever is out there that does not require hitching. 

@lostagain. Slide-outs aren't all they are cracked up to be IMHO. Ours failed on our second trip and it took almost 2 months to have it fixed under warranty. To this day we breath a sigh of relief when the slide works.
]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2022 12:49:32 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15531&PID=150172#150172 Our Rpod journey comes to and end : Gpokluda, best wishes in your... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15531&PID=150169#150169 Author: lostagain
Subject: 15531
Posted: 28 Nov 2022 at 6:29am

Gpokluda, best wishes in your new trailer adventure.  We sold ourPod 3 years ago and have been pleased with our new trailer, albeit a post 2017 Forest River product.  I think the I-beam and leaf spring chassis and the absence of a slide-out may have helped us avoid problems.  I hope you stick around and share your experiences with your new Escape.  ]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2022 06:29:38 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15531&PID=150169#150169 Our Rpod journey comes to and end : Unfortunately, I do not agree... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15531&PID=150168#150168 Author: StephenH
Subject: 15531
Posted: 27 Nov 2022 at 11:51pm

Unfortunately, I do not agree with you on pre-2017 models. We have a 2016 RP-179 that was built in 2015. It has experienced sagging floors, particularly under the slide-out; bent axle; bent frame (admittedly, this was when we hit a really rough area at highway speed. I am amazed the damage wasn't worse), failed black tank drain support (twice); and other assorted problems. Still, we have put many thousands of miles on our RPod. I am not ready to trade yet, but the temptation is there. The issue is whether my ability to drive and tow a trailer would last long enough to justify purchasing a trailer that would cost many thousands more than we paid for our RPod. Since my wife does not drive, that is a consideration.]]> Sun, 27 Nov 2022 23:51:45 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15531&PID=150168#150168 Our Rpod journey comes to and end : We took the 179 out for its last... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15531&PID=150166#150166 Author: gpokluda
Subject: 15531
Posted: 27 Nov 2022 at 5:27pm

We took the 179 out for its last camping trip over Thanksgiving. It’s now cleaned up with a fresh coat of wax and all of the gear has been removed. It awaits its next owner(s) who will hopefully make as many memories as we did. 


Reflecting on our journey with the Rpod, we loved the sense of community that came with it. There was usually another ‘pod in the campground and it was rare that we did not see another one rolling down the highway while we were traveling. These little campers have a loyal following which speaks volumes about the brand. Even non-Rpod owners would strike up conversations about them. Just this weekend, Gene, who owned an Alta, and I compared notes by a campfire and swapped stories from the road. There is a certain camaraderie amongst owners of Rpods and their class family like NuCamps, Hike, Alta and others.


I am grateful that our 179 did not suffer from some of the issues others have unfortunately experienced. In my opinion, it was not because we took better care of the 179 or pampered it more than anyone else. I owe the 63K, mostly trouble free miles to our Rpod being a pre-2017 model. I know others will disagree, but something changed at Forest River in 2017 and the quality declined significantly. I base this on the amount of information out there where owners with post 2016 models suffered significant issues with their campers. You almost never hear of pre-2017 models suffering from sagging floors, bent frames, and a host of other defects that simply should not happen. Even though our ‘pod was titled as a 2017, its manufacture date is 05/2016 and it wears the green livery of the 2016s. 


So why are we selling the 179? Quite simply we are ready for the next step. Longer, higher mileage trips and longer durations to match. In five short (but they will seem long) weeks we will travel to Chilliwack, B.C. to take delivery of our Escape. Could the Rpod have filled the role? Maybe. But to twist a quote from Hunger Games, the odds would not be in it’s favor. We chose to go with a unit that was not built to minimum specs, but over built. 


I will still lurk on the forum. There is a lot of knowledge here. I will even add to a discussion or two (but not about gray water!). One thing is for sure, whenever I see another Rpod in a campground or at a road stop, I will always make it a point to say an extra enthusiastic “Hi!” the the owners.


You all be safe out there!

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