R-pod Owners Forum : 171, 172 or 177? http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Introduce Yourself : 171, 172 or 177? Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:47:14 +0000 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 04:31:47 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=3215 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ 171, 172 or 177? : Thanks to all of you for your... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30687#30687 Author: level62
Subject: 3215
Posted: 09 Feb 2013 at 4:31am

Thanks to all of you for your informative replies! Wow, there are good people here. I haven't decided yet but I'm leaning toward the 177 due to the space, plus I'll be spending virtually all of my time at low elevations, mostly near the west coast shoreline. It's mighty pretty there.
All the best.

Level62 (SB)
]]> Sat, 09 Feb 2013 04:31:47 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30687#30687 171, 172 or 177? : We have a 3500# tow capacity like... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30664#30664 Author: P&M
Subject: 3215
Posted: 07 Feb 2013 at 4:46pm

We have a 3500# tow capacity like you do, and weight was a factor for us since we did not want to push it or come close to our limit.  We were down to either the 177 or the 171 with the queen bed (I'm 6'2") and though we loved the extra room that comes with the 177, we decided to go with the 171 which weighs less and actually has more storage room.]]> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:46:26 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30664#30664 171, 172 or 177? : David/Danette, 295 feet, I was... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30661#30661 Author: dsmiths
Subject: 3215
Posted: 06 Feb 2013 at 11:12pm

David/Danette, 295 feet, I was playing with my GPS last week and walked up the driveway (uphill) and the GPS showed the elevation at my mailbox as 870 feet above sea level. We live in Southern Indiana near the Ohio river and it is very hilly, that is why one of our legs is shorter than the other so we can stand on the side of the hill and be level ]]> Wed, 06 Feb 2013 23:12:06 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30661#30661 171, 172 or 177? : We purchased a 177 a few years... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30655#30655 Author: podsuperior
Subject: 3215
Posted: 06 Feb 2013 at 4:57pm

We purchased a 177 a few years ago and love it.  We also have a 2007 Honda Pilot with the 3.5 liter.
We are up in Northern MN, hilly but not mountain's by any stretch.  We are weekend warriors for the most part and feel safe and comfortable pulling the 177 with our Pilot.  We typically go to areas within 3 hours of our house and are rarely on a interstate, so we are usually driving 55 - 60 max.  If we were to win the lottery and leave for months at a time, including traveling thru the mountains I would definitely want a higher capacity TV.  The slide out adds a ton of space and we love the 177.
]]> Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:57:16 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30655#30655 171, 172 or 177? : So obviouly you haven't been... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30653#30653 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 3215
Posted: 06 Feb 2013 at 3:14pm

So obviouly you haven't been to the nose bleed elevation area of Florida, that being Britton Hill at 345 feet in Walton county! That's up in my NW part of the state.

As for Colorado, I hope you can spend time in my prior and favorite state. If you do, I'll see you there next year................and the next...............and the next...........

Happy podding.
]]> Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:14:24 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30653#30653 171, 172 or 177? : Originally posted by David and... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30652#30652 Author: David and Danette
Subject: 3215
Posted: 06 Feb 2013 at 1:12pm

Originally posted by David and Danette

Originally posted by CharlieM

"no problem with power in towing the 171, even in the mountains of Tn"

What mountains in Tn? I'm talking Colorado, Mon.LOL
  To me the mountains in Tn are the biggest I have been through in my life. Can only imagine those in Colorado. Have fun! Some day maybe I will have the time to see those bigger mountains out west.Shocked
  I would like to add I have climbed the highest mountain in Florida " Iron Mountain " all 295 feet. LOL]]> Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:12:55 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30652#30652 171, 172 or 177? : Originally posted by CharlieM"no... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30651#30651 Author: David and Danette
Subject: 3215
Posted: 06 Feb 2013 at 1:06pm

Originally posted by CharlieM

"no problem with power in towing the 171, even in the mountains of Tn"

What mountains in Tn? I'm talking Colorado, Mon.LOL
  To me the mountains in Tn are the biggest I have been through in my life. Can only imagine those in Colorado. Have fun! Some day maybe I will have the time to see those bigger mountains out west.Shocked]]> Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:06:50 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30651#30651 171, 172 or 177? : Level62, we have a 172, I think... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30639#30639 Author: dsmiths
Subject: 3215
Posted: 05 Feb 2013 at 9:41pm

Level62, we have a 172, I think looking back I would have gotten the 177 due to more room to move around for 2 people. I dont have a problem with the extra weight. but Donna and I like the 172. We use the upper bunk for storage (until grandchildren come along) we use the short queen dinette conversion for sleeping. sometimes during the day nap time is on the lower bunk. I am 5'11 and don't have a problem with the short queen or bunks. If you spend much time inside (with 2 people) the slides give more room for moving around and past one another.Its a toss up. the 172 is lighter. We wont trade ours off, we like it and the quality shows. We bought ours new in the fall of 2011, never took it back to a dealer for anything but the rear light upgrade. not one loose screw or any warranty problems so far. I think we got a good one. Happy Poddin]]> Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:41:33 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30639#30639 171, 172 or 177? : "no problem with power in... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30638#30638 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 3215
Posted: 05 Feb 2013 at 9:21pm

"no problem with power in towing the 171, even in the mountains of Tn"

What mountains in Tn? I'm talking Colorado, Mon.LOL
]]> Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:21:07 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30638#30638 171, 172 or 177? : The slide as you said would be... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30637#30637 Author: David and Danette
Subject: 3215
Posted: 05 Feb 2013 at 9:02pm

The slide as you said would be extra weight and with the slide you will lose a little storage space. I am 5 ft. 9 in. and am comfortable in our 171. We towed our 171 for a while with a Saturn VUE, I think it may of had the same engine as your Pilot. The Saturn had no problem with power in towing the 171, even in the mountains of Tn. What ever model you chose I'm sure you will enjoy the Rpod as a lite weight travel trailer.]]> Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:02:04 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30637#30637 171, 172 or 177? : level62,Some thoughts from one... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30636#30636 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 3215
Posted: 05 Feb 2013 at 9:00pm

level62,

Some thoughts from one with a very similar situation. I (we) have a 172 and pull it with a 2010 4WD Honda pilot. We have the E2 equalizer/sway control hitch which I highly recommend. My wife and I opted for the 172 because of the separate sleeping and dining areas. We did not want to crawl over each other to get up at night so the bunks were our choice. The wrap around dinette was also attractive. I am 5'9 and sleep comfortably in the bunks, but with your height the 171 or 177 might be necessary

Watch the weight.  Despite what the dealers tell you, the small V6 in the Pilot will be an issue if you spend time at altitude with hills. Pay attention to the gross combined weight requirement in your manual. You lose 2% for each 1000 feet in altitude. GCVW is more important than trailer weight. Apparently the dealers never leave sea level. We decided against the slide in favor of lower weight. Maybe it would be nice, but we get along fine without it.

Storage is not a problem for two of us; easier for you.

Another point from many of us here: don't pay for the TV/AM/FM/DVD player. It's performance is poor and over-the-air TV stations are really scarce at camp sites. Besides, you are going camping, not TV watching. A laptop computer, DVDs, and a personal hotspot on a cell phone take care of all that. The R-Dome is nice, but it can be a hassle and you may not need it.

The 172 has proven to be a good choice for us, but each owner has different needs/desires. I'll be glad to help more if you need it. And welcome to Podding.
]]> Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:00:07 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30636#30636 171, 172 or 177? : I have a 2009 171 Rpod - I'm... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30633#30633 Author: rpodcamper.com
Subject: 3215
Posted: 05 Feb 2013 at 7:52pm

I have a 2009 171 Rpod - I'm 6'4" and do sleep on an angle in the queen bed. I did not fit in the bunks so you may want to try out the beds.  Tell the sales person to take a hike as you are looking and try out the camper.  I love the 171 and glad I do not have the added weight of the slide.  You will find that storage will work out,  Enjoy the shopping]]> Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:52:16 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30633#30633 171, 172 or 177? : Welcome. We have the 171 with... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30632#30632 Author: techntrek
Subject: 3215
Posted: 05 Feb 2013 at 7:46pm

Welcome.  We have the 171 with the queen.  I'm 5' 5" and I couldn't be much taller and sleep comfortably on my half of the bed.  Much more than 5' 9" and I would have to sleep diagonally.

I pulled a very heavy popup (close to 3500 loaded) for years and then the pod for over a year with a Sienna with a 3500 pound limit.  I was fine on back roads, even with hills, and fine at highway speeds.  But everyone here knows about "the wall" that you feel once you get above 55 mph.  Not a big problem on flat terrain, but add hills and/or a headwind and you'll have problems.  I drove to Florida for 2 days, one with a nasty headwind and I hated it.  Drove to Maine for 2 days with big hills and 6 people, and hated it.  Next spring after that trip I got the Suburban.  Bottom line, you can get away with it for a while but you'll want something more eventually.  Weight isn't an issue for the pods - but its like pulling a wall down the road at highway speeds.

They announced the slide models the week after we picked up our 171.  We probably would have gone with the 177 (same layout but the kitchen is reversed) if we had the option.  When towing with the Sienna I was glad to not have the extra 300 pounds, though.

]]> Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:46:39 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30632#30632 171, 172 or 177? : Slide....you'll want the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30631#30631 Author: Racer|X|
Subject: 3215
Posted: 05 Feb 2013 at 7:43pm

Slide....you'll want the room.  Queen, more comfort.  Garage model, it is awesome.]]> Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:43:00 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30631#30631 171, 172 or 177? : For 30 years I tented (often for... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30630#30630 Author: level62
Subject: 3215
Posted: 05 Feb 2013 at 7:23pm

For 30 years I tented (often for weeks) and after my son was grown I decided to get off the ground. Now that I'm retired, the time has come to invest in an RV. I am single and I want to take extended trips. After much research, I've become increasingly attracted to the R-Pod. I am concerned about storage, though, and that will affect my buying decision.

Although I like the slides, I think it might be pushing my tow limit. My TV is a Honda Pilot 4WD 6-cyl and 3500# tow limit, 450# hitch limit. I've towed large utility trailers in the past with no problem and the dealer says I can pull any R-Pod model, but I'm wary. I looked at a 177HRE and 172. The first was 2800#+ with all options but even running on empty tanks, with gear loaded it would be only a few hundred pounds under the limit. The 172 seemed much smaller without the slide but livable. Also, since I'm alone, it makes sense to consider a bunk model because the upper bunk would offer a wealth of storage missing from the 177 and 171.

Another consideration is my height: 6-1. It will be a cramped fit in a bunk or even a queen (same length) but on the queen I could 'offset' a bit sideways.

Resale doesn't figure into my choice because I plan to pass it along to my son, assuming it holds up.

So, slide or no slide? Queen or bunks? Any advice from others who've faced this quandary and especially owners of those specific units would be much appreciated.
]]> Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:23:23 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3215&PID=30630#30630