We love our Escape 5.0TA, but it's not for everyone. You need at least a full size 1/2 ton pickup to pull it and you lose a good amount of storage in the truck bed because of the hitch. The target customer is definitely limited, but it works very well for us. Good luck on your camper hunt.

That is correct. There is a caveat, however. I'm on a couple of fiberglass camper forums and people do move away from FG campers to panel built when they need more room. Most FG campers max out at around 24'

Thank you for the replies so far.  Talked with an RP171 Owner yesterday and found some interesting things.  One the fridge is big, but only electric.  I camp dispersed much of the time and all electric would be tough.  Also the hitch jack is electric and no battery storage place, just a weatherproof (hopefully) box outside.  Last post reply sounded like they would stick with a fiberglass over the R Pod-just want to make sure that is correct and am understanding correctly.

I have an EZ Awning (about $400 from Bus Depot and very large) which can be an awning or screened room via removable walls.  Works great and allowed me to remove the Cassita awning (heavy and can't be deployed in windy Colorado easily).  Thinking I'll stick with the Cassita for now.  Appreciate the responses and the information.

I know the OP has specific reasons for going from a Casita to the Rpod, but for me, knowing what I know now going from an Rpod to a fiberglass trailer, it would be really hard for me to go from our fiberglass trailer back to a panel built camper. 

Our 2021 171 has the central vac. Requires 120V AC. Works well and we use it a lot. We haven’t jumped on solar yet. Most of our camping is state parks with electric hookups. The 171 has a wet bath. I wouldn’t recommend it for larger people, but my wife and I are skinny.

I like the quick connect exterior propane connection. I mounted a couple rails on the exterior to hang a large shelf and gas grill for ease of outdoor cooking. 

Hello All,

New to this forum, but not campers.  Currently have a 2010 Cassita Spirit Deluxe (17 feet).  I have it all set up and working great, but for personal reasons would like to sell it and get an RP171 Hood River.  Trouble is I haven't been able to find any newer (2022-2025) used 171's for sale in the Northern Colorado area.  So, have been looking at pictures of ones for sale farther away than I would like to drive.  I have a few questions about these little guys though and figured go straight to an owners forum.  So,

These look like they have much less storage, and no closet, than the cassita.  How do folks handle the reduced storage or do they not have any issues with the storage?

I've seen listings for an R Dome.  I believe that is an awning/wall system, but can someone explain or provide some pictures?

Does anyone ever use the central vac and if so does it work well?

What about the electronics for solar panel/inverter/"shore power" management?  Any issues to watch out for?

Any good and/or bad issues with these guys that a newbie should know?

Thanks for listening and for any answers in advance.

Gary

I had spoken to a few owners over the years at campsites when we began to actively research what to get to replace our tired 179. We were initially interested in GeoPros, but they had slides. Owners of NoBos seemed quite happy with them. Notable is the higher dry weight which, to me, translates into a more robust build. The payloads are higher, plus they don't have a slide which, to me adds to the rigidity of the body. All that said, it's still a Forest River product.