R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Introduce Yourself
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: need tips on buying used
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

need tips on buying used
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
wadevcamp View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 20 Aug 2025
Location: gallatin gatewa
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2 		Post Options Post Options   Quote wadevcamp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: need tips on buying used
    Posted: 20 Aug 2025 at 7:28pm
My wife and I ae retired and want a camping trailer to go fishing for 3-4 days at a time.  We live in Boxeman MT and will likely spend most of our time camping in places accessed by forest service roads (i.e., dirt and sometimes somewhat rough).

We are drawn to the R-Pod trailers (or maybe No-Bo), and are wondering if anyone has a list of things to check on the RPODS before buying used (or new?).

I've looked at some posts on this forum, and watched some videos (e.g., by John Marucci) on RPOD problems, but if there is a more comprehensive list I'd like to have it.  Any help is much appreciated.
Wade
Back to Top
ppine View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 15 Nov 2025
Location: nevada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 46 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ppine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Nov 2025 at 12:35pm
Bought a 2015 rPod yesterday 177' 
Tires, batteries, solar, hitch, locks, condition of the interior. 
Does everything work?
Forester
2022 Ram diesel
2019 Nash 26N
2015 rpod 177
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6483 		Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Nov 2025 at 2:43pm
If I were to choose between the two, I would choose the No-Bo. If I recall correctly, they are built with a bit more ground clearance and would be more suitable for the off-road camping you are describing. The R-Pod would be suitable for paved and well-maintained dirt roads. Forest Service roads are likely to be a challenge for the R-Pods to travel without damage.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
ppine View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 15 Nov 2025
Location: nevada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 46 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ppine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2025 at 11:35am
After some review,  check for bent axles, delaminated floors and problems with slide outs. 
Any leaks in the roof are not acceptable. 
Rpods are worth more if they have good batteries, solar, and other amenities like AC, TV and convection microwaves.   They don't really need weight compensating hitch. 
It is a plus to have water hose, power cord, and drain hose, load levelers. 
Forester
2022 Ram diesel
2019 Nash 26N
2015 rpod 177
Back to Top
wadevcamp View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 20 Aug 2025
Location: gallatin gatewa
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2 		Post Options Post Options   Quote wadevcamp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jan 2026 at 10:53am
Thanks for the replies.  I have switched to favoring No-Bo.  The 19.2 with C-Series and Beast Mode pkgs seems to be a great fit.
Wade
Back to Top
poohbill View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 22 Aug 2019
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 136 		Post Options Post Options   Quote poohbill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jan 2026 at 3:46pm
R-Pods can be towed down Forest roads, with care. The primary challenge is shake and dust, as they breath and their cabinets are largely stapled. The drainage lines off grey and black tanks are lightly hung and can be easily knocked loose by sage brush or washboarding. Beast Mode caught my eye when it first came out, but the details were offputting—more marketing than improvement, particularly for Hood River Edition owners.

For used, look for older tires, particularly any showing cracks, and replace all three at your trustworthy tire store and have them look over the brakes and wiring.

Let me echo everything else offered earlier and offer my wishes for your Good Luck!
2016 179 Gastropod
2017 Ridgeline
Back to Top
gpokluda View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 11 Nov 2018
Location: East Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 450 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jan 2026 at 7:11am
Originally posted by wadevcamp

Thanks for the replies.  I have switched to favoring No-Bo.  The 19.2 with C-Series and Beast Mode pkgs seems to be a great fit.

From what I have seen, the No-Bo campers are quite nice and sturdy. I would definitely look to those over an Rpod if rough, forest roads are in your future.
Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Honda SCL500
Back to Top
poohbill View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 22 Aug 2019
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 136 		Post Options Post Options   Quote poohbill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jan 2026 at 2:20pm
Oh? What I saw viewing when they first appeared on the lot locally was the Beast Mode branding and a handful of boondocking amenities. Is the line known to be build better? I’m still considering something new and would appreciate your insights.

Edited by poohbill - 05 Jan 2026 at 2:20pm
2016 179 Gastropod
2017 Ridgeline
Back to Top
gpokluda View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 11 Nov 2018
Location: East Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 450 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jan 2026 at 3:19pm
Originally posted by poohbill

Oh? What I saw viewing when they first appeared on the lot locally was the Beast Mode branding and a handful of boondocking amenities. Is the line known to be build better? I’m still considering something new and would appreciate your insights.

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.
Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Honda SCL500
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz