P-pod for dry camping?

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   Yeah, we did.  I mean, we didn't end up with an r-Pod but rather an r-Pod sized trailer (a 17' Gulfstream  that weighs 2850# empty), and we towed it with our 2020 Outback XT.  We did a trip from Michigan to the southwest and back with that tow vehicle twice.  We still the Subie as a daily driver, but the last two times we've done the trip, we've used a Nissan Armada -- which is overkill for our trailer, but we also do some off-roading while we're out west and the Armada, with 4LO, is better for that (and the agencies out there have gotten touchy about 'no AWD only real 4WD' on many trails).  
The biggest issue with the Subaru was tongue weight and squat.  I did add some 'Sumo spring' helpers, but you can't easily add air suspension and Subaru does not support using a weight-distributing hitch.  So we really couldn't drive at night or other drivers would get really annoyed with our headlights (and I couldn't adjust the aim enough).  Power going over the mountains was never a problem though.  I'm sure the Ascent, with a 5000# towing limit, a 500# tongue weight rating, and the same turbo engine would be better though (but you still can't use a WDH).

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MarkW Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 25 Jan 2021 Location: Michigan Online Status: Offline Posts: 55	Post Options Post Reply Quote MarkW Report Post Quote Reply Topic: P-pod for dry camping? Posted: Today at 5:47am
	Yeah, we did. I mean, we didn't end up with an r-Pod but rather an r-Pod sized trailer (a 17' Gulfstream that weighs 2850# empty), and we towed it with our 2020 Outback XT. We did a trip from Michigan to the southwest and back with that tow vehicle twice. We still the Subie as a daily driver, but the last two times we've done the trip, we've used a Nissan Armada -- which is overkill for our trailer, but we also do some off-roading while we're out west and the Armada, with 4LO, is better for that (and the agencies out there have gotten touchy about 'no AWD only real 4WD' on many trails). The biggest issue with the Subaru was tongue weight and squat. I did add some 'Sumo spring' helpers, but you can't easily add air suspension and Subaru does not support using a weight-distributing hitch. So we really couldn't drive at night or other drivers would get really annoyed with our headlights (and I couldn't adjust the aim enough). Power going over the mountains was never a problem though. I'm sure the Ascent, with a 5000# towing limit, a 500# tongue weight rating, and the same turbo engine would be better though (but you still can't use a WDH).

jlferris Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 26 Apr 2017 Online Status: Offline Posts: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote jlferris Report Post Quote Reply Posted: Yesterday at 7:09pm
	So did you actually tow your R pod with a Subaru? If so, what model. How did it go?

lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2595	Post Options Post Reply Quote lostagain Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 11:52am
	I confess, GlueGuy, when I looked up the ingredients, I left a few out, including garlic. The more, the better. Almost as good as cast iron skillet fried bacon.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Linda&Gino Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 04 Jun 2017 Location: New Mexico Online Status: Offline Posts: 32	Post Options Post Reply Quote Linda&Gino Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 10:54am
	Did someone say bologna? Now we talking! Just washed the 'Pod and we're headed south tomorrow for a week of desert camping. Whoever gave the tip on Meguiars' ceramic wax, thanks. Stuff worked like a charm. FWIW, I did weight the 179 when we bought it and it was about 200# heavier than the claimed weight even without battery and LP. When I was dialing in my WDH, I weighed it again with the normal load we would take camping and, no surprise it was a lot more, not just a bit more. The weight of stuff really adds up fast. I knew this from years of backpacking, but it was a good reminder transitioning into RV life. You all take care
	gpokluda 2017 Rpod R179 SOLD! 2022 Escape 5.0 TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 EB3.5 Triumph T120 Bonneville

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2743	Post Options Post Reply Quote GlueGuy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 10:01am
	I'm with you LA, but I'm a big fan of minced garlic.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2595	Post Options Post Reply Quote lostagain Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2022 at 4:51pm
	I wonder if we have witnessed a clash of some pretty big egos? Just askin'. Certainly, the deceased horse has been soundly beaten to a pulp and is ready, with the addition of some salt and pepper, myrtle berry powder, and potassium nitrate, to put into the bologna casing.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

MarkW Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 25 Jan 2021 Location: Michigan Online Status: Offline Posts: 55	Post Options Post Reply Quote MarkW Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2022 at 2:19pm
	My 'pod has been great, but if you want to delete appliances, I'd buy something else, or order one built without the stuff you don't want. Plus, you will sell it one day. Do you really want to pay extra and immediately reduce its value? If experience is any guide, we may never sell it. We've bought one house, one cottage, one sailboat, have had them all for over 20 years and never sold any of them. I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being the same with the trailer. The most likely thing would be eventually handing it down to one of our kids. The only thing we still might delete is the A/C. Meaning only taking it out, putting in another skylight vent and storing the A/C somewhere. We'd much rather have more natural light in that end of the trailer than A/C we'll probably never use (man that thing is loud!). But if the new buyer wanted it, they could have it. The only reason the A/C is still there is the effort involved in making the change. And I'm really not sure what we'd trade up to. I don't want to go bigger and don't really like more expensive smaller trailers that much. I'm not keen on the smaller Airstreams, for example. Big beautiful windows...in the front of the trailer by the bed!? No, that's wrong! Nearly all the time, the front of the trailer faces the other campers -- we don't want to look at them or them at us (especially when we're in bed ) The biggest windows and dinette should be in the back of the trailer -- or at least on the side -- where you're looking at the scenery rather than your neighbors. Even in places where we had no neighbors and were able to back the trailer into a place where we had an expansive view over a valley, there would have been no way to achieve that view from the front of the trailer. And then we wanted the bed at one end and dinette at the other so one person could stay up later or get up earlier and not disturb the one who's sleeping. We like, too, that our bed almost feels like it's in own cabin. Our heads are behind the bathroom wall, so a short curtain seals off the rest and it's quite separate and light doesn't get in. In short, it wasn't a random choice and there aren't many other options that meet all those criteria.

Colt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Nov 2019 Online Status: Offline Posts: 383	Post Options Post Reply Quote Colt Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2022 at 1:27pm
	The UVW of 2950 of my 180 is close. With some canned food, full water heater, pots, pans, etc. towels/sheets, cleaning supplies, full propane and 1 battery, everything I need to pull out and leave save clothes, fresh water and food, my 180 weighs 3122 lbs with about 14% on the tongue. You'll be fine as long as you don't go crazy. Get your water at the edge of civilization, so you don't have to haul it over half of Georgia. My 'pod has been great, but if you want to delete appliances, I'd buy something else, or order one built without the stuff you don't want. Plus, you will sell it one day. Do you really want to pay extra and immediately reduce its value?
	John '16 R-Pod 180

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Post Options Post Reply Quote offgrid Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2022 at 12:41pm
	Dont hold your breath.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

MarkW Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 25 Jan 2021 Location: Michigan Online Status: Offline Posts: 55	Post Options Post Reply Quote MarkW Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2022 at 12:22pm
	"... but his arguments are in general poorly considered or just plain silly and its easy to see through them" When you post a link to substantiate your position in ANY of our points of disagreement, that'll be the first time. You never back up any of your claims with actual data. Pick a point where you think I'm wrong and show us the data backing you up. We'll wait.