Prospective r-pod owner
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Topic: Prospective r-pod owner
Posted By: Jules
Subject: Prospective r-pod owner
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 3:15pm
| We are shopping R-pods and need advice. This will be our first RV, having been tent campers all our lives. Looking for a 172 with the two bigger bunks because we don't want to have to climb over each other to get into or out of bed and because it is one of the lighter models. We plan to tow with a Toyota Highlander rated at 5000lb. Does anyone have advice on models to consider? Has anyone used a Highlander as a tow vehicle through the mountains? Any advice or suggestions are welcome! Also, if there are any used 172's out there for sale, let me know. Thanks. |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 3:25pm
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Welcome! You should have no problem towing with a Highlander. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2025 Ford Transit Camper van 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 4:41pm
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Best advice is always to spend a little time inside the models you are interested in before making any decision. Try out the bunks in a 172 as well as the dedicated queen in the non-bunk models (such as our 177). Personally, I can't imagine sleeping in the bunks as an adult. I'd consider that if we had kids, but I want to a) sleep in an adult bed, and b) sleep next to my wife. Another option for you, however, would be to get a dedicated queen model, and set the dinette down for a second bed. That way, each of you would have a grown-up bed to sleep in. Our preference, however, is to have a table set up at all times, rather than having to take it down each night. ------------- 2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills." 
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 5:45pm
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Assuming the Highlander SUV with factory towing package or equivalent, and not the hybrid model, the 172/Highlander will be an excellent combination. Even better if it's the AWD version. We towed a 172 with a Honda 4WD Pilot for a year, including the highest and steepest mountain passes in Colorado, with no problems. You won't be the first to the top of the hill, but you'll get there. You will also want a ScanGuage or equivalent to monitor transmission temperature and a weight distributing hitch (WDH) such as Equalizer or E2. The bunks in the 172 are wider than you'd think. Length can be an issue if you're over 6' tall, but I'm 5'9" and had more than enough room. You have to watch your head getting up from the bottom bunk, but you learn. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Jules
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 5:56pm
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The highlander is AWD and does have the towing package which is supposed to include transmission cooling, engine oil cooler, and heavy duty radiator. We have just read so many contradictory posts, it is making it harder to decide. Thanks for your advise because the pilot and highlander are pretty similar overall. Do you have a 172 and like it??? Any problems with buying a used one versus a new one? We really want to do this and want to be ready to take off this fall to go to as many national parks as possible. This is a great resource. Thanks to everyone responding.
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 6:11pm
Yes, we had the 172 and selected it specifically for its light weight, bunk configuration, and bunk size. We did not want to climb over each other to get up at night. The 172 was our first camper after returning to the camping scene (retired, kids gone, tired of motels, etc). After the first year we decided to go a bit bigger, primarily for a larger fridge, dry bath, and walk-around queen, but it also required an upgrade to the tow vehicle. We loved our 172 and still consider ourselves Podders in spirit. This forum is one of the best around with lots of friendly folks and the answer to any questions you can think of. Note the National Forest sign, 10114 feet, in the picture. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Jules
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 6:27pm
| Sounds like we are following in your footsteps. The only thing I am not thrilled about with the pod is the bathroom but we really don't want a bigger vehicle at this point. All the campers we have looked at with the walk around bed and full shower weigh a lot more although both items are appealing. As newbies moving from a tent, I am thinking it will be quite luxurious at first. And you are right, this is a great forum! I am learning a lot. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 6:48pm
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Yes, you are following our trail and thinking exactly. We went with the pod knowing it might not be the last camper we owned, but it really was the best starter for us and the Pilot. If we didn't like the RV camping life we wouldn't have lost a ton of money. Experience with the 172 made us much smarter when upgrade time came. Note the picture I added to an earlier post.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 6:49pm
I know where that is! Were you camping at Silverjack? We did that (in our popup) a few years back. A bear ran down the road ahead of us as we coming down Owl Creek Pass to Ridgway. Neat place. (Sorry for the thread hijack!) ------------- 2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills."
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 7:02pm
I believe we ended up at Big Cimarron GMUG USFS CG. I think Silverjack was closed for the season. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 7:22pm
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Back to the topic: I hope no one is offended by me alluding to bunks as kids' beds. To each his own. If you're comfortable with them, go for it. But have you gone into a 172 and actually lied on them? I would be claustrophobic in them, not only because of the low headroom, but the lack of windows. It sounds like you are looking for a lighter R-pod, that is, one without a slideout. Have you looked at the 171? As I mentioned above, with the dinette set down, you could both have beds without having to crawl on top of each other. The dinette is a bit small, but with just one person on it, you can go diagonal. This would give you two windows and no claustrophobic lack of headroom. The weight difference between the 171 and the 172 is only about 80 lbs., so that shouldn't be a determining factor. Again, check out as many floorplans as possible before making a decision. We were set on getting a 171 until we checked out the 177 and 178 with the slideout. The slideout makes it feel much larger and open (although they weigh a couple hundred pounds more). ------------- 2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills."
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Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 8:17pm
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Somewhere back in my dusty memory a question/concern is milling around... it may be nothing, or I may be confusing it with a different trailer... What's the weight capacity of the upper bunk in a 172?
------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 9:09pm
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According to an old post 200 pounds on the top, 300 pounds on the bottom. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 9:16pm
We got our pod up over 10,000 last summer, that was cool!  ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 10:21pm
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Jules
We have a 172 we are in our fifth season love the bunks, I would not trade my 172 for any other pod. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 10:39pm
On that same trip we went over Red Mountain Pass at 11081' and Monarch Pass at 11312'. Water boils at room temperature up there  ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: techqueen
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2015 at 2:18pm
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We have 2013 Honda Pilot 4WD. We originally (since 2010) were looking at the 172 pod but the T-version with the pop-out bed/tent that is not made any longer. We just this week purchased the 176T instead. With the pop out tent, you get a queen size bed and do not have to crawl over each other. You also get 2 bunks (narrower, but good for kids or for an adult in a pinch - like boat bunks). You also can sleep an additional person across the dinette if you needed to. We figure if we are just stopping for the night, the kid can sleep in the top bunk, one adult can sleep in the bottom bunk and one adult on the dinette bed (since the tent encroaches on the bed space a bit when closed up - all without extending the pop out bed/tent. The slide out kitchen makes the whole thing feel MUCH MUCH MUCH bigger inside as does the pop out bed...like adding a sun room to your house ;0) You can also use the kitchen without sliding it out for short travel stops... It cost us $1,500 more or so for the slide and the pop out but I think it will be worth it to have the choice. We are still getting to know R-Pawd but the kiddo and I are "home camping" in it this weekend while the man is working. Good luck! ------------- Honda Pilot plus 176T for me ;0) |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2015 at 5:50pm
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Welcome. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2015 at 8:59pm
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Welcome to the group! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2025 Ford Transit Camper van 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Jules
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2015 at 11:16am
| Well we seem to have decided that the 172 is the way to go for us. It is only the two of us and moving up from a tent, it still looks roomy and luxurious. We are both relatively small people so weight on the bunks should not be an issue. And even being an 'old' person, I had no problem getting in or out of the top bunk. We tried the smaller bunks out on a 176 and looked at the size of the 172 bunks on the 177 because we can't find a 172 anywhere near us. We might change our minds as we go through this new adventure but who knows. Now we just need to find one we can afford. Does anyone have comments on new vs used? Also, does anyone know what year they changed to LED lighting? We do hope to go to as many of the national parks as possible so will probably be unplugged much of the time. |
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 16 Mar 2015 at 12:47pm
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Re: new vs. used: Last year, I was obsessively combing the internet for used R-pods for several months. Used campers of any kind, including R-pods, are much more expensive where I live (in the West) than in most other places in the country, it seems. No deals on used R-pods near me. I found a couple of one or two-year-old R-pods at o.k. prices in the Midwest. Both owners were willing to either drive out to Colorado or meet me halfway. But after researching prices on new Pods at Midwestern RV dealers, I found a brand new 177 for barely more than what I was looking at for used 171s. Plus, if you don't have cash, you can get pretty good rates for financing new RVs. So we went new. So I guess it depends on what kind of deals you can make with an RV dealer and what you can find for sale. Be patient and do your research! You might stumble on a great deal on a used Pod that fits your needs. But check out the dealers in your area and see what kind of deals they can offer. Re: when Forest River changed to LED, I believe that was 2015. My 2014 does not have them. However, I purchased a bunch of LEDs from Amazon for not very much money. As soon as the weather warms up and I can get my Pod out of storage, I'll be switching over to LED lighting. ------------- 2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills."
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Posted By: SchipperPod
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2015 at 3:56pm
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I have a 2014 rPod 178 for sale in Salt Lake City. I pull it with a Hyundai Santa Fe that's only rated to pull 3,500 lbs., and I've had no issues with pulling it up 6% grades in the west, although I follow my car's manufacture towing instructions that say not to go over 60 mph. I purchased the E2 weight distribution hitch with anti-sway bars that will go with the unit and the R-dome tent. Mine is fully-loaded with A/C and has a new 10" memory foam mattress still in the box! I want my loan payoff, around $14,700, and it includes a 5-yr. extended warranty (3.5 yrs. left on it) that can be transferred to the new owner. I'm selling only because of a divorce. I'm going to cry when someone pulls it away! ------------- Happy tails and trails! Teri & Jeff Black Plus 4 Schipperkes: Kodi, Jessie, Maggie & Bear 2014 R-Pod 178 2013 Santa Fe Sport Turbo |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2015 at 4:35pm
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Jules, Donna and I have a 2011 RP 172. I am 65 and have no trouble getting into or out of the bunks. I got a little folding step from camping world that stores under the lower bunk (lots of storage there ) I take the top bunk and let Donna use the lower. I put 2 inch dual foam mattress's on them and they sleep great. The only think you need to be careful of is during the nite for potty break don't just hop out of the upper bunk or gravity will play an ugly trick on you. Most of the time we use the bunks for day napping and generally set up the Dinette short queen for night. We have used the bunks overnight with no problem, but seem to gravitate to the Queen. I got a 3in foam mattress that I roll up and put on the upper bunk until we are ready to go down for the night. I built a folding stiffener using 1/4 in luan plywood cut into 4 equal lengths and I used duct tape for hinges, after I put the dinette table down I put the luan on top of the factory cushions and then the 3in foam, Donna makes the bed and it sleeps as well as our sleep number bed at home. the 172 pulls really light. ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: robert9169
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2015 at 6:37pm
| We purchase a 2014. Not happy with the aircondition. It makes so much noise you can not hear each other or TV. Does anyone know how we might make it better. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2015 at 7:34pm
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Welcome. That is a common complaint. Here is a list of things I did which helped a lot: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1433&PID=49114&title=possible-replacement-for-the-a-c#49114 - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1433&PID=49114&title=possible-replacement-for-the-a-c#49114 ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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