2010 R-Pod 171-Thoughts?

IndyCamp wrote:
Someone on the FR forums just posted a 177 for sale:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f101/for-sale-2010-r-pod-177-with-slide-out-52137.html

I could have bought a new one 2014 with warranty, etc. for $16,757. it would be worth the extra money to do that.
bumpy

Someone on the FR forums just posted a 177 for sale:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f101/for-sale-2010-r-pod-177-with-slide-out-52137.html

We have an Easy up and camp kitchen (great storage!) for longer trips in our Aliner. It would work well for the R-Pod, as well. The OP may already have these things, being a tent camper.

dadmomh wrote:
Note that the OP said they were tent campers, so obviously not used to a hanging locker for clothes or cabinets for storing "stuff". The R-Pod does include a screen room, so if need be, they could certainly store cooking supplies, clothes, etc in a couple of Rubbermaid containers and be perfectly fine. I took a peek at the unit they're checking into online with videos and it does offer some storage + the small pass through, and for a couple, it may be all they want/need. Pretty much the amenities they're after in a small package.

I would bet that after putting up that room one night, breaking it down the next, and repeat it would never get used. yep, great if you are staying some place for a week but not otherwise. JMHO
bumpy

Note that the OP said they were tent campers, so obviously not used to a hanging locker for clothes or cabinets for storing "stuff". The R-Pod does include a screen room, so if need be, they could certainly store cooking supplies, clothes, etc in a couple of Rubbermaid containers and be perfectly fine. I took a peek at the unit they're checking into online with videos and it does offer some storage + the small pass through, and for a couple, it may be all they want/need. Pretty much the amenities they're after in a small package.

Compared to a tent, the R-Pod will seem wonderful! We had an R-Pod 173 (no slide either), but found that the lack of storage, and nowhere to add any, was frustrating. Also, b/c it's a TT, you will take a hit on your gas mileage - pulling a sail into the wind.

We ended up getting our Aliner. Yes, it's small too, and doesn't have a bathroom (some do have potties/showers, btw), but it tows like a PUP, which is great for gas mileage. Also, there are counters that we can set Sterlite slide-out drawers on, once we get to the campground (stored under the table and bed while traveling). We can fit 5 of them high on one of our counters, and still have another counter to set the tv and other things on. We keep clothes, kitchen stuff, towels, etc. in these. We still have to keep our hang up clothes on a rod in the back of the Pathfinder, but no biggie.

We have a porta potty and use the campground showers. Since we stay mainly in state/corp parks, we were used to using the campground showers anyway.

Just some more information to confuse you - lol! Good luck with whatever you decide!!

Bumpyroad wrote:
As they say in the carpentry business, measure once, cut twice.

LOL! Say what?

rwoods61 wrote:
down this road. If it suits your needs at this time then get it! There is always time to move up or down the ladder (as the situation changes)

rwoods61

the comments made here are intended to avoid the OP having to trade in 6 mos. to a year and take that $$$ beating. As they say in the carpentry business, measure once, cut twice.
just because he is used to not having storage, or some other thing, doesn't mean he should stick with that concept.
bumpy

My camping experiences are similar to the OP's. We started out in a tent moved up to a teardrop, a hybrid, and now a full TT. Each has it advantages and disadvantages.

Things I like about a smaller trailer:
1. Can put it any where! The smallest of sites is ok.
2. Can pull it with just about anything.
3. Way better then a tent!

Things to consider:
1. Have to have an outside room.
2. Everything is smaller.
3. Have to start worrying about tank levels. Propane levels. Winterizing.

With that said. You have been down this road. If it suits your needs at this time then get it! There is always time to move up or down the ladder (as the situation changes)

rwoods61

gmw photos wrote:
...I talked to a couple in a campground a year or so back that traveled/camped extensively in a TAB. That little camper was all scraped and scratched down the sides where they had dragged back into the back country, it was all muddy and the tires were about worn out. They loved it, and all the places they could take it. Just goes to show, "small" has it's advantages...

It sounds like the OP will be perfectly content in a R-Pod or similar small trailer based on their camping requirements. Myself, wife, infant son, and two dogs camped comfortably in our T@B for many years. It was mostly for weekends, but a few times a year would take it for a week trip. Ours had the add-on room which doubled our square footage. We found that the T@B had a lot of interior storage space, with enough room to set up a "crib" for our son on one side of the rear closet. However, once he outgrew the closet, we decided it was time to upgrade to something larger. Alas, I wish I had kept the T@B. It was so much easier to deal with than our current rig, particularly for short fishing trips with my buddies.