Any R-Pod owners ???

I own a 7ft wide R-Vision 26ft Trail Lite Travel trailer....no slide outs. The width is great for tight spots but the length has resulted in my passing up a lot of possible tight Forest boondocking locations.
I do however enjoy the interior space and extra storage offered in a larger unit. The Trail Lite is only
3,300 lbs plus all my stuff and 40 gals of fresh water. My tow vehicle is a FJ Landcruiser, 6 CYL, 5 speed automatic with heavy duty trans-cooler and rated to tow 5,000 pounds. It does the job well and most of the time I forget that I even have the trailer connected.

Back in 1985 I towed with a 4 speed manual transmission and hated every minute of it....never going down that road again!

Happy Camping!

OBXcamper wrote:

Now, do I justify over $20k for an all aluminum Camp Lite or go with a traditional stick built for much less $ ??.

Meanwhile I still have my TC if I get an itch to camp this winter.

do you want quality or do you want cheap. that is your decision. no potential wood rotting, etc.
bumpy

profdant139 wrote:
Uplander, you are right about forgetting the mpg -- unless you get a pop-up, the mileage is bad. But I respectfully disagree that a cramped trailer is always a mistake -- we got a very small trailer for our first one and discovered that it enabled us to boondock in remote areas with lots of trees and narrow roads. We got our second trailer, which is the same size as the first, for the same reason. We really enjoy it -- we camp between 60 and 80 nights a year.

Having said all of that, if you don't want to boondock and you don't need to fit into tight forest service campgrounds, the advantages of a tiny trailer probably do not outweigh the disadvantages, especially if you camp in a rainy climate and have to spend many days in very close quarters.

I like your camping style! I too like to camp off the beaten path and boondock in NF areas. There are a couple of places I camp where I can barely squeeze my 7' wide Truck Camper in. Height clearance is also an issue.

I'm leaning away from the R-pod mainly due to the construction, body repairs would likely require a trip back to the factory.

A 7' wide small bunkhouse TT with a dinette I think will suit us well. Now, do I justify over $20k for an all aluminum Camp Lite or go with a traditional stick built for much less $ ??.

Meanwhile I still have my TC if I get an itch to camp this winter.

Uplander, you are right about forgetting the mpg -- unless you get a pop-up, the mileage is bad. But I respectfully disagree that a cramped trailer is always a mistake -- we got a very small trailer for our first one and discovered that it enabled us to boondock in remote areas with lots of trees and narrow roads. We got our second trailer, which is the same size as the first, for the same reason. We really enjoy it -- we camp between 60 and 80 nights a year.

Having said all of that, if you don't want to boondock and you don't need to fit into tight forest service campgrounds, the advantages of a tiny trailer probably do not outweigh the disadvantages, especially if you camp in a rainy climate and have to spend many days in very close quarters.

When you find that "perfect trailer" you will know it. Stay below the listed maximum for your tow vehicle and all will be well. Looking back on my trips around this country I cannot remember or even care what gas mileage or even the cost per gallon....all I remember is the trip and enjoy viewing all my photos decades later....stay focused on the important things. Don't buy a cramped Travel Trailer that you will regret ever owning. Dealer's lots are loaded with trailers that were traded in because they were too small to enjoy.....don't add to that inventory!

Happy Camping!

OBXcamper wrote:

profdant139 wrote:
Are you sure the R-pod enables greater mpg??

If not, perhaps consider some of the square-shape trailers -- more cubic footage since the roof does not slope. Maybe check out the smaller Fun Finders -- we have had very good luck with ours, towing with a Tacoma. Only 11 mpg on average, though -- wind resistance is a much bigger factor than weight.

The more I read the more I realize the lower mpg's are a pipe dream. With oil prices falling it may not be an issue but I am planning a trip from Va. to Utah/Arizona next year.

I did look for Fun Finders based on your recommendation but the dealers are far away.

Going to a show in NC. early January to scope out R-pod and Palomini. Also strongly considering the Camplite 13 BHB.

Have looked at Aliner, Gulfstream Aerolite, Ascend, Evergreen, Coleman, KZ and some others I can't recall. My head is spinning, lol.

I also strongly considered the Camplite but what killed that for me was a total lack of vanity/sink in the bath rooms of the smaller units.
bumpy

There were several on the lot when we were looking. They were priced very high for what you got, and seemed cramped; that curved shape may be aerodynamic but doesn't make for much room inside. The sales person told us that they do a healthy business on trade-ins, because people think they're cute and efficient but quickly learn how small and inconvenient they really are, for what they paid, and trade them in pretty fast. As she said, "You can do a lot better,"

profdant139 wrote:
Are you sure the R-pod enables greater mpg??

If not, perhaps consider some of the square-shape trailers -- more cubic footage since the roof does not slope. Maybe check out the smaller Fun Finders -- we have had very good luck with ours, towing with a Tacoma. Only 11 mpg on average, though -- wind resistance is a much bigger factor than weight.

The more I read the more I realize the lower mpg's are a pipe dream. With oil prices falling it may not be an issue but I am planning a trip from Va. to Utah/Arizona next year.

I did look for Fun Finders based on your recommendation but the dealers are far away.

Going to a show in NC. early January to scope out R-pod and Palomini. Also strongly considering the Camplite 13 BHB.

Have looked at Aliner, Gulfstream Aerolite, Ascend, Evergreen, Coleman, KZ and some others I can't recall. My head is spinning, lol.

Are you sure the R-pod enables greater mpg??

If not, perhaps consider some of the square-shape trailers -- more cubic footage since the roof does not slope. Maybe check out the smaller Fun Finders -- we have had very good luck with ours, towing with a Tacoma. Only 11 mpg on average, though -- wind resistance is a much bigger factor than weight.

Bumpyroad wrote:

OBXcamper wrote:

The ascend looks very nice but is a little heavier than I want.



The search continues!!

with a HD 2500?? to tow it, ???
bumpy

Opps, sorry bumpy, missed your question. No, I'll be towing with a '14 1500 Silverado.