Any R-Pod owners ???

[CptnBG]

The closest dealer from me is several hours away but when I get a chance I'm going to take a look. The factory's website is kind of sparse. One concern is interior height, especially in the shower. I have until next spring to decide so no hurry on my part.

I'm trying to keep as small as possible as it will only be me solo a lot of the time and my 6' adult son will go with me on a cross country trip next summer. We don't mind the taking down the dinette for the extra bed as we currently are used to a truck camper.

My tow vehicle is a '14 Silverado 1500, 5.3 V8, .308 rear.

R-Pod

[Uplander]

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!

[Bumpyroad]

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

[CptnBG]

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.

[profdant139]

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.

[Uplander]

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!

[Bumpyroad]

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

[MargaretB]

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,"

[CptnBG]

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.

[profdant139]

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.

[CptnBG]

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.

[Caveman_Charlie]

Everyone has different needs. I'm not a fan of TT that have the dinette on the left side. All you are going to see out of the window is your neighbors campsite. I'm also not a big fan of slide-outs. To me they just seem like more hassle to set up and more stuff to break.

I like a simple basic box with the dinette on the right side , the bathroom in the back, the fridge and stove on the left side, and the bed/beds up front.

My 20 foot TT has these qualities and weighs 4580 pounds loaded. I've had it on a scale. I usually get 9-10 MPG towing. I'm just a weekend camper that stays close to home. After getting to the park, driving around seeing the sites, and towing back home I average about 12 MPG.

Careful driving will gain you more MPG then the shape of the trailer.

[Bumpyroad]

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

[CptnBG]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I really appreciate it. Still have not looked at an R-Pod yet. The same dealer that carries them also stocks the Palomini, so I'll get to check them both out.
I have looked at an Aliner at a local dealer but they did not have an Expedition model in stock. Aliner is on my short list.
There is a used local R-Vision for sale, if I get time I'm going to take a look. I like the bunk option but they may be a bit small for my son and I. R-Vision
The ascend looks very nice but is a little heavier than I want.

Storage is not a big deal for us as we are two light packing guys. My pickup has a fiberglass cap so all extra stuff can go in rubbermaid containers. The small wet bath we're already used to in the truck camper.

The search continues!!

[atreis]

The Ascend is nice - in addition to costing more, it also weighs ~1000 lbs more, which might be an issue for some.