Newbie here - Is R-Pod a good choice?

[cwmoser]

Never owned a Travel Trailer but wifey and I are looking to purchase
one. Just the two of us and our dog.
Don't know much but do like the R-Pod 180 - has a dry bathroom.
Pulling with a V8 SUV - max Tow capacity of 6,000 lbs.
Already installed the hitch and wired in a Prodigy Brake Controller.

What do you think about the R-Pod?
Can you recommend something similar?

[cwmoser]

gmw photos wrote:
It is often said you should buy your second trailer first. Good advice if you're trying to keep a close eye on the budget.

The question becomes, how to do that ? For me, it literally took me 18 months of looking at dozens and dozens of trailers. I finally decided on the criteria that was important to me ( and this is likely different for each of us ) and bought what I did ( funfinder 189FDS ). I still thoroughly enjoy this camper after almost five years.

Probably a good rule of thumb is "find the layout you like", and then modify everything else that may be needed to make just right.

I often say, "some assembly required". Seems to be very true.

EDIT: one thing that did not work for me on r-pod was the "pod" is somewhat narrow, making the interior just a bit smaller. In the end, I decided that for me, I had to have a trailer with a slideout. Other folks simply would not own a trailer with a slideout. There is something out there for every different taste.

Good advice. I Googled your Fun Finder 189FDS (BTW, what is the FBS?). I like your note that I should consider a trailer that is
wider by extending over the wheels. The 189 floor plan does appeal.
But, it looks to me like this 19 footer is no longer being made
and I found this thread that it has quality issues:

http://www.funfinderclub.com/forums/f9/189fds-junk-804-2.html

Still, I do like the layout, size, and that it only weights 3300
to 3500 lbs.

[Acdii]

Just an FYI, I was referring to handling, not the engine. 😉 Short wheel base vehicles towing larger trailers can get tiresome after a while. The Lexus has a wheelbase similar to the Explorer I used to tow with, and passing semis kept me on my toes, and other things.

[gmw_photos]

It is often said you should buy your second trailer first. Good advice if you're trying to keep a close eye on the budget.

The question becomes, how to do that ? For me, it literally took me 18 months of looking at dozens and dozens of trailers. I finally decided on the criteria that was important to me ( and this is likely different for each of us ) and bought what I did ( funfinder 189FDS ). I still thoroughly enjoy this camper after almost five years.

Probably a good rule of thumb is "find the layout you like", and then modify everything else that may be needed to make just right.

I often say, "some assembly required". Seems to be very true.

EDIT: one thing that did not work for me on r-pod was the "pod" is somewhat narrow, making the interior just a bit smaller. In the end, I decided that for me, I had to have a trailer with a slideout. Other folks simply would not own a trailer with a slideout. There is something out there for every different taste.

[djsamuel]

cwmoser wrote:
I had read somewhere to consider the max towing to be
1/2 the vehicles max tow rating plus 1,000 lbs.
That would put the limit for my vehicle at 4200 lbs.

I'm guessing I need to find a trailer less than 21 feet.
Just the wife and I. I'm 6'2" so if the queen bed is oriented
so I can hang my feet off the end or just deal with it.
Dry bathroom, and I don't have a place to store it under a
shelter - use a car-like cover or invest in a metal carport
cover?

I appreciate all the Camper suggestions. Been going over
to YouTube for a look see. Still can't pull the trigger.

Check out the Camplites. My wife and I really enjoy ours:

Camplite Web Site

[_1nobby]

cwmoser wrote:
You still happy with your purchase?

Yes I am.

Ask me in 2 weeks.....I'm off on a trip this Saturday to Quebec for 2 weeks.

[braindead0]

If nothing is 'tripping your trigger' I'd recommend keep looking.

I generally spend 3 months or more planning purchases of this nature. Eventually I find the compromise that works best (I've yet to find a car/truck/TT that is perfect for us), I'll have a price I'm willing to pay then I'm prepared to begin shopping (which takes another month or more). This has never failed me, no buyers remorse.. no dealer shenanigans. IMO you can't "sell" to the truly prepared.

Don't let some salesmen sell you something, figure out what you want/need and buy that.

[rbpru]

We looked at a lot of TTs, even the A-liners and other pop ups. What it came down to was for extended travel, we needed;a bed you could exit without crawling over your spouse, a bathroom easily accessible even if we decided on a roadside picnic, a pantry, closets and room for a 60 lb. dog. (He was the dropdown couch.)

In our case it was a minimum of 22 ft. With slide. We found a used 3 year old, 25 ft. Dutchmen with a slide. It is large enough for us, yet small enough to wind through city streets to find the local quilt shops.

[cwmoser]

#1nobby wrote:
Carl.......you only live once.

If you don't spend it.....someone else will be happy to once you're gone.

I convinced Stef to buy that Tesla.......now I'll try and convince you to get what you WANT as opposed to what you think you need.

Nobby, that is my thinking too ... spend it now cause my children will
spend ot on a Harley, TT, Cruise, etc. Unfortunately I can't find
anything that trips my trigger. I'm a procrastinator. You still happy with your purchase?

[_1nobby]

Carl.......you only live once.

If you don't spend it.....someone else will be happy to once you're gone.

I convinced Stef to buy that Tesla.......now I'll try and convince you to get what you WANT as opposed to what you think you need.

[cwmoser]

coolmom42 wrote:
I agree that you can get more bang for your buck with a trailer besides the R-pod. Look at the small Amerilites & Jaycos.

I have never seen an R-Pod in person - just videos and pictures.
We do like the 180 floor plan.
Retail pricing for an R-Pod looks like $20K+ but I've seen some
dealers will sell them for just under $15K. Course I would have
to put in a few thou to properly upfit like a distribution hitch,
water filter, surge protector, bicycle rack, and a slew of other
complements.

Man this is a big decision financially. Tough one to make and
nothing really "trips our trigger". Wifey likes the big trailers
with the fireplace and recliners but I want to tow light and
cheaper than that. "Champagne appetite, 6-pack beer wallet" 🙂

[cwmoser]

Renting ... I thought about that too.
But around here in North Carolina I could not find one to rent.

[rbpru]

Before we bought we rented a TT for ten days to see if we liked it.

We learned a lot about towing and RVing very quickly.

[coolmom42]

I agree that you can get more bang for your buck with a trailer besides the R-pod. Look at the small Amerilites & Jaycos.

[profdant139]

Our friends had an R Pod --they liked it a lot. But I found the front kitchen did not have enough headroom for me -- the roof curved.

[_1nobby]

Carl....as is the case with other forums....keep in mind that not ALL free advice is good advice.

You'll figure out over time who you can trust here.

Just like at our other stomping ground. 🙂