R-Pods

[MudQueen22]

I'm researching to find out what kind of trailer we want and what we can use to tow.
What are your thoughts on R-Pods?

 

[peg110]

The biggest thing to consider is the "GROSS Weight" of the travel trailer. This is the MAX amount that it's (Supposed) to weigh. (assuming you don't over load it). Then compare that with your "Tow Vehicle" and what it's rated to be able to tow. There are tons of factors such as the type of hitch, the type of tires (yes, tires can be a factor), how loaded things are, if it's a WD Hitch (or not).

I personally like to keep my towing at less than 10% of max for the Tow Vehicle (For example, if I CAN tow 12,000 pounds, I would want to keep my towed camper/trailer to less then 10,800 pounds (that's 12,000 - 10% which is 1,200 leaving 10,800 pounds). Towing at max weight is just very hard on the tow vehicle AND the driver.

I like the looks of the R-Pods but have never owned one. Right now an R-Pod would be way to small for my family and my DW is really very much a "Glamper" where I could be happy pitching a pup-tent (but still, I do like to "Glamp" too). I think if you have a smaller tow vehicle (Small Pickup or an SUV and even some vans), that it could work well depending on the model. Again, we would need more info to really chime in with more specifics.

 

[KristinU]

Yes, what Paul said about tow capacity. Just don't let the dealer be your deciding factor on what you can and can't tow with your vehicle.

Just to drive home his recommendation, here's my real world example:
We had an Aliner that was close to 1500 lbs fully loaded paired with a Hyundai Santa Fe 6 cylinder with a tow capacity of 3500 lbs.
No brainer, right? Well, it looks good on paper, but that tow rating on vehicles only accounts for one driver, usually a 150 lb allowance, and nothing else. Fully loaded with people, dog, bikes on the back, kayaks on the top, cooler in the back and we were turning off the air conditioning to make it up steep grades in Vermont and New Hampshire. All of the camping accoutrements add up quickly, so you'll always want to be overpowered rather than on the egde.

RPods were fairly new when we bought our Aliner, and we did look at them, but ultimately felt like the Aliner was a better fit for us at the time. I don't know what the price tags are now, but I remember thinking they were pretty pricey. Very cool looking styling, though! There was another similar styled trailer that had bunks that we looked at as well, but the name is escaping me.

No matter what, take your time and try to spend some time inside and out imagining REALLY camping with it: cooking, sleeping, and riding our rainy afternoons, etc.

 

[bama_ed]

They're cute.

They have the curved front end and I've seen slide-out models, non-slide models, and even a hybrid version (tent shell on the backside). They have the curved front like the T@b. Looking at the Forest River website, they seem to run 3200-3800# GVRW. And being Forest River, they have similar build qualities most likely to their other travel trailers.

Any particular model of theirs that you are looking at?

Bama Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

Neighbors had an R-Pod with slide for kitchen area. Had a small outdoor kitchen at the rear and I think was around 2500#. They were a family of 4 with 2 adults and kids at the time 3 & 5. They sold it this past year and upgraded to a Class A which was a huge change. They're reasoning was that the wife's parents were going to start camping with them so they needed to increase space but have room for the 6 of them going down the road.

They spoke highly of the R-Pod but just wan't big enough if anyone additional wanted to go.

 

[momto4girlz]

I LOVE the r-pods, but the only one that would work for us was the hybrid version with the tent end and bunks. I really wanted all hard side--no canvas. We ended up with a used Trailmanor. It's been a good fit for us and easy to tow. We have a 2015 Tacoma. The gross wt of the TM is around 4000 lbs. Unloaded it's about 2900 lbs. Our Tacoma has a towing capacity of 6500 lbs with the factory installed tow package. I wouldn't feel comfortable towing anything heavier than our TM. I think the weight is only part of the issue. The TM folds down like sort of like a pop up, so there is no "drag" like there is with a full size travel trailer. That makes a difference.

 

[peg110]

The TM folds down like sort of like a pop up, so there is no "drag" like there is with a full size travel trailer. That makes a difference.

Without a doubt, this is another issue. The more that is exposed above the Tow Vehicle the more drag you will get. So it's not just the weight, as you pointed out.

I know some folks have made comment about the 5er's too. Since they typically site up MUCH higher then the cab of the truck, you can definitely tell a difference. I think that's why some folks actually opt to get those "Fins" on the roof of their truck (to try and use some aerodynamics to direct the air over instead of "Into" the face of the 5er)

 

[MudQueen22]

We have about decided against the RPOD.
DH feels like he couldn't fit in the bathroom or on the dinette bed comfortably. (we were looking at the 172). These came to mind because they can be towed with certain SUVs.
Back to drawing board. Probably going to cave and get a truck.
We are more the glamping type than camping types. We don't mind close quarters, but like a/c and toilets. Lol.

What are your thoughts on the Jayco 174 and Jayco x213? Does anyone here have or have had these in the past.

 

[peg110]

Just know that most of the "Dinettes" and Bathrooms are going to be smaller then what you would have normally (like in a hotel or with a normal table and chairs). Even at the Campsites, we find ourselves using the comfort stations. It is, however, nice to know that you have the bathroom to use if you need it, particularly in an emergency.

 

[WeCampDisney]

I'm researching to find out what kind of trailer we want and what we can use to tow.
What are your thoughts on R-Pods?

I have looked at the rpod 180 and we love it. We are about to sell the Winnebago. Our Acadia has a tow rating of 5200 lbs. We don't want anything with canvas so this looks about perfect for the wife and I. At the Fort, the guys will sleep in a large tent and let the girls sleep in the camper. Our Fort trips will be in the fall or spring break, perfect for tent camping. I like the r-dome option for an outdoor living room.

 

[harriettbrawner]

Look at KZ campers too. We just bought a KZ Escape hybrid and love it. No slides, but normally it's just my husband and I so it's fine for the two of us. Even with a couple of grandkids along we spend more time outside than in and even if it rains or is unbearably hot we can be pretty comfortable.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We have about decided against the RPOD.
DH feels like he couldn't fit in the bathroom or on the dinette bed comfortably. (we were looking at the 172). These came to mind because they can be towed with certain SUVs.
Back to drawing board. Probably going to cave and get a truck.
We are more the glamping type than camping types. We don't mind close quarters, but like a/c and toilets. Lol.

What are your thoughts on the Jayco 174 and Jayco x213? Does anyone here have or have had these in the past.

We had been looking exclusively at the Jayco TT's until we stumbled onto the Coleman Lantern series trailers. The Jayco models we were looking at were only 7ft wide whereas the Colemans are 8ft wide & feel so much bigger. We haven't purchased anything as we will have to buy a truck vs our 1999 work van since my Tuscon won't pull anything. I also found out that some of the Jayco models aren't set up for cable tv - only antenna tv. We haven't camped in so long I'm not sure that's a big deal but some of the larger trailers have both. Good luck & have fun!!

 

[tripleb]

We had been looking exclusively at the Jayco TT's until we stumbled onto the Coleman Lantern series trailers. The Jayco models we were looking at were only 7ft wide whereas the Colemans are 8ft wide & feel so much bigger. We haven't purchased anything as we will have to buy a truck vs our 1999 work van since my Tuscon won't pull anything. I also found out that some of the Jayco models aren't set up for cable tv - only antenna tv. We haven't camped in so long I'm not sure that's a big deal but some of the larger trailers have both. Good luck & have fun!!

We have had our Coleman since November 2016. Been camping 3 times and really like the trailer. Only thing the wife wishes it had was some counter space.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

What are your thoughts on R-Pods?

1) Do you have unlimited downloads?
2) Do yo have unlimited texts?
3) Do you have unlimited calls?
4) Oh, "R"pods and not "I"pods.
5) Sorry about that.

 

[peg110]

1) Do you have unlimited downloads?
2) Do yo have unlimited texts?
3) Do you have unlimited calls?
4) Oh, "R"pods and not "I"pods.
5) Sorry about that.

So glad that you didn't loose your sense of humor through all that you have been through.

 

[kpavlik]

My in-laws have an RPod and love it. They pull it with their Toyota 4-Runner. However, they paid more for that than we did for our 28' travel trailer. But other than a pop-up, they could only pull the RPod, or get a truck.

 

[momto4girlz]

They could tow a Trailmanor with a 4-Runner. Yeah, there's a little bit extra set up (but not nearly as much as a pop up), but I can't find anything on the market that has more cabinet/storage and counter space as a Trailmanor. And so easy to tow. No sway. No drag. So anyone wanting something easy to tow with an SUV or even a minivan--keep Trailmanor in mind. All hard side, so it's quiet to sleep and secure. I know, I'm a bit biased. We are new to travel trailers, and we have really enjoyed our TM.
ETA: It was the fuel efficiency that made me want a folding type camper. I was looking at pop ups when I discovered the Trailmanor. Towing the Trailmanor has little effect on our truck's mpg. That's one of the differences drag makes.

 

[a2gismon]

R pods are pricey. Love my coleman lantern. 17fq