In terms of towing, if you can back up a short wheel base trailer like the Rpod, you can easily handle a larger one. Small trailers are the most difficult to maneuver while backing. Just wanted to throw that out there for anyone who may be thinking about a small camper due to maneuverability. They do fit in smaller places, obviously, but getting them there is not as easy and the tail swings very quickly compared to a much longer camper during backing.
I've been RV'ing for 5-ish years now. One of the big lessons I've learned is that it takes around a year bouncing down the road to "shake out" all the problems that an RV has. The first year I had something go wrong every trip- but once those were worked out, it has been much better. I still have things to fix on an annual basis, but it's much better now.
We just purchased our first r-pod after comparing small ones and this was the nicest. We have camped with tents, tent trailers, a 30' travel trailer for 10 years and just got this one. So, not new to camping. Everything you mentioned (and I was glad to hear what you had to say) are things we thought about first and tried to avoid. Of course, we haven't even taken it on the road yet - hoping no trouble and broken equipment!! It's made of Azdel fiberglass (not cheap) and it has a ladder so you CAN walk on the roof. Since my husband is accomplished at trailer pulling (farm boy), we have anti-sway bars and trailer brakes installed in our vehicle. Plus he can stand in the shower (6'2") and we have a walk around bed because we got the model with a murphy bed. We are pulling it with a Toyota Highlander. Sorry you had so much trouble - praying we don't! And thanks for the tip on the Facebook group!!
I see you posted your comment a year ago, so how was your first year? We are looking at a ‘23 192 and will be pulling with a 4runner so the weight of the trailer is a big sale point for us.
@@cheyneturbyfill4727 We are just starting to look for a small RV because we also will be pulling it with a 4Runner. Looking at the 196. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Your guys are awesome, so sorry to hear that your health has been an issue I hope you are now on the road to feeling better. Your outlook is infectious and the joy is amazing thank you for a truly unbiased review
I have a 2016 184G. I mainly use it for dog shows and usually travel with just my dogs. I live it, although it would be nice to have an extra 4 feet of space. I pull with a jeep and have sway bars. I hardly notice it behind the jeep but I am maxed out on towing weight.
Taking notes: 1- keep bucket over power tongue Jack to keep water out of electronics 2- use weight distribution anti-sway bar to compensate for single axle towing 3- make sure you’re content with the vehicle you currently own before shopping for camper or wait until you have a vehicle you can be content with 4-take in consideration the rpod is constructed with light weight composite water and rot-resistant materials that have more flex then a somewhat sturdier wood and particle board built trailer 5-if your under 6’2 you’ll sleep okay 6-make sure you have a walkable roof or plan accordingly 7-check with dealership on their warranty 8-take the time to look over trailer for manufacture quality of build before committing to purchase 9-rpods are not built for winter camping Thank you for your honest and in depth review. We are going to pick up our 2023 r192 this weekend and I’ll be sure to keep these points in mind!
Happy camping! While we didn’t stay with the rpod forever, we loved the adventures we had with it. It was so easy getting into campgrounds, and smaller campers give you more camping options.
We went the other way, we bought a 190 after pulling a fifth wheel down to Arizona a few times and camping around Western Canada for about 15 years. Went to minimalist style and we are good with that. Enjoy your new RV and thanks for the video.
Nice! We were torn between the 180 and the 190 when we were RPod shopping. It’s a great floor plan! I don’t think we will ever make the jump to fifth wheel, but never say never, I suppose. Thanks for watching! Enjoy your RPod!
Love Rpoding! We have traveled with our 191 all over the northwest. The long twin beds are a real bonus in a 20 foot lightweight trailer. At our age I doubt we ever “upgrade”, unless we hit the lottery jackpot!
My top 5 things to look for and test before buying any Travel Trailer: 5 : position of awning in relation to your entry door. An awning that barely covers your door is pretty useless. 4: toilet seat height! Make sure you take a test sit on the toilet for comfort and height before buying, nothing worse than an uncomfortable experience. 3: the bed. Are you a couple? Do you want to crawl over each other getting in and out? A walkaround bed is heaven, trust meeee. 2: location of your water pump. When it comes to maintenance, nothing worse than that thing being crammed into a space thats tight. 1: location of your dinette table. Always best to have one on the campside side of your trailer. *bonus tip: stay away from canvas of any kind, youll thank me.
You nailed the highs and lows. We went to a Lance from an R Pod 178, ours was a 2017.5 model. Now, we are shopping for an ever larger Lance. The journey never ends! Safe travels -- keep getting out there
We looked hard at Lance but they were a little more than we were ready to spend right now. I’m guessing you’ve liked yours since you’re sticking with them for a bigger model?
As a truck driver, I can tell you the bigger the equipment, the easier it is to operate. If you would have chosen a double axle unit, it would have pulled much better than your single axle.
I love how the 180 is small and light weight but still has a slide out option for more floor space. I'm currently eyeing one of these to purchase when I get a pick up. My only complaint on this model (and most campers really) is I wish the bed would fold up into a couch when not being used as a bed. I love more versatility options like that.
We full time and started out in a Forest River 220RBS 2015 model. Great trailer for the size, but we already towed with a one ton truck and I could have gone larger, or after we found out over the 2 years we had it, just went more sturdy. The low weight models are so thin in every build aspect that stuff is just prone to flex and falling apart quickly. The primary corners cut are in the flooring, they use a luan glued floor that flexes considerably and if you stand by the oven or common area too long, over a year say, the floor develops permanent dips or bends from the luan compressing. Good luck in your new trailer whatever you find!
Look at fiberglass trailers, they are small but they will last forever. I have a Casita but there are Scamp, Lil Snoozy, Escape, Bigfoot and others I can't think of now. The main quality that almost all of them share is that they are made of 2 halves, top and bottom, that are fiberglass bonded together. This means that there are almost no vertical seams as there are in "square" trailers so fewer (or no) leaks that develop over time as your trailer bounces over roads. Another big plus is that there is little to rust. You will run across the term "delamination" in your research; it happens when water leaks in through seams and the layers of wall (or ceiling/floor) separate, this is what happens when your trailer is about to dissolve. Fiberglass cannot delaminate. In my view the only major drawback to them is their size but again, some of them are fairly big. Check them out, I love mine. Also, no problems every like the folks in this video talk about. I just hitch and go, no worries!
@@LandlockedLovebirds Actually, it is Scamp. It is a 19' 5th wheel that can be pulled by a V6 small truck. Never been in one, but they look interesting online. Be safe!
@Ken S I'm glad I could point you toward something I have found good results with. Good luck on your search! Don't be afraid to ask other people's experiences.
Re: the small fiberglass 5th wheel Escape: I’m not sure you can even install a kingpin thing in a standard half-ton truck. 2. I have found the Scamps and Casitas companies do not have much of a dealer network. I would have to drive a thousand miles to Texas to get one, if they are even available.
Wow you did make a jump from a R pod to a Grand Design good choice , for what I hear about campers your pretty much at the top in build quality . Hope it serves you well , enjoy and be safe.
Your Imagine trailer look nice and look forward to a future video on the quality and satisfaction after owning it for a while! I have a 2018 R-pod 179 and I agree about the poor materials, assembly procedures, and quality control. When we first got it I noticed a lot of leftover construction garbage in hidden areas, screws attached to the thin walls didn't use plastic anchors and many easily stripped out, trim all over the inside was not properly glued or attached. Later on we found out how easily the cheap fiberboard cabinets with thin vinyl covering were chipped and scratched and the doors are looking faded because of lack of a protective finish, electrical connections that were poorly assembled and not checked that caused the heater to stop working and a major ground wire was not connected, a plastic water pipe that was cut during installation eventually burst, a thin shelf in the corner cabinet fell apart because of poorly stapled only installation and lack of support bracing and poorly made cutouts for things like outlets. On the outside, the lugs nuts on the wheels used a cheap chrome caps that easily cracked and fell off, lots of frame rusting because a thin coat of paint was used, and the fiberglass on the back of the trailer is warped and buckling from moisture because it is not glued to the inner frame of the trailer and is only held by the edges. Regarding comfort, the terrible quality foam bed and dinette cushions had to be replaced with higher quality foam and the AC and gas only heater in the camper are LOUD and putting the heater under the bed was a terrible idea and the bed platform sits over uninsulated storage area and leaks lots of outside air into the inside. Regarding safety, there is no vent fan over the stove top and if you cook without the door open it smells in the inside and the smoke alarm constantly goes off! This is all so sad because the R-pods are a good idea but poorly executed small travel trailer. I have emailed Forest River about all this problems and maybe they have been improved and so people that are looking to buy one now have a list of things to check!
We will be curious to see if Forest River responds. I will say out of the gates with grand design, the unit left the factory cleaner. As I’ve removed winterization panels and such, a little sawdust has shaken out, but we have not found all the scrap waste, screws, and other junk hidden away behind things like the R-Pod had. We’ve been out in the Imagine 4 times now, but only on short local journeys. We have a longer trip coming up in a few weeks, so we’ll see how things shake down. So far, so good. 🤞
I picked the 180 for the dry bathroom. The other features were standard on most models. We scaled down from an Artic Fox 25R. Back in 2017, they weren't trying to roll them out too fast. The fit and finish are pretty great. We realized we spent more time outside than in and wanted to tow with either vehicle. We bring two trailers to 1830s Trapper Rendezvous, one to sleep in and a cargo trailer for our primitive camp.
We looked into these campers and were pretty on board to get this trailer but saw some bad reviews and ends up going with a Grand Design, which we are happy with so far!
thanks for sharing, I've been doing lots of research on small light trailers such as the R pod, this is good information to consider before i purchase.
We went from a pop-up to a Rpod 180. Love it! Perfect for the two of us and our dog. We are mostly weekend campers and a few week trips. Guess it all depends on your needs and comfort level. I love the ease of towing, and it really has it all. The climbing out of bed is a downer but ok for us. Looks like you guys jumped way up! A camper is like any other toy. Always some issues. Seems like you got a lemon on the pod. Good vid, best of luck, enjoy!
that is EXACTLY why we stayed away from rPod. We looked at a brand new one on the lot and could not believe the shoddy workmanship. We loved the look of the exterior and the exterior design but upon closer inspection inside....extremely poor craftsmanship. Just as you mentioned rough cuts and chewed up pieces of wood. I was astonished; especially with what they were asking price wise
Yes, I never liked campers with beds that you have to crawl over a person to get out. I want to get a non folding Murphy Bed, walk around with cubbies on each side, outlets etc.
The Imagine is a great advanced move from an R-pod. Both good campers but no doubt Imagine is well built. All campers come with a few bugs to be worked out. You said it best, a house bouncing down the road at 60mph things will break.
I had various campers over the years including a popup,motorhome and others in-between. After being away from it for 20 years I jumped back in by buying a 26ft. 1/2 TON towable without straining my truck, only 60% of capacity. For me, perfect size, not too big or too small. For all the reasons you gave for upgrading- separate shower/toilet, better bed, tons more storage, and dual axles among the most significant. Storage is really a big convenience you notice right off when you don't have any. Nice video.
I have a 2012 keystone springdale 189 and im impressed with its build quality. I bought it used from the original owner and it has never had any real issues and still works and looks very nice and for 5k, it was a great deal and i still love it. Was recently looking at some new rv's and found a lot of them to be very low quality as far as build quality, but the grand design is one that I do like
Yes! I have a 2017 Liberty Deluxe that I drove 1000 miles to pickup from the factory in Rice, TX and totally love it. The ONLY issue I have had with it was a leak from one of the sink connections. I tightened it and solved the problem. Is it perfect? No. I hate the battery "cave". But will it leak, rust or delaminate? Absolutely not. The only serious flaw I have seen is that after 2+ days of hard rain, you definitely feel the need for more room but that is going to happen anyway. If I had had a third of the problems these folks had in that very short time frame I would have doused the trailer in gasoline and burned it. FG is the way to go, Oliver next.
Thank you for being painfully honest! I couldnt have something breaking down all the time! I plan to use it alone, I'm over 55 and not physically able to do alot of repairs .👍👍❤❤
From my dealings with Forest River, their campers are cheaply made and FR doesn't back their warranty. I had issues with my FR camper and it was under warranty and I had to pay out of pocket to fix, even though the guy repaired it said it was the factory's fault and poor craftmanship.
Grand design customer service is top notch. I blew the two front hydraulic jacks on my momentum and was a few months out of warranty. They said no problem we got you covered. It was a 1300 dollar repair. Not what I expected.
I was looking at the 16ft Scamp, but my other half said, if we get that one , I would have to tow a cargo trailer(say closets) behind the Scamp for her clothes' and bathroom.
Absolutely love the R Pod design, I wanted an older travel trailer to fix up…. Until I realized I was taller than the inside clearance, I’m 6’2” so I was crushed to realize that. And I’m not about to slouch around in a camper! So the R Pod had that essence to it, simple and easy but with easy modern amenities. It’s not frivolous but looked nicer than the other models and brands in a small size. I liked a Murphy bed model… I haven’t gone through with the purchase because I was giving myself time to really go back and forth (mostly forth….). Watching this though made me realize that for the truck size I have, and I’m used to hauling stock trailers with livestock or loads of hay, the bouncing around is certainly not ideal. And my intentions are not only camping trips my “local” area, but cross country. So a model with more weigh makes absolute sense for a more smooth drive… but I shall see how it shakes out from me! Until then, I have my “mini vamper” outfitted with an awning and tent that works great until I upgrade. Anyway, thanks for the thoughtful review of the R Pod! Enjoy your new truck and trailer, and hope your health is on the mend (this is my first video so I’ll go dig around on your page!).
You mentioned in a comment reply that unibody tow vehicles are not generally compatible with weight distributing hitches or sway control. Correct. Weight distribution and sway control DO make a huge difference when towing. I also found that replacing the original (load class C) tires with Goodyear Endurance (load class D) tires significantly improved the towing. I have a manual tongue jack on my R-Pod, and don't feel any need for an electric jack at all. All that said, Grand Design does manufacture a well made rig and you do have WAY more space now! Enjoy!
I am watching your video 2 years later, and I purchase a 22 MLE and had the same or similars with it as with your R Pod. Now, after RVng for 2 years the size is big concern with my wife, She always thought 26ft was too long and now we are considering downsizing to a R Pod. I read several articles and forum on downsize RVng. It comes down to the type of RVng you do and comfortable with.
I changed out my door window to the lippert slim shade. About $90 on Amazon. Simple swap to have a shade and tinted glass on the door. Exact fit for my 2021 22MLE.
Thanks for the tour of you camper. We are looking at the same model. Curious to know what model and options you have on your truck. So many configurations will get different payload and towing capacities. I am looking at the Ford F150 Limited now which has a 14000 something GCWR.
We have a Grand Design Reflection and love it! This is our 4th and last camper. We have only had minor issues. It is going on 3 years old. It is our home away from home.
We did the same thing in our upgrade to an f150. Ended up with an 8000 pound camper. Was amazed that the V6 ecoboost could tow over 10k. Was very happy for a year, then the engine blew while towing. I'll never try to tow anything halfway heavy with an ecoboost again. Finally ended up with a 1 ton deisel.
Nice info about the Rpod. That is really nice glamping in that. We are thinking about getting a teardrop trailer instead of a tent. Love being outdoors though so I'm afraid I would miss sleeping outside being inside an RV.
@@gagemurphy8373 I do often. Been hammock camping as of late. Really enjoying it although camper walls might be kinda nice when the temp drops below 30 degrees F. Plus a warm shower every few days might be nice out in the NFS campgrounds. A toilet also beats digging a cat hole in the middle of the night. 😆 pulling my own motel 6 around with me would be nice once in awhile though I can't put it in my canoe and haul it to the backcountry.
Also, for your next one, check out Outdoors RV in Pendleton, OR--independent and they make their own axles (not affiliated, just a fan). Very good in cold weather.
Thanks for you honesty! I am looking at an R-Pod, but I'm looking at the wider version that has the tanks covered. I love the Grand Design you purchased, but I'm pulling with a Highlander, so it's too big. I have shown that exact model to my sister and her husband who are pulling with a Toyota Tundra. Stay safe...I'll be following you in your adventures.
Think would have been happier in the 195 or 196 layout the 196 is great can walk on roof no problems so far (8 months) rides good behind the silverado 1500 just be sure of features you want before you make the purchase
I had a horrible experience with a lightweight camper that just fell apart after 2 years. The roof leaked around a skylight and all the sudden you realize just how flimsy everything is built. For instance the walls might be aluminum but in the middle they are mostly Styrofoam. It doesn't hold screws well and it flexes quite a bit which causes windows, doors and skylights in my case to leak in a very short period of time. Most RV places have service centers that are MONTHS behind getting to all the repairs because of these new models. I spoke to a place today that has 300 campers in the line to repair. If you are 'handy" and like fixing things then you are welcome to get one of these campers. If you are like me and prefer things to be built to use a lot, stay away from camping in general but especially stay away from lightweight small campers. My 2005 toyota sunroof still doesn't leak. My 2018 Forest River camper is leaking like a river.
aww... The Rpod was so cute, looking like an angry penguin. To me, as a tent camper, all of those things would still make me feel like a queen. lol But I totally understand why it wasn't working for the two of you. It's still short enough to fit in your driveway when you're getting ready to go or getting home from an adventure, but those few extra feet make a big difference. Here's to many more camping adventures in 2021. Maybe your tent bound neighbors can tag along sometime.
We’d love that. We’ve enjoyed going to Scales for easy camping, and we’ve been trying to get our friends out there with us. Is it the Rpod or the new camper that looks like an angry penguin? Darren told me that y’all thought it looked like one, and I’ve been staring at the new one trying to figure it out. I started calling the new one the angry penguin bc I thought it was cute name lol.
@@LandlockedLovebirds LOL It was the RPod that looked like an angry penguin to me. Maybe that's why it gave you fits every time you took it out, it was just angry. lol We've not been to Scales, but we have been to Lincoln park for close camping and nice trails. We've also been to the Hoosier National Forest for close-ish camping. It was nice, to camp there, and the hosts there were really nice and welcoming, but we didn't like those trails as much.
Turns out if you stare at something long enough, you start to see whatever you’re looking for. We’ve been trying to name the new one, and the Angry Penguin is a finalist. If y’all hear us talking about it, we will have you to thank for the name lol. :)
So glad I found your channel. I currently own a 180 and agree with your pro/con list. I have been vetting the Grand Design for a year, same reasons as you stated. Look forward to following you.
We’re headed out this weekend for a little shakedown trip. We know things will pop up with even the highest quality trailers, but we’re hopeful that issues are minimal. Our tour video is going live in an hour, and we hope to report back regularly this year with reports on quality and issues. Stay tuned!
I have a 2017 Rpod 180 but without the problems you have with your 2020. Mine tows behind my Land Cruiser SUV beautifully. Never experienced any "bumping or sway". Course we have a hitch that is load distribution and sway control, and an Electric Brake Controller. Power Jack still works. I've done mods on it to increase storage but the biggest maintenance was to compound, wax, and polish the roof. Course I have had a couple of small leaks I fixed with caulking. Everything works perfectly, never had a problem with the Air Conditioning, water tanks, etc. The only other issues are the Propane Detector which needs replacing and that sometimes the Thermostat cover pops off. Slide works without issue, the manual Awning works and still looks like new. We really love our Rpod 180. I think Rpod built them better in 2017, and today's Rpods are just slapped together because of tremendous demand.
I think you’re right on target with the quality vs. demand commentary. Glad to hear you’re enjoying your R-Pod with minimal issues. Truth be told, I think we’d have eventually ironed out most of our issues and been fine. I think a big part of the equation was just learning what we wanted and what worked best for us. Sometimes I wish we had both trailers to use in different situations and scenarios. :)
I just bought a 2018 r pod that was only used 6 times. I live in Florida and I’m going to tow it to a pole barn in Indiana. I wonder how much turbulence the trailer will encounter when passed by semi’s?
Thanks for posting this, very helpful. As others have said, it takes some trips to figure out how we live in these things and how we each like to travel. One thought: Remember, it is not about the tow rating, but the payload and GCWR. The F150, as you say, has so many options it makes my head spin, but that GCWR is the key number. The tongue weight gets heavy fast with the bigger trailers and that counts as payload. [Even those nice smaller, Lance trailers, have heavy tongue weights.] Keep track of the weight and have fun out there, take her easy :-).
I did so much towing research, but you had me second guessing. 😂 Max payload is 1863 lbs. tongue weight is 490, per manufacturer (assuming that’s empty). Provided we keep tongue weight at 10-15% of max trailer weight, we will be at 700-800lbs tongue weight. That hopefully still allows for a decent amount of truck cargo. 🤞 I hope to run to a local cat scale once we load it up to check stats. :)
We have a r pod 180 too MODS added 4-inch lift blocks, rear removable jacks, tow 6 volt batteries, mover tire to the side of unit r pod, make a rear lifted rack . we have found we run low on water after 4 days. I will address that soon .
We bought a Forest River pop-up back in 2014 and traded it in within 4 months because of all the problems with it, the worst being a warped axle that caused brake malfunction. We don't recommend Forest River to anyone we know. Got a Jayco hybrid we loved that we just sold last year to move up to a Bullett Premier bunkhouse, which we love.
I almost bought a 171. Thought is was the best design for my needs. But after looking at it a few times and watching some reviews on here, I decided that it was going to be more work than I wanted to deal with, even a new one. I still really like the design and layout a lot.
I think everyone gets confused about what their vehicle will pull. Just because your vehicle can pull 5,000 lbs doesn’t mean you can safely tow that much weight. You need to to look at the GVWR; flirting with disaster if your don’t understand this about your vehicle.
It’s much more complicated than I ever imagined. GVWR, GCWR, GAWR, Payload, Max Tongue Weight, Frontal Area. 🤯🤦♂️ The car manufacturers seem to hide some of the info too. Our Ford manual leads me to believe that our GCWR is 16,100 lbs, but that isn’t an option for our setup in the towing guide. 😂. 90% sure combined weight is 16,100 or 16,200, payload is 1863 lbs, and max tongue is around 1000 lbs. Curb weight is nearly impossible to find, but GVWR is 7000 lbs. 🤷♂️ It took way too much effort to arrive at those conclusions.
@@LandlockedLovebirds The quick and usually the most reliable way to factor weight capacity is to look at your trailer GVWR. This weight “should” include full potable, grey and black tanks, plus the gear you can safely carry. Personally I always consider the GVWR of my trailer as the real weight of my trailer, just to be on the safe side. You take the trailer GVWR plus the weight you have in your vehicle, including people coolers dogs etc. then deduct the weight from the vehicle GVWR. All that information is on the vehicle door jam. It adds up quick...but it isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Best advise and help will be from the service manager at your vehicle dealer. Don’t be that guy and call them, go in and see them and remember they are doing you a favor, not the other way around.
Thanks again. I was thinking the vehicle GVWR didn’t include the weight of the trailer itself, only the tongue weight. GVW = Vehicle Weight + Passengers + Payload + Trailer Tongue Weight GCW = GVW + Loaded Trailer Weight Our truck’s GVWR is 7000 lbs. GCWR is 16,100. So, our loaded truck, with us, dogs, cargo and trailer tongue weight (approx 600-800 lbs) would need to stay under 7,000. The trailer GVWR is 6995, so if we maxed the truck and trailer out, combined weight would be around 14,000, giving us about 2,000 lbs of insurance on our 16,100 GCWR. Does the sound correct?
My old man bought an RPod. Can’t remember the model but it’s the smallest size. I’ve probably used it more than him and I have to say, I’m not a fan. I think for trailering I’d prefer a bigger unit. Most likely we’ll sell it and I may look for a truck camper. There’s a reason these things are a lot less expensive than others. They do pack in a lot of features though.
I’ve seen several RV reviewers emphasizing the bed size, toilet placement, and seating being the shortcomings that become evident AFTER you own the RV.
Yup. I know that was the case with us. We felt like the layout was good when we first saw it, but after some quality time in it, those things became more evident.
yes we bought a trailer 2007 Weekender that was fine EXCEPT the bed was WAY too short for a 6"2' man. WAY too short.. What were they thinking??? We never thought to check the length because.... why would a bed be made to fit ME a 5"6'person?? It was to fit 2 people- lol but they'd both have to be short! The pantry cabinet was in the way of lengthening it, and it was a stabilizing item so we couldn't remove it. Sooo we traded it in for a used 2003 toy hauler a Rage'n which is good because it is easily modifiable without risking the stability of the structure. We aren't going to use the bed that elevates because it doesn't come down low enough but it's a GREAT storage area. Putting in a bed with underneath storage, yanking out the lonnnnng sofa.
The ultra lite lines are meant to roll from your driveway to the RV Park. Can't handle rough roads. Sad that nothing is made with USA Quality. They are slapping them together these days to meet demand. With the economy crashing many will be selling their camper to make their house payment. 😢 Congratulations 🎉 on your new rig! I hope you feel better soon. I deal with Lupus so I've been on the magical mystery healthcare tour. Hang in there and don't let them gaslight you on any symptoms you might be experiencing. ❤
cousin same style side slide out they drove to black hills yet return ran they zonk they transmission of ford-150.($1200) the RV dealer never said that the truck wouldn't pull of course over packing the truck might have affect it performance for. was under power est advice of mechanic said only trade for any F250..they still camp out just stay within 70 miles range 1 way & return plan.
Thanks for the video. Sorry to hear about your RV issues. We are looking to close on a R-Pod 195 in four days. Hoping we don’t have any leaks. We live in Oregon and it rains constantly, so if there are any leaks I’m sure we will find them. The hitch Jack issue is of major concern. We tow with a Tesla Model X so we have to unhitch to charge frequently and an electric tongue Jack is a #1 priority. There are two other trailers we were looking at, a InTech Sol Horizon, and 20’ Airstream Bambi. However the Airstream is 2X $$ and bot Airstream and Horizon have several month lead times. I expect great deals on used trailers in 2024. So may upgrade to Airstream then. Our tiny Retro has never leaked or had any AC issues but yes build quality on interior trim of RV’s is always an issue. It’s labor intensive, and no one wants to pay to train and compensate the skilled tradespeople who do this work. That’s why an Airstream costs 2X.
Hopefully, if you go with RPod, you have a great experience. I’ve heard a few times that the Hood River Editions built out your way tend to be better built than the ones coming from Indiana, but I’m not sure. I will say the rpod tongue jack was much faster than the one on our new one haha. We’ve heard great things about Lance campers, but they were a bit out of our range for now. May be worth a look if you have the budget. If this becomes a forever hobby for us, airstream may enter the equation at some point.
Buying an Airstream is no assurance of high quality. Thor is not known for quality control. And when defects are found, they are much more difficult to repair.
Hi I was excited to learn that you started with a Ford Edge---the R Pod 180 and the Ford Edge is the configuration I have been thinking about. Can you tell me which engine you had in the Edge and how well it pulled? Thanks sooo much. Pete.
In my opinion, the Rpod 180 is too heavy for your Edge. Our 180 weighs 3500 lbs, outfitted for travel, and we pack pretty light. You need 5000-lb tow capacity. We tow with an Xterra with sway control and I have no problems.
This was a well done video. I was looking at the Rpod today as my frist trailer. I have to say, not sure if I was surprised or just jealous that you buy a travel trailer to see if you liked camping. I've been camping since bouscouts in Michigan. I'm 37 now and I average 40 nights a season in a tent, Just now am I starting to mature into a travel trailer so I can spend less time on camp setup/tear down and packing and more on on the activities.
Thanks! It probably wasn’t the smartest financial move to test out a hobby with such a purchase...but...it worked out. 🤣😂 I (Darren) did do some travel trailer camping with my grandparents as a kid. They always had a motor home or a fifth wheel, so I had a taste for it. Neither of our families were super outdoorsy growing up. We were more ball sports focused, so we missed out on hunting, fishing, Boy Scouts, camping, etc. Steph and I both love the outdoors now, so we thought we may take well to RVing. We just ended up liking it way more than we thought we would.
My husband and I slept lengthwise on the bed. We got a thin piece of plywood, slid it under the mattress and put a pillow on it. I’m getting rid of mine but only because my husband recently passed away and if I was going to go out it wouldn’t be a towable. I’m trying to get it winterized now. The floor in the kitchen area is really mushy so I dk if it’s delamination (which I understand is common with Forest River) or if there was a water leak. We bought ours sight unseen and there’s no inside storage at all. They didn’t give us a good tour of ours. I heard people tell stories about the great service prior to taking possession of their Rpod. Told them everything about it and showed them stuff about maintenance. I’m sorry you are having trouble with pain. I can relate. I’ve been dealing with it for years. It’s draining. Hopefully yous will resolve soon. I almost forgot. We got the dome to go on ours! Big mistake. We ended up living full time in ours. First: the dome was much smaller than we expected. When I first started watching Rpod videos the domes were huge. Second: it wasn’t easy to set up. I dk if that was just ours or what but we had a hard time with it. Third: it got destroyed in a storm. The AL weather was very hard on it. It started tearing in different places and looked terrible. We ended up getting rid of it. So my Rpod has probably lost value because it doesn’t have an awning!
I've had two forest river rv's,and have had no problems with them .just saying!.last one was in a couple down pours for days traveling and no leaks. No one really better than other,but look for backing of warranty !!!
We sold our 38' foot 5th wheel and now have an RPod 189. I feel like I'm camping in the pod. I do get teased quite a bit about pulling the 20' camper with a 1 ton dually lol. The upside is when boon docking I just put a 55 gallon barrel in the back of the truck for water. Helps smooth the ride a little too. Honestly though the build quality in the rpods are crap. It's a great concept of a camper with very poor follow through.
We also have an RPod 189 and have owned it for 3 years. We are super happy with it and I tow it with a Chevy 3/4 ton 4X4. A little over kill but with don’t really have to worry about load
Awesome video thank you for the info been watching a lot of videos and want to get the right one for the family has to have a sink in the restroom and the big freezer is a plus and of course the double bunks
Great choice! We have a 2020 Grand Design XLS 23 BHE we absolutely love it, especially on how easily it tows with our 2020 Chevy Tahoe. We started off with a small Starcraft hybrid trailer a few years ago and upgraded both our tow vehicle and trailer as well. No regrets as this is a well built travel trailer that will get you years of enjoyment. Congratulations and happy camping with your new Grand Design XLS.
Great 📹 Video! I habe been follwing you guys fir a while and I really enjoy your videos. Also, be encouraged! I dealt with Bell's Palsy last summer in 2020 and it is difficult but do you facial exercises and you'll be fine in a few months! Relax, and de-stress! Really enjoy your videos!
Thanks for following along and for the encouragement. Bell’s Palsy is such a strange condition. When Steph contracted it about 4 years ago, we had never heard of someone experiencing it and not recovering; however, after four years of therapy, exercises, steroid and antiviral treatments, Botox, etc., she still has some paralysis, as well as another condition known as synkinesis. Synkinesis is actually a miswiring of nerve activity that happens during the healing process from Bell’s Palsy. It causes muscle tightness in the face and for the wrong muscles to contract without intention. We’ve learned many things about this strange disorder that we never knew, most notably is that not everyone heals from it and that doctors really know very little about it. Steph had been amazing at making life adjustments to live with the aftereffects. Meanwhile, we just keep on traveling. ✈️ ❤️
@@LandlockedLovebirds sorry to hear that she has had such a struggle with it. I truly hope the road gets easier and she is able to conquer the ailments and symptoms that are caused by the disease. I hadve known a few people who had it before I had it. I only knew of one person who didn't not completely heal from it. You guys will be in my prayers. If at all possible, keep up all the great work that you do!
I'm 6'3 as well so every small rv with an east/west bed is a nonstarter for me. I share your workmanship concerns too (for all brands). It looks like you made a nice upgrade!
We hope it was a good decision. Time will tell, i suppose. Yeah, we learned the hard way on the bed. Being our first trailer, when we tested it out, we thought we could do it and be comfy. It was “ok” but being able to stretch out fully makes a big difference. 😂 😴
very good video. i have been looking at the R Pod trailers. you don't know what your getting with any trailer. now your trailer might have been built on a monday, or friday. just little things, but all the little things makes you wonder what else COULD break. the single axle is a drawback, but the R POD is a neat little camper. your new one looks excellent. oh yeah, i really don't want a slide out, but that's just me. be safe. hope this camper was built by dedicated employees, not just pay check employee's.
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In terms of towing, if you can back up a short wheel base trailer like the Rpod, you can easily handle a larger one. Small trailers are the most difficult to maneuver while backing. Just wanted to throw that out there for anyone who may be thinking about a small camper due to maneuverability. They do fit in smaller places, obviously, but getting them there is not as easy and the tail swings very quickly compared to a much longer camper during backing.
Yes I was about to come here just to say this. A small trailer is actually harder to back up than a large one.
Especially when it’s a Livingston boat or something where you can’t even see the trailer until you’ve gone too far 😂
I've been RV'ing for 5-ish years now. One of the big lessons I've learned is that it takes around a year bouncing down the road to "shake out" all the problems that an RV has. The first year I had something go wrong every trip- but once those were worked out, it has been much better. I still have things to fix on an annual basis, but it's much better now.
Good to know! Thank you!
We just purchased our first r-pod after comparing small ones and this was the nicest. We have camped with tents, tent trailers, a 30' travel trailer for 10 years and just got this one. So, not new to camping. Everything you mentioned (and I was glad to hear what you had to say) are things we thought about first and tried to avoid. Of course, we haven't even taken it on the road yet - hoping no trouble and broken equipment!! It's made of Azdel fiberglass (not cheap) and it has a ladder so you CAN walk on the roof. Since my husband is accomplished at trailer pulling (farm boy), we have anti-sway bars and trailer brakes installed in our vehicle. Plus he can stand in the shower (6'2") and we have a walk around bed because we got the model with a murphy bed. We are pulling it with a Toyota Highlander. Sorry you had so much trouble - praying we don't! And thanks for the tip on the Facebook group!!
I see you posted your comment a year ago, so how was your first year? We are looking at a ‘23 192 and will be pulling with a 4runner so the weight of the trailer is a big sale point for us.
@@cheyneturbyfill4727 We are just starting to look for a small RV because we also will be pulling it with a 4Runner. Looking at the 196. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Your guys are awesome, so sorry to hear that your health has been an issue I hope you are now on the road to feeling better. Your outlook is infectious and the joy is amazing thank you for a truly unbiased review
Thank you for such a kind comment!
I have a 2016 184G. I mainly use it for dog shows and usually travel with just my dogs. I live it, although it would be nice to have an extra 4 feet of space. I pull with a jeep and have sway bars. I hardly notice it behind the jeep but I am maxed out on towing weight.
Taking notes:
1- keep bucket over power tongue Jack to keep water out of electronics
2- use weight distribution anti-sway bar to compensate for single axle towing
3- make sure you’re content with the vehicle you currently own before shopping for camper or wait until you have a vehicle you can be content with
4-take in consideration the rpod is constructed with light weight composite water and rot-resistant materials that have more flex then a somewhat sturdier wood and particle board built trailer
5-if your under 6’2 you’ll sleep okay
6-make sure you have a walkable roof or plan accordingly
7-check with dealership on their warranty
8-take the time to look over trailer for manufacture quality of build before committing to purchase
9-rpods are not built for winter camping
Thank you for your honest and in depth review. We are going to pick up our 2023 r192 this weekend and I’ll be sure to keep these points in mind!
Happy camping! While we didn’t stay with the rpod forever, we loved the adventures we had with it. It was so easy getting into campgrounds, and smaller campers give you more camping options.
Great job on the explanation and congrats on the Grand Design. We look forward to following your camping travels this year!
Love seeing all your Florida adventures. We’d love to take the camper south one of these days.
We went the other way, we bought a 190 after pulling a fifth wheel down to Arizona a few times and camping around Western Canada for about 15 years. Went to minimalist style and we are good with that. Enjoy your new RV and thanks for the video.
Nice! We were torn between the 180 and the 190 when we were RPod shopping. It’s a great floor plan!
I don’t think we will ever make the jump to fifth wheel, but never say never, I suppose.
Thanks for watching! Enjoy your RPod!
I'm liking the 190 very much. Something about a rear dinette that just works for me and my wife.
Love Rpoding! We have traveled with our 191 all over the northwest. The long twin beds are a real bonus in a 20 foot lightweight trailer. At our age I doubt we ever “upgrade”, unless we hit the lottery jackpot!
My top 5 things to look for and test before buying any Travel Trailer:
5 : position of awning in relation to your entry door. An awning that barely covers your door is pretty useless.
4: toilet seat height! Make sure you take a test sit on the toilet for comfort and height before buying, nothing worse than an uncomfortable experience.
3: the bed. Are you a couple? Do you want to crawl over each other getting in and out? A walkaround bed is heaven, trust meeee.
2: location of your water pump. When it comes to maintenance, nothing worse than that thing being crammed into a space thats tight.
1: location of your dinette table. Always best to have one on the campside side of your trailer.
*bonus tip: stay away from canvas of any kind, youll thank me.
Thanks got the tops. What to get if not canvas or better and best to get. Thanks
What do you mean by canvas? For the awning?
You nailed the highs and lows. We went to a Lance from an R Pod 178, ours was a 2017.5 model. Now, we are shopping for an ever larger Lance. The journey never ends! Safe travels -- keep getting out there
We looked hard at Lance but they were a little more than we were ready to spend right now. I’m guessing you’ve liked yours since you’re sticking with them for a bigger model?
As a truck driver, I can tell you the bigger the equipment, the easier it is to operate. If you would have chosen a double axle unit, it would have pulled much better than your single axle.
A double axle is my first requirement on a camper.
I’ve had my 171 RPod since 2010. Love it, but we’re low maintenance and do a lot of boondocking, crank jack and no slide outs
I love how the 180 is small and light weight but still has a slide out option for more floor space. I'm currently eyeing one of these to purchase when I get a pick up. My only complaint on this model (and most campers really) is I wish the bed would fold up into a couch when not being used as a bed. I love more versatility options like that.
Yes.. murphy bed is the way to go in these small campers!!
My wife and I are 5’7 or under. Great for our needs. No issues after 5 years. Bought 2 years old for $10300. The deals are in used campers.
We full time and started out in a Forest River 220RBS 2015 model. Great trailer for the size, but we already towed with a one ton truck and I could have gone larger, or after we found out over the 2 years we had it, just went more sturdy. The low weight models are so thin in every build aspect that stuff is just prone to flex and falling apart quickly. The primary corners cut are in the flooring, they use a luan glued floor that flexes considerably and if you stand by the oven or common area too long, over a year say, the floor develops permanent dips or bends from the luan compressing. Good luck in your new trailer whatever you find!
Thank you for your honesty. I've been wanting to buy a small camper but the quality build is horrible on mostly all of them.
Look at fiberglass trailers, they are small but they will last forever. I have a Casita but there are Scamp, Lil Snoozy, Escape, Bigfoot and others I can't think of now. The main quality that almost all of them share is that they are made of 2 halves, top and bottom, that are fiberglass bonded together. This means that there are almost no vertical seams as there are in "square" trailers so fewer (or no) leaks that develop over time as your trailer bounces over roads. Another big plus is that there is little to rust. You will run across the term "delamination" in your research; it happens when water leaks in through seams and the layers of wall (or ceiling/floor) separate, this is what happens when your trailer is about to dissolve. Fiberglass cannot delaminate. In my view the only major drawback to them is their size but again, some of them are fairly big. Check them out, I love mine. Also, no problems every like the folks in this video talk about. I just hitch and go, no worries!
I think it’s escape who has a tiny 5th wheel. Looks super cool!
Thanks for the advice and input. ⛺️
@@LandlockedLovebirds Actually, it is Scamp. It is a 19' 5th wheel that can be pulled by a V6 small truck. Never been in one, but they look interesting online. Be safe!
@Ken S I'm glad I could point you toward something I have found good results with. Good luck on your search! Don't be afraid to ask other people's experiences.
Re: the small fiberglass 5th wheel Escape: I’m not sure you can even install a kingpin thing in a standard half-ton truck.
2. I have found the Scamps and Casitas companies do not have much of a dealer network. I would have to drive a thousand miles to Texas to get one, if they are even available.
Nothing made now days will last the 66yrs my trailer has. And still used daily yet,15,000 miles this year alone...
66 years? You need a picture of it.
66 years? What brand?
I agree!!!! OLD IS GOLD that includes: Cars, trucks, washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves ALL JUNK!
Wow you did make a jump from a R pod to a Grand Design good choice , for what I hear about campers your pretty much at the top in build quality . Hope it serves you well , enjoy and be safe.
Thanks so much for the kind comment! We’re very excited about the switch. Thanks for watching!
Your Imagine trailer look nice and look forward to a future video on the quality and satisfaction after owning it for a while!
I have a 2018 R-pod 179 and I agree about the poor materials, assembly procedures, and quality control. When we first got it I noticed a lot of leftover construction garbage in hidden areas, screws attached to the thin walls didn't use plastic anchors and many easily stripped out, trim all over the inside was not properly glued or attached. Later on we found out how easily the cheap fiberboard cabinets with thin vinyl covering were chipped and scratched and the doors are looking faded because of lack of a protective finish, electrical connections that were poorly assembled and not checked that caused the heater to stop working and a major ground wire was not connected, a plastic water pipe that was cut during installation eventually burst, a thin shelf in the corner cabinet fell apart because of poorly stapled only installation and lack of support bracing and poorly made cutouts for things like outlets. On the outside, the lugs nuts on the wheels used a cheap chrome caps that easily cracked and fell off, lots of frame rusting because a thin coat of paint was used, and the fiberglass on the back of the trailer is warped and buckling from moisture because it is not glued to the inner frame of the trailer and is only held by the edges. Regarding comfort, the terrible quality foam bed and dinette cushions had to be replaced with higher quality foam and the AC and gas only heater in the camper are LOUD and putting the heater under the bed was a terrible idea and the bed platform sits over uninsulated storage area and leaks lots of outside air into the inside. Regarding safety, there is no vent fan over the stove top and if you cook without the door open it smells in the inside and the smoke alarm constantly goes off! This is all so sad because the R-pods are a good idea but poorly executed small travel trailer. I have emailed Forest River about all this problems and maybe they have been improved and so people that are looking to buy one now have a list of things to check!
We will be curious to see if Forest River responds.
I will say out of the gates with grand design, the unit left the factory cleaner. As I’ve removed winterization panels and such, a little sawdust has shaken out, but we have not found all the scrap waste, screws, and other junk hidden away behind things like the R-Pod had.
We’ve been out in the Imagine 4 times now, but only on short local journeys. We have a longer trip coming up in a few weeks, so we’ll see how things shake down. So far, so good. 🤞
I picked the 180 for the dry bathroom. The other features were standard on most models. We scaled down from an Artic Fox 25R.
Back in 2017, they weren't trying to roll them out too fast. The fit and finish are pretty great.
We realized we spent more time outside than in and wanted to tow with either vehicle.
We bring two trailers to 1830s Trapper Rendezvous, one to sleep in and a cargo trailer for our primitive camp.
We looked into these campers and were pretty on board to get this trailer but saw some bad reviews and ends up going with a Grand Design, which we are happy with so far!
thanks for sharing, I've been doing lots of research on small light trailers such as the R pod, this is good information to consider before i purchase.
Good stuff is never cheap and cheap stuff is never good...Congrats on the upgrade, hope your health is doing better!
We went from a pop-up to a Rpod 180. Love it! Perfect for the two of us and our dog. We are mostly weekend campers and a few week trips. Guess it all depends on your needs and comfort level. I love the ease of towing, and it really has it all. The climbing out of bed is a downer but ok for us. Looks like you guys jumped way up! A camper is like any other toy. Always some issues. Seems like you got a lemon on the pod. Good vid, best of luck, enjoy!
Enjoy your RPod! They have so many features in a small package. And, they’re so cozy.
The reason I didn't go with r pod is they had 7 on the lot and everyone had issues with build quality.
Great video, I appreciate the information, it really helped on what things to look for when buying a smaller camper.
Very informative on the R-Pod, thanks! Enjoy the new one!!
Especially in a "home on wheels " Loc-Tite should be routinely used on most fasteners.
I found this information to be super helpful. Thank you so much. Be happy, be well.
that is EXACTLY why we stayed away from rPod. We looked at a brand new one on the lot and could not believe the shoddy workmanship. We loved the look of the exterior and the exterior design but upon closer inspection inside....extremely poor craftsmanship. Just as you mentioned rough cuts and chewed up pieces of wood. I was astonished; especially with what they were asking price wise
Yea just FRM watching this video, I was basically like, ok, so note to self never buy an roof . Sounds like they are very cheaply made.
Yes, I never liked campers with beds that you have to crawl over a person to get out.
I want to get a non folding Murphy Bed, walk around with cubbies on each side, outlets etc.
Our new rig has this setup. For us personally, it’s a much better setup.
The Imagine is a great advanced move from an R-pod. Both good campers but no doubt Imagine is well built. All campers come with a few bugs to be worked out. You said it best, a house bouncing down the road at 60mph things will break.
I had various campers over the years including a popup,motorhome and others in-between. After being away from it for 20 years I jumped back in by buying a 26ft. 1/2 TON towable without straining my truck, only 60% of capacity. For me, perfect size, not too big or too small. For all the reasons you gave for upgrading- separate shower/toilet, better bed, tons more storage, and dual axles among the most significant. Storage is really a big convenience you notice right off when you don't have any. Nice video.
I have a 2012 keystone springdale 189 and im impressed with its build quality. I bought it used from the original owner and it has never had any real issues and still works and looks very nice and for 5k, it was a great deal and i still love it. Was recently looking at some new rv's and found a lot of them to be very low quality as far as build quality, but the grand design is one that I do like
More convinced than ever I made the right decision to go fiberglass. My new Casita rocks compared to the conventional construction.
Curious which model you have. We considered some fiberglass options but most of the ones we looked at were a bit short inside with my height.
Yes! I have a 2017 Liberty Deluxe that I drove 1000 miles to pickup from the factory in Rice, TX and totally love it. The ONLY issue I have had with it was a leak from one of the sink connections. I tightened it and solved the problem. Is it perfect? No. I hate the battery "cave". But will it leak, rust or delaminate? Absolutely not. The only serious flaw I have seen is that after 2+ days of hard rain, you definitely feel the need for more room but that is going to happen anyway. If I had had a third of the problems these folks had in that very short time frame I would have doused the trailer in gasoline and burned it. FG is the way to go, Oliver next.
Thank you for being painfully honest! I couldnt have something breaking down all the time! I plan to use it alone, I'm over 55 and not physically able to do alot of repairs .👍👍❤❤
This was an amazing review. Very honest and true review of their experience. Thank you for sharing! You 2 rock!
From my dealings with Forest River, their campers are cheaply made and FR doesn't back their warranty. I had issues with my FR camper and it was under warranty and I had to pay out of pocket to fix, even though the guy repaired it said it was the factory's fault and poor craftmanship.
Grand design customer service is top notch. I blew the two front hydraulic jacks on my momentum and was a few months out of warranty. They said no problem we got you covered. It was a 1300 dollar repair. Not what I expected.
I was looking at the 16ft Scamp, but my other half said, if we get that one , I would have to tow a cargo trailer(say closets) behind the Scamp for her clothes' and bathroom.
Helpful, thanks. Soft shopping. Friend has a 179 and loves it.
Absolutely love the R Pod design, I wanted an older travel trailer to fix up…. Until I realized I was taller than the inside clearance, I’m 6’2” so I was crushed to realize that. And I’m not about to slouch around in a camper! So the R Pod had that essence to it, simple and easy but with easy modern amenities. It’s not frivolous but looked nicer than the other models and brands in a small size. I liked a Murphy bed model… I haven’t gone through with the purchase because I was giving myself time to really go back and forth (mostly forth….). Watching this though made me realize that for the truck size I have, and I’m used to hauling stock trailers with livestock or loads of hay, the bouncing around is certainly not ideal. And my intentions are not only camping trips my “local” area, but cross country. So a model with more weigh makes absolute sense for a more smooth drive… but I shall see how it shakes out from me! Until then, I have my “mini vamper” outfitted with an awning and tent that works great until I upgrade.
Anyway, thanks for the thoughtful review of the R Pod! Enjoy your new truck and trailer, and hope your health is on the mend (this is my first video so I’ll go dig around on your page!).
Enjoy your Imagine. Grand Design makes an amazing product. You’ll enjoy it!
Thank you! We’re headed out this weekend for a test run! 🏕
Thanks for your honest review
If your trailer is equipped with a power tongue jack, us a plastic pail to cover it when not in use, keeps the rain and moisture out.
Good to know. Thanks for the insight
You mentioned in a comment reply that unibody tow vehicles are not generally compatible with weight distributing hitches or sway control. Correct. Weight distribution and sway control DO make a huge difference when towing. I also found that replacing the original (load class C) tires with Goodyear Endurance (load class D) tires significantly improved the towing. I have a manual tongue jack on my R-Pod, and don't feel any need for an electric jack at all. All that said, Grand Design does manufacture a well made rig and you do have WAY more space now! Enjoy!
Thanks for the comment! I agree on the manual jack comment. I preferred hand cranking the rpod up and down after the motor died. It was much faster!
Great video! And you two are so likable it's a pleasure to watch
I am watching your video 2 years later, and I purchase a 22 MLE and had the same or similars with it as with your R Pod. Now, after RVng for 2 years the size is big concern with my wife, She always thought 26ft was too long and now we are considering downsizing to a R Pod. I read several articles and forum on downsize RVng. It comes down to the type of RVng you do and comfortable with.
Loved the video! Very interesting!
What a great upgrade guys! We will be watching how things go for you. Best of luck in the Imagine rig
Thank you!
I changed out my door window to the lippert slim shade. About $90 on Amazon. Simple swap to have a shade and tinted glass on the door. Exact fit for my 2021 22MLE.
U got a picture
Thanks for the tour of you camper. We are looking at the same model. Curious to know what model and options you have on your truck. So many configurations will get different payload and towing capacities. I am looking at the Ford F150 Limited now which has a 14000 something GCWR.
We have a Grand Design Reflection and love it! This is our 4th and last camper. We have only had minor issues. It is going on 3 years old. It is our home away from home.
We’re very happy with our Imagine so far! Our friends are full timers in a reflection 5th wheel. We’re meeting them our west for a couple weeks soon.
2019 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS here in Wisconsin.
👍
Congratulations on your GD purchase.
@@papabearcamaro nice! Meeting our full time friends tomorrow. They have a Reflection 5th wheel. 28BH maybe.
We did the same thing in our upgrade to an f150. Ended up with an 8000 pound camper. Was amazed that the V6 ecoboost could tow over 10k. Was very happy for a year, then the engine blew while towing. I'll never try to tow anything halfway heavy with an ecoboost again. Finally ended up with a 1 ton deisel.
Dang. That stinks. Thanks for sharing.
Useful info -- thank you so much for sharing your experience.
Nice info about the Rpod. That is really nice glamping in that. We are thinking about getting a teardrop trailer instead of a tent. Love being outdoors though so I'm afraid I would miss sleeping outside being inside an RV.
Here’s where the hybrid RV with screened canvas wings comes in.
Take your sleeping bag outside then
@@gagemurphy8373 I do often. Been hammock camping as of late. Really enjoying it although camper walls might be kinda nice when the temp drops below 30 degrees F. Plus a warm shower every few days might be nice out in the NFS campgrounds. A toilet also beats digging a cat hole in the middle of the night. 😆 pulling my own motel 6 around with me would be nice once in awhile though I can't put it in my canoe and haul it to the backcountry.
New subscriber, just found your channel. Congrats on the new trailer! Great choice for a half ton.
Welcome aboard! Thanks for watching!
Also, for your next one, check out Outdoors RV in Pendleton, OR--independent and they make their own axles (not affiliated, just a fan). Very good in cold weather.
They also make their own frames for each individual Floorplan.
We had a 2020 rpod for about 2 months, it was great to pull! We had so many things break we traded it for a 2018 Imagine! So much nicer!
Thanks for you honesty! I am looking at an R-Pod, but I'm looking at the wider version that has the tanks covered. I love the Grand Design you purchased, but I'm pulling with a Highlander, so it's too big. I have shown that exact model to my sister and her husband who are pulling with a Toyota Tundra. Stay safe...I'll be following you in your adventures.
Highlander tows 5,000 lbs (if the V-6) so much better than their original Ford Edge.
Think would have been happier in the 195 or 196 layout the 196 is great can walk on roof no problems so far (8 months) rides good behind the silverado 1500 just be sure of features you want before you make the purchase
The whole bed against the wall is a major #$%%. It so nice now to just get up and not disturb anyone. Totally do not miss that.
It’s the little things you didn’t even know you needed.
Yikes! RPod Kick it up a notch !
I had a horrible experience with a lightweight camper that just fell apart after 2 years. The roof leaked around a skylight and all the sudden you realize just how flimsy everything is built. For instance the walls might be aluminum but in the middle they are mostly Styrofoam. It doesn't hold screws well and it flexes quite a bit which causes windows, doors and skylights in my case to leak in a very short period of time. Most RV places have service centers that are MONTHS behind getting to all the repairs because of these new models. I spoke to a place today that has 300 campers in the line to repair. If you are 'handy" and like fixing things then you are welcome to get one of these campers. If you are like me and prefer things to be built to use a lot, stay away from camping in general but especially stay away from lightweight small campers. My 2005 toyota sunroof still doesn't leak. My 2018 Forest River camper is leaking like a river.
Best advice ever! Stay away from super light small campers
aww... The Rpod was so cute, looking like an angry penguin. To me, as a tent camper, all of those things would still make me feel like a queen. lol But I totally understand why it wasn't working for the two of you. It's still short enough to fit in your driveway when you're getting ready to go or getting home from an adventure, but those few extra feet make a big difference. Here's to many more camping adventures in 2021. Maybe your tent bound neighbors can tag along sometime.
We’d love that. We’ve enjoyed going to Scales for easy camping, and we’ve been trying to get our friends out there with us. Is it the Rpod or the new camper that looks like an angry penguin? Darren told me that y’all thought it looked like one, and I’ve been staring at the new one trying to figure it out. I started calling the new one the angry penguin bc I thought it was cute name lol.
@@LandlockedLovebirds LOL It was the RPod that looked like an angry penguin to me. Maybe that's why it gave you fits every time you took it out, it was just angry. lol We've not been to Scales, but we have been to Lincoln park for close camping and nice trails. We've also been to the Hoosier National Forest for close-ish camping. It was nice, to camp there, and the hosts there were really nice and welcoming, but we didn't like those trails as much.
Turns out if you stare at something long enough, you start to see whatever you’re looking for. We’ve been trying to name the new one, and the Angry Penguin is a finalist. If y’all hear us talking about it, we will have you to thank for the name lol. :)
Y'all sound like me! I only had my 1st camper for about 5 months before I decided to upgrade to something a little bit bigger.
Great video!
Glad I saw your video. I'll scratch this one off my list.
I always bagged the Electric Jack Powerhead at home and at Camps if rain was coming. Save the control rocker switches from shorting and corroding.
We definitely do now. Bagged any time we’re not on the road. Hard lesson learned on that one.
Awesome guys that’s for sharing this.
So glad I found your channel. I currently own a 180 and agree with your pro/con list. I have been vetting the Grand Design for a year, same reasons as you stated. Look forward to following you.
We’re headed out this weekend for a little shakedown trip. We know things will pop up with even the highest quality trailers, but we’re hopeful that issues are minimal. Our tour video is going live in an hour, and we hope to report back regularly this year with reports on quality and issues. Stay tuned!
I have a 2017 Rpod 180 but without the problems you have with your 2020. Mine tows behind my Land Cruiser SUV beautifully. Never experienced any "bumping or sway". Course we have a hitch that is load distribution and sway control, and an Electric Brake Controller. Power Jack still works. I've done mods on it to increase storage but the biggest maintenance was to compound, wax, and polish the roof. Course I have had a couple of small leaks I fixed with caulking. Everything works perfectly, never had a problem with the Air Conditioning, water tanks, etc. The only other issues are the Propane Detector which needs replacing and that sometimes the Thermostat cover pops off. Slide works without issue, the manual Awning works and still looks like new. We really love our Rpod 180.
I think Rpod built them better in 2017, and today's Rpods are just slapped together because of tremendous demand.
I think you’re right on target with the quality vs. demand commentary. Glad to hear you’re enjoying your R-Pod with minimal issues.
Truth be told, I think we’d have eventually ironed out most of our issues and been fine. I think a big part of the equation was just learning what we wanted and what worked best for us. Sometimes I wish we had both trailers to use in different situations and scenarios. :)
Why would you polish a roof?
@@elisicamost5959 The Rpod roof is a fiberglass panel just like the sides, not a rubber membrane like most traditional RVs.
An R-Pod 192 and love it. We have been told that the R-Pods made on the west coast are better quality than the ones made in Indiana.
We’ve heard as well that the hood river editions out west are better.
I just bought a 2018 r pod that was only used 6 times. I live in Florida and I’m going to tow it to a pole barn in Indiana. I wonder how much turbulence the trailer will encounter when passed by semi’s?
Awesome, Thank you for your video
Thanks for posting this, very helpful. As others have said, it takes some trips to figure out how we live in these things and how we each like to travel. One thought: Remember, it is not about the tow rating, but the payload and GCWR. The F150, as you say, has so many options it makes my head spin, but that GCWR is the key number. The tongue weight gets heavy fast with the bigger trailers and that counts as payload. [Even those nice smaller, Lance trailers, have heavy tongue weights.] Keep track of the weight and have fun out there, take her easy :-).
Thank you for the advice!
I did so much towing research, but you had me second guessing. 😂 Max payload is 1863 lbs. tongue weight is 490, per manufacturer (assuming that’s empty). Provided we keep tongue weight at 10-15% of max trailer weight, we will be at 700-800lbs tongue weight. That hopefully still allows for a decent amount of truck cargo. 🤞
I hope to run to a local cat scale once we load it up to check stats. :)
@@LandlockedLovebirds that would be great, let us know what the CAT scale shows.
We have a r pod 180 too MODS added 4-inch lift blocks, rear removable jacks, tow 6 volt batteries, mover tire to the side of unit r pod, make a rear lifted rack . we have found we run low on water after 4 days. I will address that soon .
Congratulations on your new grand design. It sounds like you are going to be much happier! Lynn and Danny
Thank you! We were happy with our little pod, but we definitely think this is a better fit for us! We’re so excited!
This was a well done, informative video. Thanks for uploading it.
We bought a Forest River pop-up back in 2014 and traded it in within 4 months because of all the problems with it, the worst being a warped axle that caused brake malfunction. We don't recommend Forest River to anyone we know. Got a Jayco hybrid we loved that we just sold last year to move up to a Bullett Premier bunkhouse, which we love.
I almost bought a 171. Thought is was the best design for my needs. But after looking at it a few times and watching some reviews on here, I decided that it was going to be more work than I wanted to deal with, even a new one. I still really like the design and layout a lot.
I think everyone gets confused about what their vehicle will pull. Just because your vehicle can pull 5,000 lbs doesn’t mean you can safely tow that much weight. You need to to look at the GVWR; flirting with disaster if your don’t understand this about your vehicle.
It’s much more complicated than I ever imagined. GVWR, GCWR, GAWR, Payload, Max Tongue Weight, Frontal Area. 🤯🤦♂️
The car manufacturers seem to hide some of the info too. Our Ford manual leads me to believe that our GCWR is 16,100 lbs, but that isn’t an option for our setup in the towing guide. 😂. 90% sure combined weight is 16,100 or 16,200, payload is 1863 lbs, and max tongue is around 1000 lbs.
Curb weight is nearly impossible to find, but GVWR is 7000 lbs. 🤷♂️
It took way too much effort to arrive at those conclusions.
@@LandlockedLovebirds The quick and usually the most reliable way to factor weight capacity is to look at your trailer GVWR. This weight “should” include full potable, grey and black tanks, plus the gear you can safely carry. Personally I always consider the GVWR of my trailer as the real weight of my trailer, just to be on the safe side. You take the trailer GVWR plus the weight you have in your vehicle, including people coolers dogs etc. then deduct the weight from the vehicle GVWR. All that information is on the vehicle door jam. It adds up quick...but it isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Best advise and help will be from the service manager at your vehicle dealer. Don’t be that guy and call them, go in and see them and remember they are doing you a favor, not the other way around.
Thanks again.
I was thinking the vehicle GVWR didn’t include the weight of the trailer itself, only the tongue weight.
GVW = Vehicle Weight + Passengers + Payload + Trailer Tongue Weight
GCW = GVW + Loaded Trailer Weight
Our truck’s GVWR is 7000 lbs. GCWR is 16,100.
So, our loaded truck, with us, dogs, cargo and trailer tongue weight (approx 600-800 lbs) would need to stay under 7,000.
The trailer GVWR is 6995, so if we maxed the truck and trailer out, combined weight would be around 14,000, giving us about 2,000 lbs of insurance on our 16,100 GCWR.
Does the sound correct?
My old man bought an RPod. Can’t remember the model but it’s the smallest size. I’ve probably used it more than him and I have to say, I’m not a fan. I think for trailering I’d prefer a bigger unit. Most likely we’ll sell it and I may look for a truck camper.
There’s a reason these things are a lot less expensive than others. They do pack in a lot of features though.
I’ve seen several RV reviewers emphasizing the bed size, toilet placement, and seating being the shortcomings that become evident AFTER you own the RV.
Yup. I know that was the case with us. We felt like the layout was good when we first saw it, but after some quality time in it, those things became more evident.
yes we bought a trailer 2007 Weekender that was fine EXCEPT the bed was WAY too short for a 6"2' man. WAY too short.. What were they thinking??? We never thought to check the length because.... why would a bed be made to fit ME a 5"6'person?? It was to fit 2 people- lol but they'd both have to be short!
The pantry cabinet was in the way of lengthening it, and it was a stabilizing item so we couldn't remove it. Sooo we traded it in for a used 2003 toy hauler a Rage'n which is good because it is easily modifiable without risking the stability of the structure. We aren't going to use the bed that elevates because it doesn't come down low enough but it's a GREAT storage area. Putting in a bed with underneath storage, yanking out the lonnnnng sofa.
The ultra lite lines are meant to roll from your driveway to the RV Park. Can't handle rough roads. Sad that nothing is made with USA Quality. They are slapping them together these days to meet demand. With the economy crashing many will be selling their camper to make their house payment. 😢
Congratulations 🎉 on your new rig! I hope you feel better soon. I deal with Lupus so I've been on the magical mystery healthcare tour. Hang in there and don't let them gaslight you on any symptoms you might be experiencing. ❤
Very helpful feedback y'all, thanks!
Congrats you picked a great TT, that model is on my want list
cousin same style side slide out they drove to black hills yet return ran they zonk they transmission of ford-150.($1200) the RV dealer never said that the truck wouldn't pull of course over packing the truck might have affect it performance for. was under power est advice of mechanic said only trade for any F250..they still camp out just stay within 70 miles range 1 way & return plan.
Thanks for the video. Sorry to hear about your RV issues. We are looking to close on a R-Pod 195 in four days. Hoping we don’t have any leaks. We live in Oregon and it rains constantly, so if there are any leaks I’m sure we will find them. The hitch Jack issue is of major concern. We tow with a Tesla Model X so we have to unhitch to charge frequently and an electric tongue Jack is a #1 priority.
There are two other trailers we were looking at, a InTech Sol Horizon, and 20’ Airstream Bambi. However the Airstream is 2X $$ and bot Airstream and Horizon have several month lead times. I expect great deals on used trailers in 2024. So may upgrade to Airstream then. Our tiny Retro has never leaked or had any AC issues but yes build quality on interior trim of RV’s is always an issue. It’s labor intensive, and no one wants to pay to train and compensate the skilled tradespeople who do this work. That’s why an Airstream costs 2X.
Hopefully, if you go with RPod, you have a great experience. I’ve heard a few times that the Hood River Editions built out your way tend to be better built than the ones coming from Indiana, but I’m not sure. I will say the rpod tongue jack was much faster than the one on our new one haha.
We’ve heard great things about Lance campers, but they were a bit out of our range for now. May be worth a look if you have the budget.
If this becomes a forever hobby for us, airstream may enter the equation at some point.
Buying an Airstream is no assurance of high quality. Thor is not known for quality control. And when defects are found, they are much more difficult to repair.
Hi I was excited to learn that you started with a Ford Edge---the R Pod 180 and the Ford Edge is the configuration I have been thinking about. Can you tell me which engine you had in the Edge and how well it pulled? Thanks sooo much. Pete.
In my opinion, the Rpod 180 is too heavy for your Edge. Our 180 weighs 3500 lbs, outfitted for travel, and we pack pretty light.
You need 5000-lb tow capacity.
We tow with an Xterra with sway control and I have no problems.
I hope you feel better and will pray that your heal well and soon.
This was a well done video. I was looking at the Rpod today as my frist trailer. I have to say, not sure if I was surprised or just jealous that you buy a travel trailer to see if you liked camping. I've been camping since bouscouts in Michigan. I'm 37 now and I average 40 nights a season in a tent, Just now am I starting to mature into a travel trailer so I can spend less time on camp setup/tear down and packing and more on on the activities.
Thanks! It probably wasn’t the smartest financial move to test out a hobby with such a purchase...but...it worked out. 🤣😂
I (Darren) did do some travel trailer camping with my grandparents as a kid. They always had a motor home or a fifth wheel, so I had a taste for it.
Neither of our families were super outdoorsy growing up. We were more ball sports focused, so we missed out on hunting, fishing, Boy Scouts, camping, etc. Steph and I both love the outdoors now, so we thought we may take well to RVing. We just ended up liking it way more than we thought we would.
Great, honest and fair review.
The imagine is fantastic!😮
My husband and I slept lengthwise on the bed. We got a thin piece of plywood, slid it under the mattress and put a pillow on it. I’m getting rid of mine but only because my husband recently passed away and if I was going to go out it wouldn’t be a towable. I’m trying to get it winterized now. The floor in the kitchen area is really mushy so I dk if it’s delamination (which I understand is common with Forest River) or if there was a water leak. We bought ours sight unseen and there’s no inside storage at all. They didn’t give us a good tour of ours. I heard people tell stories about the great service prior to taking possession of their Rpod. Told them everything about it and showed them stuff about maintenance. I’m sorry you are having trouble with pain. I can relate. I’ve been dealing with it for years. It’s draining. Hopefully yous will resolve soon.
I almost forgot. We got the dome to go on ours! Big mistake. We ended up living full time in ours. First: the dome was much smaller than we expected. When I first started watching Rpod videos the domes were huge. Second: it wasn’t easy to set up. I dk if that was just ours or what but we had a hard time with it. Third: it got destroyed in a storm. The AL weather was very hard on it. It started tearing in different places and looked terrible. We ended up getting rid of it. So my Rpod has probably lost value because it doesn’t have an awning!
I had bad experience with quality build by Forest River. Lance is good but high price, very high.
I would stay away from Forest River, Gulfstream.
We actually discovered an RV consumer reporting group and found it to be very helpful.
rv.org
You are right. Lance very high, as is Nu Camp and Airstream.
RV industry said to be down to only four master companies.
I've had two forest river rv's,and have had no problems with them .just saying!.last one was in a couple down pours for days traveling and no leaks. No one really better than other,but look for backing of warranty !!!
We sold our 38' foot 5th wheel and now have an RPod 189. I feel like I'm camping in the pod. I do get teased quite a bit about pulling the 20' camper with a 1 ton dually lol. The upside is when boon docking I just put a 55 gallon barrel in the back of the truck for water. Helps smooth the ride a little too. Honestly though the build quality in the rpods are crap. It's a great concept of a camper with very poor follow through.
We also have an RPod 189 and have owned it for 3 years. We are super happy with it and I tow it with a Chevy 3/4 ton 4X4. A little over kill but with don’t really have to worry about load
Awesome video thank you for the info been watching a lot of videos and want to get the right one for the family has to have a sink in the restroom and the big freezer is a plus and of course the double bunks
Great choice! We have a 2020 Grand Design XLS 23 BHE we absolutely love it, especially on how easily it tows with our 2020 Chevy Tahoe. We started off with a small Starcraft hybrid trailer a few years ago and upgraded both our tow vehicle and trailer as well. No regrets as this is a well built travel trailer that will get you years of enjoyment. Congratulations and happy camping with your new Grand Design XLS.
Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying your Imagine XLS!
Great 📹 Video! I habe been follwing you guys fir a while and I really enjoy your videos. Also, be encouraged! I dealt with Bell's Palsy last summer in 2020 and it is difficult but do you facial exercises and you'll be fine in a few months! Relax, and de-stress! Really enjoy your videos!
Thanks for following along and for the encouragement. Bell’s Palsy is such a strange condition. When Steph contracted it about 4 years ago, we had never heard of someone experiencing it and not recovering; however, after four years of therapy, exercises, steroid and antiviral treatments, Botox, etc., she still has some paralysis, as well as another condition known as synkinesis. Synkinesis is actually a miswiring of nerve activity that happens during the healing process from Bell’s Palsy. It causes muscle tightness in the face and for the wrong muscles to contract without intention. We’ve learned many things about this strange disorder that we never knew, most notably is that not everyone heals from it and that doctors really know very little about it. Steph had been amazing at making life adjustments to live with the aftereffects. Meanwhile, we just keep on traveling. ✈️ ❤️
@@LandlockedLovebirds sorry to hear that she has had such a struggle with it. I truly hope the road gets easier and she is able to conquer the ailments and symptoms that are caused by the disease. I hadve known a few people who had it before I had it. I only knew of one person who didn't not completely heal from it. You guys will be in my prayers. If at all possible, keep up all the great work that you do!
Thank you so much! We appreciate the prayers, and we’re excited to keep creating in 2021!
I'm 6'3 as well so every small rv with an east/west bed is a nonstarter for me. I share your workmanship concerns too (for all brands). It looks like you made a nice upgrade!
We hope it was a good decision. Time will tell, i suppose.
Yeah, we learned the hard way on the bed. Being our first trailer, when we tested it out, we thought we could do it and be comfy. It was “ok” but being able to stretch out fully makes a big difference. 😂 😴
Thanks for the honest review!
We wanted an R-pod but when we looked there was very little storage inside. We bought a 19 foot freedom express and absolutely love it!
How does it pull? I'm looking for a small RV, first time pulling for me.
@@TheKatz2u great! Double axle. This is our 4th year camping in it, about 6-7 times each summer.
very good video. i have been looking at the R Pod trailers. you don't know what your getting with any trailer. now your trailer might have been built on a monday, or friday. just little things, but all the little things makes you wonder what else COULD break. the single axle is a drawback, but the R POD is a neat little camper. your new one looks excellent. oh yeah, i really don't want a slide out, but that's just me. be safe. hope this camper was built by dedicated employees, not just pay check employee's.
Thank you. We’ve had pretty decent luck with her so far. Only minor issues.