r-pod 151 Review

he r-pod 151 is the smallest of the r-pod floor plans at 16 foot – yet ironically it has the feel of more interior space than the 18 foot models. By moving the kitchen area to the front and the dinette to the rear, the floor space is extended by about 25%.
 
r-pod 151 floorplan
The Details:
Unloaded Weight: 1937
Hitch Weight: 241
Load Capacity: 1304
Exterior Length: 16’ 2”
Width: 8’ – pod is 6’ 5”
Exterior Height: 8’ 8”
Propane Cap 20lbs
Fresh Water Cap 36 gal
Grey Water cap 35 gal
Black Water cap 35 gal
Tire Size 205/75/R14
Hot Water Tank 6 gal
Wall thickness  2” laminated fiberglass
Notable Features:
11k BTU Air conditioner
20k BTU Furnace
Independent ‘Torsion’ suspension
4.2 cu ft Fridge
2-burner range top
LP, smoke, and CO detectors
Exterior 120 volt receptacles
Monitor Panel
Convection Microwave
Mini blinds
Rear stabilizer jacks
Detailed r-pod 151 Slideshow

Towing a r-pod travel trailer

We get a lot of questions about what it takes to tow one of the new r-pod’s. As a refresher, the rp-151 and rp-152 models are 16” and weigh in around 1950 lbs, with a hitch weight of under 200 lbs. Most  smaller SUV’s or Van’s require a towing package similar to what is show here:

4-Cylinder Towing Prep Package -- includes 3500-lb. towing capacity, heavy-duty radiator, 160-watt fan coupling, transmission oil cooler with water and air cooler, 150-amp alternator and prewired harness.

Here is a short list of vehicles capable of towing the r-pod: (vehicles in ‘teal’ require towing package)

BWM X3	Grand Caravan	Town & Country
Ford Edge & Escape	Dodge Magnum	Hyundai Odyssey
Hyundai Veracruz	Honda Pilot	Honda Ridgeline
Infiniti FX	Isuzu I290	Jeep Liberty
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited	Kai Sorento	Lexus RX 350 and RX 400
Mercury Mariner	Mitsubishi Enclave	Pontiac Torrent
Mazda B-400, CX-7, CX-9 and Tribute	Mitsubishi Outlander	Volvo S60, S80 & V70
Saab 9-3, 9-5	Saturn Outlook & Vue	Suzuki XL7
Suzuki Grand Vitara	Toyota Sienna	Toyota Highlander
Chevy Blazer/Trailblazer	Pontiac Envoy	Pontiac Aztec

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RV Nation is first dealer to get r-pod’s with slide outs!

Couch’s RV Nation received our shipment of the first r-pod models with slideouts to come off the Forest River production line.

The rp-174 and rp-175 models have ‘hard shell’ slideouts that extend the interior open floor space by over 25%!

These r-pods were the hit of the Cincinnati RV Show last weekend. The two slideout models are the r-pod 174 and r-pod 175.

r-pod 174 travel trailer with slideout!

 
r-pod 175 travel trailer with slideout!

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How to price an r-pod

Need help figuring out what options are available on the new r-pod travel trailers? No worries, we are here to help you. The r-pod comes in 16’ and 18’ lengths. The 151 and 152 r-pods are the 16’ models, all others are 18’. The other unique feature is the side slide outs found in the r-pod 174 and r-pod 175. Manufacturers MSRP rp-151 $17,331 rp-152 $17,331 rp-171 $17,630 rp-172 $17,566 rp-173 $17,630 rp-174 $18,153 rp-175 $18,153 Every r-pod travel trailer comes with this ‘standard’ equipment list:

Chassis / Running Gear Powder Coated Steel Frame 2" Coupler Electric Brakes LED Tail Lights Independent "Torsion" Suspension System Aluminum Split Spoke Wheels 14" Goodyear Radial Tires Spare Tire Super-Lube Hubs Rear Stabilizer Jacks Dual Battery Rack Rotocast Holding Tanks Rotocast Fresh Water Tank	Appliances / Equipment Gas / Elec. DSI Water Heater Water Heater By-Pass System 3-Way Refrigerator - 4.2 cu. ft. Two Burner Range Top 20,000 BTU Furnace 12V Water Pump Monitor Panel 55 AMP Converter with Charger Detachable Power Cord Air Conditioner Ready 3 Speed Fantastic Fan Adjustable Shower Head Thetford Toilet
Safety Breakaway Switch Fire Extinguisher LP Detector Smoke Detector Carbon Monoxide Detector Safety Chains Dead-Bolt Door Lock Ground Fault Protected Electrical Circuit Exterior Custom Tinted Safety Glass Windows 20 lb. LP Tank with Cover Aluminum Wheel Fenders Patio Light with Amber Lens Exterior 120 Volt Receptacle License Plate Holder with Light Welded Aluminum Sidewalls and Floor Laminated Sidewalls, Floor and Roof Seamless Roof Lamilux 1000 Gel Coated Fiberglass Radius Entry and Baggage Doors Folding Assist Grab Handle Entry Door Step	Interior Wet Bath with Integrated Toilet No-Wax Seamless Vinyl Flooring Solid Lumber Core Cabinet Fronts Assembled with Screws Raised Panel Cabinet Doors with Glazed Finish Hardwood Drawer Fronts with Metal Guides Decorative Window Treatments Decorative Shower Curtain with Tieback Mini Blinds Where Applicable Bedroom Pocket Organizer Bathroom Pocket Organizers

The only “true” available options are:

r-dome Awning with Screen Room

Convection Microwave

11K BTU Low Profile Air Conditioner

White Sand Interior Wood Package.

Axle Riser

Dolby Digital AM/FM/CD/DVD/ TV Combo

TV Antenna / booster

Two Chairs IPO Sofa - Model RP-173 Only
That’s it. When you are comparing dealer pricing make sure you note which ‘options’ they are including in their offer. Check out a good review of the latest ultra-lite campers here: click here

Forest River r-pod 152

The Forest River r-pod Model 152

The 152 was one the first 16' r-pod models to come off the Forest River production line in November of 2008. The floor-plan includes a large 42x74 dinette set (makes into a bed) in the rear and dual sleeper bunks in the front.
MSRP $17,331.

Floorplan:

(Click floorplan to enlarge)

Photo slideshow:



The RV Nation price $10,910 INCLUDING the r-dome awning:

• Rustic Interior Decor
• Interior Luxury Package
• Exterior Luxury Package
• 11,000 BTU Low Profile A/C unit
• Convection Microwave Oven
• Dolby Digital AM/FM/CD/DVD/TV Combo
• TV Antenna with Booster
• CO Detector

RP-152 Specifications

• Unloaded Weight 1972
• Hitch Weight 144
• Load Capacity 1185
• Exterior Length 16’6”
• Exterior Pod Width 6’5”
• Exterior Overall Width 8’0”
• Exterior Height 8’8”
• Exterior Height with A/C 9’2”
• LP Capacity(lbs.) 20
• Fresh Water(gal.) 36
• Grey Water(gal.) 35
• Black Water(gal.) 35
• Tire Size:205/75/R14 STD.

A note to our Canadian r-pod Customers

We have had several inquiries from our friends north of the border on the r-pod. We ship a dozen or so campers into Canada every month. We take care of all the paper work and details but in order to help out our customers we have compiled a short list of steps and details that will answer any of your questions.

Here is a list of items required to import your RV into Canada:

1. Recall Clearance Letter - we provide this to you. The recall clearance letter allows you to pass Federal Inspection. Recall clearance indicates the absence of any safety defect on your vehicle that would be identified by the manufacturer as posing a potential safety risk to the vehicle’s operator, occupants and public at large unless corrected. You must have this document in order to pass the federal inspection.

2. Buyers Order - Suppied by RV Nation and given to you during the paperwork process.

3. Title. Ohio law requires the dealership to take the Manufacturers Certificate of Origin (MCO) to the Title Bureau and have a Title issued which is given to the buyer. We will supply this for you.

4. All fees at the Canadian border will be the responsibility of the buyer. The Canada Border Services Agency will NOT accept cash or checks for the fees. The Canada Border Service Agency will inform you of any and all requirements that need to be taken care of upon arrival in Canada.

5. We will deliver the RV to the border. You will need to have the proper trailer hitching installed on your vehicle to tow it home.

The Canadian Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) has a great website outlining all the necessary steps and documentation required. Again, we will supply you with all the paperwork, you will have to cover the import fees.

The complete import process is outlined step-by-step here: http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html

Phone numbers to have on hand can be found here:

Registrar of Imported Vehicles
1-888-848-8240
Fax: (416) 626-0366
info@riv.ca

Hours of service
Mon. to Fri.: 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight (EST)
Sat. and Sun.: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST)

Canada Border Services Agency
In Canada: 1-800-461-9999 (English) ; 1-800-959-2036 (French)
Outside Canada: (506) 636-5064 (English) ; (506) 636-5067 (French)
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/

Transport Canada
In Canada: 1-800-333-0371
Outside Canada: (613) 998-8616
Fax: (613) 998-4831
http://www.tc.gc.ca/

Camo r-pod, a hunters dream...

We have been playing around with a camo wrapped r-pod option. We have a local graphics design firm that has mocked up a Camo-Pod for us. Oddly enough, we had a local hunter stop in today and ask if he could get the r-pod in white or a 'rougher' color. When I told him about the camo-pod we were considering, he wanted it yesterday...

Take a look at this Camo r-pod 152, what do you think - will this dog hunt?