GWolfe
Kansas
Senior Member
Joined: 07/28/2007
View Profile
 Offline
|
I have been looking at these. I'm looking for input from owners, what do you think about your little campers? How many people do you camp in it? The bathrooms look small, are they functional? I have been looking mainly at the bunk models, is the lower bunk big enough for an adult? What about cold weather camping, has anybody done it? I imagine it would be better than my pop-up. I understand about the tanks being exposed and using bottled water and all of that.
Those are the ones I am mainly looking at. I wish there was one like this but with a dinette instead of a sofa.
Thanks for any input.
Flagstaff 617SD 1991
Comet Camper 1963
|
PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 12/23/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I don't have any experience with these particular models, but if you can get to an RV show, or a Dealer that has them, I'd do it.
You can then try them out...lay down on the bunks, see how you fit in the shower and head. Don't just look at it, climb in, sit down, etc.
After all, someone on this forum, may be 5' tall, and say that they have all the room in the world, and you may be over 6', and it would be to cramped for you. We tried lots of trailers and MHs, since I'm 6'-7" tall....
As far as winter camping...it's probably going to be the same with most TTs, though some have additional insulation and such, for colder weather. No matter what, you are right, it's going to be better than the P'Up.
Bill & Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris / GS MJ
Dogs: Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie, Annie, Maggie, Tugger & Beau
RIP: Cookie, Foxy & Gidget @ Rainbow Bridge.
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April 2008 FMCA# F407293
The Pets
|
downtheroad
Pacific Northwest
Senior Member
Joined: 02/18/2003
View Profile
|
Mini trailers like the R-Pod have a lot less room in them than a tent trailer (pop up). It will feel very tight and cramped compared to what you now have. They really are not designed to spend much time inside.
If, when you camp you spend 95% of your time outside, this style of camper might work for you. Cold weather camping has it's challenges regardless of the unit.
disclaimer: we don't have one, but have been in a bunch at RV shows.
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane"
GMC Duramax/Allison (LBZ)
Komfort .... Our Rig Picture>>Click.
Reese Dual Cam HP
|
electrician549
Finksburg, MD.
Full Member
Joined: 01/18/2011
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
My father has a R-pod 171, which has the queen bed on one side and dinette on the other. He has used the shower to the point were he is used to it being small. There is plenty of room for him inside but he spends the majority of his time outside. We have camped as long as five days at a time in October and he still seems happy. I have seen it said on this forum plenty of times "buy your second camper first", make sure you have enough room.
|
FuzzyBob
SE Michigan
Full Member
Joined: 07/31/2007
View Profile
|
We were looking at the smaller, "uber lightweight" trailers like that before we found our current rig (in sig).
As others said, interior room is gonna be small. Our trailer seems smaller on the inside than our Fleetwood Avalon because there isn't as much window area. This leads to you feeling more closed in than you actually are.
Have you seen the Hearland EDGE models? I think there's a little more room in them and they're still really lightweight.
Is there a reason you're looking at the small trailers like weight or 'it fits in the garage'?
2008 Suburban LT/Z71 4X4
2012 Rockwood 2304 Trailer
1 Big Fuzzy Geek (me)
1 Awesome Cookie Baker (DW)
2 Goofy Dogs
Nights camped in 2011 - 17 (not enough!)
|
|
|
vermilye
Oswego, NY, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/11/2004
View Profile
|
I have an Escape 17B (17') fiberglass trailer. While I'll agree that it is small, it works great for one person. Just finished an18,700 mile, 111 day trip, and for me the advantage was being able to camp just about anywhere and towing it with a vehicle that gets 24MPG when unhooked, 15MPG towing.
I do have to admit that I spend most of my time outside, but I never felt cramped when bad weather kept me inside. Now if there were 3-4 of us it would be a different story!
Jon Vermilye Travel & Photo Web Pages ... My Collection of RV Blogs & Journals
My Travel Journal - Jon's Journeys
Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park, MT
|
GWolfe
Kansas
Senior Member
Joined: 07/28/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
When I/we camp most of the time is spent outside hiking and such. Inside time is usually for sleeping or maybe playing games or watching a movie when the weather is bad.
I like small trailers because they can get into tighter spots. I camp with some friends that tent camp and I don't want to be limited on where I can camp. Of course the lighter weight is nice too but my truck is capable of more. I have to be cautious of my max payload with three people and all of our stuff in the truck that is another reason I'm thinking small, less hitch weight.
|
gtkato
Aurora, CO
Full Member
Joined: 01/15/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Came very close to purchasing the MPG 184. It seems very large inside, and really liked the Queen bed in place. With the slide sofa and large kitchen. DW did not like the small wet bath, so we ended up with the Mini-Lite 1809S (really about the same size and weight, but huge inside with a large dry bath.
We looked at all the small mini campers. I liked the MPG over the R-Pod because the quality just felt better, and had a rear bumper and built in hitch reciever for bikes or storage pod. Also liked the exterior graphics with deluxe package.
The newest entry into the mini trailers is the Forest River V-Cross VIBE....looks like a winner with fiberglass roof and V frontal nose..lightweight and aerodynamic.
FlyFishn
2012 Lance 1685 with 4 Season Cert
2008 Dodge Durango Hemi, Diablo, Sens-Trac with Blue Ox Sway Pro
|
Eyegor
NY
Senior Member
Joined: 03/18/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
You mention that you currently have a P'UP. Since you didn't mention any of hybrid models (such as the RPOD 176T) I asssume you are trying to get away from the canvas. I came very close to buying a new R-Pod before deciding to go in a completely different direction with my current rig. If you are OK with canvas then the hybrid trailers help a lot with that open feeling. And with the 176 you can still turtle if Wallydocking with sleeping for 3.
87 Mallard Sprinter 24' Class C Ford E350 w/460 gas "The Runny Duck"
Shiny side up, Rubber side down.
|
cpaharley2008
york,pa
Senior Member
Joined: 03/27/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I looked at RPod and MPG and did not like the quality nor other issues as lack of windows on 4 walls and exposed tank issues. Then Lance came out with this model that has everything, enclosed tank, dual pane windows,tankless water heater, queen bed, large refer/freezer and weighs less than 3000#- one more thing, it is all fiberglass, roof,walls and even the floor exterior is covered.
lance 1575
2009 Dodge Ram Hemi 4x4-7300- lifetime warranty
2011 Jeep Liberty Jet-1500-
picked up new 2012 Lance 1575 11/4/11
nights camped already=5
|
|
|
