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2009 R-Pod Ultra Lite travel trailer
by Forest River
See reader's comments and experiences at bottom of page "Affordable luxury at the lowest tow weight in it’s class. All models are fully self-contained with holding tank capacities beyond comparison and a tank monitoring system at your fingertips."
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Important dimensions:
7 floorplans are available
Exterior length between 16'2" and 18'3", Exterior width 8'0"
Exterior height 8'8", with a/c 9'2", Interior height 6'6"
Ultra lightweight with unloaded weight between 1937 lbs and 2336 lbs
Load capacity 1050-`428 lbs, Hitch weight 179-241 lbs
Tanks - fresh 36, grey 35, black 35 - gallons
MSRP (see forum below for prices people are paying)
Compare? - see other Roaming Times small travel trailer reviews
Forest River says that "the r•pod is the first of it’s kind to offer you affordable luxury at the lowest tow weight in it’s class. All models are fully self-contained with holding tank capacities beyond comparison and a tank monitoring system at your fingertips." The r-pod comes in 7 floorplans with lengths between 16'2" and 18'2". Two of the models feature a slide. We show all of the floorplans below. We show 2 pictures of the interior below. Forest River says the r-pod comes with "residential cabinetry, hardwood drawers and expandable cargo netting for additional storage wherever possible".
These 2 pictures show the RP-151 (see floorplans below) with Stone Creek interior
Forest River says: "Affordable luxury at the lowest tow weight in it’s class. All models are fully self-contained with holding tank capacities beyond comparison and a tank monitoring system at your fingertips. The r•pod is a perfect example of “form follows function”, with it’s unique shape and construction giving way to 78” interior height! The design team has provided you with residential cabinetry, hardwood drawers and expandable cargo netting for additional storage wherever possible. The r•pod comes equipped with a 4.2 Cubic Foot 3-way refrigerator that provides you with enough space for all those extended camping vacations. Enjoy your favorite movie on the optional 9” widescreen LCD drop-down TV that also features a AM/FM/CD stereo and DVD player with remote control. Other popular options include the convection microwave oven, r•dome awning with built-in screen room and the 11K BTU low profile A/C. R•pod ...where YOUR journey begins!"
Just some of the exterior features: Custom Tinted Safety Glass Windows, 20 lb. LP Tank with Cover, Aluminum Wheel Fenders, Patio Light with Amber Lens, Exterior 120 Volt Recept, 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
Just some of the interior features: 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 |
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Floorplans:
People have commented on RoTi forums that there is a similarity with the T@B small travel trailer (see RoTi review of T@B). The TAB is 15'6" overall length compared to the r-pod's basic length of 16'2", but all r-pod models are fully self-contained with "holding tank capacities beyond comparison and a tank monitoring system at your fingertips."
We show the basic RP-151 floorplan below. This has a length of 16'2" and an unloaded weight of 1937 lbs. Load capacity 1304 lbs:
The RP-152 increases the length just 4" to 16'6" (unloaded weight of 1972 lbs, load capacity 1185 lbs), downsizes the dinette arrangement an adds permanent bunks. The r-pod models all show a clever use of the space:
The next we show is the RP-171 with a length of 18'2" and an unloaded weight of 2121 lbs. Load capacity 1060 lbs This has the advantage of a permanent queen bed. (The RP 175 shown below also has a queen bed, but the 175 comes with a slide-out):
Next we show the RP-172 with the same length as the 171 (18'2"), an unloaded weight of 2113 lbs and load capacity 1066 lbs, but with the big dinette and a bigger bunks arrangement:
Next, the RP-173 - 18'2 and 2039 lbs. Load capacity 1145 lbs There is an option to replace the sofa with 2 chairs:
Next, the RP-174 - 18'2 and 2306 lbs. Load capacity 1428lbs. A heavier unloaded vehicle weight and a bigger load capacity. The first of 2 models with a slide-out. The slide makes a big difference to the space available of course:
Finally we show the RP-175 with (18'2" and 2335 lbs, load capacity 1399 lbs) with a queen bed and slide out:
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Just a few of the features of the r-pod:
"The r•pod is the first of it’s kind to offer you affordable luxury at the lowest tow weight in it’s class. All models are fully self-contained with holding tank capacities beyond comparison and a tank monitoring system at your fingertips."
Compare with
Other small travel trailers or
See other Forest River RV reviews |
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| What do you think - add your comments below... |
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| author | comments |
| RMG | Just wanted to let you know that I sold the RPOD, thanks for the great response. Good luck to all.
9/1/2010 |
| M. Willbanks | I just purchased an R-Pod 171, and have taken it on 2 trips. It is a neat small trailer that I can pull with my Buick crossover. Just need to know where I can get an owner's manual? |
| David in North Texas | Melissa, Ann in Seattle, et al: A 6' 3" person may well be able to stand up in this trailer but he(she?) will not be able lie down in the bed. I wish there were more of these small trailers that had true 80" Queen beds. I am 6' 1" and I can only sleep on the common-to-trailers 74" bed with my feet hanging off the end, which is not possible in trailers like this.
I wish ROTI would provide search-ability on bed dimensions. |
| RMG | I have a 2009 RPOD 175 in excellent condition, for sale, in Williamsburg VA. I'm moving and no room to store it at new house. $11,500 or best offer
757 345 3733 8/1/2010 |
| KLF | Have any of you owned a Scamp before the R-pod? We have a Scamp 13 footer but it lacks storage in a big way. We use the bunk beds as shelves. I'd like to know how you think they compare. We tow with a Chev Silverado but have also towed with Honda Element and Subaru Outback, no problems. (7/20/2010) |
| Mark | Looking for pre-owned R.Pod, any configuration, located in the mid-west (we're in NE Oklahoma) and what I should look for / ask when interviewing owner. |
| eddie | just got a 175 and I love it. really like the slide out couch. has everthing it wanted in a small TT. it has good cold air and since I like dry camping (no electric) I travel with a generator and when you close the windows and turn on the air and the tv is on you really cannot hear the generator so good night sleeping. r-dome is very hard to put up if you are by-yourself and no good in high wind. but all in all very comfortable and quiet trailer. good quality. |
| Kary | I am looking for a small used trailer so that my disabled son can have a place to rest as needed when we travel. We live in Idaho but would be willing to travel to pick a trailer up. Don't have much to spend..sigh... |
| julie | we're looking for a used r-pod (or similar in the sf bay area up to portland (5/13/10) 2jmc@suddenlink.net |
| Cheri | We just looked at both the TaDah and the R-Pod with the R-Pod the clear winner, but does anyone know if they make an R-pod where the bathroom floor is level with the main floor instead of a huge step up (which is difficult for a handicapped person). A stepstool won't work for us. |
| Ma | We have had our rpod174 for 2 months now and love it. We pull it with Chevey Equinox crossover which is a 2.4cy.& it pulls with ease. Got it from Tristate trailers in Middlesboro Tn for $13,000.00 a savings from Knocksville of $4,000.00 with the dome room included. |
| hilltop | to evergreen - if you don't live far from ontario, there is a dealer in london. From the manufacturer website i see the owner of the place has taken an alto to florida. We are camping this year in canada but if you see us, I will be happy enough to show you the trailer |
| ginger | Looking for a pre-owned R-Pod or 171 to buy in Arizona . Please contact me at gingermarich@msn.com if you have one for sale. OR DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE WE CAN RENT ONE? |
| Lilypad | I second the question about the Alto. Love what I've seen on-line, but they are not available to US citizens. I talked diretly with sales and offered to come up to Canada to buy it, but they "can't" sell it to US residents.
I really like the R-Pod T models with the expandable sleeping area. It makes it feel more like a pop-up camper. Does anyone have one of these? |
| evergreen | I saw an entry on this forum comparing the R Pod to the Alto. I loved the look of the Alto and called the company, only to be told that it is only for sale to Canadians and I live in the U.S. Does anyone have any idea how to see/buy an Alto in the U.S. Thank you. |
| Jan P | Saw a price listed for an 18' 173 at close to $12,000. Lebanon, Tn; may go take a look next week. New 2010 model. |
| Joe Budget | Why is it so hard to put a price on these things out here?? Is it so they can look at your credit, race, sex, age, height, weight, or your socioeconomic status to see what they WANT to charge you...somebody just put an estimated cost up here please!! and leave the political blog for CNN or FOXNEWS...thx |
| Ann in Sacramento | Looking for a pre-owned R-Pod 151 or 171 to buy in Northern California. Please contact me at adoersch@yahoo.com if you have one for sale. (12/26/09) |
| hilltop | I have seen the T@b's and head room is an issue. i then looked at the r-pods and the Alto. Hands down the Alto won. Has the headroom and the feeling of tons of space. Bought one and had a great summer in it. By the way, we are a family of four with a large dog! |
| Chuck | I have a Chevy Colorado 4 cyl., which should pull the R-Pod 15' w/o problems. Any issues with the R-Pod? BTW to settle some of the import/domestic debate, I work in this industry. The Toyotas may be assembled here, but their parts content is deceiving. They bring their own parts makers over here from Japan, so the profits go back overseas. Also, a large portion of a part can be ASSEMBLED here, yet still be called an American made part. Chevy Malibu has an 80% parts content, the Impala 90%, so Toyota Camry does not have a greater parts content than any domestic model. GM and Chrysler took out loans from the govt, which they plan to pay back. It is not the place of the American taxpayer to "bail out" a foreign corporation. Their own govt straight-out subsidizes their industries to corner their markets, much like the Chinese are doing now. So, I hope these facts help to explain the foreign/domestic debate. |
| janet | I just discovered these r-pods. I would like to know if anyone has an idea what a realistic price for the 151 version should be? |
| Bob Hubbard | Our new 17 ft r.pod has had the water inlet repaired 4 times because of blowback through the city water connection. This is becoming VERY frustrating and annoying. The problem lies with a poor one-way valve at the inlet.
Has anyone else had this problem with this trailer, and how was it corrected? |
| Retired Roxy | Check out r-pod forum. There are many discussions about what cars can pull, the differences between the models, attitudes, comfort for tall people and podmods-things 'podders' are doing to their new trailers. By the way, I'm one. I bought a 2010 model 172 in California. |
| SFI | It may be made here...but the profits go back to the owner!! |
| Bryan | JoAnn, you are VERY misinformed.
Did you know that the Toyota Camry is THE MOST AMERICAN CAR???
It is built in America, by Americans. It uses the most American made parts and components out of any vehicle sold in the US and that includes ALL vehicles from Ford, GM, and Chrysler.
Honda has been building vehicles in America since the 1970s and hasn't required the government to bail them out costing the taxpayers thousands of dollars in taxes.
Toyota builds vehicles in America, so does Hyundai/Kia and Subaru.
Chrysler and GM are a joke.
Please do some research before you go on a "buy only "American" cars" tirade.
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Anyway, I am going to purchase an r-pod next year and I'll be towing it with my CR-V which is only rated to tow 1500 pounds WITHOUT trailer brakes. With trailer brakes it can tow a little under 3000 pounds but the tongue weight is 175 pounds. |
| John | Do you know the Subaru Legacy, Outback and Tribeca are made in Indiana, US???
And do you know GM or Dodge trucks are made in Mexico? |
| Little Rocker | Can I safely tow an rpod with a 4 cylinder subaru outback? |
| Richard | Just read consumer reports. Toyota, Honda and Subaru consistanly (by far) beat the big 3 in quality, reliability and resale. I'm sure Trey isnt saying that the big 3 are poor quality just that these imports are superior. |
| DJ | 2003 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton with 163,000+ miles. Just NOW having to replace wheel bearings. Motor still in top shape as with trans. This is my 2nd GMC & very satisfied. Pulls my 175 with ease without SWAY BARS! Plus getting around 15-17 mpg with the 5.3 liter V-8. |
| Dave | Gee, Trey, my inlaws keep buying Subarus, both of the ones they've had have needed major repairs by 60k miles. I'm looking on this forum because my Explorer only pulls 3500 lbs. but It's hit 45k and hasn't gone back to the dealer yet. The last Ford I had ran me 120k miles before we traded it for the Explorer and if we didn't have kids now I would have kept the pickup. My daily driver is a '93 GMC 1/2 ton that even though it's pushing 17 years old, I wouldn't hesitate to drive it cross country tomorrow. Indeed, the two Japanese cars I've had (87 4Runner and '96 Nissan King Cab 4x4) needed repairs before 100k, especially the Nissan... it spent as much time in the service garage as it did in my garage. |
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