2009 R-Pod Ultra Lite travel trailer by Forest River review - Roaming Times
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See the 2011 review of the R-Pod

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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This is the 2009 Forest River R-Pod review
See also RoTi RV reviews
: 2011 R-Pod 2010 R-Pod

All Forest River reviews   All small travel trailer reviews
    

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

R-Pod ultra lite travel trailer exterior

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".

r-pod Ultra Lite interior
   
These 2 pictures show the RP-151 (see floorplans below) with Stone Creek interior
  

R-Pod small travel trailer interior - dinette

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:

r-pod floorplan 151 

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:

r-pod floorplan RP-152

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):

r-pod floorplan 171

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:

r-pod floorplan RP-172

Next, the RP-173 - 18'2 and 2039 lbs.  Load capacity 1145 lbs  There is an option to replace the sofa with 2 chairs:

r-pod floorplan RP-173 

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:

r-pod floorplan RP-174

Finally we show the RP-175 with (18'2" and 2335 lbs, load capacity 1399 lbs) with a queen bed and slide out:

r-pod floorplan 175


Just a few of the features of the r-pod:
  • "The first of it’s kind to offer you affordable luxury at the lowest tow weight in it’s class"
  • Powder Coated Steel Frame
  • Gas / Elec. DSI Water Heater
  • Wet Bath with Integrated Toilet
  • Custom Tinted Safety Glass Windows
  • Wide range of standard and optional features   

   

This is the 2009 Forest River R-Pod review
See also RoTi RV reviews
: 2011 R-Pod 2010 R-Pod

All Forest River reviews   All small travel trailer reviews
    

"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

What do you think - add your comments below...

  
FORUM
READERS' COMMENTS
 (LATEST COMMENTS FIRST)

What do you think? - add your comment here
This is the 2009 Forest River R-Pod review
See also RoTi RV reviews
: 2011 R-Pod 2010 R-Pod

All Forest River reviews   All small travel trailer reviews
    
 
authorcomments
Derek re ply to Dove I Own 2010 mod 172 and tow with 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander v6 finding that gas consumption doubles verses not towing also hunts gears-i heard it is advantageous to use Tiptronic and drive in 5th gear (if its a 6 gear trans)on Hwy and drop down accordingly if climbing. Also although smaller vehicles can tow but not efficiently as they suck gas. R Pod is a great trailer
Derek re ply to Dove I Own 2010 mod 172 and tow with 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander v6 finding that gas consumption doubles verses not towing also hunts gears-i heard it is advantageous to use Tiptronic and drive in 5th gear (if its a 6 gear trans)on Hwy and drop down accordingly if climbing. Also although smaller vehicles can tow but not efficiently as they suck gas. R Pod is a great trailer
WyGalI live in Rocky Mountain region of Wy. I have a subaru outback and wonder if a small r-pod could be pulled with our car? If so, I am sure in the market for a used and clean r-pod. Tacomaranch@homtail.com
IpodaboutWe have a almost never used 2010 R-Pod 172 for sale. We replaced it with a 2011 R-Pod 171. Unit is located in the Phoenix area. Call Bill @ 623-694-4905 or Jan 602-576-2007
RobertThere is a rand new rpod 175 for sale at Ruthrauff RV in Tucson,AZ for $12700. Beautiful unit. I just bought there rpod 173 for 11,374. Great buy.
JakeI am in Southern Ca. and am looking for a lite-weight trailer, prefer pre-owned. Serious buyer who does not want any games. Jake2pat@yahoo.com
Kat looking for one to buy.916 316-0635 - 6/20/2011
Sharon in ColoradoI need a small light-wt travel trailer; will consider any - 151, scamp, casita. sharonpikul at hotmail.com - 6/12/2011
SharonYou people who bought a 151 and now want bigger-- If you want to sell your 151, let me know. I am in Colorado: sharonpikul at hotmail.com - 6/12/2011
GiselaI live in COLO at 8500 ft. Bought the 171 to pull with a 2001 Tacoma. I wanted the 177 with the slide-out but it was 200 lbs. more and I wanted to down-size cars to a Subaru Outback in the near future. The rpod is well balanced and much nicer to pull than the bouncy pop-up we had before. However, the Tacoma at this altitude has a very hard time pulling the weight, well, unless first and second gear uphill is not a problem and the engine straining. The dealer left me in the belief that the Subaru could pull it as the pulling capacity is about 2200 lbs. I did not do enough research because i don't know much about cars and performance, the dealer did not educate me, but I felt just wanted to sell the product. I opted to upgrade the car to a V8 4 Runner which pulls it beautifully but uses more gas than I want. My choice for having fun. I ma now looking to trade in the 171 for the 177 rpod, because the difference inside is HUGE. My advice: Spend the extra money in the beginning for the extra space. I am still upset with the dealer. They stand by the Tacoma, well.... maybe the Subaru cannot pull it after all. We'd be happy to trade... Well, unfortunately that would be $ 5000.00 and only 4 uses later. Bottom line: A GREAT product you will be happy with.
melissalooking for used rpod in oregon/wa/idaho area...please contact me! yellowmom at bendbroadband.com - 6/6/2011
Kathy NWe've looked at lots of small travel trailers over the last few months and have finally concluded we want the r-pod. Done a lot of research. Just a matter of getting the right price and model. Thanks for all the comments.
T@BDavid in north Texas: Have you looked at the T@B. You wouldn't be able to stand up completely inside, but there's plenty of room in the add-a-room. Two models have larger than queen beds at 75x73. You can hang your feet over the edge. Big bed for small trailer. Just a suggestion
RMGJust wanted to let you know that I sold the RPOD, thanks for the great response. Good luck to all.
M. WillbanksI 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 TexasMelissa, 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.
KLFHave 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.
MarkLooking 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.
eddiejust 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.
KaryI 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...
CheriWe 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.
MaWe 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.
hilltopto 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
gingerLooking 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?
LilypadI 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?
evergreenI 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 PSaw a price listed for an 18' 173 at close to $12,000. Lebanon, Tn; may go take a look next week. New 2010 model.
hilltopI 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!
ChuckI 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.
janetI 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?
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