Print Page | Close Window

R-Pod vs scamp/casita questions

Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: Forest River r-pod
Forum Name: Miscellaneous / Off-topic
Forum Description: Got something to share or a question to ask. Do it here...
URL: http://www.rpodNation.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2231
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 5:10pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.0 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: R-Pod vs scamp/casita questions
Posted By: pkranger
Subject: R-Pod vs scamp/casita questions
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2010 at 10:19pm
Recently sold my scamp and have been looking seriously at the 171 or 177 so I have a few questions as these are new to me.  I have owned 5 scamps (all sizes) and 1 casita - all used ones, and have always been very pleased about their resale value.  Usually I can sell used ones after I've had them for a year or two within 2-3 days of advertising them at close what I paid for them.
 
1) How is the resale on the r-pods?  Is it model dependent and if so is the 171 or 177 at "good" model if I decide to change in a few years?
 
My most recent experience with scamp (used 2006) model quality has not been great i.e. door fit, trim, and appliance and axel problems. These seem common issues among owners.
 
2) Are there similiar issues common to r-pods I should be aware of?
 
3) What about the slide - any issues after a few years?  The reason I ask this is the new 177 we went to look at today had water in the corner of the slide on the inside - it had recently rained.  The dealer looked into it and emailed me that it was coming in the window and only needed tightened.
 
4) What about price?  It appears as though the local dealer is about $2000-2500 above some of the places on the internet even with their local dealers discounted price i.e. their price on a 177 is $14,783 vs RV nations $12,895.
 
Thanks in advance - hope to be registering a new one at this site soon but need these questions addressed.



Replies:
Posted By: dockguy
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2010 at 5:51am
Hey Park Ranger,

Hope all is well. I have a R-Pod Model 171 and love it !. We looked at the 177 also,but were new to travel trailers and wanted something simple. We live in cold climate and were afraid that slide outs would be another thing to break. We may trade up to a slide out in a few years though, as I also like the R-pod 177. I have had little repairs on my r-pod 171. I had to replace screws which hold the table moldings on the side walls and recently purchased the new table leg system which springs up and down instead of the folding legs on the table as they are not to solid.

The bed matress is cheap, but we added a down comforter on top of the matress and it is just fine. Though's were our only modifications. Remember it it a trialer, not a home.

I think that the demand for these campers are becoming high so I beleive that their resale value will be strong. We purchased our camper from Seven O's RV in Cicero, NY. The best price is from Jeff Cocuh's RV in Hamilton, Ohio.

I got the price from Couch's on the internet, went to Cicero and they matched Couch's price, plus their shipping cost. We paid $14,200 including taxes, and shipping for a brand new 2011 R-pod 171.

Jeff Couch's Rv was going to be $13,500, plus as they also add little expenses to the price. So for a 15 hour drive, gas, and hotel fees. I think I got a great deal. The price would be about the same.

I Hope that this helps you out. You will be happy with any R-pod that you buy...Also check out Heartland MPG travel traier.. They are a knock off of the R-pod but look very nice, also. I think that they are more expensive though.

Take Care,
Dockguy
2011 Rpod 171/ 2005 toyota tundra






-------------
RCP


Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2010 at 8:28am
Welcome Pkranger -
 
We bought a 177 from Couch's RV Nation in April. We were happy with the price and happy we've been happy with the camper. Couch's beat our local dealer's best price.
 
Even though we've only owned our pod since April, we took it to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks for 3 weeks this summer along with several other trips to spots in MN plus, of course, the trip to bring it home from Couch's in Illinois. We have had (knocking on wood) absolutely no problems with the camper. Nothing needed attention upon delivery, nothing has broken, nothing has malfunctioned. The only problem was the attachment rail for the r-dome which I had to work on in order to get the r-dome on. But others have had this problem and it can be fixed.
 
As far as your specific concern about the slide. We have been in some very heavy storms without a drop of water coming in. One storm resulted in a tornado that touched down 13 miles from our campsite. The other was a downburst that did a lot of damage in West Yellowstone, about 3 miles from our campsite. So, you can imagine the amount of rain.
 
Since the pods are so small to begin with, the few square feet of extra room provided by the slide make a huge difference. We looked at the r-pods a year before we bought ours but decided they were just too small for us. We changed our minds when the 177 came out.
 
As far as the attention to quality and fit & finish, it's not great but probably not any worse than other campers built these days.
 
Good luck,
-- Steve


-------------

Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)


Posted By: sylviablue
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2010 at 11:35am
I don't have any knowledge of resale value but the two models you are interested are the most popular to date.  We have the 171 and love it.  I figured keep it simple.

-------------
In the end there's just a song comes cryin up the night



Posted By: Heidi
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2010 at 2:43pm
We have had  the 175 for 2 summers with a slide and have not had any issues with water or the function of it. We are careful of the seals when putting the slide in and out. Might have bout the 177 is it had been available then. The weight was a big factor in our purchase. Some of the trim has been less than perfect but I had not expected perfection. All the other issues we had were fixed under warranty without a hassle. As Dockguy says if you go to your dealer with Couch's price they are usually willing to work with you. Good luck and Happy Podding

-------------
we R-pod people
175 ,2 peeps and one small horse



Print Page | Close Window

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 11.0 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2014 Web Wiz Ltd. - http://www.webwiz.co.uk