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176T

Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: Forest River r-pod
Forum Name: r-pod Reviews and Information
Forum Description: We will be reviewing each of the 7 r-pod floorplans in great detail, including photography
URL: http://www.rpodNation.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1128
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 7:36am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.0 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: 176T
Posted By: George
Subject: 176T
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2010 at 10:44am
This is my first post so forgive me if I ask newbie questions.  My wife and I really like the 176T.  We would like to read reviews of this specific model but can't find any information about that model using the search function.  Does anyone know of a forum member with that model?  A couple things we would like to know about is:  1)  How well does the seal works in preventing leaks on the tent end when it is closed?  2)  Is there storage under the dinette bench?  3)  How well does the 20,000 BTU furnace work with the tent end out? 

I am sure we will have more questions as time goes on.  I hope that's okay. Smile  Thanks for your help. 

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I can't stop dreaming about June 15, 2013 when we get to permanently escape in our "Escape Pod" which is a 176T towed by a Chevy van with a 5.7L engine.



Replies:
Posted By: pepperpod
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2010 at 11:02am
I am not sure if we have anyone commenting on the 176T but you can do a search for the 173T.  I know that there is someone on here who just got one of those.  He has discussed taking it out.  There has also been some discussion of using it in cold weather.
I hope this helps.
We would love for you to come to the Eastern U.S. Roundup in June.  It is in Kentucky just off of I 75.


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Pepper,Coach,and Henry (a very brave little Maltese)
R Pod 172

The rewards of the journey far outweigh the risk of leaving the harbor...unknown


Posted By: jjbescher
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2010 at 2:09pm
George,

I own the 173T.  I love the tent end.  The seals seem to be fine and I have not been in it while raining, but I have set it up in the snow and stayed in it when it got down to 24 degrees.

I have put reflectix in the windows and own both sides of the tent platform.  We also got a heated mattress pad that keeps the air mattress from not freezing you.

The set-up and take down time for the tent end itself is very easy.  It can be done by one person, but is definitely faster and easier with two people.

If you have any more questions, please let me know.  I will be taking mine out in two weeks again.

jon



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R-Pod 173T towed by a 2003 Honda Pilot
Site # 164 Eastern Roundup


Posted By: George
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2010 at 2:50pm
Pepper  — Thanks for the reply.  The round-up in Kentucky sounds great.  But, my wife and I do not own a pod yet.

Jon — Thanks for the info.  I appreciate it.  I am sure I'll have more questions as we investigate.  I would love to hear how your camping experience goes when you take your pod out in 2 weeks.  Are you staying in North Carolina or going elsewhere?  

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I can't stop dreaming about June 15, 2013 when we get to permanently escape in our "Escape Pod" which is a 176T towed by a Chevy van with a 5.7L engine.


Posted By: jjbescher
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2010 at 2:57pm
George - I will be going to VA.  I have taken it to SC once, that was the snow time, and we loved it.

It is a little tight with 2 adults, a newborn and two dogs, but still had plenty of room to move around.

jon



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R-Pod 173T towed by a 2003 Honda Pilot
Site # 164 Eastern Roundup


Posted By: George
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2010 at 3:09pm
Originally posted by jjbescher jjbescher wrote:

but still had plenty of room to move around.

jon


That's music to my ears. Clap

I hope you have a blast in Virginia.  I love Virginia, especially the Shenandoah Valley.


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I can't stop dreaming about June 15, 2013 when we get to permanently escape in our "Escape Pod" which is a 176T towed by a Chevy van with a 5.7L engine.


Posted By: jjbescher
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2010 at 8:22am
Where I am going in Virginia is definitely not the Shenandoah Valley.  I am going to Franklin, Va for a flyball tournament with my dogs.



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R-Pod 173T towed by a 2003 Honda Pilot
Site # 164 Eastern Roundup


Posted By: Agfadoc
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2010 at 7:00am
I'd love to know your secret to using a Matress pad, do you store it on the dinette and slide it in place when stopped? I guess you could roll it up and put it in the 2nd bunk end... Just some thoughts while pondering leaving my popup.


Posted By: jjbescher
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2010 at 7:52am
Since I have the Tent End and that is where I use it, I just fold it up with the air mattress that it is on.  We do not use a mattress pad on the dinette end of the 173T.

jon


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R-Pod 173T towed by a 2003 Honda Pilot
Site # 164 Eastern Roundup


Posted By: Agfadoc
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2010 at 9:56am
I see, I thought you were saying that you replaced the airmatress with a foam, but you just put a top layer of foam.

Thanks for the response.


Posted By: Agfadoc
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2010 at 4:47pm
I am looking at the 176T or the 176. I have a 2007 Fleetwood Williamsburg popup today and there aren't any dealers with a T series near Green Bay for me to look at.

Can you give me some details on how the expansion is implemented?
-It looks like the door opens and the bottom end of the tent comes down
-Are the lower support bars on the outside are attached or do you have to pull them out of the storage bin to put them up?
-Looking at the design, it looks like there are two shepards poles to put in place from the inside. and then there is the air matress.
Looking at the pictures from Couchs RV, I think I'd be able to replace the air Mattress with a 4-6" memory foam and roll it up or lay it on the dining seats while traveling.

Can you give some insight to the expandable portion?

I wish I could find a picture with the expansion closed, or better yet, have Couchs RV do a youtube video on setting it up which would give me all I need to make the call.

Thanks for your help.


Posted By: Agfadoc
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2010 at 4:52pm
Another question I would have regarding the expandable is it appears that the air mattress extends into the dining seating. When you are camping, do you just keep the bed set up and not use that space where it overlaps?


Posted By: Agfadoc
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2010 at 4:59pm
I found some pictures on Rivers RV that shows the tire storage and poles storage.


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2010 at 5:30pm
Hey doc !!
 
I think there are 1 or 2 "T" owners here. Perhaps they could post a pic or two for ya. I too am a "big" fan of the "Visual" world. I need to see things.
A Video of the "T" series is a very good idea. A call to "Couch's" could expedite the process?
There is (i imagine) more set-up involved with the "T" series.
IMHO RV Nation is also very helpful on the phone when an explanation is sufficent.
 
 


Posted By: jjbescher
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2010 at 8:48pm
Originally posted by Agfadoc Agfadoc wrote:

I am looking at the 176T or the 176. I have a 2007 Fleetwood Williamsburg popup today and there aren't any dealers with a T series near Green Bay for me to look at.

Can you give me some details on how the expansion is implemented?
-It looks like the door opens and the bottom end of the tent comes down


You are correct about the way the tent end opens.  I think this is better than the other ones that I have seen.  This gives you a cover on the top.  I was also able to insulate both the inside and the outside of the platform.

Quote
-Are the lower support bars on the outside are attached or do you have to pull them out of the storage bin to put them up?

You have take them from the bottom of the platform as seen in the picture from this website.
http://www.crrvc.com/NewR-Pod/NewR-Pod02/NewR-Pod02.htm
The poles are the ones next to the tires.  They end up going in two holes attached to the frame on the bottom and then in slits on the platform.

Quote
-Looking at the design, it looks like there are two shepards poles to put in place from the inside. and then there is the air matress.

You are correct., however there are actually 6 total poles.  4 of the poles will connect into two poles.  You will place one of each pole at the far corners and the other end will go into a support inside the r-pod itself.  The other two poles are braces for the top of the tent and to keep the side poles upright.

Quote
Looking at the pictures from Couchs RV, I think I'd be able to replace the air Mattress with a 4-6" memory foam and roll it up or lay it on the dining seats while traveling.

You probable can.  I did not since the air mattress is fairly comfortable.  Once I got a heated mattress pad it solved the cold air against my body.

Quote
Can you give some insight to the expandable portion?

I wish I could find a picture with the expansion closed, or better yet, have Couchs RV do a youtube video on setting it up which would give me all I need to make the call.

Thanks for your help.

I would give get you a picture of mine closed, but I actually have a couch instead of the dinette.  My dinette is on the other side.




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R-Pod 173T towed by a 2003 Honda Pilot
Site # 164 Eastern Roundup


Posted By: jjbescher
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2010 at 8:49pm
Originally posted by Agfadoc Agfadoc wrote:

Another question I would have regarding the expandable is it appears that the air mattress extends into the dining seating. When you are camping, do you just keep the bed set up and not use that space where it overlaps?


If you look at the following site, it does show it covers the dinette up to the table.
http://www.crrvc.com/NewR-Pod/NewR-Pod10/NewR-Pod10.htm




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R-Pod 173T towed by a 2003 Honda Pilot
Site # 164 Eastern Roundup


Posted By: jjbescher
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2010 at 8:51pm
If you have any other questions, please let me know.  I would have gotten back to you sooner, but I am getting it ready for this weekend.  We have a flyball tournament in Franklin, Va and trying to get things ready.

Hopefully the answers above are helpful.  I can elaborate more if needed.
jon


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R-Pod 173T towed by a 2003 Honda Pilot
Site # 164 Eastern Roundup


Posted By: Agfadoc
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2010 at 12:59pm
Thanks for the responses and the links. Very helpful and I appreciate your effort.


Posted By: Dongie
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2010 at 7:46am
We have the 176 T.  The bed is very secure with a hard top over it.  We've only been on 2 trips so far and when we tested the furnace, we were plenty warm.  We haven't been in the rain yet, but, it definitely feels more leak proof than our tent.

We use chaise lounge cushions that simply fold up when not in use, giving us use of the dinette area. That said, we put the little table outside with a couple of folding chairs.

There's storage under one of the benches and also under the bottom bunk.

One admirer at the campground said that the interior of our RPod looked roomier than his 26 footer!

Happy to answer any questions!!





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Don & Angie


Posted By: HongsterRP
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 12:40pm
Hi there,

Just bought a 2011 176T but missing mattress.  Can someone kindly give the dimensions of this tent mattress and please include the fold up dimension too.

Thank you


Posted By: Jonesy
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2015 at 7:20pm
As a former pop-up owner, I remember waking up under drips from the sweating canvas.  This was caused by condensation due to the air-conditioning running. Is this a problem in the 176T's design? 



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