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Keeping your RV small and lightweight usually means settling for minimal finishes and features. But R-pod camper has found a way to provide luxurious touches and amenities in the lightest travel trailers in the industry.
With the lowest tow weight in its class, small SUVs and compact trucks with low hitch weight can pull the R Pod camper, meaning you don’t have to depend on a full-size pickup for towing. This opens up the travel trailer market to those who wish to keep a smaller camping footprint while enjoying the full spectrum of RV life.
What Is an R-Pod Camper?
A newer brand of ultra-lightweight travel trailers, the R Pod camper offers high-quality materials emphasizing comfort and flexibility.
Models range in length from 17 to 25 ft and all come with black and gray tanks. Not tiny tanks either! Each has 30-gallon water tanks, with the larger RP-202 offering a 60-gallon gray tank.
Walls are constructed with Azdel panels. They weigh less, protect against mold and mildew, and offer double the insulation of heavier construction materials. An awesome feature is that all R Pod models come with a one-piece seamless fiberglass roof.
R-Pods come in weights from 2,500 to 4,600 lbs, making them the perfect choice for those RVers who have smaller SUVs. They have become a favorite for those wanting a little luxury without the hassle of towing a heavy rig.
Each camper comes with a queen-size bed, a full kitchen, a dry bath, and a dinette or sofa, depending upon the model. To save space, you can find floorplans with a murphy bed or even twin bunk beds.
Except for the smallest model, R-Pod campers have ducted air conditioners and heaters, assuring that all areas of the camper stay comfortable in any season.
A cool feature that campers love is the Universal Smart Vacuum System with VacPort! Just because you’re traveling tiny, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice cool features.
Pro Tip: We have 4 reasons you should consider ultra-lightweight travel trailers for your next RV. Check them out!
Who Makes R-Pod Campers?
R-Pod campers are built by Forest River, which Berkshire Hathaway owns. Forest River, created in 1996, produces quality RVs, from Class A and C models to toy haulers, fifth wheels, and travel trailers.
R-pod campers are one of their newer brands, hitting the market in 2008. Today they offer thirteen different floor plans and R Pod models.
Are R-Pod Campers Any Good?
Most R-Pod owners agree that they are happy with their purchases. This reflects the fact that you can’t find many R-Pod campers on the market for resale. Owners love the amenities, finishes, and easy towing.
The R-Pod is built for speed, warmth, and safety with Azdel walls, aluminum beams, and a fiberglass roof. Few people have reported problems regarding construction, and most campers have found their trailers dependable and comfortable during their travels.
These small campers are the definition of affordable luxury. While some aren’t as flash as others, they make RV life easier and lead to a more pleasant camping trip. Some of those amenities include a collapsible clothes hanger, decorative window treatments, good cargo capacity, backup camera prep, TV trays, a roof ladder, and more.
About Forest River RV
Peter Liegl started the Forest River brand in 1996 as a division of Forest River, Inc. The company is owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway and is just one brand within the company’s collection of outdoor recreational and commercial vehicle producers.
From RVs to pontoon boats, cargo trailers, to buses and trucks, the group of companies has vast experience in building vehicles that will stand up to the rigors of outdoor exploration.
Standard R-Pod Camper Features
R-Pod campers come standard with a queen bed, stabilizing jacks, a fiberglass roof, a 6 ft 6-inch interior height, house-style cabinetry, an aluminum frame, a dry bath, flat-screen televisions, pleated shades, and carefree flooring.
They have granite-style countertops, and each model has plenty of outlets and charging ports scattered throughout. It includes exterior LED lights, friction-hinged doors, custom tinted safety glass windows, magnetic baggage latches, and outdoor speakers.
With all of these standard options, who needs any upgrades? But, believe it or not, you have several options, including an outdoor kitchen, ladder, solar package, an awning, and a sofa with footrests.
How Long Will an R-Pod Last?
Because of their dependable construction materials, an R-Pod camper can give you many years of enjoyable trips if well maintained. The fiberglass roof and aluminum skeleton provide strength and protection to the camper, and Azdel walls complete the exterior build.
Interior equipment consists of high-quality appliances, each with its own guarantee. And Forest River provides a one-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
How Much Does an R-Pod Camper Cost?
With thirteen models from which to choose, prices range from $16,000 for the RP153 to $40,000 MSRP for the RP202. This wide-ranging selection provides an opportunity to many budget-minded customers.
R-Pod Camper Pros
When comparing travel trailers, you will find R-Pods have some amazing features that set them ahead of the rest. Let’s take a look at some of the pros.
Aluminum Framing
Starting with initial construction, the R-Pod camper has aluminum framing, giving the travel trailer a strong foundation over which to stretch a fiberglass roof and Azdel walls. This not only provides strength but contributes less weight to the build than traditional wood.
Lightweight
The combination of Azdel fiberglass walls and an aluminum frame gives every R-Pod trailer a lighter weight than others on the market. These “ultra-lightweight” rigs have the lowest tow weight in their class.
Azdel Sidewalls
Forest River has discovered the magic of using Azdel walls in their R-Pods, decreasing the overall weight of each trailer and doubling the insulation value. These composition walls also protect against mold and mildew.
R-Pod Camper Cons
In your comparison of lightweight travel trailers, you’ll need to look at a few cons. Don’t forget to consider these things, as well.
Not a Lot of Space
R-Pods are considered relatively small trailers, with the shortest one measuring 17 ft long. Even the longest one is only 25 ft, so if you need more room, you may want to look elsewhere.
Owners Experience Leak Problems
In the past, a few R-Pod camper owners found a leaking problem around the kitchen sink. This has since been fixed with the change to more dependable sealants in the construction process.
Complicated Warranty Process
With a one-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, Forest River will take care of covered repairs on your R Pod. But many dealerships will not work on your RV if you didn’t purchase it from them.
You may have to take your RPod to an independent repair shop, jumping through several hoops to get them paid directly from Forest River. This can be the same process for almost any RV brand, however.
Should You Get an R-Pod Camper?
When considering a smaller travel trailer, add the Forest River R-Pod camper to your list of contenders. It is lightweight and dependable, and each model offers a level of luxury not usually found in many shorter trailers.
High-end finishes and flexible features may convince you that the R-Pod is the perfect home for your camping adventures.
