Homecoming

The decision to upgrade to a travel trailer from the pop-up was really a no brainer.

Don't get me wrong - we have had a blast in the pop-up!  But it was back breaking setting that monster up every time we camped.  It is 24 feet long opened up and it was no picnic getting it to that point!  Once it was up we were in heaven, but....then we had to break it all down again when it was time to go.  It took the better part of about 3-4 hours to get everything from outside packed inside, put the dinette down (a giant jigsaw puzzle of cushions) flip the sink, crank it down, put the bike rack on top, bungee the bikes to the rack, hook the camper up to the car, put the canoe on the roof - it's exhausting just thinking about it!  And God forbid it was raining while we packed up - you can't leave the canvas wet, so that meant once we finally arrived home, we'd have to set it all up again.  This was my least favorite part of camping.

Enter the R-Pod 176t by Forest River (insert angelic singing voices and a beautiful sunrise behind the totally awesome camper you see here:)

Ed stumbled across it during one of our many searches for a hybrid travel trailer and we were both immediately smitten.  I'm talking heart palpitations and love at first sight, people.  We had never seen anything like it.  Originally we had thought we'd like something larger, but that would mean we would have to upgrade our tow vehicle as well.  The R-Pod is so light we can easily pull it with our Pathfinder.  It has a tent end queen size bed on one side that folds out and still gives us the feel of sleeping outdoors and bunk beds on the other side which the kids think are way cool.  And it has a BATHROOM - there are no words to describe my appreciation for this super tiny, yet totally freaking awesome feature.  No more folding potty!  No more "changing the bag"!!  This is monumental for us!

176t Floor Plan

Interior looking at bunk beds

Interior looking at queen bed

My little slice of heaven...

We searched high and low for a local dealer that had the 176t in stock and the closest we could find was an RV dealership in Fitchburg, MA.  We made the 2 hour drive up to check it out and were happy with what we saw, however the price was firm and this guy was about $2500 over a quote we had gotten from a dealership in Ohio.  The decision was made that Ed would drive out and pick it up in order to avoid the $1100 delivery fee.

The 'Pod making a pit stop in Washington, PA on its way home

Long story short (I know, too late...) he arrived home with the R-Pod last weekend.  I'd like to take a moment and give a shout out to the guys at Jeff Couch's RV Nation in Hamilton, OH.  They gave us a great deal and spent a lot of time with Ed showing him all the in's and out's of the trailer before sending him on his way.  They even threw in the R-Dome awning/screen room that attaches to the front of the trailer free of charge.

Right about now we are having grandiose daydreams of easy set ups/break downs and a fun-filled Summer.  Let's hope it pans out!  With 5 trips already planned we will be busy for sure.  We can't wait to get out for our first trip Memorial Day weekend.

And oh yeah....anyone wanna buy a pop-up???