Today’s RV review is of the 2024 r-pod RP-107C—a very small, almost-teardrop trailer that has some things that may be a surprise. This is especially true when you look at the outside of this tiny towable and think, gosh, I already know what I’m getting. You might not.
What is the r-pod RP-107C
If you know the layout of most teardrop trailers, you have a good handle on the floor plan of this camper.
Out back there’s a kitchen under a hatch, as you might imagine. There is a plumbed sink here and a pull-out, two-burner stovetop, which is pretty handy. There’s also a refrigerator and I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out if this was a 12-volt fridge or a 120-volt fridge. I suspect it runs on household power, which is a bit silly when there are so many good 12-volt coolers out there like this one.
There’s also a decent number of storage cubbies around the kitchen. So storage, again, isn’t that much of a problem.
One of the surprises in here is how large the front storage is. Not fifth wheel big, but many, many of these smaller trailers don’t have any storage. So this is a bit of a surprise.
Inside the main compartment you’ll find what amounts to a futon-like sofa bed. There is a flip-up table on either side so you could sit here and have a meal.
What might surprise you might is the rather substantial electric fireplace. You could save propane on this trailer by running the fireplace. In fact, I suspect there is not a propane furnace whatsoever. There’s also a large (for this size of trailer) TV.
Surrounding the TV and fireplace are more cubbies. So, again, decent storage in something that’s smaller in size.
This is also outfitted with a two-inch receiver hitch, so you can haul bikes. There are also four corner stabilizer jacks, not at all what you would expect in something this small.
What this doesn’t have
As much as this has in terms of features and storage, there are some big missing pieces, too. I can easily overlook the manual tongue jack as this is a small, lightweight trailer and you may not be using a weight distribution hitch, so a manual jack is fine.
But there is a vent fan in the ceiling of the main living area and it’s one of those worthless four-inch fans. Bleh. Phooey. Yuck.
There is also no water heater in this trailer, so you only have water at whatever temp comes from the faucet or holding tank. And, there’s no gray tank—so you need to be hooked to something or be very water conscious if you’re not.
And that brings up a question. This RV is very much dependent on shore power for heat (which only comes from the fireplace) and power for the fridge. That seems a bit contrary to what you’d want a teardrop for. It’s basically a step up in comfort over a tent, but I can see it being used in many of the same spaces as you would use a tent.
But, with the dependency on shore power, that wouldn’t work here.
Further, if this is a 120-volt fridge, it has to be able to keep food at food-safe temps for a while since it won’t be running while you’re driving down the road.
Of course, you could just not use the fireplace. But the fridge is another story altogether.
Many RV companies have decision makers who never ever spend time off the grid. They don’t camp. They wear fancy duds and go to fancy places.
And that would explain this camper. It’s not a camper’s camper. It’s what I think fancy people might think camping people want. Things like gold tone wheels and gold tone faucets. But you absolutely positively have to hook to shore power.
If there were something like a Truma Combi that operates on 12 volts, that would make more sense. You’d now have hot water and a furnace. Replace the bar fridge with a 12-volt cooler, and all the problems are solved.
Well, and dump that worthless four-inch fan, for Pete’s sake. I could see using a high-performance fan as your only climate control.
Oh, did I mention that this has an air conditioner?
Overall, an interesting package but one that, I fear, really misses the mark.
More about these RV reviews
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a life long RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. He also works closely with a number of RV manufacturers to get an inside look at how things are done and is a brand ambassador for Rockwood Mini Lite with his wife, Peggy.
You can also check out his RV podcast with his wife, Peggy.
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Thank you, Tony! This clearly seems a trailer to avoid buying. Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what is worth considering. Thank you for routinely helping us know what RV goes where in our own deliberations! Safe travels! 🙂
Thanks Tony! There might be something really cool about this trailer but I’d have to see it up close or better yet see a video about it. I love to see small trailers with north-south queen beds in them and I think this may have one. Let’s hope the designer was someone who just thought differently and there is more thought behind this one than we can see on the surface.
30 gallons of fresh water and no gray tank seems ridiculous. They expect you to dump the gray water on the ground if there is no sewer available? A large screen tv in such a small trailer? The fireplace could have been replaced with a small ceramic heater and small heater and have room for a microwave. Tons of storage for a unit that may only be good for a weekend trip. Not going to be a good seller.
No thanks.
CCC of 137#?
I can see a market for this, although not my market. From personal experience, agree with the comment that a small space heater would be more useful than the fireplace. There is a propane tank on this r-pod. I would add a small dual-fuel generator and it would greatly expand where this TT could be used.
Nearly any other brand of teardrop is going to be better for off-grid camping than this one. And why have a teardrop if you can’t take it off-grid and even off-road? And what good is a big-screen TV when there are neither OTA stations nor cell service in the boonies?
Shame on you, Forest River! This teardrop looks like it was designed by a 60 y-o salesman because a 25 y-o salesman would be on social media enough to know no young person would even consider buying this. Maybe FR should let Rockwood build r-pods as they (usually) know what they are doing.