3. 2021 Go-Pod Platinum - £14,795.00 - Deposit £1000 - Balance on collection.

We never wanted a caravan ever so a Pod is perfect for us. As lifelong campers, it's not camping but it's not caravanning either. It's inbetweeny and, for someone like me who likes to do things a bit differently, the Pod is perfect. Lots of other people seem to think so too as we get tonnes of Pod admirers wherever we go. Everyone loves it and it works as a fabulous ice breaker on sites with your immediate neighbours and others who might be right on the other side of the site but are intrigued by the cute appearance of the Go-Pod. When people have a look inside (because they all want to) they are amazed at what has been fitted into the Pod and all love the layout. We have had so many comments from people with two berth caravans who have said they wish they had seen a Pod first and from people with absolutely massive twin axle caravans who feel stressed about going down smaller lanes to get to those idyllic caravan parks in the best rural places. If your car can get there, the Pod can too.

We had thought of getting a camper van but, with the extra servicing costs, insurance, tax, MOT etc, it wouldn't have proved very cost effective. Also, the initial outlay would be significantly more than the cost of the Pod. We had also thought of getting a trailer for our tent but only got as far as looking for a towbar and Mr CP found the Go-Pod website and we knew straight away that we needed a Pod. We arranged a viewing with Jon at Go Pods HQ at Southport and he answered all the questions we had and let us tinker around with the Pod to make sure it was for us. There was no hard sell whatsoever which is very unusual these days. My main concern was whether the Pod would be too small for me. I have only once suffered with claustrophobia and that was when I was in an Eriba Puck that I had gone into at the Caravan Show at the NEC. I was so relieved when I opened the back door of the Pod and looked in because I could see straight away that there would be no feelings of being closed in. With all questions answered and all worries allayed, we tried to do the sensible thing and go home and talk about such a big purchase but got home and couldn't help thinking we should have ordered whilst we were there. We ordered the very next day.

The Platinum Pod has everything you need whether you want to stay overnight, have a long weekend or have a fortnight away somewhere. The fridge is fabulous and quiet too so noise from it won't keep you awake. The blown air heating is fantastic and can be used on gas as well as electricity which is perfect for off you want to do some "off grid" camping. It is also quiet running which is important as Mr CP and I are very light sleepers. The two burner hob is perfect for a morning cuppa or to cook a decent breakfast or a full meal. The microwave is handy for those times when the weather means outside cooking is not possible (we love outdoor cooking). The sink, whilst small, is great for drinking water, hand washing, water for cooking and rinsing things out. The solar panel keeps the leisure battery topped up nicely. We are well into our second winter now and we have not had to take the battery out to charge it and, when we last checked at the weekend, it is showing fully charged so I am extremely happy with this. The front box provides that bit of extra space for your gas bottle meaning that your inside Pod cupboard is available for storage. We find that there is plenty of cupboard space for everything to be honest and none of our cupboards are overflowing at all. We could fit more stuff in all of them but have got everything arranged now so that things are easy to get to. 

We used the tarp a lot this year which is an optional extra. This is a fabulous item and makes for a really quick setup for if you are just staying one or two nights and you don't want to put an awning up. It has been an absolute Godsend this year with the hot weather too providing some welcome shade at times. Everything we want to take in the Pod fits easily and the Pod is easy to tow and easy and quick to set up. The awning supplied with the Platinum Pod is the Khyam Tailgate Awning and it is lightweight and very quick and easy to set up giving you extra storage space for longer stays. 

One of the biggest assets of the Pod, in my opinion, is that you can have it exactly how you want it. If you don't want it white, you don't have to have it white. There are a choice of colours for the GRP shell. If you want it white but want it a bit different, have some coloured side panels like we did or you could have some side panels with flowers on or grass or trees or whatever you want. I think the current upholstery colour is a very light beige but, if you don't want that, have it a different colour. Have the seats one colour and the curtains another colour if you want. Have something different. I like different so the Pod suits me. There are lots of additional accessories you can get for the Pod too to make it perfect for how you want to use it. We got the exterior gas socket, for example, as we cook outside a lot with our gas SAfire roaster. We also opted to get the Motor Mover as, whilst the Pod is lightweight, it is difficult to move anything on grass or deep gravel and this takes away any stress completely.

Due to a lack of holidays this year, we have ended up doing quite a few two night trips at weekends and it has been a pleasure to go somewhere not too far away but far away enough to feel like you are really getting out there. We have more holidays next year so the Pod will be used even more. Initially, hitching up and setting up were done with a little trepidation as we have no experience of doing any of this towing malarkey so it was a bit of a learning curve for us. You pick it all up very quickly though and we are at a point now where we know what we are doing and it is all just so easy that using the Pod is even more fun than it was at the start. Every time we use the Pod now we love it a bit more each time. We have managed to spend 30 nights in the Pod too which is really good considering we already had a two week holiday booked prior to getting the Pod and we only get 20 days holiday as it is.

Having the support of all the staff at Go Pods HQ has been brilliant. They are a great bunch of people and always happy to help. No question I have asked has been treated as a stupid question and all the help I have needed has been given to me. In particular, Jon has spent a lot of time explaining things to me and nothing has been too much trouble. When we went to collect our Pod, Jon patiently explained everything to us and made sure we were 100% okay before we left to spend the night at one of the caravan parks nearby.

The Go Pod is the best thing we have ever bought. If you are thinking of buying one, go and see one, you will be amazed at how well designed they are and how fabulous the layout is. They may be small but they are perfectly formed and, remember, small means easier tow, less impact on any fuel consumption (we have not noticed any extra fuel drain on our Ford Focus Ecoboost), it can be towed with some smaller cars, it is very quick and easy to clean inside and out and it is so quick to set up, you will arrive on site and be sat out having a drink before any bigger outfits have finished putting the legs down. It's all good.

Additionally as part of my Pod set up I have added the following specification to personalise my Go Pod:-
*Grey full exterior with silver Munro logo
*Grey matching front box with gas bottle
* Sky blue interior upgrade upholstery.
*TV/DVD package (Platinum choice)
* Kyham Awning (Platinum choice)
*Kyham Go Tarp (Platinum choice)
* Dual central heating
*Hot water tank system bespoke addition
*Additional electric sockets/USB port
*100W roof top Solar panel
* Silver Mixing Tap to match silver sink
*Red Lion excellent Customer Support and Services. My continued choice.

The motor mover, yes, I know a Go Pod is easy to move, but when it’s on a slope, you have to ask the wife to give it that extra push, I wish I had one
The winter cover is very good, it does stop the Go Pod from getting that black stuff that winter always brings (plus it gives the stay cats somewhere to shelter)
I had used tear drop trailers in the past, they are very good for 2 people, but they have their limitations, like cooking, that is at the back and when it rains that’s the end of the cooking, everything in a tear drop is hands and knees, you can’t stand up in them, you watch TV laying down, there is a limit to what you can do in them
In a Go Pod you can stand up, cook in the rain, watch TV sitting down, pull the awning down for privacy and shelter from the elements (they have some really nice spot lights in them and you can reach them from the bed, you don’t have to get out of bed to turn the lights out)
You could go the camper van route, but if you want to go anywhere, everything has to be put away; you might lose your pitch when you get back
A Go Pod has everything a normal caravan has, plenty of storage space, cupboards, a toilet/shower tent (we haven’t used either) a double bed, a tent for extra guests (just clip it on the back)
When on a campsite, a pitch is the same price for all caravans; you have extra room on site
We upgraded the water container (and bought an extra one, never have enough water)
We have travelled to Turkey in ours, no problems, cruised along at 65-70 mph, no wobbling and you can even forget you are towing it, whenever we stopped people wanted to look inside (it should be called the TARDIS)
It’s cheaper on the train and the ferry, so the whole of Europe is open to you (on the train you can even make a coffee while travelling, its gotta be better than machine coffee)
We had the oven instead of the microwave (even though I am on holiday, I still like my Sunday dinner) it’s as if you are at home, there is no limit to meals you can cook on it
I use a separate gas burner for boiling the kettle, rather than the hob, just because it’s easier with a separate burner, I need both rings when cooking, and I also want a coffee
We bought plastic plates and mugs (available in the shop) just because they are easier to was, clean and are unbreakable, we bought clip together cutlery, just so we didn’t lose the spoon
The cool box can be used as a freezer, but we have just used it as a fridge
We bought 2 circular cutting boards, screwed them together, we now have a covered for the sink, plus a chopping board
We also bought the suction hooks from the shop, handy for hanging keys, towels, clothes, anything you want to hang really
The Solar panel is a real boon when wild or bush camping (plenty of lighting, both in and out of the Go Pod)
It comes with a TV, but I haven’t used ours, I prefer the radio on holiday
I also got a wheel clamp and a security box with mine (handy for on site and as it can be pulled by a Fiat 500, it’s an extra bit of security (you don’t want to come back and find you no longer have a caravan)
I did have to get my plug upgraded to fit the Go Pod (but my plug is year’s old, anyway)
I would recommend staying at the local campsite even if it’s just the one night, just to shake out any wrinkles and check everything is working
You will be told all about the A/C and electrical stuff when you pick yours up, but you will promptly forget them (but they are available on YouTube) and go back to be told again
You can wander around the shop for extra bits and pieces and they aren’t backward with the discounts, we bought an extra water container, 2 chairs and another table, with a nice discount (thank you to the shop)
When you are there, you can wander around, just looking, then go and ask questions, they will help answer all of them, even the ones you never asked (no such thing as a daft question)
We bought ours and it was white with decals on it, they now come in many colours, I wish I had the choice)
If you aren’t sure if a Go Pod is for you, I will be surprised if you don't come back and order one. which one though is up to you, save money and go for top of the range, work it out yourself, you’ll see what I mean.

We had never owned or towed a caravan before but have had no problems in towing and sometimes you forget you are actually towing. We have had great fun in our POD and wouldn't be without it. We are so enthusiastic about it that we now proudly offer to show it off to those who do not want to travel so far to view one and have now helped at least two purchase one. Love it. Happy podders!