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Introduction - Buggaluggs

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StephenH View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Introduction - Buggaluggs
    Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 5:41pm
Personally, I would not consider an R-Pod or any other similar travel trailer suitable for such a trip. An Overlanding trailer would be more suited, but would cost significantly more than an R-Pod. One like this would be much more likely to survive the trip to Alaska without major damage.

As I wrote before though, you have been there so you know the road conditions much, much better than I do.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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RFX43 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote RFX43 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 4:15pm
Thank you, great appreciated.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote RFX43 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 4:14pm
Thank you. On my last drive up I ran into a couple that lived near me in Montana. They were pulling a large 5th wheel and hit a pothole. To get to the fuel stop/country store, they went through two spare tires. At the store they found out that the closest repair shop was 600 miles away. Thanks again.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 1:53pm
Originally posted by RFX43

I'm considering lifting my 2017 . have you experienced anything negative after lifting it? I'm looking at another drive up to Alaska this Summer. I have driven up twice with a truck camper. The Alaska Highway system can be a challenge with potholes, lots . I'm concerned about tearing the drains off. 

I believe a couple of folks have taken Rpods to Alaska. Be aware that Rpods do not have a robust build. I know I have heard of bent axles and cabinetry falling apart. Do your due diligence and reinforce the axle and brace the cabinets. Good luck.
Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 12:57pm
Originally posted by RFX43

I'm considering lifting my 2017 . have you experienced anything negative after lifting it? I'm looking at another drive up to Alaska this Summer. I have driven up twice with a truck camper. The Alaska Highway system can be a challenge with potholes, lots . I'm concerned about tearing the drains off. 
That should probably have been posted as a separate topic. The 2017 should have come from the factory lifted or with the arms of the axle re-clocked to make the trailer ride higher than in prior years. That does not mean that adding lifting blocks would not help in your particular situation. Making sure that the RPod is riding level and not with the front higher will help ensure that the drains won't drag. However, the stress of hitting potholes may cause more issues such as the axle losing its camber or bending. Since you have been there, you know the conditions and will need to drive accordingly.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Post Options Post Options   Quote RFX43 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 9:16am
I'm considering lifting my 2017 . have you experienced anything negative after lifting it? I'm looking at another drive up to Alaska this Summer. I have driven up twice with a truck camper. The Alaska Highway system can be a challenge with potholes, lots . I'm concerned about tearing the drains off. 
RFX
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Nov 2024 at 11:03pm
I think the problem was the campground's power if your RPod works fine at home on a 20A circuit. One thing you can do to help yourself is to get a surge protector/circuit tester. You might have found that the power pole had hot and neutral reversed or some other fault. Look at this listing for some examples:

StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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jato View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Nov 2024 at 9:36am
Had to replace the two rear stabilizer jacks due to the low ground clearance on our 2011 177.  Pretty straightforward, didn't take very long to replace.  The mod to avoid this, which was done back in 2017, was to purchase a 3.5" lift kit.  I got mine from FR ($150 total cost included shipping) but many other reliable companies also have this kit and from what I have seen, at a lower price.  Regardless, this was also an easy fix, using 2 floor jacks and basic hand tools, the job was completed in just under an hour.  You will need a torque wrench (1/2" or 3/4") to snug the bolts to 120 ft. pounds.
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Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Pod People Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Nov 2024 at 9:28am
I can't help you on all of the items you mentioned. However, I can tell you that the earlier RPods did not have a wheel on the tongue jack-just a straight post with solid end cap.  We bent ours once and replaced it with a simple straight tongue jack from Harbor Freight. they also have jacks with wheels.
https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=tongue%20jack

should be a simple replacemnt-some bolt on to the side of the tongue, but the Rpods  have a 3 hole type of installation that actually goes through the tongue/a frame.  make sure the bolts line up.
Travel often and safe
Vann



Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
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Post Options Post Options   Quote TheBuggaluggs Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Nov 2024 at 11:24am
I got a slow puncture on the way to Brown County and then we had an electrical problem.  Site had 20A and the camper is 30A. We have a converter but it kept shorting out.  Even with all on-board breakers open. I figured something had gotten loose on the way but when we got home it worked fine on our house 20A circuit. So maybe the site had an issue.  It was a bit chilly, but we had a good time.

We do need some items replaced. I'm hoping I can search through this forum and find recommendations.

A new door.
Someone broke in to the camper and the door is a little bent and the hinges are bent. The hinges appear rivetted which will make replacement a challenge. I'd be interested if anyone else has replaced a door.
Stabilizer jacks. 
All four appear rusty and two are a little bent.  Looks like an easy replacement, but maybe I'm under estimating that!
Main wheel jack
The wheel is missing from an unexpected scrape down the road. I'm not sure if that is a std item I can buy or a special R-Pod item.

I'll search the forum for info, but may post questions if i can't fin answers from my search.

Thanks - Buggs
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