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Topic ClosedNewbie's First Night

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curbygc View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 Dec 2011
Location: Sandy, OR
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Newbie's First Night
    Posted: 11 Dec 2011 at 11:00am
I have been looking for a travel trailer small enough for me and the dog (if she ever learns how to behave) to take quadding.  I am done with tent camping!  I searched and searched and I kept coming back to the R-Pod.  Found one at a used RV dealer in Portland and had to have it.

So I purchased this slightly used 2011 R-Pod 177 Wednesday and did a test camp in it last night in my buddy's driveway hehe.  I am 6'1" 200lbs.  When my head and shoulders were toward the drivers side the furnace squealed at me, like too much weight was on it.  When I switched my head and shoulders toward the passenger side the squealing stopped.  Also my back ached throughout the night.

I am wondering if the mattress platform might be cracked or warped?  It is a big empty space to be spanning for my frame.  I will probably build a wood frame to support the mattress platform in the middle to see if this solves the issue, and try another night in my friends driveway.

But all in all I still love it.  I will work out the sleeping and furnace issues in time, preferably before my first outing next year to ride my quad.  Sport ATV's generally require a more limber back, if you actually want to have fun that is lol!
2011 R-Pod 177
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TerryM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Dec 2011 at 5:01pm
Welcome to the forum! I hope you figure out your problem.

Terry
RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4
Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Dec 2011 at 5:26pm
Welcome.  I'm sure some of the 177 owners will pitch in with some ideas. 
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Dec 2011 at 6:36pm
Also, welcome.  We have a 2011 177 also, and between wife, dogs and me we are way heavier than you are.  I have never heard the furnace make any bad noises.  The mattress is not as good as the one we sleep on at home, but not to bad either.  You may want to have a dealer take a look at your rig and see what they say.  I wonder if something is not assembled right.
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
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psaman View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Dec 2011 at 6:45pm
Same here, between my wife and I,  we weigh alot more and always sleep with our heads next to the shoilet. We have not used the furnace much, but when we did it did not squeal. As for our backs, after we installed a foam mattress topper, we sleep alot more comfortably. You should be able to pull the matress off and look at the support underneath. Hope you figure it out and welcome!!
2011 R-177 "Sponge-Pod"
2011 F-150 XLT "Texas Edition"
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curbygc View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Dec 2011 at 10:43am
Yes, I will check out the mattress support and the framing around the furnace next time I go to where I am storing it.  If my upper body is making it squeal and my chicken legs don't there has to be something goofy with it.  LOL  A mattress topper will be in store for me I think.  And thanks to all of you for the welcome :) 
2011 R-Pod 177
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pamspod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 2011 at 9:43am
Welcome to you from another newbie!  Spent my first night in my Pod on Saturday - didn't use the furnace, just used a small electric heater and I was toasty warm.  My mattress slept good - it's a good thick one - but a topper is probably a great idea.  As tall as you are, you probably couldn't stretch out good, and I bet that's why your back hurt!  Hope things start looking up!
Pam
'10 R-pod 171
'10 Chevy Equinox
P's in a Pod!
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curbygc View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 2011 at 6:15pm
Hahaha, I did sleep across mattress at an angle or on my side.  My mattress isn't that thick though.  I also thought of a electric heater, they are quieter than the furnace.  I am doing another sleep test this Friday night after I look at the supports and such.  And Welcome to you too Pam :)
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Tri-Pod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Dec 2011 at 11:22am
Welcome, we are new to Rpods this year also. The three inch memory foam mattresses topper saved our lives. Not sure we would have spent another night with out it. Like many others here we use a electric ceramic heater. It is quiter than the built in and saves on propane, purchased it at Home Depot for 19.95, also nice to have a back up. Good luck and have fun podding. Clark
2010 PR 176 sold 2012 replaced with
2013 SP 240 w outside kitchen
2012 Toyota Tundra Crew Max 4x2
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Me, My Honey, and Max our GSP
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Hodge-PODge View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Dec 2011 at 12:25am
I love my RP 177 - BUT I don't think I could stand the bed if it weren't for the memory foam topper.  I plan on replacing the innerspring mattress for a couple of reasons.  1) it seems to be sinking in the middle although I've had the R-Pod less than one year.  2)  I think the foam mattress will be lighter which should make it easier to reach the valves under the bed for winterizing/dewinterizing.  I've been looking at this particular mattress for some time -it's not too expensive and it has good reviews.
 
 
2011 RP 177, the Hodge-PODge
2011 Mercedes ML350
"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it."

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