R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: List Your Mods:
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

List Your Mods:

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 4546474849 78>
Author
Message Reverse Sort Order
Cosco View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 30 Jun 2014
Location: Lansing, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7
Post Options Post Options   Quote Cosco Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: List Your Mods:
    Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 9:44am
We are considering the need for grab bars also on both the inside and outside of the bathroom. Could you post a photo(s) and tell me more about what kind of bars you used and how you installed them. We also have a 179.

Thanks
Back to Top
TigerPawd View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 04 Feb 2015
Location: Corpus Christi
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 68
Post Options Post Options   Quote TigerPawd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2015 at 7:57pm
Maybe I was exceeding my limit - some didn't get posted.  Maybe the third try will work out OK. 

Neither shopping channel will get any use from us.  So I pulled the Jensen entertainment unit to see if the innards for a rotating Jack TV antenna can be installed above the closet.  The circle in the picture is where the coax comes through the roof - lots of wire clutter is all around and prospects for pulling things away don't look real good.  And neither a hole from the top of the closet nor a hole from the john side looks promising.  FR didn't do us any favors here.  Cheapness is still goodness.l

The original fridge had a small problem. It wouldn't cool.  So much for quality control.  FR then sent the wrong one (good thing we didn't have a trip scheduled) as a replacement - or maybe the dealer ordered the wrong one.  The replacement was better and was eventually installed.  Afterward, I could see daylight along one side and the top.  Fixed that with silicone.  I can also see some daylight along the front seal of the slide out.  Not a good arrangement for driving in the rain.  First aid will be needed.  It's still under warranty.  Wish we had noticed it before those seal problems earlier so that one trip to the dealer would have been enough.

Removed the one screw that holds the top of that strange hassock next to the fridge.  Covered the wires and plumbing that are there with a plywood panel.  Curved front area is ideal to stash at least four rolls of john paper and it's close to the point of need - if the slide is out.  The rest of the new space is good for an extra half cubic foot of storage, more or less.

Put hinges on the panel under the fridge - just in case something falls while underway and we don't spot it in time.  There are some fragile looking connections underneath so it's not appropriate for routine storage and access, even with some bungee cords to try to hold a variety of wiring out of the way.   But it will give easy access to the slide out control module (Circle) if that ever becomes necessary.  I have read that some 179s have that control module inside the hassock mentioned above. 

I keep looking at that clunky table which is also to be used to support the auxiliary bed.  I'm thinking about adding a piece of plywood hinged to the sitting surface on the slide out couch and then discarding said miserable table, but the differing heights are a stumbling block.  Finding acceptable replacement table(s) will be a snap. 

All the exposed wiring underneath looks bad to me.  There is a lot of foampuckey glopped up wherever wires or plumbing go inside,  There are also some electrical contacts that look like they are exposed to the salty atmosphere that's all around us down here.  I appreciate that FR wants to keep moisture out of the inside but there are other goodies underneath that are exposed as the Pods come from the factory.  I have an old plastic box for 3x5" cards that may  work well to block the moisture.  Need to keep in mind the risk of voiding the warranty if water somehow gets inside anyway....

Installed small metal tabs to keep the assist bar from preventing exiting in the event a prankster was in the neighborhood, per some earlier Pod Forum Posts. 

Weather this winter has been poor for camping in something as small as the Pod, so like the rest of North America, we're waiting for something better. 
Joan, Jerry and the two Pugs
2015 R-Pod 179
Back to Top
TigerPawd View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 04 Feb 2015
Location: Corpus Christi
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 68
Post Options Post Options   Quote TigerPawd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2015 at 7:40pm
Another attempt, after posting in the wrong place, and pictures would not insert.

We have had a couple of pop-ups and two 31' travel trailers, including the last one from Forest River.  Age and back problems made the change to a smaller RV seem like a smart move.  Looked around a lot and the #179 Pod  looked like what we need, and this Forum was a big help. 

Interesting how the build quality has dropped since our Surveyor was built in 2004 though.  As an old engineer friend used to say, "Cheapness is goodness" in industry. 

Started out with a peep hole in the door.  Might add  a porthole window in a year or so, but the peep hole gives a really good view - as long as the door is closed.  When it's open, the view to the left is pretty marginal.   

Took the mattress pad from the old Surveyor and added a Trav-a-Sak.  Also picked up some grabbers on a stick to help with the far corners of the bed spread.  If interested, google "Extension Grabber."  We got ours at Bed Bath and Beyond but they are available lots of places, including the Wally Marts. 

Added a small soft hemispherical doorstop on the fender to protect the door from the fender and the fender from the door. 

In a wet john, placement of the toilet paper is tough.  We had a one-armed paper holder in our previous TT and I looked for one like that.  Had to settle for a fairly ugly one, although it does match the color of kitchen plumbing.  This one is tucked well up under the basin, where it still might get an occasional splash.  I'm looking for a plastic kitchen canister to cover it in case it really gets wet, but may settle for a big coffee can - or even a shower cap - in a pinch.  


Added grab handles at the door to the john and next to the outside door to make going in and out easier; door framing is solid in both places.  We're considering changing to a double step; that 11" drop off is quite a bit for aging knees

Switched from hand-cranked jack to electric.  Much easier on the old shoulders and back.  Easy swap with the Pod on the hitch.

Reversed the hinges to the door on the closet so DW can check her gown before going to the ball. The hinges are now on the side next to the bed instead of next to the john.  Handier for most things, not so much from the bed.  Patching the old hinge holes was easy. 

Changed the TV swing arm to one with a tilt.  Considered moving the mount to where the closet meets the wall - better viewing from the bed, but not so good from the rest of the Pod.  Rejected that unless I find a really long arm with lots of bendy places.

I have been coveting the 3" of hollow wall between the closet and the john.  Considered adding a real medicine cabinet but haven't found one narrow enough to fit around the vent pipe.  Might make one of my own.  Some day.  TV reception with that universal antenna is wretched compared to what we could get in our driveway with the Surveyor.  We can get PBS but not NBC or CBS.  We also get a couple of shopping channels - one in English and one in Spanish.

Joan, Jerry and the two Pugs
2015 R-Pod 179
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062
Post Options Post Options   Quote techntrek Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2015 at 11:27am
Yes, very nice!
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
Scoul View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 28 Jan 2014
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 27
Post Options Post Options   Quote Scoul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2015 at 5:36am
Great work Motl3y!! Think I'll add some cup holders too.
"Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm." Publilius Syrus

2015 GMC 1500
2014 182g
2009 Harley FXSTB
Back to Top
M0tl3y View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 21 Sep 2014
Location: Utah
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 61
Post Options Post Options   Quote M0tl3y Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2015 at 12:13am
Lastly, for this go around, I built the sliding drawer for under the bed. To improve on the furnace, I sealed around it and modified it to pull fresh air from the sides/rear (basically under the kitchen area) and force heated air out through this cutout in the drawer. It's actually made a big difference in how quickly the pod heats up because the warm air is being directed out into the Pod instead of circulating longer underneath the bed area.

I also rebuilt both drawers to utilize the full length of the area that was wasted/unused. For the top drawer I also add a divider that raises up the utensil tray and allows for additional storage underneath.

Hopefully these posts/pictures help others. I know the pictures that others post have been invaluable for me in my "idea search" for useful mods. Thanks




The 178 club
Back to Top
M0tl3y View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 21 Sep 2014
Location: Utah
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 61
Post Options Post Options   Quote M0tl3y Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2015 at 12:05am
I installed the Morningstar SureSine inverter (not pictured) to the left of the converter, mounted on the wall. I only ran it to the one socket behind the TV and replaced it with this receptacle that also has two 2.1 AMP USB ports. I added the bright red wall plate to denote this socket was different than the rest. I installed the remote shutoff switch next to it so that I can control when it draws from the battery.

To the right of the converter, I installed the pictured battery cutoff switch. It was a tight install, and I like how it turned out, but I had to do some cosmetic repair to the woodwork after I finished squeezing it into place. Wink




The 178 club
Back to Top
M0tl3y View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 21 Sep 2014
Location: Utah
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 61
Post Options Post Options   Quote M0tl3y Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Feb 2015 at 11:57pm
Here you'll see pretty standard metal shower racks, a recessed water-proof toilet roll holder, the shower sink removed mod, and the shower head Oxygenics replacement






The 178 club
Back to Top
M0tl3y View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 21 Sep 2014
Location: Utah
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 61
Post Options Post Options   Quote M0tl3y Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Feb 2015 at 11:50pm
This one was requested by the DW. These are foldable drink-holders. We like to play card games and dice games at the table, which doesn't have a lot of room. It makes having a beverage more cumbersome. So I installed four of these around the table area to hold drinks when the table is being used for something beside eating.


The 178 club
Back to Top
M0tl3y View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 21 Sep 2014
Location: Utah
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 61
Post Options Post Options   Quote M0tl3y Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Feb 2015 at 11:47pm
This is a redo of the panels that hold in the seat cushions. The originals are flimsy and one of mine snapped in half. My DW if quite happy with this change-out.

I lowered the position of the replacement a bit so that if you're sitting with your legs toward the inside of the trailer, as opposed to directly under the table, it doesn't put pressure on the bottom on your legs, but it still holds the cushions in place.


The 178 club
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 4546474849 78>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz