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M0tl3y View Drop Down
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Joined: 21 Sep 2014
Location: Utah
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Posts: 61 		Post Options Post Options   Quote M0tl3y Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: List Your Mods:
    Posted: 13 Mar 2015 at 3:21pm
Originally posted by Chuck

Thanks. What sort of sliders did you use?

Slow reply, sorry. I found a 6-pack of these type at lowes. Basically the self-adhevise with the plastic bottom. They don't really add any height to your drawer so you get more use of the space and it slides around on the lineleum just great.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_29577-255-4701195N_0__?productId=1179463&Ntt=slider&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dslider&facetInfo=
The 178 club
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Chuck View Drop Down
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Posts: 140 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Chuck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Mar 2015 at 9:32am
Thanks. What sort of sliders did you use?
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Chuck Janet & Bogie the dog
'12 RP 177
1972 Shasta 1400
2005 Ford F-150 5.3L V8
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M0tl3y View Drop Down
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Posts: 61 		Post Options Post Options   Quote M0tl3y Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Mar 2015 at 7:41pm
Originally posted by Chuck

Motl3y. Do you by any chance have plans (dimensions, etc) for the under the bed drawer. I love this and think I want to do it.

Sorry, no. I didn't make any plans or diagrams as I went. I basically measured the space underneath the bed and started from there. I'll admit, I had to tweak my original measurements as I went when I realized I wanted more clearance above the drawers and factoring in the attached sliders on the bottom. 

It was a one-piece-at-a-time-then-remeasure project. Embarrassed
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Chuck View Drop Down
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Posts: 140 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Chuck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Mar 2015 at 2:58pm
Motl3y. Do you by any chance have plans (dimensions, etc) for the under the bed drawer. I love this and think I want to do it.
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'12 RP 177
1972 Shasta 1400
2005 Ford F-150 5.3L V8
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Joined: 04 Feb 2015
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Posts: 68 		Post Options Post Options   Quote TigerPawd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Mar 2015 at 2:19pm
Cosco - I forgot to mention the liberal application of clear silicone around the bathroom handle.  Not real easy in a couple of places, but essential  when we use the area for showers.
Joan, Jerry and the two Pugs
2015 R-Pod 179
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Posts: 7 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Cosco Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Mar 2015 at 9:03am
Thank you. Our Pod is in winter storage, but when we get back to it, we'll have a few things to do.
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Posts: 68 		Post Options Post Options   Quote TigerPawd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 5:10pm
OK.  Here goes.  First up is the handle next to the exit door.  There is quite a drop from the interior down to the step (11", approximately).  The big black FR exterior assist bar is a big help getting in, but not much good when leaving.  This one attaches to the door frame and is quite strong.  If you look close, you can see the little snap-in panels that cover the screw heads.  Easy installations. 

 

And here's the handle for the john area.  So far, it's easily been enough.  It's right on the inside door frame and we can easily swing in or out of the john.  The bars are 12" from tip to tip.  If you install one on the outside too, that might be overkill, and the one in the narrow "hallway" might stick out far enough to catch your shoulder.  I suggest that if you go ahead, trying just the inside bar and see if that will be enough. 

I got the grabbers at Lowe's.  They have really big versions tailored for major handicaps, if that's necessary, but these easily do the job for us, either for getting up off the throne or coming and going from the john.   And I'm fairly certain the handles could be installed in any other Pod, if needed/wanted. 

Last, the little bumper to protect the door from the fender and the fender from the door: 

This bumper is actually a soft plastic door stop and there are two to a pack.  This one has been on six months with no sign of weakening or sun damage.  The friction on the door hinge on the newer 179s is pretty high so I'm not sure the bumper will ever be necessary, but all in all, it's cheap insurance. 

I hope these help. 

Joan, Jerry and the two Pugs
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Posts: 7 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Cosco Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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
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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
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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
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