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techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posts: 9062

Topic: Salem-mod
Posted: 25 Sep 2016 at 2:25pm

Added a note above about the tires mentioned in this thread, do not buy Taskmaster.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Marx

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Joined: 18 Jul 2014
Location: Charleston
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Posts: 103

Posted: 27 Jun 2015 at 7:08pm

Nice mods, always fun to put them to use and get some new ideas. Those cabinet doors look like a perfect match.

2014 R-POD 177

techntrek

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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 10:01pm

Yes, 6 years is about the limit from everything I've read. My mods will all get a real good road test starting in a few weeks...

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

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Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 5:30pm

Nope on the true deep cycle batteries. They were the "hybrid" deep cycle/marine. I am thinking one of them went bad internally as during the last couple of trips, the lights would sometimes flicker (this was dry camping - no hook up). Once over the winter, the maintainer would not charge one - showing a "defective battery" light. I tried it again the next day and it seemed to charge OK. (I put them on the maintainer once every month until fully charged during winter storage) I didn't bother trying to test them - I just replaced them. Even if only one was bad, I would still have bought 2 to keep a matched pair.

The price on the brake lights is about as good as I've seen. I'll let you be the "test mule" and tell me if they still OK in a month or two.

I agree on the steel rims - did it myself a few years back on another camper. I'd have to go outside and look at my "China Bombs" (as some call them)- they may also be load "C". I do remember they are 6 ply. Again, I've had no problem with them. I am only going to replace them due to their age and my being cautious. Popular opinion seems to be - replace at 5-6 years, to be safe.

techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062

Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 12:05pm

[edit 9/25/16, do not buy Taskmaster. The tread started wearing unevenly immediately and less than a year after mounting them two of them detonated within miles of each other (I had 2 spares, happily). Replaced with D-rated radial (the ones below were bias) tires and after 8000 miles cross-country there was no odd tread wear. Brand is Duraturn.]

The tires are Taskmaster brand which I bought through eTrailer, pre-mounted on the wheels. For older steel wheels I think that is the way to go - I worry about rust causing problems with the bead but that could just be paranoia. I think I got duped though, etrailer said they were 6 ply which I thought was odd for C rated tires, but the sidewall says they are 4 ply + 2 ply on the sidewalls. That is what I expect for C rated tires. I probably should have held out and found D rated tires knowing now that I still only have 4 ply. That said it felt more solid on the drive home than it did on the old tires.

A howl would be ultra-annoying! Did you have true deep cycle batteries? I would expect them to last longer than 6 years.

The marker lights on the sides, and the combo tail/running lights were just random suppliers on Amazon. I paid about $11 total for 2 orders of 10 for the marker lights (of course I only needed 11 so I have 9 spares). https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00877SL2M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$3 for the tail lights https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KL7RS52/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My only minor complaint is since they are all cool white lights and much brighter than before, the marker lights that are orange are a bit washed out now. More yellow than orange. No real difference with the red lenses. But really since the point is visibility and they are brighter, I'll deal with the color change.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

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Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 7:33am

Do you have a recommendation regarding the tires you purchased? I am into the 6th year on mine and plan to replace them next spring. I have 6 ply now (made in China)and have had no issues.

I upsized my old MaxAir vent cover to the MaxAir II and the new one does flow a lot better. Also, it eliminated a low level "howl" noise (like blowing across a soft drink/beer bottle).

Also, both of my batteries gave up during Memorial weekend. (Also, into their 6th year) Fortunately, I had the generator with me. They would go flat in less than 24hrs.

I am also wondering what you purchased for your brake/running lights?

techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062

Posted: 08 Jun 2015 at 3:26pm

I forgot a few more mods from the last few days, no pics for these. New baskets in the shower for our shampoo, new shelves in the closet the kids share so they can keep their stuff separate, new LED replacements for the tail lights (brake + running lights), new CO and LP detectors (both were well past their replace-by date). I bought a new smoke detector but it turns out I still have a year or two left with the current one so I may put the new one in the garage, where I've been intending to install one for years.

I still have a long punch list so more to come.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062

Posted: 08 Jun 2015 at 3:15pm

New kitten - my wife watched someone throw her out of their car in a heavy rainstorm, when she stopped to see what it was, she came home with a new cat. She is great, loves attention and was easy to house train.

Vents - dumb design to put them right by the vent, yes! But in this case we smelled sewer gasses inside the bathroom with the fan on. The service tech said there was a gap where gasses could have entered the wall from above (??) so hopefully it is fixed now.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

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Posted: 08 Jun 2015 at 8:11am

My black tank roof vent is close to my bathroom fan opening, also. I've noticed when the wind is blowing right, I get vent odors if my fan is not running. I have to either close the vent or turn on the fan.

Your mods are looking good!

Leo B

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4518

Posted: 07 Jun 2015 at 7:35am

She looks quite content!!

Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

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techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Topic: Salem-mod Posted: 25 Sep 2016 at 2:25pm
	Added a note above about the tires mentioned in this thread, do not buy Taskmaster.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Marx Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 18 Jul 2014 Location: Charleston Online Status: Offline Posts: 103	Posted: 27 Jun 2015 at 7:08pm
	Nice mods, always fun to put them to use and get some new ideas. Those cabinet doors look like a perfect match.
	2014 R-POD 177

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 10:01pm
	Yes, 6 years is about the limit from everything I've read. My mods will all get a real good road test starting in a few weeks...
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 5:30pm
	Nope on the true deep cycle batteries. They were the "hybrid" deep cycle/marine. I am thinking one of them went bad internally as during the last couple of trips, the lights would sometimes flicker (this was dry camping - no hook up). Once over the winter, the maintainer would not charge one - showing a "defective battery" light. I tried it again the next day and it seemed to charge OK. (I put them on the maintainer once every month until fully charged during winter storage) I didn't bother trying to test them - I just replaced them. Even if only one was bad, I would still have bought 2 to keep a matched pair. The price on the brake lights is about as good as I've seen. I'll let you be the "test mule" and tell me if they still OK in a month or two. I agree on the steel rims - did it myself a few years back on another camper. I'd have to go outside and look at my "China Bombs" (as some call them)- they may also be load "C". I do remember they are 6 ply. Again, I've had no problem with them. I am only going to replace them due to their age and my being cautious. Popular opinion seems to be - replace at 5-6 years, to be safe.

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 12:05pm
	[edit 9/25/16, do not buy Taskmaster. The tread started wearing unevenly immediately and less than a year after mounting them two of them detonated within miles of each other (I had 2 spares, happily). Replaced with D-rated radial (the ones below were bias) tires and after 8000 miles cross-country there was no odd tread wear. Brand is Duraturn.] The tires are Taskmaster brand which I bought through eTrailer, pre-mounted on the wheels. For older steel wheels I think that is the way to go - I worry about rust causing problems with the bead but that could just be paranoia. I think I got duped though, etrailer said they were 6 ply which I thought was odd for C rated tires, but the sidewall says they are 4 ply + 2 ply on the sidewalls. That is what I expect for C rated tires. I probably should have held out and found D rated tires knowing now that I still only have 4 ply. That said it felt more solid on the drive home than it did on the old tires. A howl would be ultra-annoying! Did you have true deep cycle batteries? I would expect them to last longer than 6 years. The marker lights on the sides, and the combo tail/running lights were just random suppliers on Amazon. I paid about $11 total for 2 orders of 10 for the marker lights (of course I only needed 11 so I have 9 spares). https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00877SL2M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 $3 for the tail lights https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KL7RS52/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 My only minor complaint is since they are all cool white lights and much brighter than before, the marker lights that are orange are a bit washed out now. More yellow than orange. No real difference with the red lenses. But really since the point is visibility and they are brighter, I'll deal with the color change.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 09 Jun 2015 at 7:33am
	Do you have a recommendation regarding the tires you purchased? I am into the 6th year on mine and plan to replace them next spring. I have 6 ply now (made in China)and have had no issues. I upsized my old MaxAir vent cover to the MaxAir II and the new one does flow a lot better. Also, it eliminated a low level "howl" noise (like blowing across a soft drink/beer bottle). Also, both of my batteries gave up during Memorial weekend. (Also, into their 6th year) Fortunately, I had the generator with me. They would go flat in less than 24hrs. I am also wondering what you purchased for your brake/running lights?

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 08 Jun 2015 at 3:26pm
	I forgot a few more mods from the last few days, no pics for these. New baskets in the shower for our shampoo, new shelves in the closet the kids share so they can keep their stuff separate, new LED replacements for the tail lights (brake + running lights), new CO and LP detectors (both were well past their replace-by date). I bought a new smoke detector but it turns out I still have a year or two left with the current one so I may put the new one in the garage, where I've been intending to install one for years. I still have a long punch list so more to come.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 08 Jun 2015 at 3:15pm
	New kitten - my wife watched someone throw her out of their car in a heavy rainstorm, when she stopped to see what it was, she came home with a new cat. She is great, loves attention and was easy to house train. Vents - dumb design to put them right by the vent, yes! But in this case we smelled sewer gasses inside the bathroom with the fan on. The service tech said there was a gap where gasses could have entered the wall from above (??) so hopefully it is fixed now.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 08 Jun 2015 at 8:11am
	My black tank roof vent is close to my bathroom fan opening, also. I've noticed when the wind is blowing right, I get vent odors if my fan is not running. I have to either close the vent or turn on the fan. Your mods are looking good!

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Posted: 07 Jun 2015 at 7:35am
	She looks quite content!!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171