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Leo B View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4518 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: New owners of a 180
    Posted: 25 May 2016 at 6:38pm
Good tips!
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Trotwood View Drop Down
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Joined: 14 May 2016
Location: Landenberg, PA
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Posts: 8 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 May 2016 at 6:06pm
Hi Jack and Janet!  Thanks for the tip about the gray water tank.  It didn't take me too long to come to the same conclusion, that the gray water fills up pretty fast compared to black.  We did as we said we would, took it up the road 30 miles to a campground, plugged in, tried everything out.  I have to say that all the systems worked as good or better than expected.  I plugged in to 15 amp outlet at home before we left to cool down the fridge.  I put a small thermometer in it to monitor.  It was down to 40 F within a few hours.  I stretched out my shower a little just to see how well the hot water would recover, and although I didn't measure anything, it was way better than expected.  Pretty impressed with the little R-Pod so far.  The lady who ran the campground walked down after we checked in because she "wanted to take a photo of your cute little camper."

To all the other new 180 owners, have fun learning!  In the one night we stayed at a campground, I've concluded that campground types are a friendly lot generally speaking, and are usually happy to advise you if you have questions.  I introduced myself to some of the unsuspecting neighbors and they provided lots of useful info.

Been out tinkering with it in the driveway all day today.  I put a screen mirroring device on the HDTV so now we can mirror our phones to the screen.  If you have a subscription to any online content, it's a good way to get it displayed in your camper.  (Wife and I love baseball and subscribe to mlb.)  I also installed a small lock box in the cupboard above the stove.  If anyone is interested, I found one at Cabella's that fits net-net with the sides of the cupboard.  If you're out hiking or something, you could store your valuables, wallets, or anything else you might want to make more secure.

Danny and Sandy
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Joined: 19 May 2016
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Posts: 70 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2016 at 8:22pm
I'm another new 180 owner.  I picked mine up tomorrow.  I bought a new 2016 because I got a great deal!  I will be using the Rpod mostly on my own to travel to dog shows.  My three show chihuahuas will, of course, tag along.  I was supposed to get it last Monday but had some issues with a brake controller. I'm hoping the protegy RF I have in my trunk will be the ticket.  The Rpod dealer will install it.  Be it good or bad, I'm doing the baptism by fire method and  taking it to a show this weekend (leaving Thursday). I already made my RV reservation (and paid) so I don't want to slap a hotel bill on top of that.  Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly.
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Joined: 29 Mar 2016
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Posts: 1 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2016 at 1:33pm
Hi, Danny and Sandy.
My wife and I (Janet and Jack) are new to camper trailers / RVs as well.  We bought our RPod 180 in February.  We love it.  Seems to be big enough for us and our 3 small sockpuppets (2 Shih-tzus and a Pekingese).
We did exactly what you suggested you might do--parking it in the yard and getting familiar with the systems, researching how to service and prep it for each season and outfitting it with things we'll want on the road. I'm sure you'll figure out what tools and supplies you'll want along.  But here is one thing I wish someone would have mentioned--buy a Thetford tank on wheels for emptying your gray tank while on a camping trip. On our first outing last month we had to hook up the RPod every day to pull it to the dump area. The gray water tank fills up fast.  We noticed every RV / camper trailer at our park had one of those plastic tanks next to or under their RVs.  Live and learn, I guess.  Now all we have  to do is pull the full tank like a wagon over to the dump area, or you can put the handle of it on your hitch and pull it with your vehicle.  I choose to burn the extra calories and pull it myself.  I bought the 35 gallon Thetford tank.
Everything can need some tweaks or repairs and adjustments.  Our RPod is getting a replacement water pump so the shower runs better and the faucets don't constantly sputter.  Also, there is a bulge in the fiberglass on the lower front right of the Pod where there might be some sort of underneath support beam or something. But it's only on the right side, about 6 or 8 inches long. Hmm.  I'm waiting to hear from the dealer who has contacted Forest River about what to do.  The bulge showed up in pictures taken the day I picked it up, so it was like that from the start but no one noticed.  I'll try to remember to let you know the outcome, if you like.  It doesn't seem like it could limit the use of the camper in any way that I can tell.
By the way, we love the movie GREASE; one of our regular oldies.  Can we have your autographs?

Jack
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 May 2016 at 6:43am
Originally posted by RP538

Hi to All:
Bought our 180 last October and just had our break-in camping adventure May 8-14 at Luray, Virginia KOA.  Very nice KOA.  We took our boxer, Baby Girl, along (of course).  Our 4th Boxer Rescue.  I'm new to RV.  I have rented Class A's twice and used a Jayco Kiwi 25' once.  That was over a 35 year period though.  Looking to go to the Gettysburg KOA in June.  Hope to retire in the next year or so and possibly go full time RV.  The 180 is a joy to tow with our V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Averaged 14.5 mpg in heavy, high speed traffic, as well as, the rolling Virginia hills.  This my second time on here and I appreciate all the ideas members share.  Got to say, I rented a 38' Class A in Arizona.  My wife, I and our two sons (at the time my oldest was 21 and probably last vaca with his parents).  We picked it up in Phoenix and stayed in Sedona, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, UT and Page AZ.  Visited bunch of Indian ruins, etc.  Love AZ, but driving that Class A was no fun.  The Kiwi felt heavy, even with our V8 Trailblazer, + I did not like the tent fold out beds.  Sorry, but if I wanted to stay in a tent I'd have stayed in the Marines, lol.  Back to the R-Pod 180, so far so good.  If I go full time I'll probably go bigger, but not by too much.  Happy camping Smile


Welcome to the group!
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Leo B View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4518 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 May 2016 at 10:05pm
Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 180!
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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RP538 View Drop Down
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Joined: 16 Nov 2015
Location: Delaware
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Posts: 3 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 May 2016 at 9:51pm
Hi to All:

Bought our 180 last October and just had our break-in camping adventure May 8-14 at Luray, Virginia KOA.  Very nice KOA.  We took our boxer, Baby Girl, along (of course).  Our 4th Boxer Rescue.  I'm new to RV.  I have rented Class A's twice and used a Jayco Kiwi 25' once.  That was over a 35 year period though.  Looking to go to the Gettysburg KOA in June.  Hope to retire in the next year or so and possibly go full time RV.  The 180 is a joy to tow with our V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Averaged 14.5 mpg in heavy, high speed traffic, as well as, the rolling Virginia hills.  This my second time on here and I appreciate all the ideas members share.  Got to say, I rented a 38' Class A in Arizona.  My wife, I and our two sons (at the time my oldest was 21 and probably last vaca with his parents).  We picked it up in Phoenix and stayed in Sedona, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, UT and Page AZ.  Visited bunch of Indian ruins, etc.  Love AZ, but driving that Class A was no fun.  The Kiwi felt heavy, even with our V8 Trailblazer, + I did not like the tent fold out beds.  Sorry, but if I wanted to stay in a tent I'd have stayed in the Marines, lol.  Back to the R-Pod 180, so far so good.  If I go full time I'll probably go bigger, but not by too much.  Happy camping Smile
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2016 at 2:47pm
Originally posted by jmrotzek

Hello,
My wife and I have a new 2016 180 and a 2016 Ford F150 TV. 
We are new to RVs, but have tent camped for many years. My family had a pickup and camper in the 60's. 
We live in Eureka, CA and have one short trip to a nearby dry campground as a first outing. We are looking forward to many more. 
I appreciate the forum and already find many of the posts helpful. I have a lot more posts to read! 
Thanks!
Joe and Suzanne 


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jmrotzek View Drop Down
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Joined: 01 May 2016
Location: Eureka, CA
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Posts: 1 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2016 at 3:15am
Hello,

My wife and I have a new 2016 180 and a 2016 Ford F150 TV. 
We are new to RVs, but have tent camped for many years. My family had a pickup and camper in the 60's. 

We live in Eureka, CA and have one short trip to a nearby dry campground as a first outing. We are looking forward to many more. 

I appreciate the forum and already find many of the posts helpful. I have a lot more posts to read! 

Thanks!

Joe and Suzanne 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 May 2016 at 7:02am
Originally posted by Trotwood

We've never owned a travel trailer or RV of any sort. Is there a specific forum for people like us that don't even have a clue?

Danny and Sandy (just remember the Grease movie)
2016 R-Pod180
2012 Ram 1500 with a screaming hemi


Congratulations and welcome to the group!   

You have already found it! "forum for people like us "

Some of the smartest and most experienced campers live right here. Don't hesitate to ask for help.
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