New owners of a 180

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

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