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HeyCampers View Drop Down
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Joined: 25 Aug 2016
Location: Colorado
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Posts: 12 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: New 178 owners asking for opinions
    Posted: 25 Aug 2016 at 11:50pm
We are looking forward to picking up our new 178 in mid-September. We're excited to join this group of proud owners. We've been very happy with our 1988 Coleman pop-up and know many of the simple RVing ropes. Retirement and longer trips are on the horizon. We plan to drycamp in National Forest campgrounds and the occasional full service site. We will be in the Rockies primarily and hope to be able to extend the camping season from May into October. What are the opinions on:
  • Two 20# propane tanks (the dealer can install before delivery)?
  • A portable inverter/generator. What size and brands are people using?
  • If you are going to do one of the above, what do you recommend?
I know asking for opinions should lead to many more questions. We will appreciate hearing your thoughts and suggestions. 
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ronahue View Drop Down
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Posts: 317 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Aug 2016 at 6:11am
We just finished 5 weeks in the rockies dry camping as high as 10,300'. We have one propane tank and used less than half of it, I believe one propane tank will be sufficient. We have a Honda 2000i which does a great job. One suggestion if you get the generator get the 12 volt charging cable (about $15 at amazon) when our converter went bonkers putting out as high as 20 volts I had no way to use the generator to charge the battery. The other option would be to bring a battery charger and use it plugged into the AC outlet of the generator but I did not have a charger. I think a second battery will be a better investment than the second propane tank, I decide on 2 12 volt batteries mostly for cost and availability and I am very happy with the setup. I also installed a a combination volt meter/USB charger/cigarette lighter outlet wired to the 12 volt system. This allows me to monitor the battery voltage and charge my i-pad/i-phone. This works well except the USB charger, 3 have failed in the past 3 months they seem to be very sensitive to voltage fluctuations. so I will replace the USB with another cigarette lighter this time.
Ron & Sharon
2015 R-Pod 179
2022 Nissan Frontier

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Posts: 74 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 1:21pm
We have a 178 that we got used.  It came with an inverter in it and we have yet to use it (our TV/DVD is 12 volt). I agree that dual batteries is far more important than dual propane tanks, especially if you like to boondock at all.  We have dual 6 volt and can go multiple days without having to recharge (with solar).  Works great for us and we prefer to boondock, more quiet and restful. It is easy to pull the tank off and get it refilled if you are out a long time but a tank will last a very long time if you aren't using the heater.  Good luck and welcome to the forum.
Pod: 2013 178
TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package
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Joined: 25 Aug 2016
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Posts: 12 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 9:01pm
Thanks for sharing your opinions and experience. My wife and I are learning lots by reading all the posts. The owners network seems fantastic. 
Does the front battery rack on the 178 accommodate two batteries in boxes or does the frame need to be modified?
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 10:28pm
Yes, the battery rack will accommodate 2 group 24 size batteries. It's the 3rd season for us with our 178 and still have a single bottle of propane and a single group 24 battery. 
Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
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birderdiane526 View Drop Down
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Posts: 320 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 10:37pm
Welcome! Congrats on your new POD (soon!). The info on this forum is invaluable! We've learned a lot! Happy trails!
Diane and Michael
2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE)
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BLOG:Podding in Paradise,
birderdiane526.blogspot.com
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ribet View Drop Down
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Joined: 26 Aug 2016
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Posts: 64 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 10:41pm
This is a question about warranty forms that came in the packet with my RPod.  Do I have to fill out each one to have a warranty on them?  I seems to me that the factory would keep this information on the building of my Pod.
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 11:48pm
Originally posted by ribet

This is a question about warranty forms that came in the packet with my RPod.  Do I have to fill out each one to have a warranty on them?  I seems to me that the factory would keep this information on the building of my Pod.

Well, this is something that is normally done by the dealer. They get paid for prep of the unit and I believe taking care of the warranty cards is one of the things the dealer usually does. 
Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 7:56am
Originally posted by ribet

This is a question about warranty forms that came in the packet with my RPod.  Do I have to fill out each one to have a warranty on them?  I seems to me that the factory would keep this information on the building of my Pod.

I believe you are referring to the individual appliance warranty cards included in the packet of manuals. Those register you as the owner with each individual manufacturer, not FR. You should fill those out and mail them. Don't expect the dealer to do this. He's too busy selling other campers.
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 5:37pm
We have a single 20 propane tank, a single 12 volt battery and have a Generac 2000 mounted on a Trailer Tray A-frame cargo carrier (from etrailer) over battery and propane tank at front. Only issue with Generac has been with running AC and Micro at same time.
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