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Topic ClosedNew R-Pod 179 Owner in Alberta

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DaleH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: New R-Pod 179 Owner in Alberta
    Posted: 27 Jul 2017 at 12:11pm
Hi Stephen,

The camera is a Furrion:   https://www.furrion.com/store/cameras/

It's wired into the trailer's 12 v power but the signal is wireless. The camera is paired to the monitor, presumably so you don't suddenly get the view from some other trailer nearby. I can only imagine the liability issues, there. It has something like a 300 m range which is about right because we had a good signal as we were driving to dinner on our first night before the switch was installed. I figured if it worked for monster 5 th wheelers, the R-Pod should be a piece of cake.

Probably did have some great views as we climbed out of the badlands but at those temperatures, my eyes were on the engine temp gauge! Lol!

Dale
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jul 2017 at 11:34am
Welcome and congratulations! I would be interested in hearing more about your camera (model, whether it is hard wired or wireless, etc.). You probably had some beautiful views on your trip home. We just got back from a trip of over 3,000 miles with ours. I hope you make many great memories with your travels.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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DaleH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jul 2017 at 10:30am
On Tuesday we took the long 5 hr (yes that was the nearest dealer that had a 179) drive to pick up our 2018 R-Pod 179 HRE. They were really happy with our trade in so we got the full agreed on value for that. 

The service guy that did our walk through with us was pretty good but I think after all our research on R-Pods, we knew more about the finer details about the trailer than he did. I was disappointed when he refused to show me how to winterize the water system. He said I had to make an appointment for them to do it and I could watch them and learn how. 

Since this was our first trailer with holding tanks, we really appreciated the attention and guidance of the parts manager who made sure we had what we needed to use the trailer right away. We bought a cover, surge protector, sewer hose and a few other incidentals. 

We had decided to camp overnight before driving home just to get acquainted with our new unit. We tried everything on the trailer and found a few problems. 

The first one was that the rear view camera, which is awesome, was always on. Usually these are wired into the clearance lights but ours had to be mounted lower down to avoid only seeing an expanse of roof in the monitor so it was wired into the  trailer's 12 v system. There was no way to turn it off.

Secondly, the HW heater would not light on propane. Nothing I could do would make that thing light, though thankfully it did work on electricity. 

Finally, the control panel on the fridge was loose and would come off when the buttons were pressed.

The next morning I called the dealer and they said to bring it back in. A tech was waiting for us and within 2 hours we had all our issues resolved and we were on our way. He put in our camera switch, replaced the HW heater circuit board, which had failed, and fixed the loose fridge panel.

Our 2006 Jeep Commander (low mileage, only used for towing) with the 4.7 L V8 had no problem pulling the 'Pod on a very hot day up some major climbs through our Alberta badlands and on northward. The view in the mirrors is the best I've ever had on a trailer and along with our camera (probably overkill) I would not hesitate in taking this one anywhere. 

Our first "real" trip will begin on Sunday. We can hardly wait!
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DaleH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jul 2017 at 9:36pm
Originally posted by jato

Dale,
As far as I know you are the 2nd person to order a pod w/o A/C.  We did that in 2011 and haven't regretted it . . . .yet.  At the ERU in Traverse City last year we heard quite a few comment that they never saw a pod without A/C.

Actually we didn't order it that way, we were lucky enough to find this one on the dealer's lot. They're pretty hard to find around here this time of year, or so we've found. 

The way the dealer explained it to me is that they order their 'Pods without AC to save the weight, making it more attractive to more people with perhaps smaller tow vehicles. The HRE is an automatic item when they do their ordering. Probably because we have some pretty rugged back country roads around the province.

Regardless, we'll try it out without the AC for now. I've been told that installing AC later is pretty straight forward as the wiring is already built into the roof? If we end up travelling to hotter climes, we'll probably have it installed at some point. 

Thanks again for the warm welcomes.

Dale
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jato View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jul 2017 at 8:56pm
Dale,
As far as I know you are the 2nd person to order a pod w/o A/C.  We did that in 2011 and haven't regretted it . . . .yet.  At the ERU in Traverse City last year we heard quite a few comment that they never saw a pod without A/C.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jul 2017 at 7:09pm
Welcome and congrats on your new 179! We live & travel in our 179 here in the states and have been very happy with it. Wishing you happy trails! Check out our blog too, Podding in Paradise at birderdiane526.blogspot.com
Diane and Michael
2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE)
2007 Toyota Tundra
BLOG:Podding in Paradise,
birderdiane526.blogspot.com
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podzilla View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jul 2017 at 3:53pm
Your going to love all the features a R-pod gives you 
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DaleH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jul 2017 at 11:58pm
Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. I already feel at home here.

jato, we're in the east-central part of the province, where parkland becomes boreal forest and the lakes are plentiful. 

 Oh, and it's a HR edition with pretty much everything on it except the AC. No, you don't really need AC where we camp most of the time, but you do need a good furnace. Sometimes. 

Dale
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jul 2017 at 9:51pm
Congratulations and welcome! You're going to love your RPod, and this forum too.
2017 R-Pod 179 HRE (the green one)
His:Ford F150 double cab 4WD; Hers/mine:Tacoma V6 double cab 4WD
Still love rugged, diggin' comfy too
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jato View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jul 2017 at 9:18pm
Enjoy your 179.  You live in a spectacular province.  Are you located anywhere near Medicine Hat or Banff?
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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