R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Camping Adventures
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: First Time Snowbirding
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedFirst Time Snowbirding
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <123>
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
2wolves View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 22 Jan 2018
Location: Kentucky
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 27 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: First Time Snowbirding
    Posted: 30 Jan 2018 at 6:34am
Thanks guys for the info on wunderground. I had never heard of it. Man I love all you guys on this forum.This is by far the best forum I've ever been a part of! You guys are awesome! I feel all of my questions are answered here. Just do a search and there it is.
2022 196
2021 Chevy Tahoe
Back to Top
PilotPodder View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 04 May 2016
Location: Portage, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 305 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2018 at 11:19am
I also add my thanks for the Weather Undergroud app tip. Really liking it better than what I’ve been using. Having the micro weather stations is a great add. ~PP
Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — My RPod YouTube Videos
Back to Top
RichC View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 24 Feb 2017
Location: Chicago
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 70 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2018 at 11:33am
Originally posted by StephenH

If you take water in a separate water carrier, you could stay in your 'Pod even though it is winterized. Use RV antifreeze to flush #2 (and paper if used with #1) for the toilet. Carry some large wipes for a quick clean-up that does not require water.

Now, in answer to your questions--
When? Winterize when you expect temperatures to stay below freezing for more than 24 hours. If you are staying in your R-Pod and running the heater, overnight freezes do not matter as long as temps get above freezing during the day, especially during the times you will be driving. Once temps will be above freezing, then you can add water to the tank and use it. If you want to wait until you are far enough south so that you won't have freezing temps at night also, then it is your choice.
Tire pressure? No! Start with the tire pressure you should have and check and adjust along the way if you are concerned. Underinflation can cause tire failure.
Security concerns? Depends on your route. I would prefer not to stop in a large city, but have done so. We have stayed at truck stops, Walmarts, and one gas station out in the country when we ran out of daylight with no other option with the permission of the station owner. The RV Parky app is good for finding places to stay overnight. If you do stop at a place, please check with the management first to see if it is permitted and if so, where they prefer you park.

Mileage? The best tip is to keep your speed to 60 mph or lower. Some states have a legal towing speed of 55 or 60 mph. In any case, going faster than 60 mph will seriously cut your fuel mileage. You may also wish to check out either the AeroPlus or AeroShield wind deflectors. They do help as the front of the R-Pod looks like it should be aerodynamic, but it isn't as much as one would hope. The wind deflectors help plus they keep the front of the R-Pod cleaner.

Get a torque wrench to use for checking the tightness of the lug nuts on the R-Pod. You can pick up an inexpensive one at Harbor Freight that will work just fine. Otherwise, keep an eye on your fluid levels (oil and transmission) and watch your operating temperatures. Consider getting an OBD II reader and use the Torque app to monitor engine parameters and performance. I use the BAFX OBD II reader which interfaces with my phone via bluetooth.

I'm not a northern Podder, but a mid-Atlantic podder. We have camped in temperatures in the low single digits so I know dry camping is feasible. The furnace does a good job. It does use quite a bit of propane, so turn it down when you go to bed and turn it up in the morning to cut the use of both battery power and propane. Warm bedding is helpful. Sleeping bags are great when the weather gets really cold.

We followed these steps almost to the letter going from Chicago to Southern California and back, January 8-18. Worked fine.
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2018 at 11:35am
Originally posted by PilotPodder

I also add my thanks for the Weather Undergroud app tip. Really liking it better than what I’ve been using. Having the micro weather stations is a great add. ~PP


So.. do you have a "first timer's report" yet? I figure we are 6 years away from running away for (at least) the winter.. trying to catch as much info here and there as I can.. Wink
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2018 at 7:56pm
Originally posted by RichC

(previous quote deleted)

We followed these steps almost to the letter going from Chicago to Southern California and back, January 8-18. Worked fine.

I'm glad it worked out for you. Smile
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
Woody.1 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 16 Feb 2018
Location: SW Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 31 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Mar 2018 at 7:00pm
So can you dump RV antifreeze right in toilet to flush?
I’m new to all this.
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Mar 2018 at 9:25pm
Not needed for #1 but liquid is needed to flush #2 RV antifreeze can be used for this, but it is not the cheapest way to go. However, if you don't have any alternative, using RV antifreeze so the tank does not freeze is better than using water and risk a cracked valve. Anyway, now that winter is heading toward an end, it may be a moot point.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
lostagain View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Quaker Hill, CT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2587 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2018 at 9:09am
This may be a dumb question, but if you only use the black water and grey water tank a little, so that there is plenty of expansion room, and keep anti-freeze in the drain traps when exposed to freezing, are you really going to hurt the holding tanks if the contents freeze a little?  I'm thinking more of mild short term freezing, not what you guys get in MN. or other places where it really gets cold.
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2018 at 2:17pm
Mild short-term freezing should not be an issue, as long as it gets above freezing during the daytime.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2018 at 3:23pm
Originally posted by lostagain

This may be a dumb question, but if you only use the black water and grey water tank a little, so that there is plenty of expansion room, and keep anti-freeze in the drain traps when exposed to freezing, are you really going to hurt the holding tanks if the contents freeze a little?  I'm thinking more of mild short term freezing, not what you guys get in MN. or other places where it really gets cold.


Truth be told, it's not the tanks that are the main issue, unless they are like 95% filled. It's the plumbing to the valve, and the valve itself. Your tank could be nearly completely empty.. and the plumbing out, and down to the valve, be full.. and if that freezes and breaks, well, you have a serious issue.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <123>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz