Hello Forum

Originally posted by noatakme I would like to ask about the solar option. I've seen advertised that there is a plug on the outside to hook up a solar panel. They didn't mention anything else about it. I understand there is more to recharging batteries than plugging in a solar panel. Do the R-pods come with everything you need to recharge a battery or two? What year did they start offering solar prep? Do the different years and models have different set ups?

The so-called "solar connector" is nothing more than the connector and the wires from the connector to the battery/ies. On our RP-179, the Zamp connector is on the back side of the R-pod, and the batteries are on the front. More often than not, the best location for the solar panels is actually on the side where the batteries are. So the solar option only seems to add a little over 20' of wires to the connection. The other issue is that there is not integrated solar controller, so you still have to add a solar controller, not matter what.

In my mind it is as easy, if not easier, to just have a solar setup with alligator clips to connect to the batteries.

K.I.S.S.!

We finally picked up an 2015 R-pod 177. My 1994 GMC Sonoma pulled it fine except for long steep upgrades where the speed limit was 55 or over. It would only get up to 40 or 50 mph.I did notice a difference when I used High octane gas instead of the lower octane. I also noticed there was no way to keep it in drive going down the freeway. I put it in overdrive and it seemed to perform better. I took a wrong exit in the Pittsburgh area and ran into some moderately steep hills. The speed limit was only 35 MPH and the truck did okay. I was trying to think of ways to increase horse power;but, I always wanted to keep my truck stock. I guess we will stay off the freeway while negotiating the Appalachians. If we decide to cross the country we'll have to upgrade our vehicle and my GMC will become a lawn ornament.