Should I buy?

Originally posted by StephenH The braking system works like this: 1. When you press the brake pedal, a signal is sent to the brake controller. 2. The brake controller uses an inertial sensor to determine how much force to apply. The harder you press the brake pedal means that the sensor detects more change. 3. The brake controller sends current to the brakes on the trailer in proportion to braking force being applied to the tow vehicle. 4. When the tow vehicle is slowed down, the inertial force is less and the controller applies less power to the brakes. On mine, I will see a 0 displayed while sitting at a stop light. 5. When the brake pedal is no longer being pressed, the signal cuts off and the controller stops sending power to the brakes.

Add-on controllers usually work like that. We have an OEM Ford brake controller that does not have an inertial sensor, it applies trailer brakes proportionally to the pressure on the brake pedal. If we are stopped, and I press a little harder on the brake controller, the numbers on the brake controller will climb to match how hard I'm pressing. I would bet that Ram and Chevy/GM trucks also have OEM controllers. Ours was like a $125 add-on, and plugs into a slot built into the dash. It looks like it belongs there.

If the storage facility has available power to keep the 'Pod plugged in, you should not have to worry about the battery. If not, then a battery cut-off switch (or simply disconnecting the negative terminal) will protect the battery from being drained by the devices that can't be shut off like the LP/CO detector. Removing the battery and taking it home with you and using a trickle charger also works. I know Texas freezes. I lived in Copperas Cove and West Fort Hood for a couple of years and traveled through Texas in the winter. You can get freezes of sufficient duration to make winterizing a good idea. You don't want to come back to broken toilet valves and a broken water pump because you did not winterize. If the storage facility is heated, it is a moot point but if not, winterizing is something you should do.

We were NOT campers.  We actually do not like to camp.  But we love to travel to see the country and hate flying and hotels.  So an RV was the way to go.  We bought the RPOD because it felt ok and our Jeep could tow it.  We traveled around in summer of 2017 and realized we love the RV experience but the RPOD was too small for us.  Climb over partner to get out of bed, college student size refrigerator so had to food shop every other day, no place to sit and read and watch TV exept on bed, no space to prepare meals.  So we sold it and bought a larger RV and a new tow vehicle.  Now we are happy travelers and summer 2018 travels were great.  A ram with tow package has clip for attaching a third party brake controller, takes five minutes.  Dealer wanted $250 to install in dash unit.  Not necessary do it yourself is simple. Agree with others RENT RENT RENT.  You may not even like RVing or you may want a different size RV, or even a class B or C instead of a TT.  The RPOD is the best camping trailer hands down but it was too small for the two of us to take on two week trips. Also for any RV there are repairs and we are not handy so we spend $450 year for storage, $125 to winterize $100 to install battery cutoff switch, $150 to install Progressive industries electrical protection.  We had to replace water heater and WFCO board but at no cost but need to be close to a dealer/service center to get warranty work.  RVing is a different life.  It is not a cheaper form of vacation travel

So how does the braking system work?  And what are the most typical repairs / maintenance things that need to be done consistently?  Sounds like there will always be work to do on these things...are there common repairs that need to be done?