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mountain mist View Drop Down
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Joined: 25 May 2010
Location: Gatlinburg Tenn
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Posts: 426 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Camping without Unhooking
    Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 8:19am
Is is possible to stop over for the night without unhooking?
If I am making a 1000 mile trip and do not plan to sightsee the local area, just a place to sleep, does anyone out there have the experience and the pointers on it?
If so, things to do and NOT to do.
Thank you!
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TerryM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1950 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 8:49am
Sure you can stay hooked.  No problem at all.  Here is what you do:

1.  Unlock camper door & get inside.
2.  Lock said door.
3.  Go to bed!

4.  Tongue  That is a happy you in the morning!  Nothing to it.

Terry
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Posts: 1950 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 8:52am
There are lots of places to spend the night without going to a campground too.  Usually it depends on locale ordinances though.  Wal-Mart allows over night parking as an example.  You should go in to the service desk and ask permission.

Terry

PS: Check out this site: http://freecampsites.net/
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mountain mist View Drop Down
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Posts: 426 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 9:19am
THAT is funnyLOL AND simple. Just wanted to know if there was any strain on the car or if you put the stablizer legs down. I am such a novice, just did my first chock to chock trip.
I had forgotten about the Walmart camping , if allow in places. I am thinking of Rt. 79 (I think) in East Texas, have done the road on the way to Austin, Tx in order to stay off the Interstate. Noted quite a number of mom and pop private campgrounds and a lot of trailers rolling the east Texas roads. But did not take down any names, will have to start looking them up. Don't mind paying for a night, but the unhooking every night if we are not staying more than the night is what I have in mind.
Bet the Pod bounces without the stablizer legs!
Thanks for info. Quick response, I thought I would be just about the only one home.
Yes, I was doing a dry camp, without anything. The only LP used was to keep the frig. cold.
I guess I might get some answers if I went to a LP dealer nearby and see if they can "talk" to me.
Might be good idea having an extra tank, but need to know where to put it and how to detach the old one for the new. Or if it is worth it.
Happy Summer.
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 11:10am

If you are only using propane for the fridge it will last for weeks, no need for a 2nd tank.

As for camping while hooked, I would bust out the level and add blocks as needed to level it side-to-side, then use the tongue jack to level it front-to-back (no different than if you are unhooked).  You won't do any damage to the hitch if you have to crank it up.  It will look funny, but no big deal.  I would not use the rear stabilizers to crank up the back if the rear is too low.  Don't forget to grab your blocks in the morning when you leave.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 49 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 12:00pm
I would be careful about leaving the travel trailer cable hooked up to the towing vehicle.  It is possible to drain the car battery sufficiently not to be able to start the tow vehicle the next day.

As for Walmart parking, there is Yahoo group with pointers and access to a data base with status on all Walmarts and their parking practices.  Here is the URL to it.  You need to establish a Yahoo account to join.
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Posts: 1950 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 3:18pm
Try it in your driveway.  I have pulled over to catch some sleep and left it hooked up.  I didn't worry about it being level.  Just hit the sack.  It worked very well.

Terry
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Posts: 133 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 9:12pm
I have stopped at campgrounds overnight. I leave it hooked up, put the stablizers down, plug in the electric, and make sure I unplug the battery from the car. One time I left the pod at work all day, and left the battery plugged in to the suv. When I came out from work 8 hours later my suv would not start. Live and learn, so I am paranoid about leaving the battery plugged in.
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Posts: 1950 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Aug 2010 at 4:49am
Originally posted by tdrace

I have stopped at campgrounds overnight. I leave it hooked up, put the stablizers down, plug in the electric, and make sure I unplug the battery from the car. One time I left the pod at work all day, and left the battery plugged in to the suv. When I came out from work 8 hours later my suv would not start. Live and learn, so I am paranoid about leaving the battery plugged in.


WOW, what did you have running in the Pod?

Terry
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Aug 2010 at 9:13am
Must have left the fridge on 12v (a battery will only last a few hours with the fridge on 12v mode, only use that while towing).  With all else being normal your rig should have started even a week later.
 
As for leaving the 'pod hooked to the TV while you are plugged into the power pole, you don't have to worry about that.  The converter in the 'pod is designed to charge the 'pod's battery, and if the TV is hooked up it will keep it charged, too.  Part of my pre-trip routine includes hooking the 'pod to my TV and plugging the 'pod into my house the night before.  That way I know both batteries will be topped off.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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