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Topic ClosedDe-winterizing checklist
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: De-winterizing checklist
    Posted: 14 May 2011 at 9:06am
I've considered cutting a pole to length so I can lift the mattress AND the access panel that lets you get into the storage compartment (the same compartment you can get to from the access door on the floor), then jam the pole in place to hold the plywood up.  Then it would be hands-free getting into the water heater compartment.  Two people could stand side-by-side - barely - to lift the mattress and large access panel, and put the pole in place.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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mountain mist View Drop Down
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Posts: 426 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 May 2011 at 8:55am
By the way. That is 36" from front to back, not along the front edge of bed. So mattress has to be up enough to get the panel out. This is while you are unscrewing between you legs, but if you bend over the mattress is getting out of hand by coming down over your head!
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mountain mist View Drop Down
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Posts: 426 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 May 2011 at 8:50am
I have to get under the mattress (blinds up and out of the way) with my back pushing it up to a height that the panel can clear (unscrewing the odd screws they had in the shop that day, but have been replaced with regular phillips head ones) . Then get the panel out of the way (36" in length)THEN you can get into the cavity to the valves. BUT there has to be 2 people to do this because someone has to keep the mattress aloft!
I am thinking of at least leaving the screws out if the panel does not shift. This will NOT set well with the hubby, everything has a place and should be in it. Appears the only way into it unless you have an elastic body and can get into the useless panel in the storage compartment. Even then there is a valve up agains't the bulkhead where the refrigrator is.
For what good it will do < I think I will put this problem in the FR "complaints" or changes. Am I the only one to have complained about this other than Hodge-PODge? Won't change my current problem, but maybe some way they can rethink their access to it. I have not gone out to look to see why there could not be another panel that opens on the left side of the hot water heater. I don't know what is already there. Probably some of you do.
'11 Forest River r.pod 171
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change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley
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Posts: 539 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 May 2011 at 11:12pm
Curiouser and curiouser, David.  (Okay . . . I know, "curiouser" isn't even a REAL word.)  Superhuman strength?  I admit it does look like Mountain Mist and I will either have to have superhuman strength or be contortionists -- one or the other! Ouch
2011 RP 177, the Hodge-PODge
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 May 2011 at 9:00pm
Originally posted by mountain mist

Why Oh Why was this Pod built with the access to the water heater cut offs so inaccesable??
It is more than one person can do for sure and such a tight space 2 people have a time doing it.
Getting under the mattress to hold it up and then lift the board support up it near impossible.
 
I have the 171. IS there any way to get it done that we have not found?
 
 
 
I am wondering (both yourself and HodgePODge).....How high would you need to lift the matress to be able to reach in and turn the valve?  Also, about how big is the panel that you need to remove?  I might have an idea or two to give you superhuman strenght!
 
Right now, I have to get back to the garage and put the last few rivits in my "Ironman" suit....I bet I can cook on the campfire with one of those! Smile
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Posts: 426 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 May 2011 at 7:09am
If you find a way to even reach the valves, let us know. Now, wonder what good the little removable panel serves?
'11 Forest River r.pod 171
'10 Ford Edge
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Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers
change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2011 at 9:30pm
Now I'm curious about mine, since mine is an earlier 171.  But its dark out now.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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mountain mist View Drop Down
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Posts: 426 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2011 at 6:17pm
I DO have an access panel with four screws. But, as you said, in order to get into it you have to fit in the storage compartment hole in the first place. And I think there is another turn off up close to the wall that I would not be able to reach by that route. Again, I say. Not always much thought about the care of the Pod by the owner. Just build to sell.
'11 Forest River r.pod 171
'10 Ford Edge
ESCAPE POD
Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers
change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley
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mountain mist View Drop Down
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Posts: 426 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2011 at 6:01pm
I am going out to see if I might have an access there. These Pods are strange in some ways. Does not always seem to be a standard for each model.
Thanks
'11 Forest River r.pod 171
'10 Ford Edge
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Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers
change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley
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Posts: 8 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2011 at 3:04pm
FYI (at least on my 177) there is an access to the water heater valve in the pass-through storage.  The cover to this access also was screwed in place, but at my walk through when they showed me the access they just left the screws out and the cover off.  It is best to to be skinny and have long arms if you plan use this access though 'cause you have to get your head and chest into the storage compartment to see and reach the valves.
mamajomba
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