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Topic ClosedBoondocking/Dry camping advice for R-Pod noob
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Boondocking/Dry camping advice for R-Pod noob
    Posted: 02 Feb 2015 at 6:19pm
I agree that adds a lot of weight, but I'll give you an example of why weight means very little compared to the air resistance of a TT.

Our prior TV, a Sienna, got 23 mpg in daily driving.  Pulling our 3500 pound popup it got 16.  Pulling our pod at near 3000 pounds it got 12.  Heavier popup by about 600 pounds, but better mpg.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Feb 2015 at 4:33pm
I think a big part of it is weight.. If you have all three tanks, say, half full, that's around 60 gallons, at 8 pounds a gallon.. That's 480 lbs.. or nearly half the useable cargo weight of some pods.
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Feb 2015 at 10:22pm
The weight of the water is negligible compared to the air resistance and terrain.  Our last 2 trips across the US I kept records of every fill-up and mileage.  Some legs we had full water, some w/o, and I just don't see a noticeable difference.  Legs where we hit big hills and others where we went faster you could tell.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Feb 2015 at 11:11am
I am more concerned about towing with tanks 1/2 or 1/3 of capacity because of the shifting weight. 
Cliff & Raelynn
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(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
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Posts: 451 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Feb 2015 at 9:28am
 I agree, towing with water lowers towing performance.  But getting water at the final destination is sometimes NOT posssible ( such as a MTB Festival I go to each Summer ).  So I do tow with a full tank of fresh water.

 As you said, drain almost all the fresh water left over beforer leaving, but driving home, I will have a nearly 3/4 full gray tank. The black tank has never been over 1/3 for a 4 day trip. After the 200+ mile tow home, I stop at a public dump station located at a Connecticut state rest area on I-84 East in Southington CT and empty and rinse the tanks. Short drive home from there.

 Luckily (??) I have never had sway. Even when towing full fresh tank, 65mph, past semi trucks. I get buffetting from air flow from those trucks, but keep my distance until the time to pass is right (uphill when they slow down).
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Posts: 1446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2015 at 10:45pm
We've been talking about electricity but another big factor related to boondocking is water and waste water.  It is best by far to travel light -- without water in the potable tank.  At least not much.  Water equals weight which impacts your MPGs.  Get fresh water at the campground or at least as late as you can, and get rid of left over water and dump the waste tanks before you head home.

The other thing about water, fresh or waste, is that it can really affect the Pod's stability.  I have a 176 (no T) and my fresh water tank is behind the axle.  If there's much water in that tank it will lower the tongue weight, which will help magnify sway, which can be a major safety issue.

TT
2010 176
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2015 at 2:28pm
See the Wind Sun battery FAQ for lots of good info on battery care. 

Lots of boondockers buy a catalytic heater, like the Little Buddy or Olympian Wave.  No battery power needed.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 2 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2015 at 1:20pm
Okay. Good info. Especially the battery advice. Thanks!
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Posts: 90 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2015 at 10:04am
We do a lot of dry camping in national parks & forests.I have a Honda 2000 gen. for recharge of the battery. Even though it is quite for a gen. l still don't enjoy hearing it. It is definitely less annoying to other campers. I try to consolidate all our major uses( showers, making coffee, microwave, etc ) during the charging/gen. use. You shouldn't have to use generator for more than two hours at a time to get a full charge. Push comes to shove with careful use we can get two days out of a single battery before it reaches the minimal 12 volts to run the Fridge's control panel on gas. In a pinch you can start you car and plug in trailer light hook- up , but it will take a while to get a full (2hrs) charge. Once hook- up to trailer , you cars charging system should charge the trailer battery while towing or when running.
J. - 2011 rpod 171
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2015 at 9:25am
Originally posted by Wilde

Hi Guys, we're looking to get our R-Pod in the next few weeks.

How many batteries do I need?


A tip when you negotiate the deal. The normally supplied battery is a single 12V Group24 battey and it is really inadequate for any dry camping. The battery is a dealer installed item and should be subject to negotiation. The preferred substitute is two 6 volt GC2 golf cart batteries wired in series. This will give you almost three times the original battery capacity; much more than adding a second Gp24 battery in parallel. Do your homework. You should expect some price credit for the single Gp 24 since it was included in the original price.

And, as stated above, the single biggest thing you can do to improve 12V capability, after you've  installed the dual 6V configuration, is the replacement of the interior bulbs with LEDs.
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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