Shake-down cruise

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   Wife, dogs and I tried out the new 171 this week, Monday to Wednesday. Couldn't wait for warm weather.

We picked a Northern Illinois state park and one in Wisconsin so we could set up (hitch, unhitch, level, repeat) a couple of times. Pod did not roll down the hills.

The dogs don't like the steps yet, but we all had a great time. 

Was 25 degrees Wednesday morning and the heater worked great. We are still winterized so we carried water and picked the parks for being open in winter and having pit toilets.

A friend, also R Pod owner (179) joined us for coaching. I was pleasantly shocked at the comfort of the dinette. I'm 6'1" 230. We loved the bed.

I installed a couple of mods. I put a cargo net across the front bulkhead for odds and ends -- nothing heavy -- and tried a shelf idea (worked but needs tweaking).

Main rookie mistake: we turned off refrigerator and LEFT DOOR CLOSED at the storage lot -- oops. It's 45 minutes from the house. Fortunately I'm headed that way Tuesday.

I'm going to try an old movers trick for the fridge -- paper towel with a dab of vanilla or a scoop of ground coffee in an open bag. Best fridge deodorizers ever.

Can't wait for next trip!

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RichC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 24 Feb 2017 Location: Chicago Online Status: Offline Posts: 70	Topic: Shake-down cruise Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 8:45am
	Wife, dogs and I tried out the new 171 this week, Monday to Wednesday. Couldn't wait for warm weather. We picked a Northern Illinois state park and one in Wisconsin so we could set up (hitch, unhitch, level, repeat) a couple of times. Pod did not roll down the hills. The dogs don't like the steps yet, but we all had a great time. Was 25 degrees Wednesday morning and the heater worked great. We are still winterized so we carried water and picked the parks for being open in winter and having pit toilets. A friend, also R Pod owner (179) joined us for coaching. I was pleasantly shocked at the comfort of the dinette. I'm 6'1" 230. We loved the bed. I installed a couple of mods. I put a cargo net across the front bulkhead for odds and ends -- nothing heavy -- and tried a shelf idea (worked but needs tweaking). Main rookie mistake: we turned off refrigerator and LEFT DOOR CLOSED at the storage lot -- oops. It's 45 minutes from the house. Fortunately I'm headed that way Tuesday. I'm going to try an old movers trick for the fridge -- paper towel with a dab of vanilla or a scoop of ground coffee in an open bag. Best fridge deodorizers ever. Can't wait for next trip!
	2017 RP171 2018 Ford Explorer

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 9:00am
	You don't need that trick. Just move the latch to the "storage" position. It will hold the door open about a 1/4 inch. Perfectly. Look at the fridge side of the latch, and you will see a little tab sticking out, push and pull forward. And grats on the first run success.

RichC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 24 Feb 2017 Location: Chicago Online Status: Offline Posts: 70	Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 9:14am
	Thanks.
	2017 RP171 2018 Ford Explorer

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 12:04pm
	Congrats on the successful shake down!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

RichC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 24 Feb 2017 Location: Chicago Online Status: Offline Posts: 70	Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 3:05pm
	Thanks I must say, I anticipated liking it -- it was double my expectations
	2017 RP171 2018 Ford Explorer

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3324	Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 8:13pm
	Great to hear on your successful shake-down cruise. When we did our first it was in our driveway in March (northern Michigan) and there was a LOT of snow on the ground so we stayed real close to home. I will wager you will replace that mattress before long, we did after 3 nights on ours. Got a Euro-top mattress. It is nearly 6 years old now, still a comfy as when we first purchased it.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

RichC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 24 Feb 2017 Location: Chicago Online Status: Offline Posts: 70	Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 10:19am
	You might be right about the bed. We slept well but it felt like it could loose some firmness with use. For years we've been very happy with w futon on ground in our tent when we camp -- that was very firm.
	2017 RP171 2018 Ford Explorer

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 9:38am
	Just make sure you set the latch to the travel position when you turn the fridge on.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual