2017 rPod 178 - Event Date: 15 May 2017

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   Hello out there in pod land,    I have read many of your posts and am terrified that I may roast my hot water heater on the first time out.  I am not very technically inclined, but I finally found it, under the mattress as others have reported in earlier models.  I found the water pump under the sink by crawling into my slide out while it was in.  (Good thing no one pushed the button or I would have been crushed.) Then I opened up the compartment under the mattress and saw the heater (with a vent into the living space) and the hot water heater.
     I wonder (if this is such a big deal and so many people burn out an element early on) why they don't make this question an important feature of the orientation.  It seems like there should be a special handout on it, and they should open up the compartment and show it to you and say:  Just make sure you do X and Y, and you don't do Z, or you'll burn out your element" and then have you sign something saying that they told you and you understand. 
     Does anyone know whether they have made the hot water heater operation any more straightforward on the 2017 model?  What I should look for, watch out for, etc.?  Thank you! 
           Kathie

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kjameson Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 May 2017 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Calendar Event: 2017 rPod 178 Posted: 15 May 2017 at 10:35am
	Hello out there in pod land, I have read many of your posts and am terrified that I may roast my hot water heater on the first time out. I am not very technically inclined, but I finally found it, under the mattress as others have reported in earlier models. I found the water pump under the sink by crawling into my slide out while it was in. (Good thing no one pushed the button or I would have been crushed.) Then I opened up the compartment under the mattress and saw the heater (with a vent into the living space) and the hot water heater. I wonder (if this is such a big deal and so many people burn out an element early on) why they don't make this question an important feature of the orientation. It seems like there should be a special handout on it, and they should open up the compartment and show it to you and say: Just make sure you do X and Y, and you don't do Z, or you'll burn out your element" and then have you sign something saying that they told you and you understand. Does anyone know whether they have made the hot water heater operation any more straightforward on the 2017 model? What I should look for, watch out for, etc.? Thank you! Kathie

salgado-slaven Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Mar 2017 Location: Georgia Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 15 May 2017 at 4:04pm
	Kathie, No the 2017, as far as I am concerned, is not more straightforward. I have read, viewed videos and not gotten it clear yet. We will be asking where we purchased and store our RPod 180 for instructions. The instructions provided are very circular the way they are written and difficult to follow.

Richand Cindy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Apr 2016 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 328	Posted: 15 May 2017 at 5:04pm
	Most dealers walk through is only to go over items unique to the RPOD. So they will show you where the water heater is and where is the switch to turn it on. They will not teach you how to use a water heater or winterize it. That would an take a hour alone. If you have a dealer that will spend 3 hours teaching you how to use an RV you are very lucky. BUT you have help here .Go to the Podmods.... section and look under "Creating a manual" section and read, read, read. You will learn everything you need to know. I knew nothing and was a member of this board for one year before taking ownership of our 180. Now I learned so much I am even answering questions like an expert. As far as the heater goes either connect to city water or add water to the tanks and run water through all the lines cold and hot. After water comes out of the hot water faucets, you can flip the switch on the wall to turn on the water heater and within 10 minutes you should have hot water. You will never burn out the element if there is water coming out the faucet. If the water fails to heat you are in winter mode and need read up on how to turn the valves to the summer position. Forest River puts a sticker on the outside door indicating if the water heater is winterized. If yes dealer should properly get it into summer mode. If you already left the dealer you will have to do it yourself. Don't worry, it will be easy once you read everything. There are people here to help you through it as well
	OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel

john in idaho Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 611	Posted: 15 May 2017 at 5:10pm
	You will learn to be "technically inclined" if you own an RV. It is not hard - just common sense once you understand the principles. Keep asking questions on this forum.

salgado-slaven Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Mar 2017 Location: Georgia Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 15 May 2017 at 6:04pm
	Thanks John I appreciate the encouragement, I really do. I am in IT with a master degree. So I am doubly frustrated. LOL Thanks again, it really helps.

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: 3220	Posted: 15 May 2017 at 6:28pm
	This is what makes this forum unique and grand; people helping people. The majority of us started out as rank amateurs but after reading and learning, have now gotten to the point we can help others who are just a couple steps behind. Thank all you above posters! +1 +2
	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."

kjameson Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 May 2017 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 29 May 2017 at 11:00am
	Thanks, my first trip went great! We went to Sunset Point in Harrington and hiked the trails at a couple of different conservation areas that were absolutely gorgeous, out on peninsulas with great views of the ocean and beaches and rocks to walk on. I did not burn out my element on the hot water heater or manage to do any other damage, and I'm feeling a lot less overwhelmed now. Kathie

salgado-slaven Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Mar 2017 Location: Georgia Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 29 May 2017 at 3:22pm
	Three Way Camper (where we purchase and store our RPod 180) helped us get the water heater working. The prep crew had left the bypass valve on and the builder had also configured a valve goin in the other other direction, we are out now on our second trip with hot water for showers. The folks at 3 Way Camper are amazing!!