Future Rpod 179 Owner (Soon;-) Generator Question
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10058
Printed Date: 28 May 2025 at 7:48pm
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Topic: Future Rpod 179 Owner (Soon;-) Generator Question
Posted By: Big Murth
Subject: Future Rpod 179 Owner (Soon;-) Generator Question
Date Posted: 28 May 2017 at 8:47pm
Hello All and thanks for inclusion into your forum---I'm looking to purchase PDQ, a 179 and have a couple of critical questions. I appreciate everyone's input, answers, and suggestions---so thank you in advance! My big burning question is this: My wife and I will be traveling a lot with our RP on extended weekend trips here in New Mexico, but intend to also take some longer interstate trips as time permits. We travel with two young Scottish Terriers and between our own comfort in hot areas where we might find ourselves boondocking---there's always the situation where we stop and the dogs can't accompany us ("short" sightseeing stops, restaurant meals, shopping in stores, etc., where pets are not welcome). They can't stay in a parked vehicle, so I thought running AC via generator. Will a small (2000W) Honda generator do the job of starting and maintaining operation of the AC on one of these rigs? And, as we will tow with a 2014 Toyota 4Runner or 2017 Range Rover Sport---there's no good place to haul those units, and you sure as hell can't leave it running sitting on the pavement next to your trailer where someone could easily walk/drive up and relieve you of your $1,000 generator--no matter that you can't hear your barking dogs while you're eating lunch just yards away. Is there an external storage area that you can stash and operate a small generator? Is there adequate room on the trailer tongue to position one that can be inside a secure/steel cage or platform?(I know there are issues with hitch weight, etc.)---Has anyone figured out a way to put a bumper on the back of an Rpod?....upon which you could mount a generator or at the least, be able to incorporate a receiver-style hitch point for additional gear hauling purposes? Thanks, and look forward to your responses! ------------- Remember the 5 P's.....(Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance!) |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 28 May 2017 at 8:54pm
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Welcome to the group!! We don't use a generator, but I am sure one of the members can answer your question. We havwe a 179 and really enjoy the large kitchen and the storage the 179 has.
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 May 2017 at 10:11pm
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As a fellow 179 owner also, I will try to answer your questions. Generator size: A 2000 watt generator will be inadequate. You would need to run two in parallel or get at least a 3000 watt generator. The summer heat in New Mexico will tax the generator. The hotter it is, the more power it takes to start up the compressor. Securing it: A good bicycle lock run through the handle and around the trailer's A frame will keep it from walking off with the casual thief. A determined one would require more extensive measures, but the opportunist will bypass one locked and look for one that is not secured in any way. A Stromberg-Carlson Trailer Tray will provide a good place to carry the generator. It is what we use for our Generac iX2000. You can see a picture in my mods (link in my signature below). Forget about putting it on the back hitch. The crossbar supporting it will not take the stress of the generator bouncing around without significant modification (which will void your frame warranty). Once the warranty has expired, then you are free to reinforce it. There are other message topics which discuss this. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Big Murth
Date Posted: 29 May 2017 at 10:01am
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Thanks Stephen, I appreciate your assessment....didn't realize you were the brave guy cutting holes and what- not in your 179 in previous posts I viewed of owners and their rigs in a separate part of the Forum....however, in your photos, I saw the battery(s) set-up, but didn't see your Generac set up on the tongue/A-Frame. Have a photo of that, too? Thanks for your help----looks like I've got a somewhat steep learning curve but with all of the sharing from this group, I'm sure we'll figure it out. We're so used to camping out of the truck w/tent and as former backpackers, we're used to doing without;-)....Send me what you can when it's convenient. Regards, Steve Murtha, aka Big Murth ------------- Remember the 5 P's.....(Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance!) |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 May 2017 at 12:49pm
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The Trailer Tray and generator are on page 7. Here is a http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712&PID=79203&title=our-escapod-mods#79203 - direct link to the post. Some of the other posts show the bottom where it attaches to the A frame better, but this has the best pictures of the rack and generator. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Big Murth
Date Posted: 29 May 2017 at 2:45pm
Looks great Stephen...so what I'm looking at is the generator and tray that sits "above" your tandem batteries, right? BTW, can you safely run the generator while it's in that stored/travel position (on the tray?}. Again, harking back to my projected occasional need to perhaps leave the dogs in the trailer for short periods but needing AC, not sure if it's safe or practical---but heck, you'd know . Also like what you've done in the back with the cargo rack that fits into the receiver, and no problems bouncing up and down a bunch when you're rolling, eh? One RP owner weighed in to say that any kind of external weight loading fore or aft might void the RP frame/suspension warranty----thoughts?....and thank you! Steve ------------- Remember the 5 P's.....(Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance!) |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 May 2017 at 6:32pm
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Yes, it sits above the batteries and propane tank. I can run it since the exhaust is not aimed toward the R-Pod. However, there is sound and vibration transfer through the frame when it is run there. To tie it down, I added two heavy D rings to the platform. I run a bicycle lock cable through those and around the generator through the handle opening. I also use a ratchet strap to cinch it down so that it will not move around much. There is a little movement, but not much. I cover the whole setup with an inverted plastic bin and strap that down. It rides well and protects it from road dirt, snow, and rain. The Trailer Tray is attached by brackets, not screws or bolts into the frame, so there is not an issue of weakening the frame. I've made several trips with it and there have not been any issues related to it or the generator mounted on it. The main thing is to remember loading is also figuring out how much to add to the rear of the R-Pod to balance it out. 10-15% of the total weight of the R-Pod is the range in which the tongue weight of the R-Pod should meet. There are other topics on how to determine tongue weight and lots of YouTube videos demonstrating it also. The one thing that will void the warranty is trying to use the rear hitch for the spare tire as a cargo hitch and loading it with more than 150 lbs of stuff (which includes a rack). I have used a rack back there, but only for a few light items that total well under 100 lbs. Now that the warranty has expired, I will see about reinforcing it to make it more sturdy once I get it back from being repaired from last winter's accident. The main thing to be concerned about when running the generator is to make sure that the exhaust has no path into the R-Pod. You don't want your pets or you to be victims of carbon monoxide poisoning. The noise and vibrations might be helpful for the dogs if it blocks out other sounds that would otherwise cause them to become agitated. Another thing to consider is that some places to not allow unlimited generator use. However, those tend to be places where you would have shore power available to run the AC. If you are out by yourself somewhere, your constraints then are to not stay away so long that your generator runs out of gas. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 29 May 2017 at 6:56pm
| Even in the summer and the outdoor temp is in the 90s or 100, the insulated rPod is comfortable. if the wind is blowing some I just open the windows and leave our mini Aussie inside. I have checked this out many times. And gone back and checked again. Probably will catch some flack, but it is a non problem for us. |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 29 May 2017 at 8:24pm
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I have a Yamaha 2400ishc generator which has, so far always started the air conditioner. I haven't tried it at high altitudes though. As to Stephen's point about unlimited generator usage, he is right about that but wrong, at least in my experience about that only applying where shore power is available. I almost always camp at National Park campgrounds with no hookups of any kind and the ones I go to all have restrictions on generator usage; always about hours of operation and sometimes about which sections of the campground even allow generators at all. It doesn't always suit me, but I agree 100% with the concept. A lot of people go camping to enjoy nature, not listen to small engines droning on for hours.... Finally, I agree with John. We have left our dog in the pod with just the windows open and the fan running. She does fine. We sleep in there in similar circumstance most of the time too.... TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 May 2017 at 8:39pm
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Yes, I gave an incomplete answer. National and state parks often do have restrictions on hours in which generators can be operated. My comment though was meant for someone boondocking in an area without such restrictions. I did not have national or state parks in mind.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2017 at 8:38am
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There is a guy on Facebook who l disables the AC converter and runs his AC with a generac 2000w. Anyone try this?
Derek ------------- Kim & Derek 2016.5 176t 2015 Jeep Rubicon JKU (trips west) 2008 Town and Country (trips east) 2 kids, 2 dogs |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2017 at 9:26am
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I prefer to use my battery disconnect and turn battery charge circuit off. 2kw will run AC. People do use the Converter CB to do essential same. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |