New R-Pod Owner and Forum Member
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11025
Printed Date: 30 May 2024 at 8:51am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New R-Pod Owner and Forum Member
Posted By: Redshift
Subject: New R-Pod Owner and Forum Member
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2017 at 11:07pm
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Greetings, My wife and I just purchased a new R-Pod 180 from Holiday RV South in South Fork, CO. We are new to RV'ing and hope to learn from forums like this as well as from actual experience. We have a place near Mayhill, New Mexico and we will be picking up the 180 from the dealer in mid-January. Both of us are amateur nature photographers and I am an amateur astronomer and astro-imager. We also love to taste fine wines from local vineyards. We plan to use the RP 180 to visit out of the way places to enjoy our hobbies and see the great American West. I expect for us to have many questions about RV use and R-Pod accessorizing. I am looking forward to more discussions with members of this forum in the future. ------------- -Robert Hood River RP 180 with winter-ready insulation/heaters upgrade and GoPower solar kit |
Replies:
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 3:43am
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Welcome to the forum. Look forward to some of your pictures if you post them, safe travels with your new camper. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 6:39am
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Welcome to the group!! Congrats on your 180 !! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 8:12am
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Welcome, and congrats! Remember, a camper doesn't have to be just a camper. I use mine as a hotel room often, if i have to be somewhere far away early in the morning, or get out late, I will set up in a nearby parking lot. Many places allow it. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 10:27am
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Welcome and Congratulations! I hope you have many fine adventures and make many great memories in your travels. I have done a number of mods on our 179 which you can see in my mods (link in signature). Some of them may be useful to you.
------------- 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: Redshift
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 11:14am
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Thanks for the comments and encouragements. I am a picture sent to me by my dealer salesman - I still haven't seen the rpod yet. I did look at one that a friend recently bought so it was not totally sight unseen  . This picture were prior to the installations of the undercarriage insulation and the solar panel kit. I will send more after we take possession. ------------- -Robert Hood River RP 180 with winter-ready insulation/heaters upgrade and GoPower solar kit |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 11:32am
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Undercarriage insulation and heaters? I'm curious. How much did that upgrade cost?
------------- 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: Redshift
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 12:02pm
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It was pricey (~$1500 including installation) - it includes tank heaters and
pipe heaters on the camper itself, as well as insulating and enclosing the
underbelly. We expect to do some winter RV'ing so it should come in handy. I do not know the manufacturer offhand - will let you know once I pick up the trailer. ------------- -Robert Hood River RP 180 with winter-ready insulation/heaters upgrade and GoPower solar kit |
Posted By: Redshift
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 12:14pm
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Since this is a question about a specific accessory, I might need to be posting it somewhere else. I have read about surge protectors for electrical hookups at campgrounds. Are these useful or even necessary and, if so, can anyone recommend a specific one? I saw quite a price variation on Amazon, for instance. Thanks. ------------- -Robert Hood River RP 180 with winter-ready insulation/heaters upgrade and GoPower solar kit |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 2:20pm
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In my opinion, The progressive industries EMS-HW30C is the right choice. It is hardwired so you need not remember to do anything, and it's always working. It also has a small pendant that comes with it, that shows you how much power your pod is using. I can watch in the morning as i use the toaster, coffee maker, etc. how close i am to overloading and prevent blowing a circuit. Many people here use it. You can get the portable one, but that requires remembering to plug it in, and not forgetting it when you leave etc., not to mention leaving a couple hundred dollar item just hanging on a pole. The real EMS costs about 225.00 but its worth it. It protects you against any electrical issue, high/low volts, reverse polarity, no ground, etc. etc. as well as guards against a hot skin condition. Some people just get volt checkers, which are cheap,but they don't protect your pod, they only tell you it was good at that exact moment. The EMS protects your pod, even when your gone to the beach for the day. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 3:08pm
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I have a CAMCO 30A Dogbone and a CAMCO Power Defender, Happy with both. I agree with the permanent mounts but on my 178 install was a bit difficult. I wanted fast protection. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Redshift
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 3:12pm
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I had been looking at both of those CAMCOs and have read good things about them. The hardwire version also sounds good but I am not sure what is required to do the install. ------------- -Robert Hood River RP 180 with winter-ready insulation/heaters upgrade and GoPower solar kit |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 3:23pm
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Think 180 is close to 179, as I recall the 179 install was easier than my 178. The 179/180 folks can tell you. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Larry-D
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 6:00pm
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Good choice. As I sit here at the campground in our larger trailer its 25 degrees and has been below freezing since yesterday afternoon. Forgot to empty the fresh water tank yesterday and of course if froze. The underbelly is enclosed and I spent a lot of time Sunday sealing holes in the Coroplast. It may have helped slow the freeze. If we had tank heaters that would have made a lot of difference. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 6:35pm
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The tank heaters are an interesting idea. The problem I see with them is that one would need to be where power is available. I looked and saw some that were dual 12V and 120V. The problem there is that if one is towing, those pads would require a lot of wattage. As with the refrigerator, one would risk the tow vehicle not being able to supply sufficient wattage to both power them and charge the battery/batteries. If one is sitting at a campground hooked to shore power, then it should be no problem.
------------- 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: Larry-D
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2017 at 8:31pm
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Agreed. The 12v ones pull a lot of power. With 120v an amp or so. Since we camp at campgrounds with the larger trailer the 120v make more sense for us. Since our Rpod is not set up for cold weather then tank heaters are not needed. As soon as the tank thaws I’ll drain it. Then only fill it a little if we go again this season. We use a heated hose and I put a canvas tarp over the water supply faucet in a tent shape so the “tent” will gather heat from the ground to keed the water filter from freezing. I also wrap a towel around the 90 degree connector that’s attached to the water hose and then to the city water inlet. We’ve never had that setup freeze. The first year I didn’t wrap the towel and it froze overnight at that point but quickly thawed. FWIW, when you get out there make sure your black and grey tank dump valves don’t leak a little. If they do and your sewer hose cap is in place the water can build up after the valve and freeze between the valve and cap. I get a lot of information from RV.Net but you have to filter through it because it seems as if one person could post, “the sun rises in the east” and there will be 100 posts arguing with it.
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Posted By: NAP1947
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2017 at 5:49am
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Redshift, welcome and congratulations, as you can see lots of friendly folks with experience and willingness to help. We bought a 179 last fall but don’t pick it up until April. I strongly suggest your read the first article in the R-Pod Group Owners Manual found here, http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 , it is very helpful and led me to buy the EMC built in unit and also learn how to use my multi-meter before plugging in, the R-Pod has a fibreglass not metal skin but one cannot be too careful with electricity. Cheers and Happy New Year. ------------- Susan and Norm 2016 Venza, V6 factory tow 2018 RP179 |
Posted By: PilotPodder
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2017 at 4:07pm
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Congrats and welcome! I think you'll find this forum very helpful as I have. ------------- Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — https://johnmarucci.com/r-pod-video-list/ - My RPod YouTube Videos |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2017 at 5:26pm
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+1 on the Progressive Industries EMSHW30C hardwired unit. Easy to install. I installed mine right behind my power center. You only need is a 2ft section of romex wire to complete the hook-up. And their customer service is excellent. I had an issue and they were super helpful. I also like the hardwired because to never have to worry about it walking away or leaving it behind.
Happy New Year! Jeff ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: PilotPodder
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2017 at 6:07pm
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I use the non-hard wired Progressive Industries SSP-30XL Surge Protector. No complaints. Yes you need to plug it in and secure it at the campsite, but it works well and no labor involved. $90 from Amazon. ------------- Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — https://johnmarucci.com/r-pod-video-list/ - My RPod YouTube Videos |
Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2017 at 10:18am
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The non hardwired version is the EMS-PT30 X which is actually higher priced ($271) than the hard wired. The SSP-30XL is only surge protection. I would really recommend getting the (almost three times the price) EMS versions since they do much more than surge protect. Even low voltage can do serious damage and is more likely to occur at campsites. We had our EMS shut down our electric on two occasions this past summer so it works
------------- OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel |
Posted By: Redshift
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2018 at 2:42pm
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Thanks for the welcomes and all of the suggestions for surge protection. I plan to go with a hardwired version (either EMS-HW30C or the Surge Guard 35530). I look forward to the first voyage when we pick it up in a few weeks. ------------- -Robert Hood River RP 180 with winter-ready insulation/heaters upgrade and GoPower solar kit |
Posted By: Redshift
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2018 at 6:51pm
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After reading the replies, I did go with the EMS-HW30C hardwire version. I still have not picked up the R-Pod 180 - hopefully, next week, weather permitting. It will be outfitted with the hardwired surge protector, the under-carriage heating/insulation, and the built-in solar unit. Really looking forward to it. I will post pictures after our first trip. Thanks for all the suggestions.
------------- -Robert Hood River RP 180 with winter-ready insulation/heaters upgrade and GoPower solar kit |