Introduce Yourself: New member question

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New member question

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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=11476
Printed Date: 06 Jun 2025 at 11:29pm
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Topic: New member question

Posted By: dmp5
Subject: New member question
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 11:47am

Hi,

My husband and I recently purchased a new 2017 R-pod 178 and are totally new to RVing. We have really enjoyed the couple of times we have been able to go out in it. We live in an area where thunderstorms are common with occasional power outages. Is there a way of opening or closing the slide if the power is out? We tried unplugged hoping the battery would work, but unfortunately, it did not. Any suggestions?

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Newbie
2017 R-pod 178

Replies:

Posted By: ArenaBlanca
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 12:00pm

Have you checked the level of the battery power? The slide out usually will operate if the battery is charged.

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Enjoy Life!!

Posted By: dmp5
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 12:06pm

This is probably a dumb question but how do you check the battery power? At the time there was enough power to operate the interior lights and Bluetooth stereo.

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Newbie
2017 R-pod 178

Posted By: texman
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 1:47pm

check the battery with a voltmeter. it should run the slide with no problem if properly charged.

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TexMan 2015 182g
2018 Sequoia
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9122&title=texman-182g-mods - TexManMods

Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 2:48pm

+1 the battery should definitely be able tp open and close your slide numerous times.

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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 3:53pm

I assume this is a hypothetical question. The slideout runs on 12V so a 120V power outage should have no effect. If you have no access to 120 line AND the battery is dead there is NO manual crank on the RPOD. If stuck out you need two people (one on each side to manually push it back) and slowly apply pressure to close it. If it does not move there are two screws at the top that can be unscrewed and the slide will move freely but I am told this is rarely necessary. Then get the battery charged and it should be back to sliding out just fine. There is a control box for it hidden on the RPOD floor in which you can push a reset button. Search these boards, someone a while back posted a picture of it and link to the manufacturers manual that explains all of this. My dealer was not even aware of this but he was a sales guy not a technician.

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OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel

Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 6:22pm

Originally posted by Richand Cindy

I assume this is a hypothetical question. The slideout runs on 12V so a 120V power outage should have no effect. If you have no access to 120 line AND the battery is dead there is NO manual crank on the RPOD. If stuck out you need two people (one on each side to manually push it back) and slowly apply pressure to close it. If it does not move there are two screws at the top that can be unscrewed and the slide will move freely but I am told this is rarely necessary. Then get the battery charged and it should be back to sliding out just fine. There is a control box for it hidden on the RPOD floor in which you can push a reset button. Search these boards, someone a while back posted a picture of it and link to the manufacturers manual that explains all of this. My dealer was not even aware of this but he was a sales guy not a technician.

This may be incorrect. The slide on our 177 has a bolt head that can be turned with the crank for the stabilizers located under the stovetop near the floor. If you remove the lowest panel you can see it and it allows the slide to be manually retracted. I found it when we first got the pod but have neccer needed it. I know the larger pods have the servo motors and drive to run the slide. I don't know if they use this for the smaller pods like the 178.

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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150

Posted By: dmp5
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 9:27pm

Thank you for all your responses. I will check the battery level to make sure it is properly charged and see if the slide out opens with the battery. I'm trying to learn as much as I can on short trips before we go on a long one. Thanks again!

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Newbie
2017 R-pod 178

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 9:31pm

Caveat: The older R-Pods may have used a different system. If it is a Schwintek system, there is no way to manually crank it in. The motors must be moved out of the way in order for it to be moved in manually. Then the slide-out has to be braced with wood so that it can't move back out while you are on the way to the repair shop.
Best to make sure the batteries are charged. If the batteries are low and you don't have shore power or a generator available, you can always hook the 7-pin connector to your tow vehicle and let the TV's battery provide power (if the R-Pod's battery is low/dead, leave the vehicle running so it doesn't drain your TV's battery).
Schwintek has a https://www.lci1.com/assets/content/support/manuals/Slideouts/Schwintek_In_Wall____Troubleshooting_Guide.pdf - troubleshooting guide that may be helpful.

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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: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 2:48am

Originally posted by StephenH

Caveat: The older R-Pods may have used a different system. If it is a Schwintek system, there is no way to manually crank it in. The motors must be moved out of the way in order for it to be moved in manually. Then the slide-out has to be braced with wood so that it can't move back out while you are on the way to the repair shop.
Best to make sure the batteries are charged. If the batteries are low and you don't have shore power or a generator available, you can always hook the 7-pin connector to your tow vehicle and let the TV's battery provide power (if the R-Pod's battery is low/dead, leave the vehicle running so it doesn't drain your TV's battery).
Schwintek has a https://www.lci1.com/assets/content/support/manuals/Slideouts/Schwintek_In_Wall____Troubleshooting_Guide.pdf - troubleshooting guide that may be helpful.

It is not may: they do. The Schwintek slide drives came into production with the 179 and larger slide. I don't know if the smaller pods changed or not. Not all pods are 179s.

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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 7:13am

All pods with slides now have the Schwintek system.

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