Hello Forum
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=12046
Printed Date: 29 Apr 2024 at 7:53pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Hello Forum
Posted By: noatakme
Subject: Hello Forum
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2018 at 8:25am
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Hello R-Pod Owners Forum. My wife and I are very interested in the R-Pod. We hope to buy one in the near future. I have several questions;but, my biggest concern is towing with my 1994 GMC Sonoma 2 wheel drive extended cab with a 4.3 liter motor and automatic transmission. We live in PA and wont venture out very far at first. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
------------- Paul |
Replies:
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2018 at 8:43am
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Hi Paul, If this is your vehicle, I would say you are good to go podding! Good luck!! http://trailers.com/tow-capacity/index.php?action=do_search&year=1994&make=Chevrolet/GMC&model=S-10/Sonoma%20Pickup%20%282WD%29&template=normal - http://trailers.com/tow-capacity/index.php?action=do_search&year=1994&make=Chevrolet/GMC&model=S-10/Sonoma%20Pickup%20(2WD)&template=normal ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2018 at 8:48am
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Welcome! I was just in that area last week. You might have seen my wife and me drive by with an R-Pod 179 towed by a 2010 Nissan Frontier LE which only has a 4L V6. Your 4.3L should be fine.
------------- 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: DavMar
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2018 at 10:51am
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Just look into your owners manual and it should say what your Sonoma is rated to tow. I wouldn't tow anything that is towards the upper end, shoot for near half or there about's is my advice.
------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: BVK
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2018 at 12:19pm
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Welcome to the forum! You might consider looking for RV rental companies who have an R-Pod on inventory. A quick search yielded the following "RV-sharing" site, for example: https://rvshare.com/rv-rental/pennsylvania Let us know what you decide to do! ------------- 2012 RP-171 HRE, 2006 F-150 
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2018 at 3:51pm
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Welcome to the group!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: OldNeumanntapr
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2018 at 2:31pm
We have a 4.0 V6 Tacoma and it pulls the pod just fine. Gas mileage does take a beating and drops to 10 and 11 mpg but that’s the price of admission. It’s not bad mileage for a little self contained house!!! |
Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2018 at 4:02pm
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Stoltzfus in Adamstown is not far from you. He sells RPods around $500 more than Couchs. We bought ours there and can highly recommend them. But good advice is to rent first if you can. Not only to see how your vehicle tows the POD but also if you like the size and features. Large rear kitchen vs Larger dry bath, etc. We ended up selling our 180 as it was too small
------------- OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel |
Posted By: crw8sr
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2018 at 5:25pm
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Welcome! ------------- Chuck & Lyn Izzy, Morkie. RIP Zoe Joy & Gracie, Yorkie 2018 R Pod 190 2019 Traverse In moments of adversity;when life's a total wreck, I think of those worse off than me and really feel like heck. |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2018 at 9:05pm
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Great advice from above posters to rent first and decide if it is the right fit for you. We have thoroughly enjoyed our 177 since taking possession of it in March 2011. We have towed our 177 with the following vehicles: 2008 Explorer 4.0 L. V-6, 2013 Explorer 3.5L V-6 and a 1994 F-150 5.0 L V-8 with 318,000 miles. No problem towing with any of these even in the Rockies with some tremendous grades to climb and descend. ------------- 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." |
Posted By: noatakme
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2018 at 8:48am
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Thanks for all the great advice. I am looking for something
lightweight as my truck is vintage.I also like that the roof is one
piece and construction is of materials that wont easily rot.
------------- Paul |
Posted By: OldNeumanntapr
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2018 at 1:34pm
The roof has no seams for water to get into. |
Posted By: noatakme
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2018 at 9:03am
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I would like to ask about the solar option. I've seen advertised that there is a plug on the outside to hook up a solar panel. They didn't mention anything else about it. I understand there is more to recharging batteries than plugging in a solar panel. Do the R-pods come with everything you need to recharge a battery or two? What year did they start offering solar prep? Do the different years and models have different set ups? ------------- Paul |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2018 at 9:11am
In my mind it is as easy, if not easier, to just have a solar setup with alligator clips to connect to the batteries. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2018 at 10:08am
If I still have the pod when I get solar, I'll probably simply plug into my Anderson powerpole auxiliary power port. I got hooked on powerpoles a few years ago, making up all kinds of adapters and extensions. They have come in very handy for outside 12 volt service.  fred
------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: BVK
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 12:27am
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Nice workbench! I plan on converting to 12-volts wherever possible. K.I.S.S.!
------------- 2012 RP-171 HRE, 2006 F-150
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Posted By: noatakme
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2018 at 8:31pm
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Thanks for the info. Seems like the connector isn't very useful? Maybe hook a volt meter to it? ------------- Paul |
Posted By: noatakme
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 7:07am
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We finally picked up an 2015 R-pod 177. My 1994 GMC Sonoma pulled it fine except for long steep upgrades where the speed limit was 55 or over. It would only get up to 40 or 50 mph.I did notice a difference when I used High octane gas instead of the lower octane. I also noticed there was no way to keep it in drive going down the freeway. I put it in overdrive and it seemed to perform better. I took a wrong exit in the Pittsburgh area and ran into some moderately steep hills. The speed limit was only 35 MPH and the truck did okay. I was trying to think of ways to increase horse power;but, I always wanted to keep my truck stock. I guess we will stay off the freeway while negotiating the Appalachians. If we decide to cross the country we'll have to upgrade our vehicle and my GMC will become a lawn ornament. ------------- Paul |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 8:11am
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Paul, don't worry about the speed limit. Many heavily laden vehicles can't go the speed limit up steep grades no matter what the speed limit is. We had one steep grade we navigated last summer on I-70 east of Salina where we, and a whole bunch of semis, plugged along at about 25 or 30 going up a very steep grade, even though the limit was 70 and some cars were zooming by at 80. That's what they have the right lane for. I have an older, but not yet in the vintage range, truck with a lot of miles and my view is that I want to preserve the engine and transmission and I'm not going to try to force it to go faster than it can comfortably go. My maximum speed when in a lower gear is at the rpm that yields the most torque. Beyond that, I'm just making Exxon richer with no benefit to me. Congratulations on picking up your Pod. I hope you enjoy it.... and go slowly and watch the scenery.
 ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: noatakme
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 8:34am
Do you use overdrive? Is it Okay to go from drive to overdrive and back down again while you are moving? I appreciate your info. ------------- Paul |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 8:41am
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One caveat to the above: Do pay attention to the speed when driving in flat territory. State speed limits for towing are often lower than the speed limits for vehicles not towing. That limit is often not posted. For example, California has a towing speed limit of 55 mph. It used to be that more states had lower speeds for towing, but that seems to be changing. The charts I used to look at now show conflicting information. However, this should serve as a general guide: http://www.doityourselfrv.com/state-towing-speeds/ - http://www.doityourselfrv.com/state-towing-speeds/ Otherwise, I agree that you don't necessarily have to be the first one up the mountain. You just have to make it up safely. Relax and enjoy the drive. The journey is part of the adventure.  ------------- 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: noatakme
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 9:13am
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I like that advice "
you don't necessarily have to be the first one up the mountain" ------------- Paul |
Posted By: Jholler
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 9:22am
Since it runs straight to the battery, you can also run anything 12v from it. (Lights, rearview camera, etc) just buy a plug to fit it, BUT ... reverse the polarity by flip flopping the wires on your plug. Zamp wires them backwards so you'll buy THEIR panels. ------------- 2015 rpod 179 2014 Ram ecoDiesel HFE 2009-ish Chihuahua https://ibb.co/S3qvZKG"> 
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Posted By: Woodmiester
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 10:22am
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You won't have a problem.....I tow a 2018 190 with m 2004 Explorer sport trac with a 4.0L V6. Does a great job. I must admit, while in the mountains I just take it slow and easy and am normally following a big rig in the truck lane. This may add 4-5 minutes on my trip, but certainly no big deal. The whole idea is NOT to get in a hurry! Welcome to the forum and happy camping to you!  ------------- Swampfox |
Posted By: noatakme
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 10:25am
That's a great idea. The yellow porch light seems okay;but, a nice led lamp to light up the ground would bee nice. Or, a string of LED tape lights( I'm not sure what you call them, I have 12 feet of the stuff) would be awesome. ------------- Paul |
Posted By: Billy Bob
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 11:23am
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i found the white led porch light is very bright and the yellow one not so but better for leaving on when you are in the camper for the night. ------------- 2019 RPOD 190 2017 Chev Colorado 4 X 4 Yellow Lab and English Springer Spaniel |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 11:36am
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Paul, yes I use overdrive on flat or nearly flat roads. If I start to go on an incline that will cause a downshift, I'll turn the overdrive off preemptively, so I'm not jumping back and forth between gears. If I am on a steeper incline and I'm in 4th gear [of a 5 speed auto with 3 shift positions] and I start shifting up and down, I'll shift to "2" and just keep the rpm at not more than 3600. If I'm on a really steep grade and it has has started hunting gears to maintain speed, I'll downshift to position "1," actually 2nd gear, and again stay under 3600 rpm. I just go slow and enjoy the sights. My concern is that I not overheat either the transmission [I added a cooler] or the engine. To paraphrase StephenH, you don't have to arrive first, just arrive safely and relaxed. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 3:21pm
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Whether and where ever you add a solar module and charge controller or something else that's comng straight from the battery I strongly suggest installing an approriately sized inline fuse or circuit breaker at the positive battery terminal in the wire to that circuit. Otherwise that circuit has no protection from shorts or faults in either its wiring or the loads. That's not a great idea, some folks seem to think that because it's 12V its safe. It's safe from shock hazards, sure, but not from fire hazards. Batteries can put out plenty of current (hundreds of amps) to melt the insulation off of conductors and cause fires. Treat your 12Vdc circuits the same way as you would your 120Vac circuits and be safe. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: AgedWhine
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2019 at 8:35am
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Just joined the forum. So wanted to introduce ourselves. We are new to r-pod traveling and use. Hopefully we will be placing an order for the 195. Any pros or cons are welcome. Also wondering about the tanks visible on the underbelly??? ------------- ...On the road again! Just can’t wait to get on the road again.... |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2019 at 8:54am
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Welcome! You posted the question about tanks in another topic. I'll repeat here that the information I was given by Scott Rhode (who works at the Surveyor/R-Pod factory) is that the tanks on the 195 are not exposed, but the bottom is "enclosed with industry standard Coroplast."
------------- 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: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2019 at 3:31pm
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |