Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: 6000 fantastic miles

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6000 fantastic miles

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13143
Printed Date: 19 May 2024 at 5:00am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: 6000 fantastic miles

Posted By: gpokluda
Subject: 6000 fantastic miles
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 8:52pm

We completed over 6000 miles with our 179 this summer. Made some mods along the way

additional shelf in the top pantry cabinet
soft storage for the person sleeping against the front wall
dual batteries
kitchen wall racks for utensils and misc
all outlets replaced with outlets plus USB
Harbor Freight TV mount mod for tilting TV mount

A few things we learned along the way

White electrical outlets are easier to see than black ones
Stock trailer electrical outlets are awful (how are these allowed?)
1" deck screws work great in the walls (just add a little glue to the screw to keep it secure)
Always carry a scissors jack and some 2X4 scraps
The stock vinyl trim falls apart quickly but is easy to replace
A weight distribution hitch is a must (air bag suspension is next on our list)

Gino

2016 Rp179

2016 Nissan Frontier SV

2018 Triumph Bonneville

Replies:

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 5:04am

Sounds like you've had a great summer and have learned a lot and have things dialed in.

On the air bag suspension, it can be tricky to use that in combination with a wdh.

The wdh works because the tension bars are applying a torque to the TV rotating the front axle down. If you set that up and then inflate a rear air suspension you are reducing the bar tension and moving more weight back to the TV rear axle from the front. Since the most important thing is to get the load on the front axle right while towing its generally best just the to use the wdh alone. As long as you have the tow vehicle axle loads well within specs it doesn't hurt anything to have a little rear axle squat, the TV was designed for that.

If you do use the two together then I'd suggest setting the wdh bar tension after inflating the air bags, that way you know you have the front axle load right.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 10:00am

An alternative to air springs is to install a set of SumoSprings instead. These are Urethane springs that don't need to be inflated, can't leak, and are available in three different grades depending on your needs. I installed a set of the blue ones (1,000 lb), but recently changed them for the black ones (1,500 lbs). Our 2010 Frontier's suspension was quite mushy before installing the SumoSprings. Now it s firmer, but not uncomfortable. I can hit a bump without bottoming out the suspension.

In the Frontier, the SumoSprings replace the stock bump-stop. As long as you have a breaker bar, the correct deep socket, a torque wrench, and a good jack (a hydraulic floor jack works great), it is something you can install yourself. It does not take too long to do so.

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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: mcarter
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 4:46pm

+1 to OffGrid and SH, not an airbag fan. Depending upon TV, WDH may be good idea. I'm a Sumo fan to a point. WDH is single best option.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 4:48pm

+1. With a properly adjusted WDH, no suspension mods should be necessary (assuming the vehicle is good for the load).

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: Linda&Gino
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 8:16pm

Thanks, OffGrid. The plan was to set the airbags first, then set the WDH but I just haven't been able to pul the trigger. I only need the airbags once in a while so it is hard to justify the cost. I don't have any handling issues. Thanks. I appreciate the info.

Posted By: Linda&Gino
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 8:29pm

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Lots of food for thought.

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 9:43pm

Actually, the WDH by itself (Hensley Cub) did not seem to be adequate with our older Frontier. With the SumoSprings, it is much better.

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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: Linda&Gino
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2019 at 5:19pm

I believe that to be true most of the time, but not all of the time. I can see someone being able to get their WDH setup spot on every time they hitch up with the chain style WDHs. I have a Fastway with spring bars instead of chains. Since the adjustment requires the hanger bracket to be relocated by unbolting it and then bolting it back in its new position, it would be way easier to simply have suspension assist to trim up the difference.

But you are right. If you carry a consistent load every time you hitch up and your TV's rear suspension isn't sacked out, a well adjusted WDH is all you really need.

Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2019 at 4:16pm

Personally, I jumped in here to learn where you went? 6K is a good run and plenty to be seen where-ever!

This curious mind wants to know where you went?

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander

Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2019 at 2:21pm

Update: So I went with the Sumosprings over the airbag suspension. What a difference! I chose the blue Sumosprings which brought the back end of the truck about 1.5". They did stiffen the ride of the truck without load, but really do control the squat when I load the back with generators and other stuff. One thing I noticed immediately while towing was that the truck doest wallow when I go through dips.

Great suggestion. Thanks!

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2019 at 3:47pm

I'm glad they worked out for you. They definitely make a difference for us as well. I recently had to take my RPod in for an axle change because of a broken weld (warranty repair). I had to remove the Hensley hitch because I knew that the shop where I took it would not have the ability to move the RPod around with the Hensley hitch installed. Even with jus the SumoSprings, I did not like the way it behaved. This week, the Hensley Cub will be going back on. In my case, having both the SumoSprings and a good WDH is the best combination.

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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