Camping without Unhooking
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Miscellaneous / Off-topic
Forum Discription: Pull a chair up to the campfire and chat. No religious, political or weapons talk, please.
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1372
Printed Date: 02 May 2024 at 11:25am
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Topic: Camping without Unhooking
Posted By: mountain mist
Subject: Camping without Unhooking
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 8:19am
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Is is possible to stop over for the night without unhooking?
If I am making a 1000 mile trip and do not plan to sightsee the local area, just a place to sleep, does anyone out there have the experience and the pointers on it?
If so, things to do and NOT to do.
Thank you!
Escape Pod ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Replies:
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 8:49am
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Sure you can stay hooked. No problem at all. Here is what you do: 1. Unlock camper door & get inside. 2. Lock said door. 3. Go to bed! 4.  That is a happy you in the morning! Nothing to it.Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 8:52am
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There are lots of places to spend the night without going to a campground too. Usually it depends on locale ordinances though. Wal-Mart allows over night parking as an example. You should go in to the service desk and ask permission. Terry PS: Check out this site: http://freecampsites.net/ - http://freecampsites.net/ ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: mountain mist
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 9:19am
THAT is funny AND simple. Just wanted to know if there was any strain on the car or if you put the stablizer legs down. I am such a novice, just did my first chock to chock trip.
I had forgotten about the Walmart camping , if allow in places. I am thinking of Rt. 79 (I think) in East Texas, have done the road on the way to Austin, Tx in order to stay off the Interstate. Noted quite a number of mom and pop private campgrounds and a lot of trailers rolling the east Texas roads. But did not take down any names, will have to start looking them up. Don't mind paying for a night, but the unhooking every night if we are not staying more than the night is what I have in mind.
Bet the Pod bounces without the stablizer legs!
Thanks for info. Quick response, I thought I would be just about the only one home.
Yes, I was doing a dry camp, without anything. The only LP used was to keep the frig. cold.
I guess I might get some answers if I went to a LP dealer nearby and see if they can "talk" to me.
Might be good idea having an extra tank, but need to know where to put it and how to detach the old one for the new. Or if it is worth it.
Happy Summer.
Escape Pod ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 11:10am
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If you are only using propane for the fridge it will last for weeks, no need for a 2nd tank. As for camping while hooked, I would bust out the level and add blocks as needed to level it side-to-side, then use the tongue jack to level it front-to-back (no different than if you are unhooked). You won't do any damage to the hitch if you have to crank it up. It will look funny, but no big deal. I would not use the rear stabilizers to crank up the back if the rear is too low. Don't forget to grab your blocks in the morning when you leave. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: popgoesweasel
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 12:00pm
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I would be careful about leaving the travel trailer cable hooked up to the towing vehicle. It is possible to drain the car battery sufficiently not to be able to start the tow vehicle the next day. As for Walmart parking, there is Yahoo group with pointers and access to a data base with status on all Walmarts and their parking practices. Here is the URL to it. You need to establish a Yahoo account to join. http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/walmartrving/ - http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/walmartrving/ ------------- R171 2010 Frontier 2009 Site 40 Eastern Rally 2010 |
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 3:18pm
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Try it in your driveway. I have pulled over to catch some sleep and left it hooked up. I didn't worry about it being level. Just hit the sack. It worked very well. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: tdrace
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 9:12pm
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I have stopped at campgrounds overnight. I leave it hooked up, put the stablizers down, plug in the electric, and make sure I unplug the battery from the car. One time I left the pod at work all day, and left the battery plugged in to the suv. When I came out from work 8 hours later my suv would not start. Live and learn, so I am paranoid about leaving the battery plugged in. ------------- tdrace's 2018 180 2010 FORD F150 V-8 equalizer e-2 hitch Sisters on the Fly #1569 |
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2010 at 4:49am
WOW, what did you have running in the Pod? Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2010 at 9:13am
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Must have left the fridge on 12v (a battery will only last a few hours with the fridge on 12v mode, only use that while towing). With all else being normal your rig should have started even a week later.
As for leaving the 'pod hooked to the TV while you are plugged into the power pole, you don't have to worry about that. The converter in the 'pod is designed to charge the 'pod's battery, and if the TV is hooked up it will keep it charged, too. Part of my pre-trip routine includes hooking the 'pod to my TV and plugging the 'pod into my house the night before. That way I know both batteries will be topped off. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2010 at 9:34am
When I stop for the night in a parking lot I leave it hooked to the TV and do not use any blocks or stabalizers. Some areas do not allow it and will have you move on if you do. I do Unhook the cable from the TV and the trailer. I have seen some Campers in parking lots with their slides out and awnings out and them sitting out relaxing. Just waiting for them to break out the firewood and have a nice fire.
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Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2010 at 3:58pm
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All major RV clubs go along with the idea that you do not put down levelers, use slideouts unless you have to, no awnings, chairs etc. One night stay only and ask permission even if others are there. It is also a good idea to leave the place cleaner than you found it. In the morning it would be nice to say thank you too. A little kindness helps to offset the jerks out there. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2010 at 5:07pm
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I can understand no slide-outs, chairs, bonfires, family reunions or public viewings of Forest Gump, but I've seen many a Wal-Mart/Flying-J/etc parking lot that is on an incline. No leveling would equal a very bad night's sleep. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2010 at 5:17pm
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An awning and lawn chairs are a bit much. I saw a family encamped in a WalMart parking lot in Huntsville, ON, just outside Algonquin Park, who even had an awning mat out on the tarmac. Personally, I see no issue deploying slideouts or using a leveling block or two if necessary. I hesitate to lower the stabilizers and would never setup anything outside like lawnchairs, awning or the BBQ. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: mountain mist
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2010 at 6:08pm
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Since I use Wal-mart when I am traveling, they will get my business for rounding up my cooking stock and any other little thing. I guess I have not seen awnings out or lawn chairs BUT our Wal-mart in Sevierville, Tn. is listed as NO OVERNIGHT PARKING, so I guess there has been enough "tacky" to warrent them pulling the priviliges. Really had not paid attention lately, did not miss the lack of overnighters so was suprised when I got on the site and found out why. ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |