Introduce Yourself: New 2016 179 HR owner in Austin

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New 2016 179 HR owner in Austin

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=15794
Printed Date: 22 Jun 2025 at 2:37am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: New 2016 179 HR owner in Austin

Posted By: Austintaco
Subject: New 2016 179 HR owner in Austin
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2023 at 11:46am

Just a quick post to say hello. I have been actively spending too much time researching on here and we purchased our used 2016 179 on Thursday. I have to do some work on my vehicle to safely tow the new addition, but looking forward to it. We are going from a truck based camping set up to the R Pod so looking forward to a new chapter.

Replies:

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2023 at 1:26pm

Hello Austintaco,

Welcome and Congratulations on your new-to-you RPod 179. I hope you have many fun adventures and make many great memories camping with it.

What tow vehicle are you going to use?

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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: Austintaco
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2023 at 1:49pm

Hi Stephen,

I have an 03 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4wd Auto that I have owned since new and have maintained it meticulously as well as making modifications through the years. It’s re geared with 4.88’s and does well with our current truck based setup. I have plans to buy a full size within a year or two.

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2023 at 3:43pm

The Tacoma should do quite nicely in the meantime. I had a Nissan Frontier before we got the F-150. It did okay in the lower elevations, but struggled a bit at the higher ones. I did do a SumoSprings rear suspension upgrade on it and that helped a lot.

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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: Austintaco
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2023 at 10:09pm

It’s here! My friend dropped it off around 6 PM. We have it set up in our side drive, but I need to get the adapter to hook it up to the house. It was 105 here today, so we did not spend much time in there without AC! Thanks for the advice and I have read many of your posts already. See ya on the threads!

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2023 at 10:18pm

If you are going to plug it into an existing outlet, it should be at least 20A if you are going to run the AC. If you can (or have an electrician friend), install a 30A RV outlet (110V, not 220V). It isn't too hard to do. Then you will be able to run more than just the AC and lights.

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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: Austintaco
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2023 at 8:24am

Yessir. I have it on a 20 amp now, but I’m planning to install a 30 amp if it stays at its current location.

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2023 at 9:00pm

Welcome to the forum. Seeing that your 179 is now 7 years old are there repairs/mods/upgrades you need to do before camping or is it good to go? Glad to have you aboard and have fun not only with your 179 but also with your 24/7 owners manual right here!

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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: Austintaco
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2023 at 9:25pm

The pod is ready to go, but I want to spend some time going through it and getting the weight and tow setup correct. The hardest part for me is deciding if I want to store my current setup or sell it and never look back.

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2003 Toyota Tacoma
1984 Toyota 4runner
2016 Rpod HRE 179

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2023 at 4:04am

One thing you need to know is the weight of your 179 when it is fully loaded as though you are going on a trip. At that point go to your local county garage and have it weighed, they will do it for free. Example: our fully loaded 177 with 36 gallons of water weighed in at 2940 lbs. You need 11% or more of that weight on the tongue to reduce/eliminate trailer sway. In our case 2940 x .11 = 323.4 lbs. I carry a Shurline weight scale with me. On our a-frame there are 2 batteries and 2 20# propane tanks - weighed the tongue and it was 340 lbs. so I am good to go. On our setup as fresh water is used the tongue weight will increase because the FW tank is behind the axle. We only utilize a $40 Curt friction bar and have had zero issues with sway over all sorts of weather conditions (snow, sleet, hail, rain and cross winds in excess of 25 mph) over 45,000 miles. Over the years we towed 8 years with an '08 and '13 Explorer and the last 4 years with a couple different F-150's.

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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."