1st Pod'r trip
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=2856
Printed Date: 14 May 2025 at 9:04am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 1st Pod'r trip
Posted By: Robert and Sonya
Subject: 1st Pod'r trip
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2012 at 9:45am
After weeks of Pod'r sitting in the driveway and being beautified with various mod's it is time for the first outing. We leave tomorrow for a 2 week, 1000 mile trip. Can't wait! This site has been so helpful, we love it here. Will post pics when we return. 
------------- 2012 175 2004 Ford F250 |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2012 at 10:42am
|
Wow, that is a big break-in trip! ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|
Posted By: Robert and Sonya
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2012 at 1:16pm
|
We are headed to the Davis Mountains, deep in west Texas. We were married there and it is one of our favorite places. It is almost 500 miles from our house but worth the trip to us. High desert mountains, home of the McDonald Observatory and Ft. Davis National Historical site. A long drive, but when you live in Texas you get use to it. Where else can you drive all day and still be in the state? Can't wait!  ------------- 2012 175 2004 Ford F250 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2012 at 1:26pm
|
Deeep in the heaaaaart of Tex-as! <clap clap clap clap> ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Jen&Juice
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2012 at 10:25am
|
Good luck, and definitely post pics! We've never been to Ft. Davis, but it's on the list. 400 miles from San Antonio, but maybe we'll be inspired by ya'll to Pod it that far!
------------- Jen and Juice '10 RP-171 ..."Howdy Pod'Ner" '11 Nissan Frontier, SL Tejas, the furry companion |
Posted By: The McLane's
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2012 at 10:53am
|
Oh have fun.
I'm so jealous ours is still sitting in the driveway.....waiting. ------------- Pudderpod 2010 175 2007 Pacifica 4L |
Posted By: Robert and Sonya
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 2:44pm
|
We are back from our trip and had a great time. Encountered a few problems and will be taking Podder to the dealer for a little work. Our first issue was a rookie mistake - we tried to take entirely too much stuff with us. We use to have a 5th wheel and are still learning how to downsize. - AC: Would never cool the trailer more than 76 degrees. The compressor and fan would run and then turn off but the fan would immediately start up again. VERY noisy, but I expected that after reading the forum. Fortunately the nights were in the 60's so we were able to sleep with the vent fan and an open window. - Small water leak under the kitchen sink. Luckily I keep a dish pan under the sink drain so no damage was done. - Kitchen drawer slider broke and the drawer had to travel on the floor. It appears the slider assembly is made of plastic. We may repair this ourselves and replace with a better material. -  The worst was on the way home the driver side tire shredded and took out the fender cover, city water connection cover, furnace cover and tore out the electric brakes. This was our first trip and the tires were supposedly new. We purchased a new set of tires the next morning as we did not have confidence in the remaining original tire. This was enough for Robert to say we were going to sell Podder once repairs are made. He has now calmed down and is willing to give her another try. It's disappointing to have so many issues with a new trailer. We pulled a 26 foot fifth wheel for 12 years and never had a problem. Guess we were spoiled. One good thing about the pod is the low cost of pulling her. We sold the 5th wheel because the cost of fuel to pull her down the road stopped us from taking her out very often. Fuel costs were less than 1/2 what they use to be. Waiting to hear back from the insurance company and make arrangement for repairs. Other than these issues we had a wonderful time. Will post pictures from the trip later. ------------- 2012 175 2004 Ford F250 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 5:43pm
|
Sorry to hear you had so many problems. The A/C is definitely a warranty issue, as well as the water leak (many of us have found loose connections on the drain pipes) and the drawer. You may even get your dealer to contact FR to see if they'll cover the cost of your new tires and the exterior repairs under warranty - certainly new tires should never shred. You may not have much leverage if you don't have the shredded tire anymore.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Robert and Sonya
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2012 at 12:20am
 I use to work as an insurance adjuster so I knew to take pictures and keep both tires. I am hoping Forest River will help us out. We have insurance, but it would be nice if they would step up and take care of the deductible. Still need to crawl under the Pod to see if there was any damage to the undercarriage. ------------- 2012 175 2004 Ford F250 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2012 at 11:46am
|
Did you inflate the trailer tire to the max pressure shown on the sidewall? You need to check that and the lug nut torque before each trip. Over time the torque will stabilize but the tire pressure is critical each time. Partly to combat sway, partly so they dont disintegrate. Your TVs tire pressure should also be near max for towing, not what the door sill sticker says. I recommend a few PSIs below max for ride comfort.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2012 at 12:02pm
|
So sorry to hear and see your bad luck on the first time out. I always wonder as to how fast you were traveling, more speed, more heat the tire generates and then add on the weight things can go wrong pretty fast. It hurts and makes you mad but the trailer can be repaired, at least things did not get real ugly and you did not get hurt. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
|
Posted By: Robert and Sonya
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2012 at 5:05pm
|
As a matter habit we checked the pressure at the beginning of the day and each time we stopped. Made sure it was at the psi recomended. We do not like traveling on the interstates, mainily due to the speed of the 18 wheelers. Usually stick to the smaller highways - they may not be as fast but they are prettier. Rarely drive over 65. Robert was driving when the blowout happened (thank goodness) and says he was going around 60. Most of our extraneous items were in the truck bed so I don't think weight was a factor. Since the fender cover was ripped off and tire parts were flying I am grateful there was no one traveling near us or someone might have been hurt. Very grateful we were not hurt and there was no more damage than there was. Will update you on our repair saga. Note to everyone: Always make sure you have a good jack stand and zip ties. We had to use zip ties to secure the loose ends of the electric brake wiring so it didn't get tangled in the axle. We also carry 2 reflective triangles in the TV. Those came in handy to notify other vehicles we were on the side of the road. We were just beyond a hill but the triangles gave all of the drivers plenty of notice and they all moved to the other lane because wouldn't you know it - the blow out was on the drivers side! ------------- 2012 175 2004 Ford F250 |