Canine Escape Artists
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: General Camping
Forum Name: Camping with pets
Forum Discription: Got a dog, cat or other pet you would not leave home without...
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2948
Printed Date: 27 Apr 2024 at 5:06pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Canine Escape Artists
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Subject: Canine Escape Artists
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2012 at 7:07pm
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The "closing arguments" for purchasing the R-Pod were: 1. Indoor bath room (such as it is, it's fine...) 2. Air conditioning (It'll drive you out!), and, most importantly, 3. We can bring the dogs! (and they can roam around the R-Dome...) Reference Item 3. Once the 'Dome was constructed with the screen skirt in place, Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels were introduced to it. They immediately began "testing the perimeter", (a "Jurassic Park" reference, for those of you who enjoyed that particular flick). Baxter escaped almost immediately, but Jennifer was not far behind. Both were apprehended before they got very far. I realized that unless I wanted to be the Warden every outing we needed to secure the skirts of the 'Dome to a better extent. I have ordered a grommet tool set, and intend to install them at sufficient intervals to thwart the escapees. FR includes a vast number of tent stakes in the 'Dome ditty bag, and I have about as many left from my tent camping days. I think I can pull this off, but I'll get back to you...... ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Replies:
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2012 at 7:40pm
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my male dog can open zippers. His Kennel has a zipper closure and he lets himself out all the time. I don't think I would trust the rdome to keep him in. Isn't it amazing what salespeople will say to close the deal. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2012 at 7:54pm
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Well, I guess so..... But in this case the closing arguments were from my wife, who totally amazed me by falling in love with the R-Pod and the concept of RV-ing. Dogs, left to themselves and unsupervised, are capable of rational thought, problem solving, and sundry mayhem- I realize that, and we never intend to leave them in the 'Dome alone. I just intend to make it difficult enough for them that I can get a sip or two of beer in before I have to count noses. Is NB New Brunswick? My grand parents were from Nova Scotia. I spent many a summer visit bored out of my mind as a youth, but would love to visit again now. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2012 at 9:08pm
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Yes we are in Fredericton New Brunswick. My wife is from here but I came From Peterborough Ontario. A ciity 80 miles from Toronto. I cannot imagine growing up here although I love living here now. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posted By: g4royce
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2012 at 7:37am
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We were thinking of using a few doggie-playpens strung together with the gate part at the door of the r-dome. However those things are $$ especially when u need 3 to fit all around the interior perimeter of the r-dome. Might use chicken wire instead and roll it up for transit.
------------- ChaiPod 2009 RP152 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5L V6 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2012 at 8:33am
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Check thrift stores in your area. Those frequently come in to thrift stores and sell for very little.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2012 at 8:00am
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The grommet tool set arrived from Amazon, and step 1 was to install a grommet about every 18" along the bottom of the screen skirt. It has a hem folded over and stitched, but I still reinforced each grommet site with a piece of duct tape folded over so it provided a front and back "sandwich" around the skirt hem. Since the R-Dome itself had been cleaned, dried, re-folded and stashed in its carry bag, (What A Chore!!....but that's another post....), I will await our next outing to do likewise to the rain flaps. To be continued.... ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 8:56am
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I haven't grommeted the rain flaps yet, but I have found a set of pegs that I think will work well once I get to it, (next Tuesday is our scheduled overnighter). http://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-10-Galvanized-Steel-Tent-Peg-Stakes-10-Inch-T-Top-/180768333429?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a16a1de75 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-10-Galvanized-Steel-Tent-Peg-Stakes-10-Inch-T-Top-/180768333429?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a16a1de75 Note that the steel peg goes through the plastic cap so you are not pounding on a breakable part. The little "return" on the cap may get snipped off so that the peg is basically a "t-top" that will ride on the grommet and not stress the flap material. Getting closer, I hope.... ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: Bill Ky
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 1:39pm
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On the subject of pet pens, on a recent visit to Lowe's I seen wire panels like those used on the pens for about $5 each.
------------- Bill & Marilyn, Tinker Belle (Yorkie), Sparkle (Mini Dachshund) & Tootsie (the turtle) '12 RP175 '07 Dodge Ram 1500 |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 2:11pm
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I don't think I have the space to devote to storing the wire pen panels, but others on this forum agree with you, and have posted a picture of their dogs, (and a rabbit, if I recall), being restrained by wire panels. It will work for sure. The only real investment I will have in my "experiment" is the time and effort to install the grommets. All the pieces/parts are quite cheap, and time wise, I think it's a wash- erecting panels vs. pounding a bunch of tent pegs. If I am successful, and if I can figure out how to post pictures, (two very big "if's"), you will all be next to know! ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: margobun
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 2:24pm
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Yes, that was me who posted a photo of our ex-pen set up for our dogs and rabbit. Since our dogs are small, we got the 18" high ex-pens (see them here at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/PetEdge-Steel-Exercise-18-Inch-X-Small/dp/B004WP8MPE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349288144&sr=8-2&keywords=18+exercise+pen - http://www.amazon.com/PetEdge-Steel-Exercise-18-Inch-X-Small/dp/B004WP8MPE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349288144&sr=8-2&keywords=18%22+exercise+pen ). We got 3 of them, so at $39.99 apiece, it wasn't exactly cheap. But it was so worth it. Now we have an easy to put together yard that takes just 2 minutes to set up, and allows the animals to have a huge space to play in at each camp site. We put our camp chairs right inside so we all hang out together. We keep the door to the pod open so they can go in and out as they like, and so can we. Here's a photo taken this summer in Utah of our set up.
By the way, we also just ordered an r-dome from ebay. Someone on this forum had suggested that as a place to buy them for cheaper and they were right! Our dealer was asking $800 for one, but we got ours for $199 on ebay. The smaller ones were $160. When we get it, we're not sure if we're going to set the pen up around the outside of the dome or the inside of the dome, but we're very excited to try it out!
 ------------- Margo and Tom and dogs |
Posted By: Paige
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 9:02pm
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We also have a wire kennel that we bring with us camping. Our dogs are short so the short kennel works fine for us. It folds up nicely and we put it in our TV. As for folding up the RDome, I have very little patience. We have a large tarp like bag from IKEA that we use for the RDome. We do fold up the dome but then we just stuff it in the bag. It fits nicely in the L part of the basement in our 177. ------------- Paige and Pete 2010 177 - RPug 2012 Rav (six cylinder) New York & Florida residents 
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Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2012 at 9:49am
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Wow! I'm starting to get a swelled head! I'm pretty sure it was one of my posts that gave the eBay link to the Dometic Screen Room, (aka, R-Dome), and I think I turned Paige onto SoftScrub If I have helped, I am happy, since so many others have been extremely helpful to this newbie. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: Paige
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2012 at 10:12am
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Yes, it was me with the Soft Scrub! I am super delighted that it worked! ------------- Paige and Pete 2010 177 - RPug 2012 Rav (six cylinder) New York & Florida residents
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Posted By: margobun
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2012 at 10:58am
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Thanks Bob and Joyce! I can't believe what an amazing deal those ebay rdomes are! ------------- Margo and Tom and dogs |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2012 at 11:04am
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I've got that vendor bookmarked for when ours wears out! ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2012 at 4:21pm
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The grommet mod to the screen skirt was successful. I bailed on the mod to the rain flaps because it was a beautiful day, and we all had better things to do.... Then Jennifer slipped the 'Dome, (captured), and a raccoon slipped in overnight, (at least no damage) so I was roundly defeated. I shall return.... ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2012 at 9:20am
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Last outing was an R-Dome total success! I'm unsure if my continuing efforts to escape-proof the 'Dome are the reason, or if the Campin' Cocker Spaniels have just decided that life in the 'Dome trumps "nature". (So far, no puppy treats found in "nature"!) The additional security points are: 1. The built-in tie-down loops of the R-Dome which, when staked through the screen panel grommets, secure the previous primary escape route. 2. The suction cups that add at least the appearance of seamless security at the interface point with the R-Pod. 3. The use of a relatively inexpensive plastic tarp as a ground cloth, through which we can pound down tent pegs as necessary. The set-up time has been minimally effected- we're still ready to go within a half hour or so. Off to another Florida State Park adventure in a couple of weeks. I'll review Gamble Rogers State Recreation Ares upon our return. Safe travels.... ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: margobun
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2012 at 3:25pm
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Hi everyone, We finally took our new eBay dome out for a spin and after a few trial and errors, we finally got it up! We did find one problem with it and wonder if anyone had this same problem. Right off the bat, when we began to run the beading or rope through the awning track, we found that it was way too small for the track and just fell out. Luckily the hubby got out a pair of channel locks (because who doesn't have those hanging around? Although he said to say that vice grips would have been easier) and crimped the awning track down so it would fit. That was our biggest problem. Has anyone else experienced that? Now it's 1:30 and its time for a drink! Margo ------------- Margo and Tom and dogs |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2012 at 4:32pm
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Even when the R-Dome goes up without a hitch, when it's done, it's time for a drink! There are two size tracks. Supposedly when the 'Dome is supplied as a factory option, the bead matches the track. As an aftermarket purchase...... Well, you know. Not good, but I guess it's possible to have a narrow track and a larger bead- that might be a real challenge. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2012 at 5:55pm
 ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: margobun
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2012 at 6:01pm
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Wow! ------------- Margo and Tom and dogs |
Posted By: margobun
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2012 at 6:04pm
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You're right, it could have been a lot worse! I tried to post a photo of Tom up there heroically crimping down the tracks but the pic was too big and I can't change it on my ipad. In any case, the job is done and we and the critters are pleased as punch and a little bit drunk now! ------------- Margo and Tom and dogs |
Posted By: 1tulip
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2015 at 11:24pm
| I'm just trying to visualize what kind of minced meat my 3 labs could make out of an R-dome. If that were not enough, we can sometimes get bodacious wind gusts up here. (Saw a 40 degree drop in 2 hours when a front came through and tornadic activity picked up a tent and deposited it on the top of a motel.) Oh, well... |
Posted By: Ron
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2016 at 5:04pm
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Concerning the screen skirt, a dome tent pole (18) feet will do the trick. The added weight will keep the screen very close to the the ground. Seems like FR would have included an extra pole in the bag. The grommet idea also sounds good. ------------- Ron rowland |
Posted By: Leaton
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2016 at 5:49am
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I realize this is an old post but....Did the grommet's work? I have two cocker spaniels and your entire post describes my experience. Had thought of grommet's , but interested if this was successful. Thanks
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