I retired about a year ago and we immediately purchased our
R Pod 173. My wife is an avid
photographer and we love to travel. We love our R Pod and have used it on
several long distance trips. We have been out as long as 6 weeks. Our next trip(leaving in 2 weeks) will be a 2
½ month roundtrip voyage from North Carolina
to Colorado, Utah,
Arizona , New Mexico
and California.
I am an avid woodworker and general tinkerer, so the R Pod
offers a great place for me to modify.
Over the past 2 years, I have read this forum (and many others) and
gotten a huge amount of information and knowledge-thanks for all of the ideas
and inspiration.
Here are some of our major modifications:
3” PVC tube with end caps-strapped to the A Frame behind the
battery boxes. Holds all of the R Dome
poles
5” PVC Fence post with ends bolted to the frame –holds all
of the sewer hoses and fittings. The
clear box next to it holds the Hydroflush.
I installed 3 12 volt computer fans in the refrigerator
vent/exhaust area. The one at the bottom blows up, the middle one(not visible)
blows up under the cooling fins, and the top one blows out. They are connected to a lighted switch inside
on the microwave/refrigerator cabinet. I
also installed 2 wooded baffles(not visible)-one at the bottom and one at the
top.
I added another set of brake/tail lights to the rear. We use a rear bike rack and I thought the
lights were marginally obstructed/visible.
I ordered the same units as originals.
This is a folding countertop extension on the right side of
the stove/sink cabinet
This is a removable countertop extension for the left side
of the stove/sink cabinet. It attaches
to the cabinet on the left side with a simple screen door hook. On the right, it has a folding leg that rests
on the seat of the futon.
This is an electric fan. It blows toward the dinette/bed
area when needed.
This is a folding desk top that is mounted to the side of
the refrigerator/microwave cabinet.
There is a lso a GFI outlet strip above for computers, phones and an LED
clamp-on desk lamp.
I added an end and cargo netting to the area above the
microwave. This gave us secure storage.
The red switch at the top operates the fans in the refrigerator venting bay.
Added a second shelf and cargo netting to the cabinet above
the sink.
I added a 750 watt inverter(red box) and attached a black
outlet strip for use when boondocking. I
also added an additional 12 volt outlet and a 110 multi-outlet . All of the water pipes have been wrapped in
foam to suppress noise. I also mounted
the water pump on a 1” foam base for noise suppression. I also relocated the table locator pin to the
opposite side to avoid any more shin cuts and bruises.
I hope this helps or inspires other owners to personalize their Pods.
I will keep making more changes thanks to the constant input and ideas from our fellow podders and RV'ers. I enjoy doing it.
Vann
Here is a list of all of the mods so far:
R Pod Modifications Completed
5”x5” PVC Fence post for sewer pipe holder
3” PVC pipe for R Dome poles
Installed 750 watt inverter, tied directly to battery and
battery disconnect switch
Install surge protected outlet strip –connected to inverter
Installed 12V outlet at dinette
Installed 12V junction box with 10Amp fuse in mechanical bay
Relocated spare tire to trailer tongue
Added 2 stabilizing jacks to front
Fabricated butcher block top for cooktop
Fabricated side mount for butcher block
Fabricated left side counter top extension
Fabricated right side counter top extension
Install 5 Command hooks in bath
Relocated 110V electrical outlet from front of sink to right
side of cabinet
Fabricated and installed paper towel holder
Added 2nd battery and cut-off switch
Fabricated toilet paper holder
Fabricate heavy duty 110 v extension cord
Isolate water pump on foam bed
Install foam insulation on water pipes
Swivel aerator for sink
Add bungee to secure tv screen
Add bungee to secure table legs when folded
Fabricate jack pads and tire blocks
Fabricate storage box for jack pads and tire blocks
Change cable connector to 90 degrees
Change tv plug to 90 degrees
Strengthen rear receiver for bike rack-welded gussets
Remove partition in lower cabinet and install continuous
floor
Install new drawer glide brackets
Add screen wire to refrigerator vents
Modify jack for R Pod
Line shelves and drawers w/ non-slip rubber
Install interior bubble level
repaired R Dome and screen tracks-spray with silicone
Bungee cord retainer under futon
Install key hook in upper cabinet
Fabricate drawer dividers
Install surge strip for charging area
Fabricate divider for dinette bench storage area
Fabricate cabinet sidewall, dividers and elastic netting
over the microwave
Install indoor/outdoor thermometer
Install clothes rod in bath room
Install plexiglass backsplash at stove/sink cabinet
Add net for shelf over the sink
Fabricate 2 prop rods for dinette storage area
Install 2 additional tail lights
Install red and amber side marker lights on each fender
Install reflector bar on rear
Removed false wall behind futon-moved futon 6’ back for more
usable room
Removed front panel of futon for storage access
Installed metal braces on futon base
Fabricated wooden boxes behind futon for wiring covers
Install vinyl floor over hardboard subfloor under futon
Converted ceiling lights to LEDs
Modify screen door to include exterior handle
Installed accessory light at front door
Install new Maxxii tires
215/75R14
Add shelf to cabinet over sink
Add 3 12 volt computer fans and baffle to refrigerator
vent/exhaust
Add battery powered fan in refrigerator
Built fold down desk attached to refrigerator/microwave
cabinet
Add electric fan for dinette/bed area
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