Happy New Podders!!
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=4026
Printed Date: 24 May 2025 at 8:26am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Happy New Podders!!
Posted By: 2 P's N R Pod
Subject: Happy New Podders!!
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 3:05pm
My husband and I pick up our new R-Pod in one week!!
We are super excited! I have been reading a gazillion posts on the forum and have already learned SO MUCH! Yay! I am wondering if you guys can give me some suggestions as to some things that we might need to purchase prior to picking up the Pod for our first night of camping?? We are receiving a starter kit from the dealer with hoses etc., but are wondering what else we will need. I have already purchased a 50' rv power cord and a couple bottles of wine...what am I missing? |
Replies:
Posted By: BigEyeDuck
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 4:45pm
|
more wine?? ------------- 2005 Nissan Frontier Nismo Crew Cab 2005 Fleetwood Utah CP In the marklet for a new 178 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 6:17pm
|
Cheese (I am from Wisconsin). ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 6:34pm
|
After the "more wine" I'd suggest a good holding tank discharge hose. If your starter kit is anything like ours was, the hose included is pretty worthless. Oh yes, Welcome!
------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: danthoman
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 6:48pm
|
Welcome to the forum and podding. There are all kind of things you'll want to buy. An electric heater if you're expecting it to be cold. We've had our pod a year and every time I try the gas heater it stinks.
You'll also need a nice 18 year old single malt to celebrate your first night out. ------------- Linda and Dan Calley the golden retriever R-pod 177 and a Tundra 8 cyl |
Posted By: Hylandspirit
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 7:30pm
|
We picked our new R-Pod up a week ago. The first thing we bought was a new sewer hose. The kit one may have lasted a few uses, but didn't want to mess with it. Next, we bought a hanging organizer for by the door and a few hooks. We've been traveling (and living) in this for 8 days now. I still feel like I have to give it some more time before I go out and buy more stuff. Did I mention that I can pack very light? I did the same as you and have read this forum extensively. So much great information on here. ------------- Roxanne and Rick Bella, Cuban dingo dog RR-Pod 178 2006 Avalanche |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 8:28pm
Which model are you bringing home? ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: 2 P's N R Pod
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 9:42pm
|
Oh yeah...how could I have forgotten the CHEESE!! And I am sure my husband would love the 18 year old single malt! Ha!
We purchased the 178. I have been looking at the Rhino sewer hose...what length do you guys suggest?? I purchased the longer power cord because I have noticed that several campsites say that you would need a 50 foot power cord. Does that mean that we would need a longer water hose as well? I don't know what length we are getting with the Pod. |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 9:58pm
|
I've carried and NEEDED up to 75ft+ at some weird campgrounds before. I typically carry 75' of water hose. You will love the 178, congrats. I do believe the 178 will within another year will probably easily be the most popular model out there! And I think we carry the 15' Rhino....I've never needed more than that. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: 2 P's N R Pod
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 10:08pm
|
Wow! Glad I asked! I will definitely look at another water hose then.
We are very excited to pick it up! We had been looking at other "brands" of small campers but when we saw the R-Pod we knew it was THE ONE! Looking forward to all of the places we will discover and all of the fellow Podders we will meet along the way! Thanks for your help! 
------------- John&Leslie R-Pod 178 GMC Sierra |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 10:44pm
|
Welcome. I only carry 50 ft total of electric cord (25 original cord plus 25 ft 30 amp extension cord), and 15 ft of water hose, BUT these are things you can never have too much of. I've read of Canadian parks where the electric is a minimum of 75 feet away.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|
Posted By: 2 P's N R Pod
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2013 at 10:58pm
|
Thanks Doug!!
------------- John&Leslie R-Pod 178 GMC Sierra |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2013 at 9:48am
|
I am sure that your dealer told you also that you should use hose intended for potable water only. Some regular garden hose has chemicals that can get into water sitting in the hose that are not good for you. Normally the white hose is for potable water, green for garden. I have both along, one for water supply, one for washing the pod or flushing the blackwater tank. I can't bring myself to flush the blackwater tank with the potable water hose. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: 2 P's N R Pod
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2013 at 12:13pm
|
Oh YES, I am aware that we only use white hose for drinking/portable water. We are pretty new to this camper world so I have been reading as many posts and learning as much as I can! This forum is "The Bomb Diggity"!!
Thanks So Much for your help! ------------- John&Leslie R-Pod 178 GMC Sierra |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2013 at 7:56pm
|
Thats us: Bomb Diggity.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2013 at 9:24pm
|
Wurd.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2013 at 10:00pm
|
2 P's look on your black water dump hose storage tube and you will see a .com address, I called them and they sent me a longer dump tube for less than 40 bucks, I then got the 15 foot rhino hose from camping world and mounted it. I carry 50 ft of water hose (25 came with my set up kit) 3M command hooks to hang dish towels, a little hanging hand mirror to hand on organizer on outside of the bathroom door. 2 or three small LED flashlights to hang in the pocket organizers and last but NOT LEAST WINE CORK REMOVER. also a 1500 watt electric heater will heat the pod even on a frosty morning, get one with a thermostat and you wont even hear it cycle, but if you run the furnace you will be woke up every time the purge blower comes on. plastic bins with lids for towels, washcloths. Donna and I have all the basic things and leave them in the pod. deodorant, tooth brush/paste/soap. first aid kit. emergency undies and socks. when we get ready to go its food and clothes for the trip all the little, sugar, tea, coffee, popcorn are in the pod and ready. have a blast and get ready to "give tours" ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2013 at 7:43am
|
Congrats and Welcome! Along with a longer water hose and 30-amp electrical, you may want to consider bringing a regular extension cord or two. Longer sewer hose is a must if you are going to be camping with full hookups, but since we don't we haven't had any problems with using the small one that came with the Pod at the dumping stations. As mentioned a small electric heater, with built-in thermostat, is vastly superior to the furnace in the Pod relative to the noise factor. The only other things I would recommend upfront is to get a 9x12 outdoor rug for the patio, and a notebook or journal to keep track of your adventures, needs and wish-list items as you run across them while out camping. ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2013 at 11:14am
|
Look around for the drill adapter to raise and lower the stabilizer jacks. The camping store by us had them for $7. We purchased a surge protector for the rpod. Camping World had it for $69. We also bought the BAL leveler from Camping World. Easy to use and much easier to level than guessing at blocks.
I bought a padlock for the hitch connectipn to the truck, but a pin would also work. Read the checklist posts and make sure you understand the hot water heater function. Burning out the heating element would suck. The fridge takes a while to cool, so be prepared to pre cool it. I believe its 12 hours on electric hook up, 24 for battery and propane. Have fun!! |
Posted By: retiredtraveler
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 9:56am
|
The general opinion of those of us who have camped for some time is that you need to take your pod out for a couple of trips before purchasing anything. Everyone has different needs depending on how you camp. For instance, we generally camp for weeks at a time, in national parks, without hookups. And when we do have hookups, it is electric only (had water only a couple of times in 8 years). You do need, as suggested already, a notebook to take notes on questions you have, problems, 'wish list', and address those after camping. I would agree with another posting about having some type of carpet outside the pod. It's amazing how much dirt is collected on that, and doesn't come indoors. Additionally, we like a small piece of carpeting at doorway which can be an inexpensive piece of indoor/outdoor stuff you purchase by the foot at a big box store. Also agree with BAL leveler. It's fairly expensive, large, and heavy, but it's the easiest way to level a camper that I know of. If you use hookups, you'll want water pressure regulator and electrical adapter. Anyway, don't be too quick to buy other stuff before you've camped a bit. Storage is usually an issue and there are different ways to approach that. |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 10:33am
|
What is a good water pressure regulator brand? I found the Valterra on Camping World. Has anyone used something different? Along with that, do any of you have water purrifiers? If so, what kind? I know it's not necessary, but you never know what they're putting in the water out there!! Lol ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 10:57am
|
Welcome. There are all prices for water purifiers. Rather than a long explanation, I will cut to the chase. We have an Everpure which is hooked up internally at the kitchen sink cold water tap. Has the best stats for filtering, Guardia, taste, other biologics, etc. A little expensive about $135. at Amazon. Replacement cartridges are about $35 at Camping World. Change it at end of each camping season. Finally, again, check the stats and you will not find a better water filter. BTW also consider replacing the mattress. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 11:06am
|
I would love to have a mattress, but we have the dinette that converts. We're looking for a topper though!
Will definitely look at the purifier. Thanks!!! ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 11:18am
|
Camper Bob-do you know the model number? ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 11:39am
Lots of different brands & prices, and lots of different thoughts amongst Podders regarding these questions. We bought a brass pressure regulator from WallyWorld for $15 that we connect to the water supply faucet, and use a basic Camco in-line filter for $25 that hooks up between the hose and the Pod. Both are simple and effective. Are they the absolute best ones available ... most likely not. However, based on how much we use the Pod, and how much water we use in the process for drinking vs washing/toilet/etc, they work just fine for us.
------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 11:45am
|
I am sure just about any water filter will work if it has clean water to filter. The concern is the occasional really "bad" water at a questionable campground. As I have mentioned before, funny tummy while camping aint no fun. You just spent a lot of money on your trailer and want to have as much enjoyment as you can while camping. For the occasional "bad" water situation the Everpure EV9252-67 H54 is as good as it gets. Again, check the stats on what it will filter versus the other types. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 12:09pm
|
Thanks guys! ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 7:21pm
|
We carry bottled water for drinking and cooking. Campground water is for washing and flushing. And I use a brass pressure regulator. $15, unknown brand. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 10:01pm
|
We do the same for water, although we don't use a pressure regulator. I tried one and with the built-in flow regulator in the shower head I ended up with a trickle. Haven't used the exterior regulator since. I haven't ever encountered a problem with campground water pressure where one would be needed. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2013 at 5:18am
Honestly I haven't either. My first year with the Pod I drank the Koolaid and thought that every campground had high water pressure and bad power. Now with a bunch of campgrounds behind us I spent money I didn't need to. Now I try things before accepting the advice of the internet experts. Then I know what works for me. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2013 at 8:07am
|
For me, letting the horse out of the barn before closing the door, doesn't work. I have even purchased insurance before having a claim. Crazy me!! We have purchased and use an adjustable pressure regulator with guage. Lets me see and adjust water pressure entering the Pod. Have noted one location with pressure over 80 psi. Certainly could be a problem with the plastic internal piping of the Pod. Adjusted the pressure with the regulator and all was well. Seems to me, waiting for a disaster before reacting is not something that I'm comfortable with. I also have a surge protector that has indicator lights that show if the power is correctly connected from the campground. Have found a couple of instances where the ground was not properly connected and moved to another site. Don't know if I could have been electrocuted, but didn't want to find out and then have any survivors then react and buy a surge protector. I certainly don't consider myself an expert on anything, but will continue to share my experiences and let others make up their own minds. Isn't that what this forum is all about? Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2013 at 8:29am
|
I always figure on spending at least 10% of the purchase price towards things I buy. In this case, I'm sooooo far under that to buy these things, I'm ok. I hate reacting since it usually means I'm payung to fix the damage and then buying the preventative items. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: retiredtraveler
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2013 at 9:10am
|
We purchased an inexpensive, plastic regulator at Walmart. Don't know the brand (it's stored in the pup). They simply restrict water flow so there is not much to them and you don't need anything expensive. |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2013 at 11:14am
|
Even the brass regulators (not flow restrictors) are so inexpensive that they are expendable. Since they attach between the campground's hose bib and your hose, many campers unhook their hose and forget to remove the regulator. It is very easy to forget, I know from personal experience. I now attach the regulator to the hose very tightly, where it stays when we break camp. This way you have to remove the regulator with the hose. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: phil & sue & daisy
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2013 at 1:24pm
| 2 wine glasses! |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2013 at 3:30pm
|
The plastic plumbing in a Pod is Pex and rated to handle lots more than 80 PSI. Go ahead and spend your money on what makes you happy.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2013 at 5:29pm
|
Didn't realise we needed your permission. Seems like you need an attitude adjustment. Possibly low T at your age. Might want to see your Doc about that. We are all entitled to our opinions, even you. Might want to get off your high horse and be more constructive rather than continuing with your need of an attitude adjustment. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2013 at 11:49pm
|
Folks please lets keep it civil here for everyone to enjoy the Forum.
|
Posted By: Rebecca Dees
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2016 at 1:29pm
| Reading about the hose issue, has anyone seen, heard or used the Sewer Solution system? I saw it on YouTube and I'm thinking about getting it to use if I'm able to use our clean out trap at home. Of course it can be used anywhere. Would love some feedback on this. Thanks. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2016 at 9:40am
|
The R-Pod has a built-in black water tank flush fitting. With that, the standard 3" hose works well. I don't see the need to pay a premium price for the Sewer Solution, which takes over twice the time to empty the tank and still requires tank flushing to be effective in cleaning it out.
------------- 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: Rebecca Dees
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2016 at 10:06am
| Stephen H... Thanks.. learning more about this and it's appreciated! |