Just bought a 2012 177 Hood River
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Topic: Just bought a 2012 177 Hood River
Posted By: Thinkcooper
Subject: Just bought a 2012 177 Hood River
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2014 at 1:11pm
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Thanks for all the useful info here - it sure made the purchase inspection a lot easier. The 177 we bought is used, but in almost new condition, and it's great to have saved thousands over a new version. Our plans include lots of mountain bike trips to Utah and the Sierras and central California coastal camping. The wheel/tires and stance of the r-pod with the Hood River set-up looks pretty tough. Cheers, Cooper |
Replies:
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2014 at 5:09pm
Welcome to the forum. Good info here. The tires and stance I am told are "bad a$$. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2014 at 5:14pm
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Welcome to the group! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2014 at 5:49pm
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Welcome to the group ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: Thinkcooper
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2014 at 6:28pm
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Thanks for the welcome. We get the trailer on Tuesday. In prep, I purchased one of the Camping World Eurotop mattresses on sale (used = ick), and ordered a trailer dolly to move the r-pod around in the driveway. I need to install the air lift over load springs in our 2000 Toyota 4runner 4x4 tow vehicle, along with an e-brake controller and brake plug set-up before towing. Next up will be an e2 600 weight distribution hitch and fabricating a steel bracket for two Yakima bike trays and mounts over the dual batteries. I'm also converting my current eu2000 generator to run off propane, so adding a second tank and a hose fitting for the gennie will soon follow. Looking forward to some adventures! |
Posted By: Thinkcooper
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2014 at 6:30pm
I concur. Like Shaft.  |
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2014 at 1:49am
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Welcome! Used does equal saving with CA prices. Let us know how the mattress works out. Thinking about upgrading to more than just a memory foam topper, and your choice seems the most reasonable one available. And the E2 hitch will make you feel like your pulling a toy - works well. ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: Thinkcooper
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2014 at 10:28am
Will do on the mattress. According to Camping World's online sales person, it was supposed to drop ship out of a California warehouse to arrive here by tomorrow, for a short trip on Saturday up to Sacramento, but it actually is heading our way via Nashville, and not arriving until Monday. So we'll sleep a night on the original mattress, and then swap out for new. I guess it'll give some good perspective  My E2 won't arrive for another week as well, so we'll get to compare that too. Greetings from Santa Cruz!
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2014 at 11:22am
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Where are you going to be camping in Sacto? EDIT: Oh, and welcome to the pod! ------------- |
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2014 at 3:29pm
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just a local question - your thoughts on new brighton state beach for pod camping? ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2014 at 4:11pm
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Welcome, Cooper, from Cooper! ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: Scoul
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2014 at 10:43pm
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Aloha, I'd say welcome but we're new too. My other half is from Boulder Creek and we live in Marin county. If you get a chance I'd love to know how the e2 works out, thinking of one myself. |
Posted By: Thinkcooper
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2014 at 2:14am
Shhh. New Brighton is a secret. :) It's looking like our Sacto trip is on pause Saturday, and New Brighton will be our launch trip instead. It's only a couple of miles from home so we'll drive over in the afternoon to be sure we can claim a spot on the bluff. It's a gorgeous spot with a fire cliff top spots that overlook the beach.
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Posted By: Thinkcooper
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2014 at 2:15am
Plans were to street camp in the in-laws driveway, but we need to pause for this weekend.
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Posted By: Thinkcooper
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2014 at 2:16am
Thanks Coop! Coop
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Posted By: Thinkcooper
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2014 at 2:19am
I'm ordering the E2 next week. I'll post a report as soon as it's installed and towing. I used to live in Bonny Doon, off Empire Grade, right above Boulder Creek. Boulder Creek is home to one of my favorite bicycle climbs in the world - Jamison Creek! Cheers!
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Posted By: Thinkcooper
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2014 at 12:33pm
Yay - it's arrived and charging the batteries/cooling down the fridge in the driveway! Next step - a deep cleaning, and setting up the brakes on our 4runner TV. Had a glass of vino with Mrs. Thinkcooper and a few friends last night to break it in. |
Posted By: Thinkcooper
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2014 at 3:26pm
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BTW, I bought a 1000 pound capable trailer dolly that allows me to lift the tongue, and then hand shuttle the trailer around. OMG am I glad I got that. I was able to finese the parking spot in the driveway in minutes, just close enough to open the door on one side and expand the slider on the other, yet walk past on both sides. Before leaving for work this AM, just after grabbing this photo, I shifted the trailer closer to the fence. Easy peasy with the heavy duty trailer dolly. |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2014 at 4:25pm
Cooling down the fridge?! Are you kidding? Around here right now that means opening the door! I am sooo over this winter - already. For some crazy reason, we moved back to the NE after 25 years in South Florida. Seemed like a good idea at the time.... BTW, couldn't be happier with my 4Runner! Oh, and congrats! Gotto go put on 43 layers and get some more wood for the wood stove....arghhhhh. -fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2014 at 6:02pm
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It is toasty here today! Up to 16. Shorts and flip flops for us!
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Thinkcooper
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2014 at 6:23pm
I grew up in New England. There are only two reasons I'd ever consider relocating back there. Family and Italian Cold Cut Subs. It's kinda cool here today compared to last week, I don't think we'll see much above 63 today. However we're getting so much pressure about water usage, my wife is pushing back on my wanting to wash the pod. Our 4runner is going to be perfect for the task at hand. It's a 2000 SR5, V6, with the uber-rare 5 speed manual. We've had it since new, and it's got under 100K miles. So it's in great shape. I just did a Tundra front brake conversion, threw in Bilsteins all around, and need to slip in the new Airlift rear air springs. Love this truck. Cheers!
I don't dare gloat over the weather, for fear it'll precipitate the big one out here. We Californians need to be careful on that front. Good luck with the shorts and flippyflops. It'll be summer again soon. Stay warm!  |
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2014 at 1:10am
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I won't give away the secret! Hope your first trip went well. Where did you pick up the dolly? Thought about buying one for driveway parking, as our narrow street made the back up a challenge. Seems like a good investment and would save us monthy storage fees. ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: Thinkcooper
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2014 at 2:12am
We weren't able to get out last weekend, and thios weekend was a no-go as well. Next weekend is the big debut. We spent yesterday trying out the new airbag set-up and towed the pod to a custom upholsterer. We're having custom cushions made, and getting some fabric to re-do all the valances as well. Not a big fan of the stock 80's generic tan pattern. It towed well. The E2 weight distribution hitch arrives tomorrow. Maybe I can squeak in some time to set it up before we head over to New Brighton. The dolly is a Tow Tuff 1000C, sold on Northern Tool, Amazon, Sears, etc. It amkes shuttling the Pod around in our narrow driveway a breeze. It's level, which helps. A pic:  |