Laundry List of needs for 1st purchase
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4462
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Topic: Laundry List of needs for 1st purchase
Posted By: Mscmndv
Subject: Laundry List of needs for 1st purchase
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2014 at 1:29pm
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My wife and I are looking at purchasing our first ever TT this next winter so we are in the planning stages of what do we need to buy, outfit, adjust, etc...to have a successful launch into TT camping. I drive an 05 Nissan Xterra, it does have a class II hitch with 7 pin electrical but no tow package. So as total newbies, in addition to the basic R-pod (thinking the 179) what do we need to think about buying and/or doing? I have done some searches on the forum but didn't find a thread for a composite list of needs/to dos. Thanks!
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Replies:
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2014 at 2:10pm
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You will want to upgrade to a class 3 hitch, make sure you have a transmission cooler if it is an automatic transmission, and get a controller for the trailer brakes. I think you may want to get a distribution hitch as well with a light and short TV like yours.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2014 at 2:13pm
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We really like and use our r-dome! It adds a lot of extra room to pod-camping! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2014 at 2:48pm
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You will need things like a hose to hook up to city water and to fill your water tank. A water pressure regulator is a good idea to add to your list. Some water supplies are too high - the RV park in my wife's home town is a 100 psi, shouldn't be higher than 60. Leveling blocks, for side to side leveling. Used below a tire on the side that needs leveling. Also a carpenters level to determine when you are level. Pads for the stabilizer jacks. That's a good start. I know there are more. . . |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2014 at 3:43pm
You will need time to go camping and patience when things do not go as planned.  ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2014 at 6:32pm
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If you have not done much in the way of camping, make sure you know what kind of camping you are going to want to do and that you will be comfortable doing. If you do not buy a camper that fits your style and needs, you are not going to be happy with it or the experience at all.
Going camping means many different things to many different people ... just know what it means to you and then find a camper to match. ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2014 at 9:56am
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We were there with you last year! This forum has a ton of great advice. It also has a lot of OOPS remarks to keep you from making the same mistakes twice. Make sure you take the time to look through everything.
That being said, definitely follow the prior advice of upgrading to class 3, and a trans cooler. Make sure you can tow the weight. Full load of water and gear is not in the weight specs. A BAL leveler works great and is easiest to use for the price. Flashlights, multi-tool and a folding shovel. The r-dome is awesome, but offers zero protection from the sun! It offers a little shade on its own, but it will become sauna-ish. Still, it's very nice to have and will keep bugs out. There isn't soap dish for the shower. Command Strips has one for like $5. Check the campground amp usage. You may need a 30 amp to 50 amp extension cord. We also bought an external surge protector. Probably upgrading to an internal hardwired evebntually. Battery has to be disconnected when not in use unless you use a trickle charger. We don't so I bought a disconnect switch so I wouldn't have to keep disconnecting the wires. Made the mistake of connecting them wrong and blew fuses! KYMooses posted a video for winterizing the pod. Bookmark it and you'lll be doing it in 15min. Mistakes to avoid!!!! 1. Don't connect the battery wires wrong. 2. When lowering the tongue jack, make sure the truck is not still attached.... 3. Don't forget toilet paper. 4. Drive around for a bit to get used to parking and backing in. 5. If water backs up in the shower, it's time to empty the holding tank. Not just keep showering Outside of that, have a good first aid kit. Don't skimp here. Shouldn't be more that $40. REI backpacker kit is good. The furnace fan is loud so maybe buy an electric heater (portable). Have fun! ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: LePodders
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2014 at 11:38am
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magnetic level chocks jack pads outdoor carpet door rug oxygenics shower head! folding shovel outdoor camping trashcan nice sewer hose hose splitter for camp water faucet ------------- Keenan, Kathryn, Millie, Rio & Cali (2015 r pod 179) Poddy by Nature |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2014 at 12:19pm
Why does the battery have to be disconnected when not in use? Isn't it possible to just connect the Rpod to a home electrical outlet every 30 days or so to charge the battery? |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2014 at 12:30pm
Most people don't or can't hook up at home, many are in storage lots, etc. If you have the option to hook up, then you don't need to disconnect the battery. Actually if you have the ability, just hook it up and leave it. Won't hurt a thing. ------------- |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2014 at 12:37pm
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Congrats. Lots of good advice. A list of items to add are in many cases really personal, to the type of camping you do and your lifestyle. You certainly can get a lot of great advice here. I would only suggest that you take a large yellow pad with you each time you camp. As you find a need for an additional item, jot it down. Eventually, you will have all the "stuff" you need to make camping a personal and delightful experience. Don't over think the needs now. All can be purchased on the road. Good luck and 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: 10 Mar 2014 at 1:11pm
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If you can hook it up, then don't worry. We keep ours at the house, but not connected. It just extends tha battery life. The only down side is I don't know how long it extends the life and the disconnect is like $40. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2014 at 1:22pm
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You can disconnect for free with a 7/16th and 1/2 inch wrench.. Our disconnect was less than $20, but I have never used it except to test it. LOL.
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Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2014 at 1:58pm
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Yeah, but then you can reconnect it wrong and have fun trying to figure out what you did this time!! Lol. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2014 at 4:19pm
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I only disconnect the ground (negative) cable and have always used wingnuts rather than regular nuts. Most cables are color-coded, so even if you should disconnect both, no problem. But, there is no reason to disconnect both.
------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2014 at 6:23pm
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I added a fuse which I use as the disconnect. If you do disconnect the battery make sure to hook the battery back up and plug in the pod overnight once a month and before every trip. Then disconnect the battery and pod again. I always recommend "camp driveway" for a night before hitting the road. Take a look at the link in my signature for this forum's own instruction "manual". ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Mscmndv
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2014 at 8:43pm
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HI All,
Thanks for the great advice. I thought I would compile the list of what has been suggested so far. Some specific things suggested when included or information found from another thread. - Electric Brake Controller: Teknosha Prodigy 3 has been getting good comments from the forum. - Weight Distribution Hitch: Fastway e2, good comments - Hose for water hook-up - Water Pressure Regulator 60 psi - Hose Splitter for camp faucet - Extension Cord (30 amp - 50 amp) - Surge Protector - Some way to level the camper: BAL Leveler or Andersen Hitch 3604 - Magnetic Level - Pads for stabilizer jacks (which I think could be just blocks of wood?) - Wheel chocks - Sewer Hose Upgrade - R-Dome - Rug for in front of door - Camping Trash Can - Soap Dish for shower - Good First Aid Kit - Flashlights, multi-tool, folding shovel - Battery disconnect The suggestion of using a pad of paper to take notes and write down ideas while on the road is a great idea. My wife and I are experienced car tenting campers so still looking for those ideas that wouldn't occur to us from our point of reference. Thanks!! |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 16 Mar 2014 at 9:32am
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Don't forget common sense. I seem to leave it behind every so often... ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 16 Mar 2014 at 11:20am
Make sure you have at least 75ft of electrical cord and 50ft of water hose. After your 2nd year of camping go through all your bins and anything you haven't used, store in your basement.. You'll find lots more storage in your pod...  ------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Posted By: DHuse
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2014 at 12:10am
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I've seen Oxygenics mentioned a few times as a replacement for the original shower head. Is there a specific model number and I assume this increases the shower pressure to more than a drip.
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Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2014 at 9:06am
i think it's called bodyspa RV or something similar to that. just look for the handheld one. folks say they are pretty great. ------------- 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: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2014 at 9:09am
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Bodyspa. About $40 from camping world. Just installed it, but havent used it. Turned it on and I was impressed with the flow!! Much better than the factory one. The shutoff or pause valve is awesome. A little water still comes out, but much easier tgan trying to readjust the water temp every time.
------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2014 at 9:11am
when you do use it i'd love to hear more. usually folks just say it's great or it works. i've always wondered if it ends up making it more of a hard mist spray instead of falling water if that makes sense. a lot of showers in bath houses are "misty" like that and i've never liked 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: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2014 at 9:17am
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Definitely strong, solid water flow. As much as the house, but it was with our hose hooked up vs using the water pump. I would not consider this a misty shower head. Again, haven't stood under, but had my hand under and we both thought "awesome!" ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: DHuse
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2014 at 10:24pm
| Ordered one today. Should be delivered Sunday. Amazon.com $43. And yes, Amazon.com delivers on Sundays. I'll post results. |
Posted By: LePodders
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2014 at 10:56pm
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No doubt..you will be impressed ------------- Keenan, Kathryn, Millie, Rio & Cali (2015 r pod 179) Poddy by Nature |
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2014 at 11:41pm
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Depending on where you plan to store you pod, you might even bring home the battery and keep it on a battery tender. We had issues with our first battery. Don't just leave it, even disconnected, with the pod and ignore it for three weeks...it needs love...
------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2014 at 9:29am
+1!! This is a great point to remember, and unless I plan on taking the Pod back out w/in 2 weeks I always bring the battery home and put it on a tender in the garage (Pod is stored offsite). ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |