What do I need???
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4510
Printed Date: 08 Jun 2025 at 9:14am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: What do I need???
Posted By: Cap-n-Cray
Subject: What do I need???
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2014 at 8:37pm
We are picking up our new Rpod 177 tomorrow.  We are very familiar to camping with our tent trailer and I know what I need to camp in it. We will be stopping for the night at a Washington State Park on the way back. The Rpod is suppose to be ready to go with new batteries (I ask them to charge them up), full tank of propane, and water in the tank. We will have our personal stuff. We are using my work truck to tow the pod home and my truck is full of tools. I put a bottle jack in the truck too. We will mainly be sleeping the night and then hit the road in the morning. Anything we should have for the first night quick camp? TIA... |
Replies:
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2014 at 8:41pm
Adult beverages.  ------------- 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: Leo B
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2014 at 8:48pm
|
I second that!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2014 at 8:59pm
|
Brake controller.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|
Posted By: Cap-n-Cray
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2014 at 9:14pm
That is already taken care of...  My truck has a brake controller too... |
Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2014 at 9:39pm
| Sway bar and equalizer hitch. Make sure that they include the shore power line and sewage hose and its fixtures with the package. |
Posted By: Cap-n-Cray
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2014 at 10:02pm
|
My truck, Dodge 2500 Cummins diesel, does not need an equalizer hitch. It can and has towed 20K+. It has a sway bar too with the camper package springs. I believe the Rpod comes with a 30 amp shore line. I am not sure about sewage hose. Anyone know? |
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2014 at 11:31pm
|
If the dealer does not include the sewer hose, they all have one kind or another for sale. Short clear pipe for seeing when the black tank is clean if you have a black tank flush. 90 degree elbow that is required at some campgrounds to hook up to the sewer connection at the ground and some campgrounds and states require the use of a sewer hose stand so that the sewer hose does not lay on the ground when connected at a campsite.
White water hose and pressure regulator for the city water connection. A different water hose for the black tank flush and The Water Thief...if you have a black tank flush. As you camp you discover little things that will come in handy to make your camping trips easier and fun. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
|
Posted By: sammycamper
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2014 at 12:58am
|
This may sound obvious; but it took us a while to figure it out after years of tent camping: we like blankets and sheets in a camper better than sleeping bags.
Actually, I just re-read your original post and you said tent TRAILER. You probably already know all you need to know about what to bring along in your Pod.
Sam ------------- 2012 rPod 173 2008 Trailblazer 4WD V6 |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2014 at 12:59am
|
Marine/RV toilet paper. First night out - S'mores! The two are not related. Enjoy!
|
Posted By: Cap-n-Cray
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2014 at 1:07am
|
Do I need marine/RV toilet paper rather than regular TP? Really? My tent trailer has a cartridge type toilet. We have used just regular TP. But then again we really never use it. Too much work to clean it. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2014 at 11:09am
|
If it is septic safe it should be ok in a camper. I wouldn't pay extra for "rv toilet paper".
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2014 at 1:10pm
|
We've been using a marine toilet with a holding tank since 1985. All the holding tank problems we've ever had relate to when we used standard toilet paper. The expenses incurred would have bought a $h!t load of marine toilet paper. We put a ban on out of the grocery store toilet paper 10 years ago and haven't had a problem since. Marine/RV toilet paper is worth the time and expense of any issues you might incur. Septic systems don't sit below your feet, we dump more frequently and standard paper doesn't dissolve like it would over months. No a humble opinion, but an experienced one.
|
Posted By: Cap-n-Cray
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 1:09pm
|
Boomertype, I agree with you on marine toilet paper for a boat. A boat usually has a macerator pump. Regular TP can be a problem with the pump and the suction dock side pump out stations. A bottom drain type tank may not have those problems. Stuff flows out pretty easy. Just a thought. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 1:55pm
|
Cap-n... The regular type paper WILL give you problems in an RV. Honest. I know I don't, and am pretty sure Boomer has no financial interest in trying to point it out.. I just have had the joy of cleaning up a couple problems with RV holding tanks over the years. Don't like it at all. Have my own dump station at the house now just so I can make sure I have time/place to take care of things when needed.. This is one of those areas where an ounce of prevention... All that said, there are "regular" TP's that are ok. There is a test with water, a jar, and a sheet of the TP in question... ------------- |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 2:41pm
We've never had a problem with a macerator caused by toilet paper, they have ground up what we've given them. It's more of an issue of paper not dissolving and clumping and blocking. It just doesn't dissolve. If it hangs in an area and blocks the flow outbound. The tanks bottoms are flat and hopefully the spray system will make it float out. Our macerator has had problems with tampons, despite the fact that everyone coming aboard our boat gets the lecture that nothing besides toilet paper, everything entering the toilet has to have entered the body, been chewed and has decided to exit the body. We are blunt - unless it's urine, poop or vomit - don't flush it down, don't put it in the bowl. Holding tank problems are best addressed with forethought and prevention.  And in the spirit of disclosure - I have never received financial support from any company related with RV/Marine toilet paper. However I have been a consumer of both standard and RV/Marine toilet paper and have done my paperwork thousands of times. |
Posted By: Cap-n-Cray
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2014 at 3:09pm
|
furpod, The property I live on has a septic system, so the TP we use is septic system safe. I plan to put in my own home "dump station" for the trailer. I will try the jar test too. After getting my home system pumped, I know the "Joy". Working on boats has also taught me a lot of "Joys" too.  |