Another New 2015 RP-179HRE (They are everywhere)
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Topic: Another New 2015 RP-179HRE (They are everywhere)
Posted By: J-Cat
Subject: Another New 2015 RP-179HRE (They are everywhere)
Date Posted: 27 May 2014 at 8:59pm
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I'm newly retired and the wife and I picked up our 2015 179HRE last week. We are new to TT's so we have spent the last week learning how much we don't know and this forum has been a tremendous help in trying to get us up to speed. Thanks to all the folks who take their time to assist others in this forum. I was amazed at how little the FR owner's manual really tells you about your specific TT. The new owners walk through at the dealer seemed sufficient at the time but boy was I wrong. I spent yesterday taking the queen bed floor off so I could locate how the furnace, hot water heater, and water pump can be accessed. While I was there I made a quick mod so I could more easily access the pump and HW valves from the storage compartment without having to remove the bed. We really like the layout of the 179 with the extra storage and kitchen space. I have only towed the trailer a few times to set up my Prodigy P2 brake controller but the Tacoma V6 SR5 4x4 seems to have no trouble with this trailer. I have run across some problems with this 179 most of which are common with other threads I have read on this forum:
------------- Jerry & Cathy 2015 RP-179 HRE 2013 Tacoma SR5 4x4 |
Replies:
Posted By: rascalrv
Date Posted: 27 May 2014 at 9:03pm
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Congrats from another fellow rpod 179 owner. Can you share a photo of the access panel you made so you don't need to remove the mattress to access water heater, etc? Thanks. ------------- |
Posted By: J-Cat
Date Posted: 27 May 2014 at 10:14pm
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Sorry I didn't take any photos (plus I am new to forum and will have to figure out how to post photos). But this was a simple mod so here goes. With the two plywood sections removed from the bed floor you will be able to see the L shaped storage area and the equipment section for the furnace, hwh, and water pump. The end of the L shaped storage area is a thin plywood wall panel which has the water pump on the other side. This thin wall is stapled to a 3/4" sq wood floor cleat. The floor cleat is screwed to the floor with two screws (note - the screws are not Phillips but have the square insert). Since I didn't want to deal with these cleat screws while crawling in that small storage space, I removed these screws, installed a small cleat on the backside of the wall to keep the wall bottom from being pushed back and installed a small screw with wing nut end in the top of the wall into the existing horizontal brace. In addition I drilled a 3/4" finger hole near the top for grabbing the wall and had to do a little trimming on the wall ends since it was really jammed in there. I should be able to clear out the storage area, reach in, remove the wing nut, pull out the wall and access the valves. Another solution I may still do is to install a small door or removable panel just to the right of where the furnace grill is under the bed inside the trailer. This will also give you access to the valves on the end of the hwh and the water pump. ------------- Jerry & Cathy 2015 RP-179 HRE 2013 Tacoma SR5 4x4 |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 28 May 2014 at 12:33am
If you are going through all that trouble, just put in a door.
 ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 May 2014 at 8:01am
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Welcome. Here is one option for a larger hose container: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3588&PID=34108&title=mounted-a-long-sewer-hose-tube-and-cleaned-up - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3588&PID=34108&title=mounted-a-long-sewer-hose-tube-and-cleaned-up ------------- 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: Leo B
Date Posted: 28 May 2014 at 8:28am
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Welcome to the group!! We are waiting for delivery on our 2015 179, supposed to be in around the 1 st of July. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 28 May 2014 at 8:44am
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Did you get the roll out awning to cover the top of the slide out? or did it come with one? ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: J-Cat
Date Posted: 28 May 2014 at 10:35am
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Nice job on the door installation. The layout on the 179 is a little different but that is what I had in mind in the last sentence of my post and this approach will work well. Thanks. ------------- Jerry & Cathy 2015 RP-179 HRE 2013 Tacoma SR5 4x4 |
Posted By: J-Cat
Date Posted: 28 May 2014 at 11:20am
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We did not get an awning for the slide out and this option was not discussed with the dealer. Are you getting one with yours? ------------- Jerry & Cathy 2015 RP-179 HRE 2013 Tacoma SR5 4x4 |
Posted By: ahefner
Date Posted: 28 May 2014 at 11:35am
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I discussed this with a friend of mine that has multiple slide outs on his fifth wheel camper and he said that the slide out awnings aren't worth the money he spent on them. A simple broom to knock off anything on top and your good to go. He wishes he had his money instead of the awnings. ------------- 2014 rPod 178 2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7 |
Posted By: Nomad2010
Date Posted: 28 May 2014 at 12:57pm
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I too am a new 179 owner and this being my first trailer or RV of any kind I am in a steep learning curver. I noticed the poor picture on the TV and when I tried to put the sewer hose in the holder it proved to be inadequate. I took it out for a long weekend and while I conserved the power, I still ran out of battery on the third day. I may have to get a generator and check the plug trailer connection on the truck. Something is not working right. I am considering changing to 2 6 volts as some of the treads discuss. I am just glad I had others there that had a generator. The door design has been a problem but so far I haven't torn it off.  ------------- Scott & Kim The Mountains are calling and a Podding we must go! |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 28 May 2014 at 2:08pm
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There are a lot of variables, but I'm not sure you should expect the battery to last more than 3 days without some supplemental charging. Replacing interior lights with LEDs will help, but the fridge draws 12v even when running on propane and the water pump, of course. There are other little things. The furnace fan for sure, if you were using that. Two 6v batteries will last longer but a generator or even solar will help more than anything other than shore power. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 May 2014 at 2:59pm
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Welcome. Did you plug in the pod (and have the battery connected to the pod) at home, overnight, before the trip? This needs to happen once a month to keep lead acid batteries charged. I would expect more than 3 days with a new battery, although as mentioned, the furnace fan is a huge energy hog. ------------- 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: fwunder
Date Posted: 28 May 2014 at 3:04pm
I'm with TT 100%. For me, it just took practice. I ended up going with a couple of large (230AH) 6 volts batteries. My single 12v. barely got me through two days, but we're rather liberal with power. Now, I just don't worry about it. I carry a genny too, but really have only used it for wife's hair dryer.  Oh, and I am sure Mr. Electric (Techntrek) will weigh in on this, but you might consider carrying a set of good jumper cables. I have turned my TV around and put some amps back in my prior single 12v. battery with my TV. Much more efficient than trailer harness and a cheap safety margin. Yes, you will find a lot of threads on the subject. I am convinced the subject is almost as much religion as it is science. fred Edited to add: Nice campsite! What did you catch?!
------------- 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: 28 May 2014 at 3:51pm
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Spoke to the dealer and we are going to buy one guess they are a couple hundred, but will keep water and leave etc off the top of the slide out. Will allow us to pack up even if it is raining out without water getting in etc. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 28 May 2014 at 6:59pm
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Took our 177 out for first time over the long weekend. I installed LED's and it made a huge difference in electric consumption. I carry a lot of AH onboard, but cutting consumption is a huge part of the equation in how long batteries will last. With rainy days and grandchildren, we had lots of lights on lots of hours. Ran a CPAP two nights. Lots of water pumping. No furnace this Memorial Day though. If you're concerned about battery life - get LED's. Also ran the fridge on propane when on the road instead of DC from the TV. I held my breath every time I passed a gas station but we made it safely :) ------------- Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6 New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8 |
Posted By: retireclose
Date Posted: 29 May 2014 at 10:28am
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First trip with our R-Pod 179 was to the smokies over memorial week-end. Very nice trip, we got 13.7mpg to smokies and 12.8mpg on the way home(Michigan). What a difference pulling the R-Pod compared to the 5th wheel we use to have. We dry camped used the lights, water pump and furnace sparingly. Charged the (1) battery a couple of hours a day with our generator. Shower was a liitle hard to get use to. But everything else worked fine. We have a couple more trips already planned. Muskegon State Park, MI and later this summer to Yellowstone and the Tetons. ------------- Gary and Jill Winters Bella Golden Retriever 2014 Silverado 1500 2015 R-Pod 179 -(SOLD) 
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 May 2014 at 2:16pm
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retireclose - it is best to wait for every other day, or even every 3rd day (whenever you get down to the 50% mark) to recharge from a generator. Due to something called the Peukert Effect, you'll get more amps back into the battery per gallon of gas burned by doing that, vs. doing it every day when the battery is only down to 80%. The battery accepts a charge much faster between 50% and 80% SOC, than it does between 80% and 100%.
You also do not want to shoot for 100% over any given week. At the end of the week you need to get it back to 100%, preferrably from an outlet at home after a week on the road. However, your goal should only be to get it up to 80% max every 2-3 days. Again, this saves a lot of gas w/o doing any damage to the battery... as long as you get it up to 100% once a week. ------------- 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: retireclose
Date Posted: 29 May 2014 at 2:58pm
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techntrek -- Thanks, I will keep that in mind. ------------- Gary and Jill Winters Bella Golden Retriever 2014 Silverado 1500 2015 R-Pod 179 -(SOLD)
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Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 29 May 2014 at 6:43pm
My 2014 179 came with just such a removable panel. 4 short screws hold it on, of course you have to belly crawl up under the bed to get to it but all the valves water pump etc are accessible through the panel... For any 179 owners who have ventured into the compartments- did you notice the good size compartment between the water heater and the front that is not accessible at all? I have plans for that space...haven't decided yet to remove the wall thereby letting long items extend into it from the front right compartment, which could be the full width of the trailer, or to maybe make a lift off lid under the mattress and store rarely used items there. Maybe both. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 29 May 2014 at 6:47pm
He is either 9 ft tall or carries a ladder  Not much room for a ladder in an r-pod Been pondering what I plan to do with mine..... ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: retireclose
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2014 at 8:23am
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Budward -- Our 179 already has access to the full length of the space under the bed from the outside access door. Right now we have a broom and long handle brush there. I think we will make an entry point from inside by creating an access door under the mattress. ------------- Gary and Jill Winters Bella Golden Retriever 2014 Silverado 1500 2015 R-Pod 179 -(SOLD)
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Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2014 at 8:35am
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You sure? I looks like it is full width but there is another foot or so available on mine. I too carry long stuff in there but not quite as long as the trailer is wide. Just in front of the water heater, under the bed. Front left corner.  ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: J-Cat
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2014 at 11:04am
On my 2015 179 HRE the water pump is between the water heater and the back of the Pod. I plan on using some of this space but I need to organize and protect the wiring and tubing. You can see my R-Dome poles are already invading this space. ------------- Jerry & Cathy 2015 RP-179 HRE 2013 Tacoma SR5 4x4 |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2014 at 3:06pm
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To winterize the 177 (to get at the pump) I removed the 4 screws that hold the panel on (after a couple of times the holes are useless.) I then glued cork plugs over the holes, and color matched them to the panel. I put Velcro strips on the 2 sides and bob's your uncle.. looks good and the Velcro holds and reattaches every time. The winterizing valves for the water heater are another matter.. still thinking about that one.
------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2014 at 5:14pm
Your picture shows your water pump toward the front of the pod. Mine is on the other side of the water heater, between it and the furnace. Interesting how the placement can vary between the west and east factories.... ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: J-Cat
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2014 at 5:42pm
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My bad, as you indicated the water pump in my photo is indeed near the front of the pod and not the back. It is odd how the placement of the equipment would vary like that. It would be nice to have the space you do to expand your storage area. ------------- Jerry & Cathy 2015 RP-179 HRE 2013 Tacoma SR5 4x4 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2014 at 5:59pm
FR's motto: Let no two pods be built the same. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: retireclose
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2014 at 7:26am
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My mistake, there is a small wall there. My water pump is also between the furnace and water heater. ------------- Gary and Jill Winters Bella Golden Retriever 2014 Silverado 1500 2015 R-Pod 179 -(SOLD)
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Posted By: retireclose
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2014 at 7:31am
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I'm not surprised of the difference between our two model 179s. We use to own a Forest River Wildcat 5th wheel. There were slight differences between the ones built on the west coast as opposed to the east coast. ------------- Gary and Jill Winters Bella Golden Retriever 2014 Silverado 1500 2015 R-Pod 179 -(SOLD)
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