178 water pump access
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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=5389
Printed Date: 14 Jun 2025 at 4:06pm
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Topic: 178 water pump access
Posted By: kandk920
Subject: 178 water pump access
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2014 at 4:30pm
I am getting ready to winterize my new 2015 178, but am finding access to the water pump and the intake line with the bypass on it located under the sink. The best place to get at is is to take off the pannel shown below, but that pannel is held on by four small wood screens, that I am certain will not stand up to yearly removal. So looking for what others have done or suggestions on what to replace the small screws with that would hold up better. Thanks!
 ------------- 2015 R-Pod 178 2008 Town & Country Fox Valley, WI |
Replies:
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2014 at 5:17pm
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What I would do is, take the panel out and put in a door. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2014 at 6:12pm
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I have replaced the screws with adhesive velcro.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2014 at 8:26pm
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taken panel off numerous times, panel still screws in tight; then plan to put door on like marwayne states. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2023 F150 2017 HD Streetglide CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2014 at 8:33pm
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I did the velcro thing too. I suppose you could cut off the screw heads and glue them in place and no one would ever know. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Markie
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2014 at 10:03pm
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The velcro thing should work well but another option is to use short molly screws. These fasteners bird cage behind the wall when tightened. You take the screw out and replace with a shorter screw or simply cut the original off. The threads are now steel and more durable. Something to remember, the molly's have points that dig into the plywood to prevent them from spinning when installing. Due to how thin the plywood is you have to cut the points shorter so they don't bottom out. I used this technique when I reinstalled the plumbing access panel located on the bedroom wall in our R178. It worked well. ------------- Mark & Vicki R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L Weimeraner "Zeke" |
Posted By: Juniper49
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2014 at 9:08pm
| Does anyone use a temperature guideline when to "winterize" before any damage is done? In Colorado we have temps on the 35-70 in October. Does damage happen when it's below freezing most of the day? |
Posted By: M0tl3y
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2014 at 9:32pm
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I affixed little magnets on each corner of the panel as well as the cupboard. I just reach a finger behind and pop it off when I need access. Stays in place without ever coming off on its own. ------------- The 178 club |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2014 at 12:24pm
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Juniper - the rule of thumb I give is, if it is a few degrees below freezing for a few hours each day you are still ok. If it is going way below freezing even for a few hours, or if it stays below freezing all night, then you are pushing your luck. You can extend your time somewhat if you keep a heater on inside with all the doors open and drain all the exposed tanks. ------------- 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: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2014 at 1:30pm
Kandk, the Velcro thing works great (and easy pease also.) Take the screws out, put Velcro on both sides midway, use glue to hold on the wood side. I then bought small cork circles ($ store)) and used colour sticks to match the wood panel then glued them over the screw holes and glued small pieces of brown fabric that stick out just a bit at the top of the panel so as to make pulling the panel off real easy. It looks and works great ( for those of us who can't make a door.)..  ------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |