A "Shakedown Journey" in my recently acquired 178
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5502
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Topic: A "Shakedown Journey" in my recently acquired 178
Posted By: rptoad warrior
Subject: A "Shakedown Journey" in my recently acquired 178
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 10:45am
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After four years of research, I decided to go with the rPod. I have a Ford F-250 4W diesel and end up in some pretty gnarly places, since we hunt, fish, and travel both in the US and Mexico. I have this wanderlust to go where few others have gone. I originally thought I would just put a camper on "Frangellica" (my Ford), but I decided that would limit my freight and the use of her. After investigating a variety of large and small travel trailers and with further research, thanks to the rPod forum, I settled on my 178. I LOVE IT! Not only has it responded to my needs and current wishes to remain comfortable, it gets along well with Frangellica! Just returned from a WHT hunt in the Sierra Anchas in AZ (no damage to the wildlife population), which is more about getting away from what we hear, see, and feel everyday. As I said it was a "shakedown" trip, first time out to make sure everything works........bad idea is certainly what you would tell me, and you are correct. New rPod, new generator, in the mountains on primitive roads, with very minimal cell service, if any. Can you see what's coming? Well, I learned a lot about the area, the rPod(which I haven't named yet...gotta observe her personality for a bit), the generator, and the need for communication when you put yourself in that position. Well the two most important lessons learned were...1) utilize a source like this forum to help prevent major and minor inconveniences and always load test your battery before you make any assumptions as to it's endurance. Oh, and carry extra fuses for the rPod and, especially, for your vehicle's battery charging trailer-towing option. Thanks for listening and your help. Name suggestion ??? ------------- On the Road Again......! |
Replies:
Posted By: rptoad warrior
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 11:31am
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I'd like to post a photo, how do you do that? ------------- On the Road Again......! |
Posted By: JStrube
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 11:33am
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Love towing my pod with an F250! Like nothing back there! ------------- 2012 181G |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 12:10pm
You can either upload to a 3rd party site and then link it here (I like photobucket, there are several), or use the "advanced" reply option and use the "insert image" tool. ------------- |
Posted By: rptoad warrior
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 2:31pm
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Sorry Furpod, being a newbie, where do I access "advanced reply"...image insertion? ------------- On the Road Again......! |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 3:47pm
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Posting photos here is different, you have to upload them to the server where it is hosted then place it in the post. "advanced reply" is the arrow pointing up and right between the A font and ? question mark on the toolbar. Name? Well, I think what you have there is an "Escape POD?
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 4:04pm
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This might help with photo posting: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5403&KW=smoker%2C+Leo&PID=52810&title=fishing-report#52810 - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5403&KW=smoker%2C+Leo&PID=52810&title=fishing-report#52810 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: furpod
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 4:06pm
Instead of just posting using the quick reply at the bottom of the page, click the little arrow thingy for "full reply" advanced reply, etc. Then click on the little "tree image" at the top of the reply box.. "browse" for the image on your 'puter.. "upload".. This is the "easiest" method, but it also has a image size limit of 500megs.. So you may need to resize before upload. If you go with one of the photo sharing sites, they generally do any needed resizing for you. ------------- |
Posted By: rptoad warrior
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 4:29pm
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THNX ALL, what a great group of accommodating and helpful owners... ------------- On the Road Again......! |
Posted By: PodBelly67
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 9:51pm
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Bought our 178 in July and have enjoyed a dozen or so long weekends since in N. Georgia.
Also, winterized this week following the great directions found here. Watched a "You Tube" video which really helped. Just lurking and reading has helped me innumerable times to date. We too discovered the outside water heater electric on/off switch. We hadn't turned the propane on and dealer didn't cover that in the walk thru! Live and learn. Sure have enjoyed it to date. Tow with 2010 Nissan Frontier, with sway bar. No issues. Had to repair a number of the cheap bed/storage area 1"by framing and staples. |
Posted By: rptoad warrior
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 10:14pm
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Agreed...both the lack of info re; the water heater on/off switch and the screws and hardware that had to be re-attached following my travel on primitive roads, not to be unexpected considering the condition of the roads. I am going to redesign those items for more permanence. All in all, the rPod held up much better than previous motor homes. I've done a couple modifications, initially, like changing my tongue support bracket for a more robust dual wheel assembly. It allows me to drop the tail-gate on my F-250 to allow access to the truck bed while attached to the rPod and the use of a bed extender for more cargo. also the rPod is so light weight, that with the wheeled tongue support, I can push the rPod around by hand, if I need to, of course on pavement and on level ground. i am still trying to post photos, but between the Forum photo software requirements and the my MAC, I'm not having much success(slow learner, I guess). ------------- On the Road Again......! |
Posted By: rptoad warrior
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2014 at 10:37am
THNX Fwunder, now to get organized and "edjumacated"! ------------- On the Road Again......! |