R-pod newbie questions
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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=5965
Printed Date: 16 Jun 2025 at 5:44pm
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Topic: R-pod newbie questions
Posted By: lowryder
Subject: R-pod newbie questions
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2015 at 9:45pm
Hi everyone! I have just started exploring this forum, as I am a new r-pod owner, but I have some pressing questions that I wonder if anyone can help me with. I am embarking on a road trip with my wife and children in a few days  but I have a few concerns. The pod is winterized. It is still cold up here in Norther Lower Michigan. We will eventually be in warmer weather. What temperatures should I be waiting for before dewinterizing? Do I need to worry about an overnight low? How long does it take for the pipes to burst? Will running the heater be enough? The pipes/water pump/water heater seem like they are near the outside and might not get the heat as much. Can you run the heater while driving? How long will a propane tank last? Can we use the head and just flush it by adding water from a jug or something? I would think that it wouldn't freeze because it will be mixed with the pink stuff that is already there.As you can no doubt tell, this is my first camper. Or do we call them travel trailers? Not quite frantic here, but I really don't want to mess this thing up right from the start.
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Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2015 at 10:16pm
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Welcome to the group!! Most of your tanks are under the trailer and not insulated so running the heater will not keep them from freezing, but it would take some steady below zero weather for them to freeze. Using the tanks and flushing with a bucket should be okay as you do have the antifreeze in the tank. Depending on your style of camping will determine how long you will get out of a a tank of propane. depends on cooking ,use of the heater, if you run the Fridge on propane or the water heater etc. Good luck........it is a blast!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2015 at 10:30pm
Below zero? Hmm, do you mean below 32 degrees? ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: lowryder
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2015 at 11:25pm
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Thanks for the responses. I guess I wonder if I can dewinterize if the daytime temps are around 25 Fahrenheit and overnight temps in upper teens, probably for the first two days of travel. Can you run a heater while driving? Thanks again
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Posted By: lowryder
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2015 at 11:31pm
| Also, I don't even know how the toilet works. Can I just pour water into the basin, and then flush it? Is it dependent on the water pump, or just gravity? |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2015 at 2:16am
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The temps you describe are too cold to de-winterize. The toilet is meant to work with pressurized water, either from the potable tank, through the water pump, or while hooked up to "city" water. But yes, you can just flush with liquid from a jug. If temps are staying below freezing, that liquid should be rv antifreeze. Running the heater will not be enough. The heater can help if a little bit if you're camping and the night time temp dips into the 20s, but not for driving when it never gets above freezing. Almost all of the plumbing is between relatively to totally unprotected by inside heat. The heater can be run while going down the road -- at least I have done it by mistake. I don't know if there is a rule about it, but I think it is a bad idea and has just about no value for any purpose whatsoever. All that said, you can leave home with the trailer winterized and de-winterize at your destination and re-winterize for your return trip. It's not that much trouble. How long the propane will last is very dependent on how much you use the furnace and how cold it is outside. I think the quickest I've gone through a 20lb tank is 3 or 4 days. That was dry camping with temps in the 20s. The battery will be an issue in less time unless you can keep it charged, or recharge it somehow (like camping at places with electricity available, or using a generator). If you are camping with electricity a little 1500w plug in heater will keep you toasty down into the 20s, not use any propane, and be a lot quieter than the on-board furnace. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2015 at 11:01am
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Agree with TT. Michigan camping is goofy at best. Our temps are never what they say. Consider dewinterizing like planting, wait until frost warnings are gone. I dewinterized at the end of April last year and had a little freezing water from one night it got down to 25.
The few times we went out early in the season, we just used the campsite bathrooms for #2. Flushed with water for the rest since the tanks are large and we came nowhere near filling them. Either way, have fun! The camper is awesome and a lot of fun. Easy to tow and easy to care for. We've been running the same propane tank since the beginning of last season. We only use it to heat water and for the grill. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2015 at 4:36pm
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Here is some info for you: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2920&OB=ASC - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2920&OB=ASC ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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