Trailer camping newbie
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5997
Printed Date: 21 May 2025 at 11:07am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Trailer camping newbie
Posted By: 2P$InAPod
Subject: Trailer camping newbie
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2015 at 10:26pm
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We are newbies to trailer camping, only tent camping in the past. We went to our first RV show trying to learn about the world of trailer camping in January this year. When we saw the R-pod, we knew we wanted one to explode this great country of ours. My wife has been hooked onto this forum since then and reading all the posts and learning everything about the R-pod and trailer camping in general. In a couple of weeks, we will be picking up our R-pod 179 in Ohio. We are very excited and can't wait. However, we are also nervous about towing and all the unknown with owning and operating a trailer camper. Our TT is a 2002 Honda Odyssey, we got the hitch, brake controller and the 7-pole connector installed from U-haul. We are currently researching the Automatic Transmission Fluid cooler and Power Steering Cooler as suggested by Honda. I will be posting questions related to the ATF and PS coolers. ------------- David and Kris 2015 RPod 179 2002 Honda Odyssey LX |
Replies:
Posted By: Sceide
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2015 at 1:17am
Welcome! We just purchased our 179 a couple of months ago. Just got back tonight from camping at the Guadalupe River State Park in Texas. Had a blast! And got so many good comments about our Rpod (and Rdome). You will love yours! It's not as overwhelming as you think. You and the Mrs will love it! Welcome!! Be sure to sign up at Forest River Owners Group also. They post tons of stuff as well, including upcoming F.R.O.G rallies. This is a great site too. Lots of super friendly, super helpful Rpod owners. Maybe we'll see you out camping sometime.  Scott & Heide 'The Pod Squad' ------------- Sceide |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2015 at 6:59am
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Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 179. Our tow vehicle is a Dodge Grand Caravan, we have towed back and forth to Florida and North Carolina multiple times. You should be fine. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: danthoman
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2015 at 9:26am
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Congratulations and welcome to the forum. ------------- Linda and Dan Calley the golden retriever R-pod 177 and a Tundra 8 cyl |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2015 at 1:52pm
Welcome. I hope you explore the country instead of exploding it.  ------------- 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: 2P$InAPod
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 11:57am
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We just picked up the RPod 179, had a Protige Brake controller P2 installed. What is the recommended setting? Currently set to B0, 45....my TT is a Honda Odyssey. ------------- David and Kris 2015 RPod 179 2002 Honda Odyssey LX |
Posted By: Kickstart
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 12:47pm
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The P2 is a fine quality brake control, but the adjustment will be some different for each trailer tow vehicle combination.
This is what works for me, and I'm a little anal about it, as I'm a guy who once wrecked his trailer/tow rig. Each time I begin towing I bring the trailer up to about 20 mph, and hit the P2's manual control, adjusting the tension on it, if needed, so that the trailer brakes bring us to a stop without grabbing or skidding/locking. This way you always know that your trailer brakes are working, and as long as it doesn't pull to one side or the other, you know that one brake is not adjusted poorly. Once you set your adjustment, you'll seldom have to change the P2's controls, but I always check. Once burned--- ------------- '10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL '12 Toyota Tundra '05 Sportster (half a Harley) Retired-We're on Beach Time! |
Posted By: danmarkian
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 5:09pm
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Hi David and Kris, We just picked up our 179 in Ohio at Jeff Couchs RV Nation last weekend, we love it! One bit of advice, make sure they show you that everything is working, we didn't check the fridge until we were half way back to NC and it won't turn on, and now we are trying to get a call back from their warranty department. We towed it with a 2006 Xterra, had the big sway hitch and brake controller. We had to play with the adjustment on the controller to get it just right but it wasn't hard. We started out with too hi a setting and it locked up and skidded (in the parking lot) We started at the lowest setting and added a bit at a time to where I could just feel it assisting. It pulled great until we ran into some check engine problems with the Xterra, previous to our trip we took it to Firestone for a tune-up and they suggested fuel injection cleaning, the next day the check engine light came on so we took it back.. they said that it indicated the Cat Converter had stuff in it from the cleaning and it would burn away in a few hundred miles, it didn't and the performance got worse all the way home! It's at a dealer shop so we will see what the damage is. Good luck and have fun, it really is easy to pull, just watch the tracking of the wheels in your side mirrors to keep it in the lane, and if you go through toll booths, watch the wheels and the curb!
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2015 at 7:20pm
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Definitely different for each rig, as Kickstart said. All with the same brake controller: with our popup I preferred b1 and 6.9, with the pod b0 and 6.5, with our Salem b1 and 8.5. ------------- 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: hartlej
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2015 at 8:22pm
| How is the Honda odyssey doing towing your 179? |
Posted By: 2P$InAPod
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2015 at 10:38pm
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Our 2002 Honda Odyssey with over 150k miles is performing quite well. No issue pulling our 179 so far (knock on wood). We had the towing package installed at a Honda dealership early on. Keep in mind that the gas mileage is not so great when pulling, give or take 12 miles per gallon or so. Hope this help. ------------- David and Kris 2015 RPod 179 2002 Honda Odyssey LX |
Posted By: Pod4Two
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2015 at 9:56pm
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Welcome ------------- Ina & Philip Kennedy 2011 -177 2014 GMC Z71 4x4 |
Posted By: hartlej
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2015 at 6:27pm
| Yes. Thanks. We have an 08 odyssey and have been considering an R pod. Have concerns it will adequately tow to pod. Nice to know someone thinks it is at least ok! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2015 at 8:07pm
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You'll be fine, but make sure you get a weight distribution hitch, the minivans are designed for comfortable rides and not towing. ------------- 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: britboy
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2015 at 12:40pm
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Just collect a new RP-179 three weeks ago, not a newbie to this size of trailer with originating from the UK .
I had a larger Noman trailer and found it very cumbersome for towing and it didn't lend itself to a few days here and there while touring. The pod tows very well with my Jeep Grand Cherokee, I was glad to get rid of the sway bars that are needed on longer and heavier campers. The recommendation in the UK is the trailer to be 80% of the towing vehicle curbside weight to be safe so that the tail doesn't wag the dog! The secret in all lightweight trailers is distribution of payload, once that is realized then the unit will tow smooth and straight. A newbie to rpod forum but not to this type of camping, I wanted to share some of my insight of years of Lightweight camping without sound to overbearing. The 179 tows very well and I'm sure will prove to be an excellent tourer. |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2015 at 2:47pm
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Welcome to the group!! Congrats on your 179!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |