Dry camping slide out
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
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=6053
Printed Date: 17 Jun 2025 at 12:15am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Dry camping slide out
Posted By: Leighbeelu
Subject: Dry camping slide out
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2015 at 2:26pm
|
Hello one and all, Quick question, I am dry camping for the first time with my 179 and I will be on battery/propane for 4 days. I am worried about being able to put in the slide should the battery run low at the end of the trip. We will obviously be conservative and monitor the charge but I want to make sure we have a back up should we need it. Will the battery re-charge with the car if it is idling or does it need to be moving to charge? Is there a way to close it manually?  Thanks in advance, Leigh
|
Replies:
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2015 at 2:42pm
|
Hi Leigh, I would suggest *not* running the battery so low that you couldn't close the slide. It's really not good to discharge a 12 volt battery that much. I've attached a good guide for monitoring the battery voltage. Of course, you would need a gauge. Personally, I carry a portable gauge and I installed a 12 volt gauge to monitor batteries. Using the built-in battery lights gauge, I wouldn't let it get below half. You will probably damage your battery by letting the voltage drop below 11.9 volts (40% state of charge) although your slide will still pull in. Hope that helps. 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: CharlieM
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2015 at 2:43pm
|
With the new 179s I believe FR went to the Schwintek slide mechanism. As I understand it, this is the only application of the Schwintek for Fr so far. There is a way to close it manually, but it's complicated. Search YouTube for videos. If your battery is running low it will recharge from the TV's 7 pin connector, even at idle. Let it run for 10 minutes or so to let a charge build up. Recharge will be faster if the engine is running faster. For the fastest recharge, jump to the TV battery using good high quality, heavy gauge jumper cables. That should allow you to close the slide almost immediately. ------------- 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: fwunder
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2015 at 2:45pm
Like Charlie said, jumper cables are a good charging option in a pinch!  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: 09 Apr 2015 at 3:07pm
|
+3..
------------- |
Posted By: Leighbeelu
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2015 at 4:26pm
|
Thank everyone, as long as I know that I can charge it with the TV I can monitor it to make sure we don't get below half. I also have jumper cables... Thanks everyone. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2015 at 5:41pm
|
+3 1/2 ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2015 at 1:46am
 ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2015 at 10:50am
| Might be grounds to get a generator. One can't have too many toys. |
Posted By: kylekai
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2015 at 12:12pm
Might be grounds to get a solar panel. Much cleaner and quieter.
 ------------- |
Posted By: Leighbeelu
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2015 at 12:17pm
A solar panel is top of my list, especially since I live in sunny Florida.  Unfortunately it is not in the budget at this time.
|
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2015 at 1:46pm
Ever try running a Binford 5000 (the electric model, not the gas one) margarita blender off of solar?!  Solar does seem to be getting better and cheaper, but for me, for now, the Yamaha 2400 has proven to be convenient and versatile. What has surprised me after a lot of miles is how infrequently I really need it. I'd say after 90 days or so of camping over 10K+ miles I have actually run the generator maybe a total of 8 hours, mostly so wife could run her hair dryer. I should qualify that most of our trips are two or three nights in any one spot with only an occasional 5 or 6. 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: 10 Apr 2015 at 10:09pm
As much as I love solar, a generator can do everything solar can as far as running/charging the Pod, and most of it is stuff the solar can't do period. In some situations, solar is the best answer, but in every situation a generator can be the answer. ------------- |