First trip with my new Rpod 178-a few questions
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Topic: First trip with my new Rpod 178-a few questions
Posted By: Fett
Subject: First trip with my new Rpod 178-a few questions
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 8:27am
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Thanks for having this forum. It is a great resource. I just enjoyed the initial shakedown trip in my 2015 Rpod 178, staying close to home at Brown County State Park in Nashville, IN. It is the perfect camper for me. I have a few questions. 1-I think I have a dragging passenger side brake. My 2012 Nissan Xterra seemed to be laboring more than it should, even on the flats. The wheel was much hotter than the other side. Is this an easy adjustment or more of a dealer issue? 2-How do you turn on the porch light by the door? No switches anywhere seemed to turn it on. It would make sense that the unlabeled on/off switch on the control panel by the door would be it, but it did not come on. 3- Is it safe to mount anything such as a spice or utensil rack on the kitchenette side walls as they are part of the slide out? If so, how long of screws are you using, to make sure they are not too long. 4-Tips on maximizing storage. It sounds funny, but where do people keep their toilet paper in a wet bathroom. 5-Has anyone replaced the exterior speakers? I thought they were awful. The interior ones are ok, but outside ones were tinny and distorted. If so, what did you use? I have a nice Bluetooth speaker, but could not get it to pair up with Jensen stereo. Is the Bluetooth for input only and not output? Thanks for all of your expertise on this forum.
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Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 8:39am
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Welcome to the group!! Congrats on you 178!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 9:31am
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I have a 2015 - 178. 1. The brakes are easy to adjust...do you have old school brake drum and shoe experience? If so, it's the same. Spin the wheel till it drags, then back it off. 2. The porch light switch is right next to the slide switch. If it's not coming on, then you have another issue. 3. Depends specifically where you are mounting it. Some areas use hollow core anchors and some 3/4". 4. We have installed a water proof toilet paper holder. http://www.amazon.com/Suction-Waterproof-Holder-Toilet-Paper/dp/B00BR8HFMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432560527&sr=8-1&keywords=rv+water+proof+toilet+paper+holder - Suction Cup Waterproof Roll Holder / Toilet Paper Holder 5. I'm ok with the outside speakers and of the two blue tooth components for paring, one must be smart or active. Trying to pair the Jensen stereo and your speaker = trying to pair a set of passive devices.
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 10:30am
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Welcome. ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 11:47am
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Hi Fett and welcome! Your's may be different, but my 2014 178 came with Dexter Nev-R-Adjust brakes: http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brakes/Dexter/23-468.html - http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brakes/Dexter/23-468.html It's a bit of a pain to loosen them if they were over adjusted as the self adjusting mechanism needs to be disengaged with a separate tool or small screw driver. If you are not comfortable doing it, I would suggest taking advantage of your warranty. When I took delivery of my 2014 178 in the fall of 2013, I was completely unfamiliar with trailer brakes and brake controllers. I believe my brakes were too tight to begin with and my unfamiliarity with the (Voyager) brake controller did lead to some premature wear of the brake shoes, magnet and drums. I did swap out for a Prodigy P3 controller, which is much more intuitive. I recently pulled the drums, repacked bearings and inspected everything, noting some pretty radical uneven magnet and drum wear from magnet. After putting everything back together and test driving, the brakes felt fine, temperatures were good (measured with IR) and figured I was good for another season. Upon returning from a recent 400 mile round trip, as soon as I got out of my TV at home, I smelled that tell tale hot smell. I grabbed my IR and noted that my driver side drum was @ 185. Passenger side @ 120. Arghhh! I had already decided if I had a problem I would just replace the brake and drum assembly. The parts are surprisingly cheap @ about $110.00 per wheel. Here's a good twist... Just for grins I called Protective. I have the http://www.protectiveassetprotection.com/Products/RV.aspx - Protective XtraRide platinum 6 year extended warranty. Wish I would have thought of this a while ago! They said the brakes and all associated parts are all covered under my plan. They told me where to take it pretty close by. I'm taking it there tomorrow. The shop owner said no problem, they have worked with Protective before and they will take care of any problem. Cool! I don't have to get greasy again! That's a lot more than you asked for, but I wouldn't mess around with your brakes. If you're not sure, take them to a reputable shop and have them checked. Have fun! 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: Podster
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 2:55pm
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I don't recall auto adjusting brakes working very well during the drum brake years on cars. I don't think anything has changed...a good reason to check and adjust POD brakes annually.
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 5:08pm
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Podster, I don't have a lot of experience with auto adjusting brakes and my last experience messing with drum brakes was on my 68 Dodge Dart. That said, I like taking things apart and trying to figure out how they work. The whole self adjusting mechanism looks a little funky to me. I did watch a ton of You Tube videos and stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, so I figure I'm a espert now!  Not ready to put disk brakes on the pod just yet until the water rises a lot more. If you did have to replace assembly and drums, my guess is you would go for the non auto adjusting assembly? Maybe we should move this discussion? fred Edited to add: Don't want to alarm anyone. Especially new buyers. My Pod has performed wonderfully and taken us all over the US. We probably have an unusual number of miles on ours for a 2014. Just trying to keep it going for another unusual number of miles! ------------- 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: fwunder
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 5:32pm
Here's a few pics I took when I pulled the drums a couple of weeks ago. Dexter Nev-R-Adjust.    ------------- 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: Podster
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 6:47pm
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Fred, that auto adjuster in the pic doesn't look like it have every moved. Some folks are going this way. Check this out... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EWEESXK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2UE4F9KC83C6G&coliid=I2121LER8S4DP7 - Libra 10" x 2-1/4" Trailer Electric Brake Assembly one pair - 21003B ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 6:55pm
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Good observation Podster and I should have explained. I did close that adjuster. It was about 4 or 5 turns out and I adjusted it to "just a bit of drag" when I put the wheel back on. I was messing with the adjuster to see how it worked. Great observation! $52.00. Wow! That's pretty amazing! I'm gonna see how Protective comes through first, though. Thanks! 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: codycountry
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 6:59pm
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TP --Plastic Folgers or other brand small size coffee container with snap on lid is a recycle cost saver solution and can just sit on the shower floor until needed. Zip lock bag is entry level. Brake issue--I just had my wheel bearings packed by a mechanic who is also a rv'er. My brakes were set too tight and rubbing on the shoes it turned out. The brakes adjust when backing and foot pedal brake is applied. He suggested unplugging the camper plug in when backing up a lot, or turning the brake control to zero so you don't adjust your brakes by accident when backing. Makes sense to me. |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 7:07pm
I'm sorry, but I think this is really, really bad advice. The brakes should work fine, all the time, in any situation without driver intervention. That's my opinion. 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! |