First weekend in our 171
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6367
Printed Date: 07 Jun 2025 at 2:21pm
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Topic: First weekend in our 171
Posted By: Sapper Mike
Subject: First weekend in our 171
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2015 at 7:42pm
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Picked up our 2014 Rpod 171 on Friday and spent the weekend at Rondeau Provincial Park on the north shore of Lake Erie. Except for an issue with the DVD every thing worked great and it survived a record rainfall with flying colours. Problem with the DVD player was that the shipping screw had not been removed prior to being installed at the factory. Went back to the dealer on Monday and it was fixed in no time, it was a first for them. Also had a Maxxair vent cover installed while there. Easy to tow behind the Traverse even on the highway, much better than our 26 footer. Looking forward to a good summer with the pod. Might call it the Starpod to go along with our interest in all things astronomical. Next destination will be Cherry Springs State Park in PA for some nights under the stars. ------------- Sapper Mike 2014 171 Chevy Traverse |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2015 at 9:20pm
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You'll like the Maxxair cover. ------------- 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: JohnBG
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2015 at 9:45pm
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I'm picking up a used 2010 RP-171 this weekend and lookign forward to using it. What does the Maxxair cover protect, the A/C unit?
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Posted By: Sapper Mike
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2015 at 10:44pm
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The cover is for the bathroom fan/vent. Went with the smoke color, same as what is on the vent, to allow light in.Had these covers on the fans in my last trailer and they worked great. Allows you to keep the vent cracked open and the fan running when it is raining. Had plenty of condensation on the windows this weekend because of the heavy rain and cool temps. Next mod will be to find window vents so we can keep the windows open as well when its raining. Saw that someone had done that in the mod's discussion. ------------- Sapper Mike 2014 171 Chevy Traverse |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2015 at 8:21am
We do the same thing. We'll be at Green Bank June 17-20 for GBSQ 12, then To Cherry Springs for Black Forest SP Sept 11-13. We use a 100W Solar Panel to keep the battery topped-off and are completely self-sufficient for several days. We use an Aquatainer to haul fresh water and keep the tank full. I removed all the decals from my TT and put some on of my own (it actually looked pretty good bare white). I'll take some pics and post soon. |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2015 at 8:36am
My cover solution. Love it! ------------- 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: mpacuta
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2015 at 9:22am
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Hi Mike,
Congratulations on the purchase. We are new r-pod owners, after having an Apache Ramada for fifteen (15) years. I noticed that you mentioned your interest in all things astronomical, are you going to Starfest this August 13th to 16th just north of Mount Forest at River Place Park. It is one of the largest star parties in North America and the North York Astronomical association does a great job organizing and hosting the event. There are quite a few full service sites perfect for a r-pod. We plan to be there for the better part of the week. Regards and enjoy podding. ------------- Mike and Bonnie 2014 r-pod 176 |
Posted By: Plantguy
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2015 at 10:18am
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Chris and I are taking our first trip with our new 179. Traveling from Calistoga, CA to Boulder,CO for a friend's wedding. Pulling it with a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. I am very impressed with how easy it tows. Our gas mileage is about 13 mpg, with air conditioning on and many elevation changes. The only issue I have is with the 110/12v setup. So, do I buy a whole trailer Inverter, a solar charger, an extra battery...We stopped to watch the basketball game last night at a casino in Elko, NV. Yeah Warriors!. Full hookups make life in the pod very cozy. Now we need to figure out how to store everything. This is challenging! Moving east towards Utah today. Fun times! ------------- Life is too important to be taken seriously!i |
Posted By: Sapper Mike
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2015 at 4:26pm
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Congratulations on your purchase. I will be at Starfest this year, arriving on Wednesday. Have been going there every year for the last six years after a hiatus of about 10 years. I'll also be in one of the full service sites so will look for you. Haven't noticed many R Pods there so we shouldn't be hard to spot. Good to see that there are fellow amateur astronomers on this forum. I will be replacing the white lights with red LEDs I picked from Astro Gizmos a couple of years ago at the Texas Star Party. ------------- Sapper Mike 2014 171 Chevy Traverse |
Posted By: Sapper Mike
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2015 at 4:44pm
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Congratulations on the new 179. That was our favourite layout but the were none in stock in our area and now with exchange rate we were facing a price increase. Luckily found a new 171, last year's model, at a dealer two hours away. Had the same concern about being able to watch the NHL playoffs next week at Cherry Springs where there is no shore power. Be nice to have a 12 volt TV. Sounds like a great road trip. ------------- Sapper Mike 2014 171 Chevy Traverse |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2015 at 5:49pm
Save some money and cut these theatrical lighting gels sheets to dim them to a perfect red: http://www.pnta.com/lighting/gels/lee/lee-027-medium-red/ Ill try to take some pictures of mine on this weekend |
Posted By: mpacuta
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2015 at 7:45pm
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Hi Mike, My wife and I have also been at Starfest each of the past six (6) years, staying at site 411, near the big tent, in our Apache Ramada. This year same site as usual but now with the 176, arriving on the Tuesday. ------------- Mike and Bonnie 2014 r-pod 176 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2015 at 9:29pm
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We toured Green Bank 2 years ago. Didn't know they had a star party there, I'll have to check it out, eventually. ------------- 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: Sapper Mike
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2015 at 9:59pm
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I was in the 400 area the last two years as well. I will pay you a visit when I get there. Not exactly any where to hide in that big open field so you should be easy to spot. We will probably be the only two R Pods there. See you at Starfest. ------------- Sapper Mike 2014 171 Chevy Traverse |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2015 at 10:04pm
It's really nice, but the best part is that due to being in the national radio quiet zone....no cell phone service! (finally some true peace and quiet). http://www.greenbankstarquest.org/ |
Posted By: Bobdog
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2015 at 11:31pm
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We are planning to take a179 from Chico, CA to Colorado Springs in the next month or so. We would appreciate any advice on routes, where to stay and tips in general. Thanks so much! ------------- Bobdog |
Posted By: Plantguy
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2015 at 11:54pm
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We just took our new 179 to Boulder and back 2 weeks ago. Started in Reno area at a friends. Then to the Ruby Mountains outside of Elko, Nv. A place called Lamoille. Drive up the mountain to the National Park campgrounds. No services [elect./water] so come prepared. Beautiful spot with some easy hikes. Then you could drop down to Great Basin but I'd advise against it because of the heat. But the caves are spectacular. We drove past Salt Lake to Park City. RV Park off of Hwy 40. Park City, home of the Winter Olympics 2002? We stayed on 40 to Vernal, Utah [KOA] visited the Dinosaur Museum then off to Dinosaur National Park. RV/tent camping with no services. Beautiful mountains and interesting fossils. Oh, I forgot, in Vernal drive to the homestead of a very interesting woman, forget her name but the RV Park oeople will tell you. We drove to Granby [40 and 34] and stayed at Lake Granby, Stilwater RV/tent camp. Beautiful lake, fishing...full hookups, inexpensive. If you are old enough get a "golden years " pass. $10 gets uou in to many National Parks etc with a discount. The drive over Rocky Mountain National Park was nice but the drive through Colorado National Monument should not be missed. This was our first trailer vacation so we stayed at just about any RV Park we came upon. I suggest getting a good book on campsites [not AAA]. KOA is expensive but they have a pool and are clean but we found parks for under $20 that we liked. Don't know idf you are going further south [4 corners] way to hot right now. Hope this helps . Have a good trip. Ken PS love our 179! ------------- Life is too important to be taken seriously!i |
Posted By: Bobdog
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2015 at 11:30am
Thanks for the great info !!!!! ------------- Bobdog |