So Excited About my New Rpod
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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=7077
Printed Date: 17 May 2024 at 9:43pm
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Topic: So Excited About my New Rpod
Posted By: Tammy C.
Subject: So Excited About my New Rpod
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2015 at 11:12am
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I bought a new 2016 R-pod 179 this week, and I couldn't be happier. I have a place to park it in my driveway, at least for the time being.(I'm in Dallas so the weather won't be too extreme to keep it outside.) With the help of some RV savvy neighbors, I backed it up in my driveway and into the back of my house. When I first bought it I parked it on the street in front of my house. Then a day later I got up the guts to back it into my driveway to sit in front of my house. That took an hour! Then a couple of days later, I got up the courage (and had the time) to back it down my driveway to sit in front of my detached garage in back of my house. My driveway is only 8' wide, but there's some grass on one side that gives me about 12' to maneuver. Before I bought the R-pod I trimmed the trees that overhang the drive to a height of 10'. That was perfect to clear the R-pod. The width was a bit tricky because there's a tree close to one side at the front of the house and a tree close to the other side near the back of the house. With a couple of close encounters with my neighbor's house and an air conditioner, I finally got it situated enough to be able to set it up, and get my car in beside it.
I still don't have a name for my R-pod. I'm an architect, and friends have suggested archi-pod, but I'm close to retirement and I don't want to be reminded of work when I'm camping. I'm a girl, and I've thought of girl-pod, too. She's definitely a girl, but she's got swagger too. I've heard there's a list of names somewhere out there that people have named their R-pods. Does anyone know where I can find that? It's been fun getting her fitted out with dishes, towels, sheets and bedding. She's starting to take on a personality of her own now that she's getting her make-up on! I'll be traveling with my 92 year old dad. He toted us around in campers as kids, and he's looking forward to pay back time with me doing the toting. I just hope he doesn't need as many bathroom breaks as I did as a kid! ------------- 2016 R pod 179 2011 Volvo XC 60 |
Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2015 at 11:33am
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Great introduction! Welcome. You'll have many wonderful adventures and great memories, I'm sure! TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2015 at 11:40am
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Welcome to the group!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2015 at 12:15pm
| I don't know what you use to tow with but one of the things I am doing is installing a receiver hitch on the front of my pickup. Makes it much easier to get into tight spots and also lets me carry either the spare or our bikes on the front of the truck. |
Posted By: Tammy C.
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2015 at 12:44pm
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Sounds like a good idea, but I'm towing with a car - Volvo, not a truck, at least right now. I may end up getting a truck. ------------- 2016 R pod 179 2011 Volvo XC 60 |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2015 at 1:14pm
| I had a front hitch on my Durango you might want to check and see if anyone makes a front hitch for your Volvo. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2015 at 9:19pm
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Welcome. It just takes practice. Some day you'll realize you aren't even thinking about it. Here is a way that works for some. Put one hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. Then move your hand in the direction you want the pod to go. ------------- 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: Dave Gilmour
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2015 at 6:42pm
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We have a Volvo XC 70 with a tow package, and are considering an RPod. Do feel that your Volvo is adequate for the task". Dave Gilmour, Central point Oregon . ------------- Dave Gilmour |
Posted By: Dave Gilmour
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2015 at 6:43pm
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We have a Volvo XC 70 with a tow package, and are considering an RPod. Do feel that your Volvo is adequate for the task". Dave Gilmour, Central point Oregon .
------------- Dave Gilmour |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2015 at 7:52pm
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Backing up just takes practice. My wife is a girl like you and she's better than me. I'm much better at hand signals and staying in mirror sight though! That's a good job for your Dad! Welcome. 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: Tammy C.
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2015 at 11:58pm
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I only got it last week and drove it home from the dealer which was about 40 miles. It tugged some going over bumpy city streets but seemed to do fine on the highway. I drove 60 max and the tachometer only went up to it's normal 2000. That was unloaded though. I'll have to let you know once I take my first trip in November with a loaded RV. Volvo dealership where I get it serviced didn't want to put brake controls on and said I didn't need them but the RV dealership said they wouldn't let me drive it off the lot without them. The RV place added them for me. I also did sway control, but haven't done WDH yet. I still am not sure I'm going to like towing with the Volvo because the 179 dry weight is 2700 lbs and the max tow weight of the Volvo is 3500. I may end up getting a truck to tow with just for the extra capacity. I like mountains and I don't want to get stuck going up one! :) ------------- 2016 R pod 179 2011 Volvo XC 60 |
Posted By: Dave Gilmour
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 10:31pm
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Appreciated your comments. I was encouraged that the car didn't seemed overworked on your initial run. If it still seems like a good idea for use during a 3 month trip around the USA next year, we may purchase an RPod mid to late spring, then try it out for a few months on short (300-500) drives around Washington, Oregon and Northern California. ------------- Dave Gilmour |