First Camping trip of the year
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Forum Name: Camping Adventures
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7455
Printed Date: 06 May 2025 at 3:31am
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Topic: First Camping trip of the year
Posted By: Camper Bob
Subject: First Camping trip of the year
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2016 at 5:53pm
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Just made reservations for the Oregon Coast to whale watch in March. Will be a tad on the cool side but looking forward to taking the Pod out for the first trip of the year. I had a rude awakening the other day when inspecting the Pod. We park it on our property with it plugged in to a 30 amp outlet on the side of the garage. We run our ceramic heater all year so the interior stays somewhat warm. We hit 25 degrees this winter and although the Pod had been winterized, I like to keep the battery on charge. Yesterday after unzipping the door flap on the cover and opening the pod, I found the heater off and no lights. It turns out that last year when I plugged the power cord into the Pod I neglected to turn the outer ring that secures the plug. After covering the Pod for the winter, I didn't give it a second thought until yesterday. A word to the wise, when inserting the power plug into the Pod do not forget to tighten the ring around the plug. Nuff' said. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2016 at 7:22pm
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Whale watching sounds like a blast!! Enjoy! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2016 at 7:24pm
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Come join us. We have an extra set of binoculars. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2016 at 7:36pm
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Bob where do you go whale watching at????? Jo and moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2016 at 7:44pm
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Thanks for the invite...............but we will be headed south in March to do some surf fishing! We do plan to get out that way eventually, I have a cousin in Hillsboro.Oregon ho want us to swing out. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2016 at 7:46pm
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Come join us. We are booked at Netarts Bay Garden RV Resort from 3/22 - 3/25 next door to Tillamook, OR. No door prizes this time. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2016 at 11:29am
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If it is winterized I wouldn't spend the money to heat it. Last winter we hit -7 F and didn't have a problem when we opened it up in the spring. ------------- 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: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2016 at 12:29pm
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You're right, of course. Just my craziness. Quick question, Professor. I have an AGM battery installed and I suppose it was totally drained before I realized the power was disconnected. Have since connected power and I guess the battery has recharged. Do you think the battery has been irreparably damaged? Wanna watch the whales next month? Tis a yearly migration. Safe Travels.
P.S. Should you and your girls make it to Portland this summer, you have a standing invitation for a home cooked meal. Do you all eat ribs and beans? ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2016 at 4:37pm
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At least some damage, yes. Depending on how long it sat completely drained it may be completely dead even if it appears to be holding a charge. Only way to know would be to hook it up to the pod and put a load on it for an hour, then take a voltage reading after it sits for a few hours (unhooked) and look at a voltage chart. A dozen lights (if you still have incandescents) is a good load. We just finished up our itinerary and we'll be at Crater Lake National Park July 20th, then we pull a long haul to Seattle on the 21st. Probably going through Portland about 6 hours into that day. Love ribs and beans.  ------------- 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: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2016 at 4:53pm
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There is a very nice RV Park nearby in Wilsonville. You could stop there, come for dinner and leave the next day. Long haul to Seattle. RV Park is called Pheasant Ridge RV Park. Just across the street from Costco. You could do a big replenishment there, remember, no sales tax in Oregon. I have a card if need be. All the ribs you guys can eat. We are only 10 minutes from there. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2016 at 7:13pm
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You should be able to take the battery to a place that sells batteries and get it tested. I have never been charged by any of the places to which I have gone.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2016 at 7:38pm
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We are scheduled to be in Seattle that night - we'll be doing the air/space museum and Boeing all day on the 22nd. If we are on schedule we could meet up mid-day for a bit, it would be nice to break up the long day on the road. ------------- 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: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2016 at 9:15pm
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Well let's play it by ear. As we get closer let us revisit this. I will pull the battery and take it to a battery shop and see what condition it is in. Thanks for the tip. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2016 at 7:13pm
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To bring you up to date, I have taken the battery in and it seems like I killed it. Since we are almost 100% on hookups, I just need a battery for short periods of time. Because of cost considerations, I have decided to go back to a "wet" battery that needs to be checked for water periodically. I decided to get a 12v size 27 Trojan battery. I briefly looked at their 6v golf cart batts and after recovering my breath, I opted for the 12v wet cell. An expensive lesson to be learned, but won't do that again. See above. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2016 at 9:20pm
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Wise choice for a battery that will get little use. ------------- 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: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2016 at 9:24pm
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Thanks. It can be very confusing, picking a battery. With the help of the person at Trojan, he held my hand as I described what our use would be. That is what he suggested. Going to pick it up tomorrow. I hope not to make this mistake again. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2016 at 9:36pm
Unfortunately, that can be added to the list of expensive lessons learned.  I bought our two 6V batteries at Batteries and Bulbs (AKA Batteries Plus) for about $90 each (I don't have the receipt in front of me. They were about $89 minus a military discount and plus tax and core charge (since I did not have one to turn in so they could sell it for recycling). Right now, they are disconnected by disconnecting the negative terminal to the trailer. I purchased a battery disconnect switch that I will be installing when we get it back from the dealer's service department. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: grand beaver
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2016 at 10:41pm
| Hah....I know that RV park its just down the street from where I work. Wilsonville is an excellent stop headed either way on I5. In addition to the Costco there is a Camping World just across the freeway and a Target nearby. Nice offer for another traveler..... |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 29 Feb 2016 at 3:24pm
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On anticipation of our first trip of the year, I just printed out Techntrek excellent instructions on de winterizing. Since we don't leave for another three weeks, I am stretching out the process. Just checked the lug nuts for the beginning of the season and filled all the tires with air. Tomorrow, will start the water tank process. Still have not removed the cover from last winter. The Pod was washed and waxed prior to covering. Will also be looking to lubricate anything that I can find. Starting to get excited. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: IPPOD
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 4:41pm
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C Bob, Just a clarification of your cord hookup dilemma, for a newbie who may see this. The screw collar isn't really the connection confirmation. It's the 1/8 turn twist you put on the plug when you insert it into the Pod outlet. That's where the electrical connection is. Just my 2 cents. Chase whales for me ! Cheers ------------- IPPOD 177=2013 Grand Cherokee 2014 5.7 Island Park, Id |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 4:52pm
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You're right. I just automatically give it a twist after plugging in. Never gave it a thought. However, tightening the collar is where I dropped the ball. Good catch!! Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 10:03am
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Second day of de winterizing. Will be stocking the trailer this weekend for the travel season. Paper towels, napkins, soft drinks, etc. Less than three weeks till the first trip of the year. Yesterday I inflated the tires to 50 lbs. and checked the wheels for proper torque on the bolts to 100 ft./lbs. Hope the east coast contingent is starting to do planning for the year. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |