We bought a 2010 R-pod 175
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Topic: We bought a 2010 R-pod 175
Posted By: Glenn
Subject: We bought a 2010 R-pod 175
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 10:33am
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Sorry this is such a long post. We are new to RV travel, although I have pulled other trailers and boats and have learned a lot from this forum (thanks very much, it's absolutely invaluable). Our TV is a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport that has a factory installed tow package and is rated to pull 3500 lbs. so I think we are OK. ?? I have payed attention to this forum; so I have a Husky WD hitch and sway bar, new tires, packed wheel bearings, brakes checked by the dealer (although they don't seem to brake as strongly as I would like), a torque wrench for the wheel lugs, electrical test kit as suggested, (found a neat tester for about $8 that just lights up to indicate voltage as 110, 220, ...>). We have tested everything except the plumbing and it all works  The trailer was winterized by the dealer and I haven't touched it except that I turned on the water pump for about 15 seconds by mistake and got some antifreeze in the shower. When we leave in April most camps will not yet be open. We plan to travel through the US on the way west, through Chicago, Minneapolis, Fargo and then up to Regina SK. We hope it will be a bit warmer. We will have to boondock on the way so any suggestions would be welcome. My biggest question is what to do about the water. The temperature will be dipping a couple of degrees below freezing often, particularly in the mountains so I think the best thing is to just leave the system winterized until the weather warms up. But that means I'll have to flush the system and set it up for the summer at a camp ground. Not looking forward to doing it for the first time at a camp ground but It seems the best choice. I hope the plumbing all works  I have read through the Water heater 101 forum but haven't pulled up the bed yet to look at it.We will be camping in slightly sub-freezing temperatures and I don't have a feel for what the system can take. I read something about R-pods having a heating pad for the holding tanks, but I don't think I have one. Any suggestions, warnings, advice are very welcome. I'm looking forward to participating in this forum. Thanks again. Glenn ------------- Glenn |
Replies:
Posted By: DavidW
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 10:59am
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Welcome Glenn!
While this year has been unseasonably warm, my rule of thumb here in Ottawa is to leave the system winterized until around the beginning of May. (I usually have a trip to Algonquin Park in April and the elevation often means that the weather is colder with snow still on the ground) This is really no hardship because all Provincial Parks that I go to have comfort stations nearby, which I tend to use anyway. I just bring jugs of bottled water with me (which you might be doing anyway to avoid drinking the water from the R-Pod; just use the R-Pod water for washing, showers, toilet etc.) On a side note, and a shameless plug, I look forward to seeing you at our Rendez-vous next September 2017 at Arrowhead Prov. Pk. near Huntsville ON. (See the Campout/Events tab). Forest River is keen that we also hold one in Quebec sometime and I would love to tap your knowledge of possible sites. Cheers, David ------------- David & Liz 2014 R-Pod 178 2019 Chevy Traverse And Lily (our 8 yr old Golden) 
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Posted By: Glenn
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 11:22am
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Hello David, Thanks for your reply and advice about winterizing. We will be carrying bottled water as you suggest and it's reassuring to hear that you are comfortable camping in April. I don't have much to offer yet about campsites in Quebec, and I will keep the Rendez-vous at Arrowhead in mind, we do go to the Muskoka region occasionally. All the best. Glenn ------------- Glenn |
Posted By: DavidW
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 12:37pm
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Glenn,
No worries thus far camping early in the season. This year we got out on March 18th and took the long drive down to Pinery Prov. Pk. near Goderich. Wouldn't do it normally unless the weather is good, as the 401 can be a bit windy and tricky. Nothing like salt spray to mess up a good drive. The R-Pod does not have any way to keep the tanks warm so you want to keep the R-Pod winterized. For winter/spring camping I like electric sites so that I can plug in a ceramic heater (quieter than the furnace) and I have just picked up an electric mattress cover which was very nice to have. [Of course you could run the furnace on propane] Other than that, a strip of carpet for the floor, flannel sheets, socks in bed, and a pair of slippers fit the bill. Of course, if one can't get out camping in winter/spring you can always spend the time planning your summer/fall camping and start making reservations. Happy R-Podding, David ------------- David & Liz 2014 R-Pod 178 2019 Chevy Traverse And Lily (our 8 yr old Golden)
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 4:33pm
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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: jato
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 9:36pm
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ok you guys are making me jealous, We were hoping to get out and do a bit of podding ourselves, even though more snow is forecast for this weekend in Northern Michigan. Unfortunately we can't get to our pod back in the horsebarn because the ground is way too soft. Made the mistake last spring of trying to retrieve it under similar conditions and even with 4 WD made some 8" ruts getting to the barn. Skipped the idea and made another set coming back to the house. Gave me lots to do for a couple days fixing those ruts.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 9:38pm
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Congratulations on your purchase. May you have many grand adventures and memories in the future with your 175.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 9:46pm
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Jato...........don't you just love mud season!!!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 9:59pm
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Indeed, you get a great workout with the D-1 (shovel) your arms and shoulders feel sore all over and then you get to wash off 6" of mud coated to your vehicle. However in our neck of the woods guys purposely drive through mud bogs and then tool down the road with so much mud on their trucks you can't even tell what color it was or see through the windows, except the windshield. Next time I see one, I'll have to post. Don't think they would dream off washing off all that valuable mud, the more mud caked on, the better. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: dacolson
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 10:22am
I might have missed it but did you say you have brake controller installed in your TV? Having some extra breaking support when you need it in a hard stop can help a lot. Not expensive and can make all the difference. ------------- Dave - 2016 Silverado 2500HD LML - 2010 RP172T 
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Posted By: Glenn
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 5:24pm
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Hi guys, thanks for the replies and the warm welcome. Yes, a do have a braking system, a Tekonsha P3. It's just that when I apply the trailer brakes they do engage, I feel the tug but it's just not quite as strong as I would have expected. I'm going to check it with a friend who has a lot of experience pulling trailers and see if it's what it should be. I hope the mud clears up in soon in MI and you can get your Pod out of the barn. No offence, but we'll try to avoid it as we go thru MI. ------------- Glenn |