New 178 maiden voyage questions
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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=8037
Printed Date: 23 May 2025 at 11:40am
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Topic: New 178 maiden voyage questions
Posted By: Grey51shadw
Subject: New 178 maiden voyage questions
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 10:36am
Wonderful group here...it just adds to the excitement! I am a plein air painter and will be traveling the USA, painting up a storm. The aRtPOD will be my HQ So I'm new to towing, new to my Ford F-150. I am picking up my 178 in Ohio to drive back to upstate NY in 10 days...SOLO!!!!! Really concerned about a few things. 1. Backing up.  Is there a wireless rear monitor that will help?2. Traveling the roads. It's gonna be wide and long. Any suggestions on how to find the best route? Worried about cornering, parking etc. is there a website? 3. Parking in campgrounds . I'm thinking I use only pull thru? 4. Insurance or roadside assistance? 5. Sourcing best campground? Website? Any other tips? Thanks, Lynne ------------- '17 178 '16 F150SC ..aRtPODist at large |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 10:48am
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Welcome to the group! I think they do have back up systems, but I think once you give it a whirl you will be fine. An hour or so practicing in a large parking lot and you will have the hang of it. In my opinion, the trailer really follows the path of the tow vehicle very nicely, we tow on interstates, state highways etc without any problems. We joined KOA's group but there are lots of different groups, so you just have to pick the one that is your preference, they all have good points etc. You will be really surprised how easy the pod is to tow and park etc. Most KOA's have someone that leads you to your spot and helps you get it parked and level. Relax and enjoy your new pod! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Grey51shadw
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 10:56am
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Thanks so much Leo and Melissa. I do a few days after pickup to camp near the dealer in Ohio. I will practice at a campground and a shopping center. Although I think I should avoid towns all together. Great tip on the KOA. Lynne ------------- '17 178 '16 F150SC ..aRtPODist at large |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 12:33pm
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Enjoy your new 178 and welcome to this forum. Anything you ask you will most likely find an expert who can answer your ??????? Don't know what kind of navigation you have on your F150 but if you don't use that a Garmin (or similar) or app. on your smart phone will direct you on roads you wish to travel on. On backing up. IF you have a sway-bar attached to the pod BEFORE backing up make sure to loosen it a few complete turns otherwise you will most likely render it unusable. Also when backing up put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. As you move your hand to the left, the pod will also turn left. A few practice back ups in an open parking lot will build up your confidence and in a short time you will become an expert at it. Have fun, drive safe. ------------- 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: Grey51shadw
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 2:40pm
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Thanks so much Jato,
I am having a sway bar attached and had no idea that backing up would make it unusable. I thought sway bars were a permanent fixture and now i'm wondering do these get tightened and loosened as needed? Uh oh another thing to worry/wonder about. Many thanks, Lynne ------------- '17 178 '16 F150SC ..aRtPODist at large |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 2:58pm
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If the sway bar is a stand alone friction bar with a knob or handle you twist to adjust you should disconnect it before backing. If the sway controller is part of a WDH like an Equalizer or E2 you don't have to worry about it.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Grey51shadw
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 3:23pm
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Thanks CharlieM, I will check that out.
Lynne ------------- '17 178 '16 F150SC ..aRtPODist at large |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 May 2016 at 7:22pm
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Welcome. Talk to your auto insurance company about adding the pod. It isn't expensive to get full coverage. ------------- 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: Grey51shadw
Date Posted: 29 May 2016 at 9:13pm
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Thanks Doug! Your posts have really saved me so much "dumb" time... Endebtedly, Lynne  ------------- '17 178 '16 F150SC ..aRtPODist at large |
Posted By: Perkx2
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 7:40pm
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We recently bought our 179 and it came with a free year of some sort of roadside service. there is a large white sticker on the screen door with the 800 #. I heard that they all come with this. Congrats on your new camper! ------------- Ted & Mary 2016 R-Pod 179 |