What I think my 179 needs
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Wish List
Forum Discription: Tell Forest River what you would like to see in the r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8070
Printed Date: 06 May 2024 at 8:21pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: What I think my 179 needs
Posted By: rynosurf
Subject: What I think my 179 needs
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 3:07pm
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I just used my 179 for the first time and love it. Trailer seems well built and has some nice features but these are the things that I think would be nice to have.
1) Low profile rear stabilizer jacks. 2) Shelf or cabinet across rear bed. 3) USB ports in kitchen tied into battery for charging devices. 4) Mudflaps. 5) Add another buckle to the underside of table so that table restraint strap can also be used to keep cushions from sliding off when used as a bed. 6) battery and propane tank locks. 7) Door window. 8) Sliding rear window. 9) Axle risers. ( I was told by the factory that the new axles have more lift on them and that the risers are no longer needed. A little more lift would help with the low hanging stabilizers) 10) The top kitchen drawer is shallow because the p-trap is behind it but the other two drawers could be at least another 6" deeper. Most of these are minor, I just need to start modding it myself! |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 4:04pm
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1) Save A Jack 2) Lowes shelf mod 3) http://www.amazon.com/Cllena-Function-Charger-Voltmeter-Digital/dp/B01D4CQ1FI/ref=sr_1_17?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1464811052&sr=1-17&keywords=12v+usb+charging+ports - Charge 4) AutoZone 5) I have different table so.. ;) 6) Several options on Amazon, think about a tongue lock also. 7) Porthole or square? (I think the square looks better on a 179) Call Frank at Vintage Technologies. 8) Simply not doable. There is one made that fits, but the couple owners who have tried can't get it to not leak. 9) Axle risers can be added to the new axle. 10) Add the length needed to the back of the drawer.. been done. Oh, and, "Welcome"..  ------------- |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 4:08pm
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Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 179.
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 4:15pm
| It's pretty simple to add 12V sockets and USB ports wherever you want them. We've added 2 sockets to the galley, a combination 12V/USB socket near the AC socket by the bed and plan to add a 12 V socket to the outside. |
Posted By: rynosurf
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 9:13pm
| Thanks for the replies. Most of these are easy projects, I just need time and money right?! |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 10:10pm
Quoted for truth..  ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 11:19pm
Both of which always seem to be insufficient. However, not everything needs to be done at once. It has taken me several months to complete the projects detailed in my mods. ------------- 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: Kokopod
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2016 at 6:03pm
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And just when you think the mods are complete, you'll think of something else. That's the fun of it! ------------- 2017 Jayco Melbourne 24k 2013 Premier 19FBPR Formerly-2013 R-pod 177HRE 2011 Dodge Durango Love a good road trip |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2016 at 10:42pm
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True! I just got the set of double steps I ordered to replace the single step that came with the R-Pod. I will be installing them tomorrow as soon as I finish making a couple of shims. The mounting brackets for the original steps are about 1/2" wider than the new steps. I'll show them in my mods when I am done.
------------- 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: 03 Jun 2016 at 3:49pm
Always true. I've had my current camper almost 3 years now and I spent all day Wednesday doing mods and fixing things. ------------- 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: rynosurf
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2016 at 2:28pm
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11. Water filter.
My old tent trailer came with an inline water filter. I just bought one yesterday and will install it on the kitchen faucet for drinking water. |
Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 3:19pm
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Where do you guys tap into the 12v harness, looking for easy access. ------------- MDPaddlersPod 2017 RPod 179 2002 Silverado1500 |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 4:42pm
For what purpose? Are you talking about the internal 12V power or the harness going to the TV? Internal 12V power can be tapped from spare fuse slots on the fuse panel. |
Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2016 at 6:55pm
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Thanks, TheBum (cool name by the way). I am putting in a 12v adapter plug not sure where yet. I just want to be able to plug in a small inverter and car phone charger. ------------- MDPaddlersPod 2017 RPod 179 2002 Silverado1500 |
Posted By: Mojave1
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 2:05pm
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Great ideas so far. My wish list is as follows: - Bigger refrigerator - the 4.2cf doesn't cut it. - Better / deeper cushions on couch - my back goes into the blinds. - Single pedestal table - so you don't hit you knee. - Larger wet bath - couple inches longer please. - Upgrade Lippert frame - better paint (rusting), better brackets to hold jacks & water tanks (cheap). - Dual propane tanks - I know I can do this myself. - External radio antenna - my radio reception sucks (I suspect the aluminum framing). |
Posted By: Pete Brayton
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 10:18pm
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I have a 172, and I tapped into the power for the powered television antenna in the cabinet above the stove/sink. I was able to install a voltmeter/USB port/12V adapter combination. ------------- 2021 Rpod 196 2013 Ford 150 V8 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 10:26pm
I wired one to the main panel, and one to the heater fan wire. That gave us on at each end of the trailer. ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 11:22pm
These may be nice, but what trade-offs would you be willing to accept in exchange? For example, would you be willing to sacrifice the convection-microwave in order to have space for a larger refrigerator? Would you be willing to sacrifice the pantry and/or the wardrobe for a larger wet bath? As for the pedestal table, it might be nice, but it would require modifications to the seats to have a lip to hold it in place when lowered to make it into a bed. The current thin back cushion is because the table is higher and to get a level top, the back cushion needs to be thinner. The paint on the frame could be better. There are places where it was evident that it was supported while being painted. These support places were never painted after the supports were removed. I have been under my 179 with a wire brush and a can of spray paint to address these places. As for the water (drinking, gray, and black), I agree with the supports. I don't like the screws. They may be "industry standard" but bolts are better. Radio: Do you have the antenna booster on of off when you listen? If it is off, have you tried when it is turned on? ------------- 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: ribet
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 11:54pm
| I am not happy with my radio reception. Do they have a antenna connection on them? I have not removed it to see yet. The TV booster does not help. Any one have any ideas? |
Posted By: ribet
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 11:56pm
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On mu rusty metal under the R pod I plan to use automotive spray undercoat. I think it will do a better job then spray paint. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2016 at 7:12am
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The only antenna connection I saw on mine when I removed it (4 square-drive screws) is the one for the TV antenna. What is television reception like? If that is also bad, the antenna connection may have become unplugged.
------------- 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: Mojave1
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2016 at 12:47pm
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TV works fine. I'm an amateur radio operator who's roots go back to listening to radio wave skip while camping (as a kid). Sometimes, in the evening I like to spin the AM dial and see what's coming in. Inside the R-Pod, I think because it has an aluminum structure, AM radio reception is horrible. Similarly, I've noticed that radio waves are muted in buildings with metal beams. Cell services, because they are at much higher frequencies (shorter wave) don't seem affected. I've many shortwave and Ham radios. I've other radios in the R-pod without success. Putting a radio in the window, helps reception. Since this is a wish list, I wish the R-Pod had a radio antenna. I wish that my AM radio worked. I wish that my FM radio reception is better. My previous trailer had a radio antenna. It would be unusual if the TV antenna was a radio antenna. If your AM radio works great, I'd like to hear about it.
------------- 2017 179 R-pod |
Posted By: Mojave1
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2016 at 1:13pm
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"These may be nice, but what trade-offs would you be willing to accept in exchange? For example, would you be willing to sacrifice the convection-microwave in order to have space for a larger refrigerator? Would you be willing to sacrifice the pantry and/or the wardrobe for a larger wet bath?" Prior trailer, 16 foot, had a Norcold Refrigerator that was much more usable. Empirically, the difference was in depth. Regarding the wet bath, perhaps the space can be found near the doorway. The wet baths in some campers are amazing! They have less space. I'd look there for further inspiration. "As for the pedestal table, it might be nice, but it would require modifications to the seats to have a lip to hold it in place when lowered to make it into a bed. The current thin back cushion is because the table is higher and to get a level top, the back cushion needs to be thinner. " The cushion that goes against the wall. The one that supports your back when you lean back needs to be thicker. My back goes into the curtains and window hardware when I lean back. My wife and I use the R-pod as a couples coach. We won't ask any others to spend the night with us in the trailer. You make a good point about the table couch becoming a bed. We don't want that. We want a comfortable place to relax. A great "option" would be comfortable couples couch and single pedestal table that doesn't turn into a bed. "The paint on the frame could be better. There are places where it was evident that it was supported while being painted. These support places were never painted after the supports were removed. I have been under my 179 with a wire brush and a can of spray paint to address these places." I've been touching up rust on the R-pod. The paint on the frame is thin. In spots I can see through it. Inside channels, where I can't reach with a paint can, there's rust and no paint. As a side note, my truck is a 1994. I'm the original owner. Chevrolet didn't paint the frame in the normal sense. It came with a thick oily waxy substance applied (which worked fine). Over the years that came off. I've spent lots of time removing dirt, wax, oil, and rust from that frame. At this point, it's looks very good. My experience, Rustoleum is (thin because it's in a spray can) a good paint. But, it requires several coats to maintain durability. My R-pod frame looks like a single coat of thin paint. ------------- 2017 179 R-pod |