new R-pod owner 180
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Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8426
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Topic: new R-pod owner 180
Posted By: voisj
Subject: new R-pod owner 180
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2016 at 9:29pm
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Picking up my new 180 on Friday in Fresno (Toy Hauler liquidators) and heading straight up to the Sierras to dry camp for the weekend. Few questions for those in the know; 1) Bringing basic tools, is the Trailer metric or standard? 2) What size Socket for the stabilizing Jacks? I'm Bringing a cordless drill. 3) Are the fuses standard automotive? 4) I have a 40w solar panel can i just plug it in to the solar panel jack or do i need a controller? 5) I know it's nutty going straight up for 3 days dry camping from the dealer, what do i need to know about the R-Pod during the first time out? THanks! John
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Replies:
Posted By: Jazz trumpet
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2016 at 9:35pm
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3/4 inch stabilizer Jack socket. You'll have an adventure for sure. You sound courageous. Enjoy ------------- John and Marilyn 2016 Rpod 180 2001 Chevrolet Suburban |
Posted By: DaveC3
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2016 at 8:39am
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Get a set of square driver bits, all the small screws have the square type of head. Also get or bring a digital multi-meter, for checking battery voltages, charge state etc. You may also but a set of mirror clips, the bathroom mirror is only held in place with double sided tape. We live in Texas and the heat made the tape fail and the mirror fell off. I think you need a controller for the solar panel if you plan to charge the battery. Which brings up another option. The dealer put in a group 24 battery in our 180, it is at the bottom of the capacity. If you are going to boon-dock a lot you may want to upgrade your battery to two 12v batteries or two 6 volt golf cart batteries. The fuses are like automotive fuses, our dealer said to buy a variety pack. but you may want to peek into the the fuse block to see what sizes the Pod realy has. Get a torque wrench and make sure the lug nuts are tight (100 ft lbs). The lug nuts are 3/4 inch. I check them every trip. One more thing to check before you start out, make sure the bolts on the brackets for you holding tanks are tight. Mine had a couple loose and there was a gap between the bracket and the frame. We have enjoyed our 180, got it at the end of February and have over seven weeks of camping and eight thousand mile on it so far. It is too hot right now but we are planning another big trip this fall. Good luck Dave ------------- 2016 R-Pod 180 2015 Ford Explorer Limited |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2016 at 8:45am
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Congrats on your 180! Enjoy your trip!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2016 at 10:52am
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Dave,
Thanks for the tips! square drive, who would have thought it?. Had the dealer install an extra marine battery. Ours came with mirror clips from the factory , must have heard the R- pod nation grumble. I'll check the tanks bolts I assume a socket set should handle that. Anything else you can think of let me know! Rgds John ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost 
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2016 at 9:00pm
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This time of year, you will find that 1 battery will suffice. When we camp spring/fall and temps fall into the high 30's or lo 40's and the furnace gets a good workout we still will get 3 days minimum out of our 12 v deep cycle marine before switching over to the other one. We take it down until it shows 1/3 charge left. Those batteries are now going into year number 6. Also, DO NOT try to run your fridge on battery, it will drain it to zero overnight, make sure you are running propane to cool the fridge.
------------- 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: voisj
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2016 at 9:40pm
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Thanks for the fridge tip, is there a three way switch that you set to your preference or is it automatic? They wired my batteries together, and i planned to mount a marine style shutoff/1/2/both. never thought about just using one at a time. I'm pondering this one;) rgds John ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 5:05am
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You manually set it to propane, the icons on the left side show what mode you are in.
------------- 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: birderdiane526
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:06am
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Hi Dave! Great information! Thanks!
Hope all is well with you and Cheryl. ------------- Diane and Michael 2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE) 2007 Toyota Tundra BLOG:Podding in Paradise, birderdiane526.blogspot.com |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 12:01pm
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Thanks for the info! I'm sure I'll have more questions in 2 hours ,we are Hitting the road now to pick it up. And thankshanks to all gave me newby tips!! rgds John ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
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Posted By: dayman
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 6:27pm
| Ours was winterized from the factory and had to be sanitized before we used the water. See if the dealer will de-winterize for you too. |
Posted By: jdtrotter
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 9:25pm
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Looking forward to hearing about your experience. We are seriously considering the 180 and not sure what dealer we will use. The closest dealer is Fresno, except there is no road over the mountain, so we may use one in Reno. Have a great time and hearing all the details. |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2016 at 5:20pm
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Just pulled Back into the driveway in SLO. Toyhaulers sold it to us for ----, which beat everyone else by $1500 to $3000 may be worth the drive. Picked it up on friday and headed out! We ended up near Edison lake at 9000' in a nice camp area with a nice lake (Portal Forebay). Road in was a treacherous 23 mile, one lane, windy, narrow, cliff on one side ,boulders on the other road. Was awesome and scary at times, but it keeps the riffraff out! The trailer tracked very well and my truck didn't even know it was there. The campgroud had pit toilets and no water. I'll post my story and such after in settle in. rgds John
------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
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Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2016 at 8:41pm
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What about... north to south Echo summit hiway 50 Carson pass Ebbets pass Sonora pass Tioga pass and that one by Lake Isabella ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2016 at 8:50pm
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Gotta love that Adrenalin rush!!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2016 at 1:23am
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Dave,
Good call on the lug nuts! Two were only finger tight. ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
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