Introduce Yourself: New Rpod owner

New Rpod owner

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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
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=8906
Printed Date: 24 May 2025 at 10:42pm
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Topic: New Rpod owner

Posted By: flyfishingphil
Subject: New Rpod owner
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2016 at 10:23pm

Just picked up the 179HRE/Baja. Had a nice Wildcat F24 5th wheel but it limited where I can go fishing and talked to several Rpod owners. Nothing negative, other than size, so figured it would serve my purposes.

Taking my time setting it up, figuring what all I really need and what I carried in excess before. So far impressed with the actual storage space, except bathroom.

Anybody change to 35 pound LP tank? How long, normal use for 1 person, temp's in the low 40's at night, do the 20 pounders last?

Also bringing 4 golf cart batteries over, ordered the battery box yesterday. Have a 270 watt solar panel to hook directly to batteries and a 2200 max generator for back up if needed.

Dealer said nothing about the R Dome, anybody know where to get one that fits the 179? Price range?

Suggestions/recommendations readily accepted.

Phil

Replies:

Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2016 at 8:09am

We have 2 6v golf cart batteries and 270 watts solar. We've had no problem with boondocking for as long as a week. I figure we could do it indefinitely, water being the only real limiting factor. This, even with running a 12v freezer all the time. As far as gas is concerned, a 20 pound tank lasts a long time, weeks. Of course, that's without running the heater.

Congratulations on the pod. I know you'll enjoy it

Posted By: ragadas
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2016 at 8:21am

R-Dome for sale here. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8677&title=pahaque-rpod-trailer-side-tent

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Dave & Chris
RP 179
2011 Tacoma Access Cab
V6 6 speed manual.

Posted By: birderdiane526
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2016 at 9:47am

Congratulations on your new POD! Based on feedback here we will be switching to two 6v golf cart batteries. As full-timers we boondock a lot and see we will be in good shape with this setup. And we do hope to get a 30# propane tank.

Happy trails!

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Diane and Michael
2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE)
2007 Toyota Tundra
BLOG:Podding in Paradise,
birderdiane526.blogspot.com

Posted By: flyfishingphil
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2016 at 10:12am

Thanks. Just replied to him to see if he still has it.

Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2016 at 1:33pm

Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 179!

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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

Posted By: Blue Highways
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 9:19am

FFphil: I'd say use up your 20# propane to determine how much propane you use, and then when empty, instead of doing the exchange, you could consider pulling that, and replacing it with a "tall" tank (30#) which I believe I usually see for about $80. At that point, you'll have a really long run using propane if you value boondocking; of course be mindful of the increase in tongue weight until you burn that tank down a bit.

Even with the stock 20#, we were surprised how long propane lasted us boondocking all through BC, Yukon Territories and Alaska. I occasionally unlatched it, lifted it and shook it, and realized that we had more remaining than expected. That was with cooking, heating many 38-45° nights on thermostat, and still running the fridge on propane during "stop / fuel, stop & explore/eat" portions of daily drives. (When we knew we were going to run 2+ hours continuously on the road, we'd switch the fridge to battery.)

At Camping World, I spotted a tall tank with integrated accurate "propane level" gauge for over $100 which I would seriously consider when we run up to Alaska again. Apparently, the little dial guages you can purchase are not accurate, and the true test (without gauges) is to release the tank and lift it up, or do the hot water pour test. But this tank had a serious gauge that ran down the center interior of this tall version tank. (That would be a propane tank worth holding on to for your next RV.)

I would also like to hear how Diane/Michael birder (and you) like the 6V battery set up and how that installation went. (DIY or at RV shop?)

Our factory installed battery has served us well, but am considering the dual 6V mod when our 12V battery reaches the end of its service life. Right now, I installed an empty, wider battery box on the tray (next to the original one housing stock battery), and use that to store road triangles, gloves, flares and the like in the event of a road incident or flat tire. That'll have to go if we do the 6V pair conversion later.

Holding back on the R-dome for now.... 60% of the KOA-style campsites didn't have enough room for us to use a dome. But sure like the idea of one. (Maybe in time.) We're still in our first year of 179 ownership. Hello birders and welcome Phil!

Posted By: flyfishingphil
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 10:50am

BH. Thanks for reply.

Testing tank now to see how long it lasts wit heater set a little warmer, to make up for comparatively warm nights, fridge set at max cold and water heater on. Added 2 tank tray and will probably go with 2 20 lb tanks. That way I don't have to run into town for a refill before I can fix breakfast. (Ever notice how they always go empty between 2 & 3 AM on the coldest and funkiest night?)

Regarding 6 volt batteries. Only way to go. Much higher AH than the 12's (Mine are 215 AH and are rated for 105 minutes at 75 amp draw.) Last trip out was in timber zone, and a few cloudy days, and only got a couple hours of sun on solar a day. 12 days out and inverter was showing 11.9 volts. Used TV, heater, recharged phone and tablet and no problem. Will take along generator next time so can use micro and convection. DIY on 6V set up. Ordered a battery box that will hold 4, with spare space in it, that I'll install when it gets here. I'll see if I can get a photo and post it. (The ID is Torklift A7710R and found it at hitchsource.com for $400. Narrow & 58" long. Sliding top and locking. They also have one for 2 batteries with spare space.) The batteries are heavy, and will increase the tongue weight a bit, but shouldn't exceed the 500 pound hitch limit.

Now that I have a trailer I can get into some areas that I couldn't get into with 5th wheel will be doing more "dry" camping so R dome or enclosed canopy would be nice. Carry along 7 gallon spare tank, BBQ, other cooking gear and do a lot of "outside" cooking with no concern about weather. Also carry along a couple 5 gallon water jugs and do the dishwashing, etc outside.

Looking forward to some "extended" trips next year.

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 11:08am

Don't plan on running the microwave on a 2000 Watt generator. It might run the AC, but there is a significant starting surge current when the microwave magnetron kicks in. The microwave will reset and not start. Running the convection side is no problem though. A 3000 Watt generator should be more than adequate.

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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: flyfishingphil
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 11:19am

Thanks for warning. Spent time checking and the Gen is actually 2200 watt surge, 1800 watt run, and read numerous reports of no problem with the micro/convection. If it doesn't carry it guess I won't use the micro. Convection will make up for no oven and cook faster than a regular oven anyway. Also looking at a stove top oven for outside use. Have seen several articles and favorable reports on those.

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 11:28am

We have a Generac iX2000 which is rated 2000 Watts running, 2200 Watts surge. It won't run the microwave, even when I bypass the R-Pod's circuits and plug it directly into an extension. I don't know if you have the same model convection-microwave as I do though, so you could test it and see.

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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