180 "Star" Pod Mods
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: Non-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Mods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Same as podmods, just... not for pods
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8914
Printed Date: 03 May 2025 at 2:27am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 180 "Star" Pod Mods
Posted By: Donnie
Subject: 180 "Star" Pod Mods
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2016 at 7:47am
We use our Rpod to mostly camp at amateur astronomy events known as Star Parties, hence the name "Star" pod. We will post our mods here. Be kind as I figure out how to do this. 
------------- Donnie & Tina Hill 2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold 2018 Ford F-150 STX 2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost 2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2” 2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS Deep Run, NC |
Replies:
Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2016 at 8:38pm
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This is the kitchen area mod Tina did. She covered the entire back wall of the kitchen area with stick on tile. Looks good! 
------------- Donnie & Tina Hill 2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold 2018 Ford F-150 STX 2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost 2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2” 2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS Deep Run, NC |
Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2016 at 8:42pm
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We added a MaxxAir vent cover. 
------------- Donnie & Tina Hill 2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold 2018 Ford F-150 STX 2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost 2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2” 2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS Deep Run, NC |
Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2016 at 9:04pm
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For some reason our mirror in our 180 was mounted much lower than the ones in the brochures. With the mirror all the way down to the sink it looked a little strange. So... Tina added other mirrors!  ------------- Donnie & Tina Hill 2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold 2018 Ford F-150 STX 2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost 2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2” 2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS Deep Run, NC |
Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2016 at 9:35pm
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The cables running to the TV were a bunched up mess. We took down the tape and cable ties off and enclosed and rerouted the cables. Here are the after photos.  ------------- Donnie & Tina Hill 2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold 2018 Ford F-150 STX 2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost 2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2” 2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS Deep Run, NC |
Posted By: gnawbone
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2016 at 10:08am
thanks for showing your mods. I'm wondering if you resolved the high step into the trailer. From floor of trailer to the step is 12". the 2 step add ons are still very high.I'm also looking into changing the bed. I'd like to somehow make the bed into twins. 32" wide. May have to remove the dinette seat back to give me extra length on that side. any ideas??  Buck Gilpin ------------- 2017 Toyota Sienna 2016 R-180 "the Wee Pod" |
Posted By: Bama Pod
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2016 at 7:45am
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Awesome mods! Question: How hard was it to mount the MaxAir cover? Newbie here and assuming the roof is not "walk-on". So did you install from a step ladder and gently lie of roof? Would like to add one to our new Pod (once we get it) and I'd like to not damage anything.
Love this forum - get so many tips and ideas.
------------- Bama Pod Huntsville, AL 2017 Ford F250 2017 Airstream 26U |
Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2016 at 9:37am
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Hi, sorry for the late reply, I was in Germany all week for work. Ours has just one step and although it's a little high, we're ok with it for now. If you decide to redo yours with twin beds it probably depends on the height of the person sleeping on the dinette side. If they're short enough, you might get away with leaving the seat back, if not I agree it might have to come out. Good luck! ------------- Donnie & Tina Hill 2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold 2018 Ford F-150 STX 2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost 2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2” 2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS Deep Run, NC |
Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2016 at 9:44am
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Thanks! The fan cover wasn't hard to install and only took about 30 minutes. We set it on top first to check the air flow and couldn't really tell a difference in the amount of air moving through. I used a ladder and put one knee on the roof. The dealer had told us not to walk on the roof but the service guy told us he walks on them all the time. Decided not to chance it. I wrapped the legs of the ladder in towels to keep from scratching the pod. My wife helped with the screws from the inside. The cover really is nice and we found the best price at Amazon. ------------- Donnie & Tina Hill 2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold 2018 Ford F-150 STX 2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost 2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2” 2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS Deep Run, NC |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2016 at 7:10pm
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Nice work on the mods. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2016 at 9:01am
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Thanks! We're packing up now for our very first trip! Hurricane Matthew showed up the day after we brought the pod home from the dealer so we've been doing a few mods and stocking up. The only problem we're having is getting the adhesive off from the eleventy-billion stickers on the thing. The Zamp sticker next to the door was put on before the clear coat and you can tell it's not as shiny underneath as the rest of the front. I tried alcohol on the sticky stuff but I'm afraid of making things worse if I use Goo-gone. Nobody else will ever notice, I guess. This weekend is the CHAOS Star Party at Staunton River State Park in Virginia. The new bike rack is installed and we'll post pics of it and the trip soon. ------------- Donnie & Tina Hill 2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold 2018 Ford F-150 STX 2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost 2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2” 2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS Deep Run, NC |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2016 at 9:29am
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Go ahead and use the Goo Gone. It will not hurt the fiberglass exterior. You will likely find that the dullness you see is adhesive residue.You could also use mineral spirits (old type or the newer low-volatility, odorless type) as this will also not hurt the fiberglass or clear-coat. Use a good wax (I use Turtle Wax Ice) afterward. I used odorless mineral spirits (has a milky look) to remove old lap sealant when I re-did the spoiler. It removed the old lap sealant easily. Alcohol would clean the old sealant, but would not remove it. ------------- 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: Pete Brayton
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2016 at 11:58am
Hi Donnie, nice mods! Here is a shot of my Pod and scope at Lathrop State Park near Walsenberg, CO. Those are the Spanish Peaks and my 20" Obsession in the background.
------------- 2021 Rpod 196 2013 Ford 150 V8 |
Posted By: birderdiane526
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2016 at 9:11pm
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I recently used Goo Gone to remove our stickers' residue and it worked perfectly. Use a soft cloth rather than a blue shop towel to do the job. ------------- Diane and Michael 2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE) 2007 Toyota Tundra BLOG:Podding in Paradise, birderdiane526.blogspot.com |
Posted By: Jasp
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2016 at 7:47am
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Put a hair dryer to the stickers. Works like a charm!
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Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2016 at 9:48am
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OK, great, I'll try the Goo-gone today. ------------- Donnie & Tina Hill 2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold 2018 Ford F-150 STX 2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost 2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2” 2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS Deep Run, NC |
Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2016 at 9:49am
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Thanks! That is a gorgeous picture. ------------- Donnie & Tina Hill 2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold 2018 Ford F-150 STX 2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost 2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2” 2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS Deep Run, NC |