Newbie questions -- slideouts
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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=8942
Printed Date: 24 May 2025 at 11:09pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Newbie questions -- slideouts
Posted By: Neserk
Subject: Newbie questions -- slideouts
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2016 at 1:11pm
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Since we are in the buying process (tow vehicle first, then r-pod) we originally were looking at the 171. When we finally walked inside of several r-pods, I found the 171 set off a claustrophobic panic. Stepped into the 178 and the panic was gone. Needless to say, we will not be getting the 171, but a slightly larger r-pod (most likely the 178). Part of my initial resistance with the slide-outs was the potential for mechanical problems, leaks, etc. Now that that I know that is what we will be purchasing, I'm trying to wrap my brain around how slide outs actually work. In this model it is the kitchen area that slide outs. I've only seen them open, not closed (slide in?). Can someone try an explain this to me? Or, if you have a photo take a picture maybe of the interior before the slide out has been slid out? Thanks Denise |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2016 at 4:07pm
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Very few issues reported so don't worry too much. Slideouts definitely open things up. ------------- 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: mcarter
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2016 at 5:03pm
| The operation of the slide out is fairly simple. It is a gear that can drive both forward in reverse that fits into a track like mechanism. As the gear drives out the track and slide out move out and when it drives in the track collapses to the interior. There is a real good write up on the FR site and explains both mechanical and hydraulic slides- with pictures for people like me. I do not have a picture with me of the slide in from the interior. Just imagine your hallway between the latrine and the kitchen counter gets a lot narrower. I have a 178, no issues with slide. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2016 at 8:16pm
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My issues with the slide-out have not been with the mechanism, but with the rubber seals on the inside. The seal near the bed in our 179 was loose at the bottom. I noticed it a few days ago and after spending a fair amount of time, I finally got it worked back into its track. Hopefully, it will stay there. One problem is the wire for the motor comes in at the bottom and runs in a channel behind the rubber seal. At the bottom, it is pulled somewhat tight. I don't know if the seal was ever in the track fully there. I did notice that it had a tendency to slide downward. Hopefully, I have it fixed now.
------------- 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: jato
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2016 at 8:38pm
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We have enjoyed our 2011 177 for nearly 6 years and have had zero issues with the slide or leakage. Just a few weeks ago we were camping at the Lake Superior State Forest Campground in the U.P. of Michigan and after that were in Munising along Lake Superior and experienced some rugged weather. Sustained 35 mph winds with gusts at 45 mph. Rain during the whole day with at one time 1/4 to 3/8 " hail for about 15 minutes. Temp only reached 44 degrees so the furnace got a decent workout. The slide was facing the wind and Lake Superior, the lake being only 200 feet away. Even after that, no leakage, which we are thankful for, kinda neat feeling cozy in the pod though in that kind of weather, a great day for some serious Cribbage. ------------- 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: StephenH
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2016 at 8:45pm
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I had not noticed any leakage. It is just the rubber seal being loose. This is the bulky seal that the slide bumps up against when it is extended, not the rubber sweeps. They were fine. I noticed it when I was putting Protect All Slide-Out Rubber Seal Treatment on them.
------------- 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: grand beaver
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2016 at 7:58pm
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A week ago tommorrow we had a malfunction of our slide while at our last campsite in Idaho. When we ran it out for the night the power cord (which runs underneath the dinette in our 179) became bound up and pulled one of the wires off the drive motor. After we figured out how to manually push in the slide (with a video from this forum!) I discovered the disconnected wire. I will visit the dealer soon and it will be repaired under warranty but just to say that minor things can go wrong but I believe they are rare with a simple slide. We love or GrimPod as it's a huge upgrade over the teardrop we upgraded from. Good luck!
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Posted By: Vector1952
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2016 at 6:28pm
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Where can I find the info on operating the slide manually? ------------- Xxxx7 |