New Rpod owner- Stabilizing jack question
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Topic: New Rpod owner- Stabilizing jack question
Posted By: Medicine Wolf
Subject: New Rpod owner- Stabilizing jack question
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2017 at 12:34am
| I am new to the camper world coming from an adventure tent based trailer. I just purchased a 2010 r-pod 151. It has only been used a half dozen times or so and was kept covered and looks to be in great shape. The guy had everything for it but did not have stabilizer jacks. My question is do I need them? Could it damage the trailer if I don't use them? It's only 16 feet long and its just myself and my dog int he trailer. If the answer is yes could you link to some you would recommend? Also the bearings were greased last year according to the guy and the trailer has been sitting for most of that time only being used once. Should I have them greased just in case? Thanks in advance.... |
Replies:
Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2017 at 1:22am
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grease never stops being grease unless it's dirty.
however you might enjoy the sway of the trailer as your dog moves or the wind blows. if not, get some jacks. Derek |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2017 at 5:52am
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Welcome to the group!! Congrats on your 151!! Agree with Derek
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2017 at 8:32am
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It's possible, when you're camped, with the TV unhooked, to put so much weight in the back that you'll tip the trailer tongue up. Very awkward and disconcerting.... That, aside from general stability, is probably more than enough reason for stabilizers on the rear. They aren't absolutely necessary on the front. The jack will keep the front end from dipping, but they're nice on the front corners too for the solid feeling they give the whole rig when you're walking around inside. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: podrunner
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2017 at 9:27am
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We also have a 151 that we purchased used a few years ago. In my research, it seems that the 151 and 152 did not come with front stabilizer jacks. These early production models only had the stabilizers on the rear. I purchased a set of jacks on Amazon, drilled a couple of pilot holes and they were easy to install. I just checked my Amazon history, and it was a pair of 20" scissor jacks that I purchased. I do believe you need them as our trailer was quite wobbly with out them. Enjoy your RP 151. Happy trails
------------- 2010 R Pod 151 2017 4runner 2006 Honda Metropolitan |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2017 at 4:42pm
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I agree with Podrunner. We also have an older model-2009 173 model R Pod that originally had no front stabilizer jacks. after a couple of trips, I bought a pair and added them to the front. Easy job, much improvement and highly recommended. enjoy your new pod!! Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Medicine Wolf
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2017 at 8:26pm
| Thanks for the input..I ordered 2 for the rear and see how that goes...I don't feel confident about drilling into metal but Im guessing there might be pre drilled holes since it was supposed to come with them from the factory...I was advised on my old 18 gallon fresh water tank in adventure trailer to not drink from the tank....So i bought a couple fo 5 gallon jugs...Do most people drink from the faucets or take their own drinking water? If I dont drink from it do i still need to treat and clean the tanks? |
Posted By: osage
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2017 at 10:08pm
| we just buy two 1 gallon jugs and refill them at the camp sites . |
Posted By: Grandpa Hiker
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 4:03am
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We bring a couple of jugs of water filtered through our refrigerator filter system. Even though we do not drink water from the tank, I still do the Clorox - vinegar routine every spring when I do de-winterization. ------------- Rob & Becky 2014 Ford Explorer 3.5 SOHC V6 2015 R-179 Pod aka Piddle Pod "Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain!!" |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 5:13am
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If you decide to get stabilizers, get one for each corner, 4 . THey take very little time to use and stabilize the camper. No shake and shimmy. Grease the bearings once a year should be fine. There should be specs for how often to lube them. With a flashlight, you may be able to find a part number on the hubs looking behind them, and find online what the maker of the hubs recommends. ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 9:30am
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We have a 2009, 172 that also came with no front jacks. For the time being, I use portable jack stands that work fine, but some time in the coming summer, I'll be installing front jacks. As for tank water, I personally wouldn't drink it, even though I do the bleach sanitizing when un-winterizing. We found that Simply Orange 2.7 qt. plastic bottles for drinking water. The nice thing about them is they're essentially free, they're sturdy food grade plastic, easy to fill, and they are somewhat square so they pack well. G. Hiker, what's the vinegar treatment that you do? ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 1:14pm
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If you sanitize your fresh water tank properly and then use an inline filter when filling your tank, why not drink it? The water is every bit as good as that which you will buy in bottles. We use a https://smile.amazon.com/Camco-40043-TastePURE-Flexible-Protector/dp/B0006IX87S/ref=smi_ge_rl_rd_gw?_encoding=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0&newts=1&ref_=smi_chpf_redirect&ref_=smi_chpf_redirect&ref_=smi_www_ucol_si_ul_g2257926382 - Camco TastePure filter . After buying the initial single with the flexible connector, I purchase them in the two-pack without the connector. I also purchased a https://smile.amazon.com/Camco-22505-Degree-Hose-Elbow/dp/B003BZD03K/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1493662238&sr=1-4-fkmr3&keywords=right-angle+water+hose+connector+RV - 90 degree elbow to take the stress off the city water connection on the R-Pod or to connect a fill valve for filling the fresh water tank. You are already carrying 30 gallons of water. Why pack additional water just for drinking? The Simply Orange bottles you describe are no safer than a properly sanitized fresh water tank. ------------- 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: lostagain
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 5:12pm
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Stephen - Good idea with the filter, but what does it cost for the initial purchase and cartridges and how often do you need to change them? What I like about my orange juice bottles, is that you have high turnover of the bottles, you dump out what you don't need (in the flower pots at home, of course), you wash them at each filling (so they never sit around for too long) and you have extra water if you're dry camping. I come from a sailboat background and the tank water in a sail boat can get pretty gnarly after not very long while sitting in the tank at the perfect bacteria growing temp. Putting in disinfectant is always iffy because you're never really sure of how much water you have (ratio of bleach to water) and it tastes like ..... well, it doesn't taste so good. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Grandpa Hiker
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 5:47pm
I got that from a "De-Winterization" checklist a couple of years ago that was poster in the R-Pod Forum. After letting the full fresh water tank sit over night with 1/2 cup of bleach, drain the tank, water lines, etc. Then refill the tank adding 1/2 cup of distilled vinegar. Open low point drains, etc. to get "vinegar water" in all pipes. ------------- Rob & Becky 2014 Ford Explorer 3.5 SOHC V6 2015 R-179 Pod aka Piddle Pod "Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain!!" |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 7:27pm
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Amazon Prime has the two pack of Camco TastePure KDF filters for $17.64. Camco says that each one will last a full season. That depends, of course, on the quality of the water being filtered. If the incoming water has more sediments, it will plug up faster and you will notice a decrease in the flow rate. When I am not using mine, I store it in the refrigerator to help keep bacteria from growing. I don't try to carry one over from one season to the next though.
------------- 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: lostagain
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 10:59pm
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Stephen, how do you filter the water once it gets into the tank and you're pumping it to the faucet? If I understand the Camco TastePure KDF correctly it filters the water from the fill hose to the tank or to connection to the hose fitting for domestic pressure water, bypassing the tank and pump. It's what grows in the tank once you put the water in it that makes me a little squeamish. Are there inline filters that you can put near the galley sink that will filter just the water for the sink faucet but will not have such flow resistance that it may hurt the pump? ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 May 2017 at 9:27am
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I don't filter the water again. Between trips, I don't leave the tank full. I have seen some inline filters that could tap into the cold water line with filtered water having a separate faucet. I think that is overkill though. If you are really worried, sanitize the tank before every trip. Otherwise, once a season at the beginning should be fine. Another alternative is to use a pitcher filter such as a Brita or Pur pitcher. That would not require any plumbing modifications and would certainly be less expensive than the under-sink filter. A third alternative is to use a faucet mount filter such as one from Pur, Brita, or DuPont. I would not worry about hurting the pump. It will cycle on and off as needed to maintain pressure. If the flow is restricted, it will not try to keep forcing more pressure. It will just cycle. ------------- 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: lostagain
Date Posted: 02 May 2017 at 11:43am
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Thanks for the info, Stephen. For me, being retired, I'm a little on the lazy side and what you propose seems like an awful lot of work. I think I'll stick to my orange juice bottles for drinking water. 😎 I never use the paper cups to drink water in the airplane heads either. It' not that I don't have faith in United, but ........... ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Live2Camp
Date Posted: 02 May 2017 at 3:11pm
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I know I will never be able to go camping without jugs of water, even if the RPod tank is full. But whether or not you fill it, I agree with those who advise to clean the system anyway. You never know when you might want it in the future, and it will be easier to get it ready for potable water if you've been maintaining it all along. Hope this helps. ------------- 2017 R-Pod 179 HRE (the green one) His:Ford F150 double cab 4WD; Hers/mine:Tacoma V6 double cab 4WD Still love rugged, diggin' comfy too |