R-pod Owners Forum : New R Pod 179 owners http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Introduce Yourself : New R Pod 179 owners Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 03 May 2026 02:37:15 +0000 Tue, 13 Jun 2017 11:45:56 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=10118 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ New R Pod 179 owners : Originally posted by CjMkThanks... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94920#94920 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 10118
Posted: 13 Jun 2017 at 11:45am

Originally posted by CjMk

Thanks for the clarification. We will use a spotter. I guess walkie talkies are better than our cell phones?
No doubt. I can't tell you how many places I've been where cell service is non-existent. Depending on cell service to backup would seem really chancy to me.]]> Tue, 13 Jun 2017 11:45:56 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94920#94920 New R Pod 179 owners : Thanks for the clarification.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94918#94918 Author: CjMk
Subject: 10118
Posted: 13 Jun 2017 at 11:34am

Thanks for the clarification. We will use a spotter. I guess walkie talkies are better than our cell phones? 




]]> Tue, 13 Jun 2017 11:34:22 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94918#94918 New R Pod 179 owners : Originally posted by mcarterlostagain, Port... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94864#94864 Author: Codex1554
Subject: 10118
Posted: 12 Jun 2017 at 9:19am

Originally posted by mcarter

lostagain,

Port is left both 4 letter words. Easy for me that way.
Both syllables of starboard have R in them for right.  One more way to remember Wink
]]> Mon, 12 Jun 2017 09:19:11 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94864#94864 New R Pod 179 owners : Originally posted by CjMkDo... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94850#94850 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 10118
Posted: 11 Jun 2017 at 9:07pm

Originally posted by CjMk

Do you think we need walkie talkies if we have a back up camera on the Toureg?
Yes. Your backup camera on your TV will be blocked by the trailer. You can not see behind the trailer, unless the trailer itself had a backup camera (now THAT's an idea!). Backing up without a spotter is risky business.]]> Sun, 11 Jun 2017 21:07:45 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94850#94850 New R Pod 179 owners : Enjoy yourselves! We leave tomorrow... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94802#94802 Author: StephenH
Subject: 10118
Posted: 11 Jun 2017 at 2:19pm

Enjoy yourselves! We leave tomorrow to pick ours up from being repaired. It will be good to bring our escaPOD home. I agree that Amazon Prime is both. I've used it quite a bit myself.]]> Sun, 11 Jun 2017 14:19:25 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94802#94802 New R Pod 179 owners : Thanks for all of the great replies.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94799#94799 Author: CjMk
Subject: 10118
Posted: 11 Jun 2017 at 1:32pm

Thanks for all of the great replies. We are picking up our casita on wheels, on Friday and taking her right on the road.  I guess we will practice in the RV lot first. The hands on the bottom of the wheel is a great tip! Do you think we need walkie talkies if we have a back up camera on the Toureg?  

I was thinking we would not be running the AC unless it's ridiculously hot.  We would like to dry camp for at least 5 days at a time, but probably will not be out more than 3 days at a time this season, so I will hold off on that expense. 

I have a cart full of goodies in Amazon. Prime is a blessing and a curse.  Tongue

Any other tips are graciously welcomed. 

Thanks again camping friends!


]]> Sun, 11 Jun 2017 13:32:59 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94799#94799 New R Pod 179 owners : Originally posted by rsmith779Use... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94708#94708 Author: TheBum
Subject: 10118
Posted: 09 Jun 2017 at 1:28pm

Originally posted by rsmith779

Use the walkie talkies....works great! Big 5, Costco, Walmart...all have them. 


We have hands-free cellular in our TV, so we just use the phone.]]> Fri, 09 Jun 2017 13:28:26 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94708#94708 New R Pod 179 owners : Generator, stabileriser and backing... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94691#94691 Author: rsmith779
Subject: 10118
Posted: 09 Jun 2017 at 7:58am

Generator, stabileriser and backing have all been covered....this is why I love this Group. 
So my 2 cents on backing up, always make sure the person that is helping you backup is in your view, use the mirrors, try not to turn your head around while backing up...it will totally confuse you. 
I took my bride to a parking lot that had straight parking lines. I had her backup using the "hands at the bottom of the steering wheel method" and backup using the right passenger mirror and then using the drivers mirror, obviously with the line on the appropriate side. 
Use the walkie talkies....works great! Big 5, Costco, Walmart...all have them. 

Congrads on the new Pod!
]]> Fri, 09 Jun 2017 07:58:51 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94691#94691 New R Pod 179 owners : lostagain, Port is left both... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94650#94650 Author: mcarter
Subject: 10118
Posted: 08 Jun 2017 at 5:09pm

lostagain,

Port is left both 4 letter words. Easy for me that way.]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2017 17:09:19 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94650#94650 New R Pod 179 owners : Yes, congrats on your new pod.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94649#94649 Author: lostagain
Subject: 10118
Posted: 08 Jun 2017 at 4:46pm

Yes, congrats on your new pod.  

As for backing up, one of the things I really like about this forum is I always learn new things [or I always feel really stupid].  I've been backing trailers off and on since I was a kid but never knew about the bottom of the steering wheel trick.  I can't wait to try it out.

As for confusing right and left, in the world of navigable waters, they use port and starboard.  Thus, no matter which way you are looking on the boat, it's always the same and there's a simple mnemonic you can use to remember:  A forward looking man (or woman) has port wine left.  Thus, port - the driver's side - and starboard - the passenger side.

]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2017 16:46:27 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94649#94649 New R Pod 179 owners : One other tip to pass on to your... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94645#94645 Author: ParPod
Subject: 10118
Posted: 08 Jun 2017 at 3:14pm

One other tip to pass on to your "guide" for backing up.....if they can't see one of the side mirrors then you can't see them......if you can see them then a simple set of hand signals works well.  Once you start practising you'll find that it's really not all that difficult as you work your way through it.   You'll soon be the talk of the campground as they all watch you expertly manouver that eye catching pod into a small campsite!]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:14:08 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94645#94645 New R Pod 179 owners : The generator you might need is... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94627#94627 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 10118
Posted: 08 Jun 2017 at 9:19am

The generator you might need is totally dependent on how much boondocking you're going to do. If your boondocks are only a day or two at a time, then you might not need any generator. If you're going out for a week, then I would recommend one 3KW generator.

As for backing up, what others have said is good advice. I will add:

One; practice!  
Two; steer from the bottom of the steering wheel. 
Three; use walkie talkies. 
Four; get your signals straight. "Left" and "right" are ambiguous when backing up. We use "passenger side", "driver side" as an alternative.

Good luck, and safe travels!
]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2017 09:19:09 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94627#94627 New R Pod 179 owners : jato has the right technique.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94612#94612 Author: ArenaBlanca
Subject: 10118
Posted: 07 Jun 2017 at 9:32pm

jato has the right technique.  Until I got  proficient at backing up, my wife and I used two walkie-talkies since I couldn't see her.  They can be marriage savers with bigger campers,  Not such an issue with R-pods.
]]> Wed, 07 Jun 2017 21:32:03 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94612#94612 New R Pod 179 owners : Welcome Cj and Mj !We have 2 12v... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94591#94591 Author: jato
Subject: 10118
Posted: 07 Jun 2017 at 4:52pm

Welcome Cj and Mj !

We have 2 12v batteries on our 177 and are now going on year 7.  Maintenance is very important as well as not drawing them down below 1/3 S.O.C. when using.  We expect 3 days per battery when camping in cold weather when night temps are upper 30's to upper 40's; furnace will run quite a bit and is the big culprit in drawing down battery charge.  If camping in warmer climes, you will get over a week easily with what you have regardless if they are 6v or 12 v. 
As StephenH stated above, practice, practice, practice.  Also, when backing up, place your hand at the bottom of your steering wheel.  If you move your hand to the left (moving the steering wheel clockwise) the pod will also turn left; vice versa for right.  Pretty simple once you've done it a few times.  We special ordered our 177 w/o A/C back in 2011, a decision we have not regretted, at least yet, so no advice about generator's but there are a lot of seasoned and well-versed people who will give you good advice on that issue.  Enjoy your 179!

]]> Wed, 07 Jun 2017 16:52:15 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94591#94591 New R Pod 179 owners : Originally posted by CjMkHi... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94590#94590 Author: StephenH
Subject: 10118
Posted: 07 Jun 2017 at 4:23pm

Originally posted by CjMk

Hi everyone,

I am so happy to see this forum. We are brand new to camping with a trailer. We pick up our R-Pod in about 10 days.  I am completely clueless.  I ordered 2 batteries, and a stabilizer as well as a brake controller. I am hearing we should get 2 generators.  I am circumspect when dry camping - I don't want to annoy anyone with a generator. Does anyone have any suggestions?  We also need a bike rack.  We were hoping to use our heavy duty bike rack we got for our Toureg. 

If anyone knows of a one stop shop where I can load her up with everything we need, please let me know.  
Lastly, for now anyway... any tricks to back her up? Tongue

Thanks in advance for your reply.  

We are soooo excited!

Welcome and Congratulations!

By 2 batteries are you meaning two 6V batteries or two 12V batteries? By stabilizer, do you mean sway control device? Brake controller is a given as it is needed.

Generator depends on how much dry camping you  intend to do. If it is occasional and you do not think you will need to run the generator or microwave, you don't really need one (or two). If, however, you will be doing extended dry camping, then a generator large enough (3000 Watt) or two 2000 watt generators run in parallel will be needed, especially if you need to run the AC or microwave.

Amazon is the nearest thing to a one-stop-shop for a lot of us. As for the bike rack, Forest River only specifies one model as a lot of other ones are too heavy for the rear cross-member to support. A search of the forum would be helpful.

Backing? Practice, practice, practice! Do so in an empty parking lot. Remember that small movements of the steering wheel can have big impact on how the trailer backs.
]]> Wed, 07 Jun 2017 16:23:10 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94590#94590 New R Pod 179 owners : Welcome to the group!! Congrats... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94589#94589 Author: Leo B
Subject: 10118
Posted: 07 Jun 2017 at 3:52pm

Welcome to the group!! Congrats on your 179!!]]> Wed, 07 Jun 2017 15:52:26 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94589#94589 New R Pod 179 owners : Hi everyone,I am so happy to see... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94588#94588 Author: CjMk
Subject: 10118
Posted: 07 Jun 2017 at 3:41pm

Hi everyone,

I am so happy to see this forum. We are brand new to camping with a trailer. We pick up our R-Pod in about 10 days.  I am completely clueless.  I ordered 2 batteries, and a stabilizer as well as a brake controller. I am hearing we should get 2 generators.  I am circumspect when dry camping - I don't want to annoy anyone with a generator. Does anyone have any suggestions?  We also need a bike rack.  We were hoping to use our heavy duty bike rack we got for our Toureg. 


If anyone knows of a one stop shop where I can load her up with everything we need, please let me know.  

Lastly, for now anyway... any tricks to back her up? Tongue

Thanks in advance for your reply.  

We are soooo excited! 






]]> Wed, 07 Jun 2017 15:41:01 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10118&PID=94588#94588