Diane

 PLUS the slide out keeps space from feeling too cramped.

I looked at the space and thought we could squeeze in an extra chair at the end of the table if  absolutely necessary.

 We started out backbacking a gazillion years ago and went to bigger and bigger tents. This will be our first non-cargo trailer. We travel with a dog too.

Its a little bit easier to put up than any screen tent or screened add-a-room that I've ever owned.  But, for those under 6', a stepstool will probably be required.

 

I used to tent camp with my children for years.  Then I graduated to a tiny pop-up, then a bigger one, then a fifth wheel before downsizing to the R-Pod.  I was thinking that given all the ways I have had to set up camp, I just couldn't picture the R-dome being THAT big of a problem!

 

I appreciate your feedback.

Do you have pictures of the sofa modification that you made?  We also had a 175 (177 didn't come out until after we had purchased) and found that the sofa didn't work well for us for eating as dog takes up floor space for table.  We made this modification that also adds storage.   Since I am pretty short at 5' 2" and Craig is careful, it works for us.   I would love to see what you did.  Sorry for the highjack.

 

Make sure your battery is a true deep cycle battery and not a starting battery.  Dealers install the batteries and not Forest River, and some go cheap by adding a cheaper starting battery.  Those will die after being used like a deep cycle after about 10 uses.  The cheapest deep cycle I've found is from Wal-Mart (I bought 16 of them 2 years ago so I priced around).  We've gone multiple weekends dry camping with our 1 battery w/o a problem, which includes washing dishes and taking 4 showers, plus some use of the lights at night.  We use a separate battery to run a small inverter for our laptops and cell phones.  If you find you need more battery power you could add a second in parallel to your first (assuming the first is decent to start with).  There is room on the tongue.

 

backing up using the tennis ball extension rods makes backing up a one time deal. I have a Dodge 1500 with an extra cab, so big things get hauled in that allowing for muchstorage space for pod-only articles.

 

would like some feedback re: generators..perhaps attached to the pickup bed?  do any of you have that set-up with a fairly inexpensive generator...say around 500.00?  Also would like to know if anyone has words about batteries...I have only one and it seems to drain very quickly.   Think I am just spoiled by the conveniences of a motorhome.....

 

Well anyhow, this is the Sweetpea-Pod signing off .  Thank you in advance for an tips you can give me.  (being an older female in this group...Ladies...YOU CAN DO IT!!)  

 

 

Lee,

 

I was told at the dealership that the R-dome was a 2-man job.  But I set up camp all the time all by myself and I sure am hoping I will be able to put the dome up by myself, so you give me hope in that department.  So I will get some silicone spray (any particular kind -- right now the only silicone spray I have is for the slideout -- will that work?). 

 

One other question -- I WILL need a ladder when sliding the dome into c-channel, right? 

 

It will be the end of May before I can go on my first campout with my new 177, and I can hardly wait, I tell you!

 

Diane

 

Ann,

I used to hook up my pop-up camper all by myself -- it would take me a few tries to line the ball and hitch up just right, but I did it.  I used to set up that big pop-up camper and take it down all by myself, but the Pod won't be nearly that much trouble.  I am in my 50's and not particularly athletic at all.  So if I can do it, you can do it.  As for backing up, it just takes a little practice.  Follow the advice in the forum and you will do just fine! 

Diane

 

LOL

We had a 1991, 740 series Volvo with 225,000 miles. The manual said it would pull 3300 pounds but I think you may want to call your Volvo dealer and ask how much it will cost to rebuild your transmission.

Ours gave up it's life in the great 'cash for cluckers' deal. It broke down twice on the way to the dealership but managed to hobble in on it's own power.

 

I sure do hope that you are not serious?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just kidding about the 8-9 attempts .  Hitching and backing seems to cause the most concern, as some have never done it and many of the rest of us don't do it everyday.  The more you do it, the better you get.  Don't be embarassed if it takes a try or two to get it right...you won't be any different than the rest of us.  The tennis balls can help and I seem to have noticed a back up camera for under $100 USD at a local auto parts store.  I don't use either for hitching up, though the camera might be nice.

 

Backing just takes a little practice.  Start by turning your steering wheel the opposite direction as what you normally would to back into a space.  As the camper begins to turn, you will want to start straighting the wheel, perhaps even turning it the direction you normally would, if the camper it turning too much.  Pick a school parking lot (on a weekend) or a church (through the week) and practice a few times.  Rare is the person who gets it perfect on the first try(s) each time(s).

 

You CAN handle this!  Just don't expect perfection from yourself.  I've been towing things for years and I rarely get it perfect on the first try...and I do it without help.

 

Ann

 

What is this "women/hard to get set up by yourself stuff"!!!  I do it alone all the time and almost always manage to get hitched up within 8-9 attempts....what's gender have to do with it ! 

Not hard at all, there are all kinds of things to make it easy. 

 First on my list is a set of mechanic gloves easy to work in and saves the hands.

2. For Hooking up, buy the two yellow tennis balls that help guide you when hitching (the back camera's are getting cheaper too).

3. I have a BAL that pretty easy to get the side to side level.  Just use a two dollar level to get the front and back level.

4. Cordless drill with a socket on it, makes dropping the stabilizers easy.

5. Silcone spray for the rdome c-channel (after making sure not screws are sticking out), make the r dome set up a one person job.

Gets easier every time, and this was my second season, because I get to travel/camp about 10 months out of the year.

PM me if you have an particular questions.

Lee

 

I know there are some women on this forum . . . how hard is it to get set up/hooked up/etc by yourself?

 

Ann

 

Ann

1.  They have their place/bed and you have yours.  

2.  Since they have their own area they won't be under foot, (my dogs pretty much like the Cave feeling and go straight there (keep a big piece of vinyl on it to catch dirt till it's bed time for me, child has top bunk.).

3.  Lots of storage under the bottom bunk, 10deep, 74x47

4.  Storage in pass though in the back a well

5.  Only has 3 windows, put plexiglass in screen door for light in mine.

Good lucK

Lee

P.S. Also travel single with one child and 1-3 dogs.

 

Not that I don't trust the salesman . . . but, he did say I could pull a pod with my "ancient" (1985) Volvo!