R-pod Owners Forum : Camping with vehicle attached http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Introduce Yourself : Camping with vehicle attached Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 01 May 2026 15:01:08 +0000 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:36:37 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=1628 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Camping with vehicle attached : I lived for 6 years traveling... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13863#13863 Author: TerryM
Subject: 1628
Posted: 03 Mar 2011 at 2:36pm

I lived for 6 years traveling in a 38' diesel pusher.  My fridge ran off 12v, 110v and LP.  If you were to go to an Escapees Rally and go to the seminars you will be told exactly what I said.  Call your locale fire department and ask what they think.  If I remember right my owners manual for the motor home said to switch to 12v for traveling.

Terry
]]> Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:36:37 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13863#13863 Camping with vehicle attached : Tens of thousands of RVers travel... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13860#13860 Author: Outbound
Subject: 1628
Posted: 03 Mar 2011 at 7:40am

Tens of thousands of RVers travel with propane on all the time.  Larger rigs, with larger fridges, don't even have a 12v option and must run on propane while travelling.

If travelling with propane on was a safety concern, RV manufacturers, afraid of lawsuits, would quite clearly communicate that propane must be turned off during travel; most likely some sort of idiot-proof interlock would be developed.  Governments would prohibit travelling with propane on.
]]> Thu, 03 Mar 2011 07:40:24 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13860#13860 Camping with vehicle attached : It may be legal to travel with... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13859#13859 Author: TerryM
Subject: 1628
Posted: 03 Mar 2011 at 4:22am

It may be legal to travel with the propane open but don't do it.  If there were to be an accident you would have an open gas source for a fire to feed on...BOOM!

Terry
]]> Thu, 03 Mar 2011 04:22:53 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13859#13859 Camping with vehicle attached : You can replace the factory jack... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13855#13855 Author: techntrek
Subject: 1628
Posted: 02 Mar 2011 at 7:17pm

You can replace the factory jack with a fold-up model that fits on the side of the tongue.]]> Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:17:04 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13855#13855 Camping with vehicle attached : One possible problem with camping... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13850#13850 Author: AvalancheRpod
Subject: 1628
Posted: 02 Mar 2011 at 6:05pm

One possible problem with camping while hooked up is that some on some vans and suv's you may not be able to open the back door of the tow vehicle because of the tongue jack on the r-pod while you're hooked up.]]> Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:05:42 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13850#13850 Camping with vehicle attached : Thank you all for your comments.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13829#13829 Author: rshapiro126
Subject: 1628
Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 7:27pm

Thank you all for your comments. This eases my mind & will make it easier for us to get an early start.Smile]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2011 19:27:24 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13829#13829 Camping with vehicle attached : I hitch up while my wife is sleeping,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13826#13826 Author: profmagickb
Subject: 1628
Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 6:07pm

I hitch up while my wife is sleeping, or getting ready in the pod.....never had any problems. I also have left it hitched up through the night. I also tow with the propane running the fridge. I think you will have an awesome time.... good luck]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:07:21 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13826#13826 Camping with vehicle attached : One more comment- if you are camping... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13825#13825 Author: techntrek
Subject: 1628
Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 6:03pm

One more comment - if you are camping with hookups you can keep the Bargman connector connected.  This will keep not only the 'pod's battery topped off but it will also keep the car's battery topped off.  If you are dry camping do as rpodcamper said and disconnect the Bargman connector.]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:03:06 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13825#13825 Camping with vehicle attached : I wouldn't worry about using... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13824#13824 Author: Outbound
Subject: 1628
Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 5:33pm

I wouldn't worry about using the propane tank while connected to your vehicle.  Its perfectly legal to travel with the propane running (apart from ferries and tunnels, and while refuelling).

You may run into levelling problems if your campsite is off-kilter.  If the tilt is out more than a few degrees, it can lead to crystals forming in your fridge coils, reducing its effectiveness and eventually an expensive repair.  Also, I personally find it uncomfortable to sleep at an angle - and you're going to want a good nights sleep with all that exertion.

You may wish to buy your wife some solo hitch aligners so that she can hitch-up by herself at her leisure.  They're very easy to use and she'll become an expert after 3-4 tries.  She's going to have to do all the other trailering tasks anyway (filling the fresh tank with water, backing in, levelling, going to the dump station)... hitching is really quite minor.
]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:33:04 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13824#13824 Camping with vehicle attached : I second everything rpodcamper... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13822#13822 Author: Guests
Subject: 1628
Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 5:21pm

I second everything rpodcamper says.  If I am just overnighting somewhere, I never unhook the trailer.  I do unhook the Bargman (electrical plug) connector (as mentioned, for the reason mentioned).
 
The only danger I see from the propane is if there is a leak.  If there is any doubt about the integrity of the system check all of the fittings with a soap solution or have it checked by a professional - as this would be dangerous hooked or unhooked. 
 
While the tanks do have a safety vent incorporated into the regulator, it should only release a small amount only if there is excessive pressure; such as sitting in the direct sun for a long period.
 
I look at it this way, my vehicle has 20+ gallons of exposive liquid (gasoline) on board.  Could something go wrong with that - yes, but probably not (at least it hasn't in many years of driving).  Personally, I've never heard of an incident similar to what you mention. 
 
Relax and enjoy the trip....it sounds cool!   
]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:21:12 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13822#13822 Camping with vehicle attached : Thanks. Those are great suggestions.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13821#13821 Author: rshapiro126
Subject: 1628
Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 5:08pm

Thanks.  Those are great suggestionsSmile.


]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:08:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13821#13821 Camping with vehicle attached : I have camped with our R-Pod attached... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13820#13820 Author: rpodcamper.com
Subject: 1628
Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 4:57pm

I have camped with our R-Pod attached to the tow vehicle.  One of the first things you want to make sure is to detach the cable from the car to trailer.  Trust me you do not want to drain the battery down where the car will not start the next day.  I also drop the tongue jack down if I can to help take the weight off the car.  But have ran everything in the camper.

Sounds like a neat trip biking from spot to spot. A few years back I had wanted to bike the Canal  from Cumberland Maryland down to Washington DC with my kids but that never happened.  Now the kids are older and want nothing to do with that.]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:57:04 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13820#13820 Camping with vehicle attached : A group of us are planning a cross... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13819#13819 Author: rshapiro126
Subject: 1628
Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 4:46pm

A group of us are planning a cross country bike tour & my wife will be driving the R-Pod attached minivan as a sag wagon.  Since the bikers will be leaving the campsite before my wife (she likes to sleep in), this means that we would need to reattach the minivan to the trailer before she's awake.  A friend who has lots of RV'ing experience suggested that I keep the minivan attached to the trailer at the campsite.  I was under the impression that this was in some way dangerous due to the proximity of the propane tank to the car.  What do you think about this idea?  Would it be safe if I make sure that the car isn't running while the propane tank is open?  Thanks for your help.]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:46:36 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1628&PID=13819#13819