R-pod Owners Forum : New owner of 171 http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Introduce Yourself : New owner of 171 Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 01 May 2026 17:07:34 +0000 Mon, 30 May 2011 10:02:16 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=1809 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ New owner of 171 : I haven't had any problems... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16125#16125 Author: bhamster
Subject: 1809
Posted: 30 May 2011 at 10:02am

I haven't had any problems with sway either, but I added a friction sway control just as a safety measure. It seems to make it squiggle less when the wind hits it hard, but otherwise you don't even notice it (until it gets wet and then it makes squeaky noises).]]> Mon, 30 May 2011 10:02:16 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16125#16125 New owner of 171 : Hey bhamster & g4royce. I... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16117#16117 Author: Kickstart
Subject: 1809
Posted: 29 May 2011 at 5:09pm

Hey bhamster & g4royce.  I had some good luck with the Derale transmission cooler. I put about 100,000 miles on a '92 S10. A good deal of it was towing a 20'  Layton, which was a bit of a reach for the S10. I had a Derale, which is a stacked plate design and a little better quality than your standard over the counter cooler. The transmission  on the S10 never gave me any trouble-no burned fluid, no shifting problems, nothing.]]> Sun, 29 May 2011 17:09:34 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16117#16117 New owner of 171 : Nope. Just the factory hitch rated... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16116#16116 Author: g4royce
Subject: 1809
Posted: 29 May 2011 at 4:30pm

Nope.  Just the factory hitch rated for 3000lbs.  It tows really level and I haven't noticed any sway at all, even when towing through wind and rain.]]> Sun, 29 May 2011 16:30:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16116#16116 New owner of 171 : I'm probably around the max... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16114#16114 Author: bhamster
Subject: 1809
Posted: 29 May 2011 at 4:24pm

I'm probably around the max (2700), but since there are no structural differences between the 2.5i and H6, I'm not too worried about approaching 3000 for short distances. I think they bumped it down to 2700 because it wouldn't be much fun towing more, not because it's unsafe. In fact, the exact same Subaru outback is rated for almost 4000lbs in Europe.

I just don't put anything in the back of the outback (except my 40lb dog) so that the tongue weight doesn't become an issue. The suspension drops a little bit, but it handles the weight pretty well. I'm only planning on using the outback for a few years until we get a bigger car. It's just not in the budget right now and this seems to work for now.

Are you using any sway control?
]]> Sun, 29 May 2011 16:24:22 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16114#16114 New owner of 171 : With 250 horsepower, relax. My... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16113#16113 Author: techntrek
Subject: 1809
Posted: 29 May 2011 at 4:23pm

With 250 horsepower, relax.  Wink  My minivan is rated for 3500 pounds and only has 215 horsepower.]]> Sun, 29 May 2011 16:23:52 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16113#16113 New owner of 171 : I actually traded in my 2.5i just... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16112#16112 Author: g4royce
Subject: 1809
Posted: 29 May 2011 at 3:59pm

I actually traded in my 2.5i just a few days before I bought the Pod.  I was worried the 4cyl wouldn't pull it.  I'm actually still pretty nervous pulling with the H6 but I don't have much experience towing with anything else and everyone is telling me to relax.  I'm still glad I went up to the H6 though, it has a higher tow rating (3000) and quite a bit more HP (~250).  You must be pulling right at your max tow rating I would guess.  I get about 26MPG highway not towing, and about 12MPG towing.  12MPG seems to be what everyone gets no matter what you tow with which is interesting to me.  I think the bigger tow vehicle just means less wear and tear on the vehicle.  I'm going to order the Derale cooler this week and get a friend to help me install it.  Then I'm going to enjoy Podding this summer and stop worrying about wrecking my transmission :)]]> Sun, 29 May 2011 15:59:44 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16112#16112 New owner of 171 : g4royce-How much of a difference... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16111#16111 Author: bhamster
Subject: 1809
Posted: 29 May 2011 at 3:05pm

g4royce-

How much of a difference was there between the 2.5i and H6? Has your MPG changed at all?

We used a Derale 8000 series transmission cooler.

It just goes in front of the radiator and you splice it into the return line from the stock cooler (so it goes through both). I found some instructions online that showed you how to do it by removing the grill. Well on mine (2008) the grill doesn't come off unless you remove the bumper first. So rather than take the entire front of my car apart I slid the cooler through the vent opening by the license plate and did more of an arthroscopic surgery. My hands hurt like hell from contorting them through the opening, but the install went smoothly and everything is working well. It probably took 2 hours to do the whole install. Make sure to buy some extra subaru ATF though.


]]> Sun, 29 May 2011 15:05:18 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16111#16111 New owner of 171 : I'm towing with a Subaru... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16108#16108 Author: g4royce
Subject: 1809
Posted: 29 May 2011 at 2:05pm

I'm towing with a Subaru also but I traded my 2.5i in for the 3.0L engine. I'm kinda glad I did too.  My next move is to add a transmission cooler.  What kind did you get?  Any comments would be appreciated.]]> Sun, 29 May 2011 14:05:24 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=16108#16108 New owner of 171 : Over the years we've done... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15870#15870 Author: Kickstart
Subject: 1809
Posted: 23 May 2011 at 12:19am

Over the years we've done all of Judd's five star parks, and they're all good! My wife loves Cape Disappointment-make sure you visit the Lewis/Clark Interpretive Center. Her favorite of all, though is Pearrygin in the fall-see Judd's back cover. We did the North Cascades Loop last fall-Deception Pass, Pearrygin, Steamboat, and Lake Easton. That's a wonderful camping trip with 3 great parks, but the passes are tough to pull.
 
We are pretty lucky in this state, as there are so many nice places to camp.
]]> Mon, 23 May 2011 00:19:47 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15870#15870 New owner of 171 : Thanks for the suggestions. I... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15865#15865 Author: bhamster
Subject: 1809
Posted: 22 May 2011 at 10:06pm

Thanks for the suggestions. I just checked out those campgrounds and they look fantastic. Let us know how Kalaloch goes.

It's funny you suggested Judd's book since that's the first thing we bought after getting the pod. It's been very useful already. We're going to try and visit all of the five-star campgrounds in his book.
]]> Sun, 22 May 2011 22:06:07 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15865#15865 New owner of 171 : Welcome! It seems like we're... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15856#15856 Author: Kickstart
Subject: 1809
Posted: 22 May 2011 at 7:14pm

Welcome! It seems like we're getting quite a few Pod owners in Washington State. We have a 175 and live in Open Sores (Ocean Shores). You'll like Scenic Beach. It's nice. The beach campgrounds at Fort Flagler and Fort Worden are also great. We're gonna  do Kalaloch week after next and try out our new Yamaha ef2000 generator. That's the first place I remember camping with my folks in about 1952 or so. 
 
I don't know if you're interested, but Ron C. Judd puts out a nice book-CAMPING WASHINGTON-published by the Mountaineers. It gives tons of useful info. We got our copy a year or so ago at COSTCO.
 
Congrats again on your new rig.
 
Steve
]]> Sun, 22 May 2011 19:14:45 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15856#15856 New owner of 171 : pabloa3- We're up in Bellingham... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15847#15847 Author: bhamster
Subject: 1809
Posted: 22 May 2011 at 3:43pm

pabloa3-

We're up in Bellingham (hence the name bhamster). We were actually at Deception pass when that picture was taken. It was a close first trip in case we had any mishaps or forgot something. We just got back from a trip to Silver Lake and I would highly recommend it (loop 2 if you can get it). Next month we're going to scenic beach campground on the Kitsap peninsula and that will be our first ferry ride with the pod. No hookups there, but it's supposed to be beautiful.
]]> Sun, 22 May 2011 15:43:18 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15847#15847 New owner of 171 : Looks the same size to me but... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15824#15824 Author: techntrek
Subject: 1809
Posted: 21 May 2011 at 10:04pm

Looks the same size to me but its too dark for me to go out and look at mine to compare.]]> Sat, 21 May 2011 22:04:49 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15824#15824 New owner of 171 : Good show! Welcome to the Pod... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15811#15811 Author: Podsible Dream
Subject: 1809
Posted: 21 May 2011 at 6:33pm

Good show! Welcome to the Pod world!
Interesting that the new 171 HRE version has a larger front window than the east of the Rockies 2010 version.
We are spending this weekend changing up from tenting to podding for our maiden voyage on Memorial Day weekend. (The Free Spirit had only a single three week trip with it's previous owner.)
I wonder how else the 171 has evolved in the brief existence it has been on the market.

]]> Sat, 21 May 2011 18:33:32 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15811#15811 New owner of 171 : Congratulations in choosing the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15809#15809 Author: jayber
Subject: 1809
Posted: 21 May 2011 at 6:06pm

Congratulations in choosing the best floorplanWink]]> Sat, 21 May 2011 18:06:14 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15809#15809 New owner of 171 : Congratulations! It's... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15806#15806 Author: Guests
Subject: 1809
Posted: 21 May 2011 at 3:24pm

Congratulations!  It's great to see you putting your Pod to good use. Smile]]> Sat, 21 May 2011 15:24:01 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15806#15806 New owner of 171 : Nice setup. Where in Washington?... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15805#15805 Author: pabloa3
Subject: 1809
Posted: 21 May 2011 at 12:46pm

Nice setup.  Where in Washington?  We live in Seattle and just took Pod-a-saurus (172) to Deception Pass a few weeks back.  We have outings planned to American Heritage Campground, Taidnapan, and Millersylvania.  I want to do more, but we now find ourselves in the middle of an unexpected (unexpected for good reasons) house move...so that is cutting into my time.]]> Sat, 21 May 2011 12:46:56 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15805#15805 New owner of 171 : Nice pictures! Happy podding!!... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15803#15803 Author: tpierce220
Subject: 1809
Posted: 21 May 2011 at 12:11pm

Nice pictures!  Happy podding!!]]> Sat, 21 May 2011 12:11:28 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15803#15803 New owner of 171 : Sweet set up,, good luck and enjoy... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15797#15797 Author: Iteach5th
Subject: 1809
Posted: 20 May 2011 at 8:30pm

Sweet set up,, good luck and enjoy from the East Coast]]> Fri, 20 May 2011 20:30:03 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15797#15797 New owner of 171 : I thought someone might ask Not... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15793#15793 Author: bhamster
Subject: 1809
Posted: 20 May 2011 at 3:05pm

I thought someone might ask Smile Not too many Subarus towing out there, and mine is just the 2.5L 4-cylinder.

It actually does pretty well. When I went to pick up the pod (5 hour drive) I had to go over a mountain pass (I90 snoqualmie pass). I had a strong headwind and sometimes crosswind and even on the steepest grades the slowest I went was 45mph. When I passed my first semi I knew it was doing alright. It's definitely not winning any speed records, but even if I had a more powerful car I probably wouldn't be going any faster in those conditions to preserve my MPG. On the flat freeway I stay around 50-60mph in 3rd gear and get about 13mpg. It handles the hitch weight pretty well also. I've heard that the self-leveling suspension helps with that. It's a bit bouncier, but no problems with sway so far.

I did add a transmission cooler (optional), class III hitch, 7-pole connector, and a tekonsha prodigy P2 (which fits perfectly where the breaker panel door is). It took a few nights of tinkering to get it all setup, but everything went smoothly.
]]> Fri, 20 May 2011 15:05:37 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15793#15793 New owner of 171 : Welcome. How does the Subaru handle... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15789#15789 Author: techntrek
Subject: 1809
Posted: 20 May 2011 at 2:48pm

Welcome.  How does the Subaru handle it on the hills?]]> Fri, 20 May 2011 14:48:48 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15789#15789 New owner of 171 : Congratulations and welcome!!!... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15787#15787 Author: psaman
Subject: 1809
Posted: 20 May 2011 at 2:36pm

Congratulations and welcome!!! Thanks for the pictures also, we love pictures!!Smile]]> Fri, 20 May 2011 14:36:25 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15787#15787 New owner of 171 : Welcome to the forum. Pod looks... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15785#15785 Author: pmjensen
Subject: 1809
Posted: 20 May 2011 at 2:22pm

Welcome to the forum.  Pod looks great.

Happy Podding
]]> Fri, 20 May 2011 14:22:28 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15785#15785 New owner of 171 : BHamster, Nice looking pod. I... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15780#15780 Author: marshwatcher
Subject: 1809
Posted: 20 May 2011 at 12:32pm

BHamster,
Nice looking pod. I like your wheel chucks and stablizer pads (we have the same ones). ]]> Fri, 20 May 2011 12:32:08 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15780#15780 New owner of 171 : Congrats and Enjoy! http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15778#15778 Author: Caverkim
Subject: 1809
Posted: 20 May 2011 at 12:24pm

Congrats and Enjoy!  ]]> Fri, 20 May 2011 12:24:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15778#15778 New owner of 171 : Hi and congratulations bhamster! We... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15774#15774 Author: Snowbound
Subject: 1809
Posted: 20 May 2011 at 11:56am

Hi and congratulations bhamster!
We wish you many years of happy podding.
Tom and Bette
]]> Fri, 20 May 2011 11:56:50 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15774#15774 New owner of 171 : We just picked up our new rpod ... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15767#15767 Author: bhamster
Subject: 1809
Posted: 20 May 2011 at 10:45am

We just picked up our new rpod 171 a few weeks ago and went on our first trip with it last weekend. Everything went well except a few minor issues (another topic). Here are some pictures of the new rig:





We'll be roaming around the northwest all summer. Haven't seen any other rpods around here yet, but we just started.]]> Fri, 20 May 2011 10:45:13 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1809&PID=15767#15767