R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Last 10 Posts Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 04 May 2026 03:16:43 +0000 Sun, 03 May 2026 07:44:08 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 30 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_topic_feed.asp R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ I need HELP!!! : Carrier on back of Rood http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16434&PID=155488#155488 Author: gpokluda
Subject: Carrier on back of Rood
Posted: 03 May 2026 at 7:44am

Originally posted by kevinkirk51

Has anyone put a cargo carrier on the back of a 171 Rpod. Any issues with towing?

As you research carriers and such, remember that anything hanging off the back of the camper, any camper for that matter, is subject to more vibration and jarring forces than if it were attached to a vehicle. That's why some bicycle carriers are rated for RV use and others not. Best of luck and have a great summer of camping!
]]> Sun, 03 May 2026 07:44:08 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16434&PID=155488#155488 I need HELP!!! : Carrier on back of Rood http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16434&PID=155487#155487 Author: Rpod-Couple
Subject: Carrier on back of Rood
Posted: 02 May 2026 at 2:26pm

Forest River states a maximum of 100 lbs on the class one hitch that holds the spare tire and its bracket. You have to take into account the weight of the carrier plus cargo placed on it stay under 100 lbs.]]> Sat, 02 May 2026 14:26:43 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16434&PID=155487#155487 I need HELP!!! : Carrier on back of Rood http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16434&PID=155486#155486 Author: kevinkirk51
Subject: Carrier on back of Rood
Posted: 02 May 2026 at 2:08pm

Has anyone put a cargo carrier on the back of a 171 Rpod. Any issues with towing?]]> Sat, 02 May 2026 14:08:43 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16434&PID=155486#155486 I need HELP!!! : Lithium Battery http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155485#155485 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: Lithium Battery
Posted: 02 May 2026 at 1:04pm

I really dislike the AH rating they apply to batteries because it does not indicate how much power they are storing. I much prefer Watt-hours (WH) rating that factors in how much you can discharge them.

For example, SLA batteries can only be discharged to about 50% before they start to sustain damage. LFP batteries can go as low as 10%-15%.


So a 100 AH SLA battery has a usable storage of ~~ 600 WH.

A 100 AH LFP battery has a usable storage of ~~ 1200 WH.

That's because (1) LFP has a higher "resting voltage" and (2) LFP can be discharged more.

So installing one LFP battery is roughly equivalent to installing two SLA batteries.
]]> Sat, 02 May 2026 13:04:22 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155485#155485 I need HELP!!! : Lithium Battery http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155484#155484 Author: poohbill
Subject: Lithium Battery
Posted: 02 May 2026 at 12:16pm

We find our old habits of conservation (water, power, dollars, etc.) are hard to change even when the need becomes less. Nothing wrong with that.]]> Sat, 02 May 2026 12:16:44 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155484#155484 I need HELP!!! : Lithium Battery http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155483#155483 Author: jato
Subject: Lithium Battery
Posted: 02 May 2026 at 8:09am

Thank you men for your advice, much to ponder and think upon.  At the moment I still lean to the 100 aH lithium.  Why?  Cost is one, as previously mentioned in other posts my cost in the past 15 years for batteries is $22/year, quite conservative.  If I go "big" and spend $500+ or more for bigger battery and newer converter, that cost will rise dramatically.  Also, when camping, I don't spend more than 1 week of grid at one location, so as long as I can go that long, I don't see the need for more aH.  As it was with my lead acids, I could go 6 days at a time when night temps were in the 40's; with the furnace eating up the bulk of those amp hours.  Also, I don't utilize either solar or generator, it's basic camping.]]> Sat, 02 May 2026 08:09:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155483#155483 I need HELP!!! : Lithium Battery http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155482#155482 Author: gpokluda
Subject: Lithium Battery
Posted: 02 May 2026 at 7:38am

Originally posted by poohbill

So, the battery can come first, then a controller to better manage it? I had only the controller-then-battery sequencing, but this gives me the opportunity to start shopping for a battery before I’ve torn into my existing electronics.

The short answer is yes. LiFePO4 batteries have a different charing profile than lead acid batteries, but for basic RV use, they will get you most of the way there. As stated, earlier, the Rpod charger/converter will only get a lithium battery to 80% unless you swap it out for one that has the Li setting. That's why I suggested a solar panel with a Lithium compatible controller direct wired to the battery to completely charge the battery when parked. 


]]> Sat, 02 May 2026 07:38:41 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155482#155482 I need HELP!!! : Lithium Battery http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155481#155481 Author: poohbill
Subject: Lithium Battery
Posted: 01 May 2026 at 11:27pm

So, the battery can come first, then a controller to better manage it? I had only the controller-then-battery sequencing, but this gives me the opportunity to start shopping for a battery before I’ve torn into my existing electronics.]]> Fri, 01 May 2026 23:27:24 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155481#155481 I need HELP!!! : Lithium Battery http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155480#155480 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: Lithium Battery
Posted: 01 May 2026 at 11:28am

A 200AH LFP battery has 4X the watt-hour capacity of a 100AH SLA battery, and LFP batteries are now AH-to-AH competitive with SLA batteries. Plus they will handle several times the recharge cycles.

You'll have to figure out an indoor storage system. They really don't like cold temperatures.

I would swap your old controller for one that understands LFP.
]]> Fri, 01 May 2026 11:28:10 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155480#155480 I need HELP!!! : Lithium Battery http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155479#155479 Author: gpokluda
Subject: Lithium Battery
Posted: 01 May 2026 at 7:43am

@jato, your timing couldn't be better as LiFePO4 batteries are at a price point that makes the decision a no brainer. If it were me, I would look at a 200amp hour battery with a BMS(battery management system) and internal heater that will protect it in cold weather. LiTime and BattleBorn are the favorites on the Escape forum. The 200amp hour battery will have a slightly larger footprint but give you the ability to add an inverter later if you choose.

I would couple the battery with a 200watt suitcase solar panel with 20amp controller. Wire a pigtail directly to the battery and just plug the panel in directly when boondocking. Most solar panels these days with controllers have auto sensing with a lithium setting. With this setup, your boondocking experience will go from 6 days to infinite. Your limitation will be your water and storage tanks. 

It may seem like a minor change, but going from lead acid to lithium was a game changer for us. 
]]> Fri, 01 May 2026 07:43:54 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16433&PID=155479#155479