R-pod Owners Forum https://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. Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:14:06 +0000 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:18:45 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 30 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_topic_feed.asp R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : 2016 RP-179 SOLAR https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16462&PID=155602#155602 Author: gpokluda
Subject: 2016 RP-179 SOLAR
Posted: 19 Jun 2026 at 7:18am

Welcome and congratulations on your pending R179 purchase. They are great little campers. As for living full time in Jackson, WY in an Rpod, that is going to be a challenge. The Rpod is not a four season trailer, but you can make it work with some effort. You'll have to skirt and insulate the bottom and seal any entry points to keep mice from entering as it gets cold. You'll also need to insulate your pipes really well. Even with all of that, it's going to be hard to keep it warm in the winter. Your walls are barely an inch thick and the windows are single pan. I live in Idaho Falls and I know how long, dark and brutal winter can be.

As for solar, I strongly suggest you watch some YouTube videos about off grid solar power. The videos will help you visualize what you need to do. In your location, you will need a large battery bank and plenty of solar panels to capture enough sunlight on the short winter days with low sun angle. Again, this is going to be a challenge but can be done. There is a lot of solar knowledge on this forum, so come back and ask questions, but do some homework first so you will have a general knowledge of what is involved.

With regards to the composting toilet, I have an Airhead in my camper and love it. It's pretty simple, but needs a fan to run to ventilate the composting chamber. Composting toilets separate urine from solid waste. You will have to empty the urine tank every couple of days. The medium in the composting chamber will last about a month with regular use. We use a mix of peat moss and coconut coir. Another thing about composters is their compost is not suitable for use in any food gardening situation. To be safe, it needs to be buried, or bagged and disposed of as biowaste.

Good luck and let us know how it's going.
]]> Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:18:45 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16462&PID=155602#155602 Introduce Yourself : New R-pod owner https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16460&PID=155601#155601 Author: _Falken_
Subject: New R-pod owner
Posted: 18 Jun 2026 at 11:37pm

Thanks for your responses!! I didnt get an email saying someone responded. I thought that would be a given. I guess I better check my setttings, lol.

I'm going to try capming this summer w/o an AC unit and see how it goes.  

Thanks again for your input!!  Happy camping.Smile 
]]> Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:37:51 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16460&PID=155601#155601 Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : 2016 RP-179 SOLAR https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16462&PID=155600#155600 Author: carollamp
Subject: 2016 RP-179 SOLAR
Posted: 18 Jun 2026 at 4:44pm

Hey all! 

I am buying a 2016 Forest River R-Pod Model RP-179 to live in my friends yard in Jackson, WY. (check rent prices out and you'll understand why)

I want to make it solar powered. I was reading some forums on it but they went WAY over my head. I need someone to explain exactly how, what I need to buy etc. Act like I am in kindergarten haha! 

Thank you so much in advance!!!!

Also - has anyone changed out the toilet for a compostable to eliminate the black water need? 
]]> Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:44:53 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16462&PID=155600#155600 I need HELP!!! : dometic dome tent https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16461&PID=155599#155599 Author: Rpod-Couple
Subject: dometic dome tent
Posted: 17 Jun 2026 at 9:27pm

Check out Amazon for “adjustable tent poles”. Lots of adjustable poles available in prices from $30-90 depending on what you need.]]> Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:27:36 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16461&PID=155599#155599 I need HELP!!! : dometic dome tent https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16461&PID=155598#155598 Author: Karen Kranda
Subject: dometic dome tent
Posted: 16 Jun 2026 at 9:53am

Hello, Im a new to the forum and recently purchased a 2009 172 Rpod from private seller. Discovered the roof poles for the screen tent are not here, wondering if anyone knows where to find them, theres apparently 3 adjustable roof poles from watching youtube. I have contacted dealer and he tried calling Forest River RV and they were of no help.  Any ideas, or does anyone have poles they dont use any longer. 
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

]]> Tue, 16 Jun 2026 09:53:45 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16461&PID=155598#155598 Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : List Your Mods: https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=842&PID=155597#155597 Author: Tulefog
Subject: List Your Mods:
Posted: 15 Jun 2026 at 3:52pm

Hockey puck support brackets for Thule awning. ]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:52:21 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=842&PID=155597#155597 Introduce Yourself : New R-pod owner https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16460&PID=155596#155596 Author: gpokluda
Subject: New R-pod owner
Posted: 15 Jun 2026 at 7:14am

Welcome and congrats on your new camper. Regarding the AC, I know many people on the Escape forum swear by the Houghton 9500 unit with heat pump. Some of the bigger rigs have it connected through an inverter to their battery bank, but they have 400+ amp hours of battery which would be a challenge in an Rpod. I've been watching the 12volt AC units as well. They have come a long way, but will still take a lot of battery to run them. 

As for tires, when I had my Rpod, I replaced my tires with LT, 10 ply rated Falken Wild Peak. The topic of using LT tires instead of ST tires is a bit controversial, but I didn't have any issues and towed about 15k miles before I sold the Rpod.
]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2026 07:14:16 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16460&PID=155596#155596 Introduce Yourself : New R-pod owner https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16460&PID=155595#155595 Author: jato
Subject: New R-pod owner
Posted: 15 Jun 2026 at 2:58am

Congratulations Falken on the purchase of your 178.  Also enjoy your 24/7 'owners manual' here on this forum.

I have owned a 177 for a bit over 15 years and special ordered it from the factory to be assembled without A/C, entertainment system or convection/microwave due to the fact of normally boondocking when camping. Cannot comment on the A/C as a result of still not having one.

Tires, that is another story.  Last 2 sets have been Carlstar (formally Carlisle), load range "D" 6 ply tires.  Have taken it down some sketchy dirt roads and trails without issue or incident.  Quite pleased with them.

Regardless of the 'flavor' of tire you purchase do change them out, including the spare, and make certain to get them speed tested and balanced.  I change mine out every 5 years, regardless of mileage.  
]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2026 02:58:31 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16460&PID=155595#155595 Introduce Yourself : New R-pod owner https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16460&PID=155594#155594 Author: _Falken_
Subject: New R-pod owner
Posted: 15 Jun 2026 at 2:11am

Hello from BC Canada Smile  My name is Sean F and I'm a new (to me) R-pod owner.  It's a 2019 model 178. I've been looking at lightweight trailers for a couple years now and really liked the R-pod design.

I do have a couple of questions for all of you who have more experience with R-pods than I do! 

My unit did not come with AC. I was thinking about purchasing one and so far I've read that the standard 13500 btu is kind of overkill, and that a 9000 btu unit would be fine for the size of trailer.  The roof is already pre wired in front of the roof vent, so I should be looking for a drop in 14"x14".  Is this correct? There is factory solar but it isn't high wattage.  I'm learning that they have 12 volt AC units now.  I'm guessing they must pull a fair bit of amperage, and thus would need larger wires ran.  Do most people stay with 120v or are they going with the new 12v and upgrading the solar and batteries?  I was planning on doing that anyway but maybe just sticking with the 120v is the way to go?  Are they more/less reliable than the newer 12v units?  
Any suggestions or input on this would be appreciated.

The tires are the westlake offroad style and should be changed out due to age. Stamp is 1417. They look fine, like brand new.  No cracks or rot, and they dont look worn at all.  I like the look of them and will be pulling the trailer off road to camp.  Can I go with a LT rated tire to maintain a stiffer sidewall?  From what I've read these OEM tires did really well, but are expensive.  I was thinking of going with maybe a KO2 or Outpost Nat?  What are those of you who offroad a lot using?  Again, any suggestions or input would be great. 

Thanks, and safe journeys!


]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2026 02:11:17 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16460&PID=155594#155594 Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Power from Inside https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16459&PID=155593#155593 Author: gpokluda
Subject: Power from Inside
Posted: 14 Jun 2026 at 8:09am

Personally, I would avoid the double ended for the reason stated above, it is not safe. There are a couple folks on the fiberglass forum that have Scamps and small Casitas that have had internal wiring done to plug in a portable power station like a Jackery. Here are a couple of things to consider. First is space. You already have a small camper, now you have a good sized box taking up valuable room. Second, to do it right, You will need to wire in a male plug from a transfer switch so you bypass the converter and simply provide power to your outlets. The converter will rob you of power by trying to charge the battery.

My guess is this is a 2-3 hour job, probably $300.00 work by an electrician who knows RVs.
]]> Sun, 14 Jun 2026 08:09:48 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16459&PID=155593#155593