2016 RP-179 SOLAR

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   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.

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gpokluda Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2018 Location: East Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 504	Post Options Post Reply Quote gpokluda Report Post Quote Reply Topic: 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.
	Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Honda SCL500

carollamp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2026 Location: Jackson WY Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote carollamp Report Post Quote Reply 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?