creating an instruction & maintenance manual

Hello Techntrek, Is item number one, the low point drains, the 2 hanging down approx. behind the tire (mine is a red and blue pipe)? At this point should I also open up the plug at the bottom of the fresh water tank?

This is a great resource. Fortunately I'm able to find answers to my questions from others that are experiencing the same issues. Becomes obvious that there's lack of adequate instructions available in many cases. I'm a newbie and see that many of the manufacturer instructions have built in assumptions that there is a certain level of knowledge already. I always feel that instructions should be written for the complete newbie. I guess that's why I have a complete library of Dummies books http://www.rpod-owners.com/smileys/smiley1.gif
Anyway, I appreciate the input from all the contributors and will pass it on as my knowledge expands.

Cheers
4Peas in a Pod
2014 RP-172
2014 Toyota Tacoma

I'll jump in here because there seems to be a lot of discussion which starts with, "can I get by with..." or "Do I need......" there also seems to be some confusion as to maximum tow weight, etc.

My2013  F-150 4X4 has a tow max of somewhere around 7,000lbs; HOWEVER, Ford doesn't recommend you tow more 5,000 lbs.  Please remember this is maximum and assumes you are using proper, safe towing procedure, speed, etc. I wouldn't even think about towing anything over 2,000lbs without a good WDR and sway bar, and the F-150 even has a built in anti sway feature with the tow package.

First of all, the truck trailer rig is so much nicer, easier, saves gas, and helps you lose weight, when I have a weight distributor/load leveler and sway bar hooked up properly. It makes the whole driving experience feel much much more solid.  Back to what I started this post with, I don't think we should be thinking about minimum safety requirements or what we can get by with.  I would hope that the "pros" on this forum have safety as foremost and tow vehicle, trailer, and equipment is all part of that equation.  This forum has excellent advice for the most part.

I've been towing trailers for 40 years and would never get myself in a bad situation while towing.  I actually really thought that but the following little story is a good example of why you do not want to just get by or the , "do I need......" mindset.

I was returning from a trip not far (40 miles) from my house and had to detour from nice, wide two lane onto a rather small country road due to bad accident ahead of me.  I took a small two lane road and was enjoying the nice little deviation with both windows down.  A hornet/wasp flew in my window and went down my t-shirt.  I'm allergic and did a little jerking and twisting just enough to start the trailer swaying and this caused physics to take over and start jerking trailer and truck back and forth.  I absolutely believe that without the proper vehicle, WDR, and sway bar that I would have ended up on my side.  A nice guy came back to tell me that's exactly what he thought was going to happen as he was traveling in the opposite lane.  He also said, "that was some of the best driving I've seen"  My driving was just a small part of why things did not go badly for me.

I realize I sound "preachy", but the above can happen to any of us and $400-600 is a small price to pay for the added security, and your rig will handle so much better!!  I did see the integrated anti sway light flashing on the dash as this was happening...so thank you Ford.
(OK, I am leaving out that when I got home I also realized I had failed to empty about 15 gallons of fresh water.......yes, I know better and NEVER do that.  ....and yes I do realize I'm not that bright.

Some matter of discussion and preference here depending upon what you have experienced towing the RPOD with your tow vehicle (which you have not yet). Although not an absolute necessity, most podders prefer to go the safe and conservative route and invest $400-600 in combination sway control load leveler type hitch. Anderson http://www.andersenhitches.com/Catalog/andersen-nosway-weight-distribution-hitch.aspx makes a good one that is easy to install yourself, others are fine also. At a minimum I would suggest a $50.00 friction antisway bar such as can be found at Harbor freight.  When the weather is rough and windy and large trucks are sailing by you on the interstate, you will probably be glad you installed an anti-sway bar.

We had a similar issue - draining the gray water and very little would come out but we knew there was grey water in the tank. Hubby got down and looked up the black pipe and fished out a chunk of Styrofoam; as soon as he worked that out the grey water flowed smoothly. Chuck of Styrofoam was larger than anything that would have gotten through the sink strainer (I use a dishpan most times, anyway!). It's these little "what the hecks?" that keep the camping experience fun!!!