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dnedzel View Drop Down
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Joined: 15 Nov 2017
Location: Colorado
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Posts: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Hello
    Posted: 15 Nov 2017 at 7:59pm
Hello all,

My wife and I just purchased a used 2016 R-Pod 179.  I am about to retire and we plan to use the trailer to explore the Southwest and West - we like to hike, travel, I mountain bike and do a little nature photography.  We purchased from a local dealer - we paid a little more, but i wanted a place for help with parts and repairs if I needed it.  I owned a VW Campervan, but this is our first full trailer or RV.

My biggest question is around using the trailer during the winter: do I winterize (put anti-freeze in the water system), do I seal the underneath of the trailer and heat the storage tanks so I can use the water system during the winter.   Do I put snaps around the base of the trailer so I can quickly put skirts around when I park it?  And put a heater underneath to keep the tanks from freezing?  Or do I just use a 5 gallon jug and the sink and grey water tank during the winter and winterize the supply side of the system?  I really want to use the trailer all year if possible.  I expect to be in RV parks and national parks when camping with my wife, and doing more boondocking when on my own in places like the desert around Moab Utah.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Tow vehicle - 2004 Land Rover Discovery.

thanks,
- Derrick
Derrick Nedzel
2016 R-Pod 179
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jato View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
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Posts: 3377 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov 2017 at 8:30pm
Your winters probably get rather cold, especially if you are in the Rockies.  I would preferably blow out your water lines with compressed air.  First turn your valves above your hot water heater to 'bypass'.  Second make sure you have not had the water heater on for awhile, have switch to 'off' position.  Third release any pressure from your tank before unscrewing your anode rod to drain the tank.  After draining the tank you are ready to blow out your lines or as most on this forum do, use the pigtail on the 3 way valve under your sink (turn it 1/4 turn) stick the pigtail in the rv antifreeze and run pump and purge lines of water until the pink stuff comes out.  Unless you plan on filling your grey and black water tanks, if they are only half full, nothing serious is going to happen, for myself I would try using other methods instead of filling the black water tank as solids would most likely freeze after time and may not flush out after a period of time.  We do a fair amount of national parks as well and realize that your batteries will get a good workout as the furnace will be working a fair amount.  Our batteries are nearly 7 years old now and when we were in RMNP (2 months ago) the night temps were in the low 40's, furnace ran a fair amount each night but we would get a good 3 - 3.5 days out of each 12v battery before switching over to the other.  We would take it down to 33% S.O.C. before switching.  I am sure you will get others who have 1st hand experience on doing what you plan to do.  Be patient, they will chime in.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Jasp View Drop Down
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Joined: 09 Oct 2016
Location: Adirondack park
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Posts: 32 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Nov 2017 at 7:55am
Derrick,

There are many folks here that have ingenious ways of operating in the winter. I would suggest you start another topic in the pod maintenance section of this website. More folks will see it there for sure.

Good luck
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Live2Camp View Drop Down
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Joined: 17 Apr 2017
Location: No. California
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Posts: 240 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Nov 2017 at 12:13pm
Originally posted by dnedzel

Hello all,

My wife and I just purchased a used 2016 R-Pod 179.  I am about to retire and we plan to use the trailer to explore the Southwest and West - we like to hike, travel, I mountain bike and do a little nature photography.  We purchased from a local dealer - we paid a little more, but i wanted a place for help with parts and repairs if I needed it.  I owned a VW Campervan, but this is our first full trailer or RV.

Tow vehicle - 2004 Land Rover Discovery.

thanks,
- Derrick


Congrats on your purchase! We love ours, even when it's just parked here on our land in the coast mountains. I just posted a reply in the free camping / boondocking thread about dispersed camping in the west. But I'm guessing from your comments that you're already very familiar with that. Happy RPodding!
2017 R-Pod 179 HRE (the green one)
His:Ford F150 double cab 4WD; Hers/mine:Tacoma V6 double cab 4WD
Still love rugged, diggin' comfy too
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