Introduction - Buggaluggs
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16082
Printed Date: 22 Jun 2026 at 11:34am
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Topic: Introduction - Buggaluggs
Posted By: TheBuggaluggs
Subject: Introduction - Buggaluggs
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2024 at 5:04pm
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Hello all, my wife purchased an R-Pod 179 and we took our first trip this weekend. Not a total success and we have much to learn but it was fun and we hope to get some help on here as we grow into it!
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Replies:
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2024 at 6:48pm
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Welcome and congratulations. You are off to a grand start, making memories and having fun as well. I have greatly benefited from this forum over the years and am sure you shall as well. Ask away, from the many 'seasoned' podders here, you will get answers. I call this our 24/7 owners manual. You mentioned, "not a total success," so please elaborate on the issues you encountered. Thanks. ------------- 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." |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2024 at 9:40am
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We've had our 179 since 2017 and loved it. We have had very few real issues and done a lot of mods. Feel free to ask questions or add to the general knowledge. there are lots of good people on this forum with many hundreds of hours of RPod experiences, and most are happy to share Travel often and safe Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: TheBuggaluggs
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2024 at 11:24am
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I got a slow puncture on the way to Brown County and then we had an electrical problem. Site had 20A and the camper is 30A. We have a converter but it kept shorting out. Even with all on-board breakers open. I figured something had gotten loose on the way but when we got home it worked fine on our house 20A circuit. So maybe the site had an issue. It was a bit chilly, but we had a good time. We do need some items replaced. I'm hoping I can search through this forum and find recommendations. A new door. Someone broke in to the camper and the door is a little bent and the hinges are bent. The hinges appear rivetted which will make replacement a challenge. I'd be interested if anyone else has replaced a door. Stabilizer jacks. All four appear rusty and two are a little bent. Looks like an easy replacement, but maybe I'm under estimating that! Main wheel jack The wheel is missing from an unexpected scrape down the road. I'm not sure if that is a std item I can buy or a special R-Pod item. I'll search the forum for info, but may post questions if i can't fin answers from my search. Thanks - Buggs
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Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2024 at 9:28am
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I can't help you on all of the items you mentioned. However, I can tell you that the earlier RPods did not have a wheel on the tongue jack-just a straight post with solid end cap. We bent ours once and replaced it with a simple straight tongue jack from Harbor Freight. they also have jacks with wheels. https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=tongue%20jack should be a simple replacemnt-some bolt on to the side of the tongue, but the Rpods have a 3 hole type of installation that actually goes through the tongue/a frame. make sure the bolts line up. Travel often and safe Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9">
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2024 at 9:36am
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Had to replace the two rear stabilizer jacks due to the low ground clearance on our 2011 177. Pretty straightforward, didn't take very long to replace. The mod to avoid this, which was done back in 2017, was to purchase a 3.5" lift kit. I got mine from FR ($150 total cost included shipping) but many other reliable companies also have this kit and from what I have seen, at a lower price. Regardless, this was also an easy fix, using 2 floor jacks and basic hand tools, the job was completed in just under an hour. You will need a torque wrench (1/2" or 3/4") to snug the bolts to 120 ft. pounds. ------------- 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." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2024 at 11:03pm
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I think the problem was the campground's power if your RPod works fine at home on a 20A circuit. One thing you can do to help yourself is to get a surge protector/circuit tester. You might have found that the power pole had hot and neutral reversed or some other fault. Look at this listing for some examples: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=30a+surge+protector+30+amp+for+rv+camping+circuit+analyzer&crid=3UWEBTEF174R1&sprefix=30A+surge+protector%2Caps%2C148&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_19 - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=30a+surge+protector+30+amp+for+rv+camping+circuit+analyzer&crid=3UWEBTEF174R1&sprefix=30A+surge+protector%2Caps%2C148&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_19 ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: RFX43
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 9:16am
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I'm considering lifting my 2017 . have you experienced anything negative after lifting it? I'm looking at another drive up to Alaska this Summer. I have driven up twice with a truck camper. The Alaska Highway system can be a challenge with potholes, lots . I'm concerned about tearing the drains off. ------------- RFX |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 12:57pm
That should probably have been posted as a separate topic. The 2017 should have come from the factory lifted or with the arms of the axle re-clocked to make the trailer ride higher than in prior years. That does not mean that adding lifting blocks would not help in your particular situation. Making sure that the RPod is riding level and not with the front higher will help ensure that the drains won't drag. However, the stress of hitting potholes may cause more issues such as the axle losing its camber or bending. Since you have been there, you know the conditions and will need to drive accordingly. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 1:53pm
I believe a couple of folks have taken Rpods to Alaska. Be aware that Rpods do not have a robust build. I know I have heard of bent axles and cabinetry falling apart. Do your due diligence and reinforce the axle and brace the cabinets. Good luck. ------------- Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Honda SCL500 |
Posted By: RFX43
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 4:14pm
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Thank you. On my last drive up I ran into a couple that lived near me in Montana. They were pulling a large 5th wheel and hit a pothole. To get to the fuel stop/country store, they went through two spare tires. At the store they found out that the closest repair shop was 600 miles away. Thanks again. ------------- RFX |
Posted By: RFX43
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 4:15pm
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Thank you, great appreciated. ------------- RFX |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 5:41pm
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Personally, I would not consider an R-Pod or any other similar travel trailer suitable for such a trip. An Overlanding trailer would be more suited, but would cost significantly more than an R-Pod. One like this would be much more likely to survive the trip to Alaska without major damage. https://imperial-outdoors.com/x195/ - https://imperial-outdoors.com/x195/ As I wrote before though, you have been there so you know the road conditions much, much better than I do. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |