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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Dry Camp Battery Life

December 1, 2016, 6:08 am
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Author: techntrek
Subject: Dry Camp Battery Life
Posted: 01 Dec 2016 at 2:08pm

I saw a remark about having group 24 batteries being rated at 50-some amps, which may be the issue. I wouldn't go below group 27, preferably group 29 or higher. That will give you enough amps for a full weekend on one battery. I could see a 50 amp battery (which is only good for 25 amps if you go down to 50% SOC) getting deeply discharged on day 2 with furnace use. With lead acid batteries more weight = more amps.

With two group 24's in parallel you have the capacity of a single group 31.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : a/c fan noise

December 1, 2016, 6:15 am
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Author: techntrek
Subject: a/c fan noise
Posted: 01 Dec 2016 at 2:15pm

I agree that the outside noise is no different than every other A/C in the campground. I've never heard someone complain.

As for the inside noise, see this thread (below). I explored options and somewhere around page 6 I list a few fixes which helped reduce the inside noise by reducing the air turbulence as it flows through the unit. We always sleep with the fan on low (pod and current camper) which helped in the pod. During the day we leave the fan on auto (pod and current camper).

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1433
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : purpleline trailer mover and axle riser

December 1, 2016, 6:37 am
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Author: Grandpa Hiker
Subject: purpleline trailer mover and axle riser
Posted: 01 Dec 2016 at 2:37pm

Here is a link:

http://www.purplelineusa.com/products-enduro-about.php

I got it on sale for $600 plus $100 S&H. 

The movers that attach to the hitch do a pretty good job, but their tires are small & only 10-15% of the trailer weight is transmitted down the  hitch to that type of mover. So in grass, dirt, sand, etc. they would be very susceptible to loosing traction & spinning. 
The Enduro mover turns the trailer wheels so there is very little chance of loosing traction. However, it is very important to install the roller of the Enduro mover EXACTLY 20 mm from the tire so that when the roller is engaged against the tire there is enough force to prevent the roller from slipping. The  company ships these little 20 mm spacer blocks to use about positioning the Enduro motors. There is a cross bar that runs across from one motor to the other so that when you engage the motor on one side, the other side gets automatically engaged. 
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : wheel maintenance

December 1, 2016, 11:31 am
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Author: Hi-Line
Subject: wheel maintenance
Posted: 01 Dec 2016 at 7:31pm

My r.pod 179 is a bit over a year old...I've pulled it about 5,500 miles. The Lippert axle brochure that came with the trailer says wheel bearings should be repacked at 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. The trailer shop in town (not an RV dealer) recommends repacking every 3 years, although they would agree with the 12,000 mile recommendation. Just wondering what others on this forum think/do? I'm planning a trip to AZ this winter (round trip 3,000 miles) and don't want to push my luck. 
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : wheel maintenance

December 1, 2016, 12:41 pm
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Author: jato
Subject: wheel maintenance
Posted: 01 Dec 2016 at 8:41pm

I purchased my 177 in March 2011.  Every spring I use the zerk fitting and fill till full.  In 2014 I did a repack, next spring I will repack again.  Bearings still looked good (in 2014).  Currently have about 25,000 miles on the pod.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : wheel maintenance

December 1, 2016, 2:25 pm
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Author: sailor323
Subject: wheel maintenance
Posted: 01 Dec 2016 at 10:25pm

We greased the bearings on our 2016 179 after 12,000 miles using the zerk fitting.  A couple of thousand miles later, one of the bearingsfailed.  4 or 5 hundred miles later I decided to replace the bearings in the other wheel which turned out to be unnecessary.That being said, I wonder about the admonition to visually inspect and pack the bearings.  That's easy enough to do for the outer bearing.  However, it is impossible to inspect and pack the inner bearing without destroying the seal.  My recommendation is to 1) remove and rebuild the hubs every 12,000 miles [cheap insurance] and 2) carry an extra hub, completely assembled along with a grease gun.  At the same time, I have owned vehicles for over 55 years, driven hundreds of thousands of miles with no maintenance whatsoever to the bearings and the only time that I have ever had a problem with bearings was with a properly maintained bearing.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : heat

December 2, 2016, 11:30 am
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Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: heat
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 7:30pm

I agree that it's essentially pointless to pre-heat the pod.  Crank up the furnace while you're leveling and unhooking...  but I have accidentally gone down the road with the furnace on and suffered no consequences.  Still, aside from unnecessary, it seems dangerous to me.

TT
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : wheel maintenance

December 2, 2016, 11:32 am
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Author: StephenH
Subject: wheel maintenance
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 7:32pm

In your case, just lubing the bearing was inadequate. So far, lubing has worked for me. However, if I remember to do so, I feel the hubs when we stop. If one side were hotter than the other, I would suspect trouble. So far, I have not noticed anything unusual. I will have to remember to carry a non-contact thermometer to get a more accurate reading of hub and tire temperatures on our next trip.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : heat

December 2, 2016, 11:43 am
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Author: StephenH
Subject: heat
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 7:43pm

I would not risk it. The water heater and the refrigerator have sufficient baffles that it would probably not hurt to have them on. However, the furnace does not seem to have any baffles to protect the burner area while traveling. Suburban's reply in the FAQ on their web site is "No." Personally, I don't run the water heater either while on the road as the water heats quickly so there is no need to do so. I do run the refrigerator on gas. That is the only appliance I run while we are towing.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : heat

December 2, 2016, 12:46 pm
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Author: Leo B
Subject: heat
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 8:46pm

Bakes is startingto really get hot!!Been a really great addition to the Bruins!
Seems a bit risky to me.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress

December 2, 2016, 12:48 pm
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Author: voisj
Subject: 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 8:48pm

Bill-j, 
So looking forward to seeing your mod!
 Hope this helps; 
1. The green arrow is where I would stop the lower plywood. This added 1x2  is where the drawer box sits. I ran the plywood all the way to the wall and then went back and cut it out for better access when the top plywood is off. You could skinny up the drawers to make this opening larger for better access A few Inches would make it easier to get to the valves from the top after taking off the top plywood.
2. The red arrow is the area I cut the lower plywood out for access. I do not use this as storage because I could not figure out any reasonable way to access it.
3. The yellow arrows point to the panels that i can unscrew and gain access to the pump and the back of the water heater valves if i need to through the storage compartment. It's tight, but i can fit back there with a little magic.
4. The blue arrow is an area i left open that I can reach in and turn valves on the back of the water heater (orange arrow), after climbing in the storage door.
5. Purple arrow... I have no idea what this pipe is used for, Please let me know!

I maybe would have made the drawers not as deep, (i went 4' for max space) so the front storage could be taller and when the top plywood is off there is even better access from the top for the pump and valves.
Also once the top plywood  is off the drawer box just unscrews and lifts out and I can remove the lower plywood for full access. 
Living on the coast in central California means It never freezes here, I wasn't even thinking about winterizing, Good call!
Rgds Joihn
 



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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress

December 2, 2016, 1:56 pm
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Author: Bill-J
Subject: 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 9:56pm

Thanks for the reply John.  In the posted picture I do not find the blue nor purple arrows.

One thing I did was to cut the paneling in front of the water heater.  I mounted hinges on the right side of the panel I cut and thumb latches to hold it closed.  With this I have lie on the floor but I can open the hatch and work the valves on the water heater... Can't figure out how to get to the water pump, however.

We are leaving for Plam Springs next week so your mod and others that I can figure out will have to wait until we get home.

One question please.  Does your battery charger (which on my unit is breaker #7) create noise on the AM radio?  With the charger on the AM radio us useless and the CD is very distorted.  Turn the charger off and all is well.  Any thoughts?  [I also get some noise on breaker #3 but not as bad]
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress

December 2, 2016, 2:05 pm
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Author: Bill-J
Subject: 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 10:05pm

Follow on... I printed the picture out and now I can see the other arrows.

I think the hose marked with the purple arrow is the suction to the water pump for sucking in the RV antifreeze (if you want to go that way).  

Where you left the opening so you can go in through the outside door and crawl in I do not need because ot the door I cut in on the panel below your orange arrow.  Door is about 12" X 12" so plenty of room.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress

December 2, 2016, 2:16 pm
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Author: voisj
Subject: 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 10:16pm

Bill, I like the door idea to the water heater send a picture of it! To get to the water pump you have to remove the mattress and plywood for good access. You could crawl in the storage area and just unscrew the small divider though. I also get some interference on the am radio but hadn't found the source till you mentioned the charger.should only be a problem when plugged in to shore power.i just read a post on the suction hose,another mystery solved!
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress

December 2, 2016, 3:01 pm
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Author: Bill-J
Subject: 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 11:01pm

John,  How long does your battery last from a full charge?  I fully charged my battery then disconnected the AC.  The battery was 100% according to the LED indicator.  With EVERYTHING off in 24 hours the battery was showing full discharge on the LED indicator.

When I bring the unit to the house for loading it up I'll take a picture of the door and send it to  you.

I also installed two vent panels from under the bed to the storage area.  In our cold weather here IF the area under the bed is unheated there is a tendency for condensate to be under and around the mattress.

The grill allows warm air to circulate.  In our last rig we also put foam around the mattress for condensation at the ends and side of the bed but until we try it we won't know if that will be necessary.  I hope with the foam insulation they talk about it will not be required..... we'll see.

Bill 
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress

December 2, 2016, 3:17 pm
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Author: voisj
Subject: 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 11:17pm

Bill, 
I think you have a problem with your battery. I have two with a 4 way switch ( off-bat1-bat2-both) either battery lasts 2 days dry camping with no furnace use. I don't trust the led meter, So I put in a meter on the same switch as the porch light,( Ebay $6), Looks like this;

I have heard of this problem, But I think either your battery is bad/not charging when plugged in or you have a vampire somewhere. You sure EVERYTHING is off? You could search the forum or post a new topic because some guys here have seen it ALL! I think I'll be in Anza Borego next weekend maybe we'll bump into you!
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress

December 3, 2016, 8:18 am
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Author: voisj
Subject: 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress
Posted: 03 Dec 2016 at 4:18pm

Originally posted by Bill-J

Brand new battery.  
Since I KNOW I have a problem I will start chasing "phantom" loads when I bring it to the house tomorrow.  I do know from the radio noise being generated by the charger is a good place to start.
Later


I saw another post where someone said, disconnect the battery and plug into ac and see if your 12 volt stuff works. That will tell you if your converter is putting out 12 v
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Weight distribution and brake control

December 3, 2016, 8:46 am
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Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: Weight distribution and brake control
Posted: 03 Dec 2016 at 4:46pm

I agree with the notion that the dealer will get a lot more comfortable with you taking the rpod off of his lot without a WDH if you let him know that's the only way it's going.  If you want to, just tell him you're going to do it yourself or you want to try towing a while without it.  It's not the dealer's problem.

I just installed the Fastway E2 600.  It takes a while... but isn't hard.  Except for torquing things down to 450 ft lb.  (I might have cheated on that a bit.)

For what it's worth, I've towed my 176 without a WDH or sway control from Florida to Cape Breton and about 15 or 20K miles in between and never had the slightest issue.  I got the WDH largely on the general recommendation of this forum and I can't say I think it's worth it.  I may notice a bit of difference, maybe.

I'll keep using the WDH at least for a while.  It almost certainly does provide some safety benefit, but I think the bottom line is that not everyone automatically needs one.  It's a matter of personal comfort level at least to some degree.
 
But really, don't let the dealer bully you into paying $950 for one. 

TT
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Weight distribution and brake control

December 3, 2016, 9:23 am
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Author: cjscinta
Subject: Weight distribution and brake control
Posted: 03 Dec 2016 at 5:23pm

Thanks all for the input. I was thinking there was some liability issue or something with the dealer and that is part of the reason besides overcharging me for it of course but it sounds like that is not the case. 
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress

December 3, 2016, 9:47 am
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Author: Bill-J
Subject: 2ND 180 podmod, drawers under matress
Posted: 03 Dec 2016 at 5:47pm

Good trick to know... Try it tomorrow.

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