2ND 180 podmod, drawers under mattress

First when we started using the shower, water started running out from under the shower stall.  First thought it was just not closing the shower curtain properly WRONG.  Every time you took a shower it felt like you were on a trampoline.  I finally took the inspection plate off and the plumbing had been damaged by trying to flex rigid piping.  That took bringing in a repair man to replace all the shower drain plumbing AND installing some braces to prevent flexing the shower base.  The repair man also took the bottom shower curtain guide off and properly installed caulking.... Under the track - not on the top like the factory install.

Let's see what else... Oh yes the battery charger is generating so much noise that the AM radio reception is not possible.  It will have to be replaced totally.

Also there is a constant DC load of about 3/4 amp ALL THE TIME.  The ONLY way to stop it is to disconnect the battery.  You charge the battery, turn off the charger, and next morning the battery is dead.  Going to make boon-docking or staying at Camp Walmart very difficult.

The door on the bathroom cabinet sounds like a rusty iron gate when opening or closing.  

Few other things also.   Bottom line is that it is now back at the dealer to fix these items.  If past service is any idea of what to expect - but this is not a Forest River problem.

Couple all of the above with Palm Springs weather of freezing nights, cold days, and heavy rain and that didn't help either.

Oh well maybe be better next trip.

Couple of good things was that we were able to hook up with a Forest River person who pulled all the stops to start getting the things fixed AND the trailer did pull like a dream.  Most of the time didn't even know it was back there.

That's it for now.  When I get the Rpod back I'll continue with the mods and take and post pictures of what I have already done.

Later

  Your jeep looks like it maxes out a 4500 lbs towing capacity which includes all the weight in the vehicle. So every lb is important. I tow with an 11,200 lb towing capacity truck so didn't really consider weight. I Bought the pod because it was the smallest thing that had all we need for comfort, (less is more, my wife said). The mod let me triple my clothes storage and i now use the hanging closet to hang stuff!!

 My 180 has a dry weight of 2853 and I weighed it last week fully loaded for 5 nights of camping with a full load of fresh water (Dry camping at Joshua Tree) and it came in at 3,493. Which means with water, i'm hauling 640 lbs of extra weight in and on the trailer.   Minus water,  that's 390 lbs of gear and mods.   The sticker on the trailer says I could go to 926 of cargo for a total of 3779 lbs.

 

I really like this idea and may go back and play with this, It would leave better access to pumps, heaters, and such, and could make the front storage area taller. Since it all just unscrews it wouldn't be to much work. Thanks for the input!!

Rgds John

Angle iron mod pics This one opens up the under bed storage and supports the drawer sides.

 

And the latest goofy mod, Wife said I'm nuts... til she saw it!

And Joshua Tree last Thursday , 76 degrees and beautiful!!

I have been trying to get photos of my modifications but getting ready for leaving on our trip and taking the rpod back and forth to the dealer to get stuff fixed, and this an off the show room floor new unit.

When, and if, we make it to Palm Springs for our 3 week stay I'll get the picture taken an post them.