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Topic ClosedBacking the rpod

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kylekai View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Backing the rpod
    Posted: 09 Aug 2014 at 7:24pm
I'm looking into purchasing an r-pod, but I'm wondering how difficult they are to backup.  I've backed up a few UHaul trailers in the past, and I remember it wasn't easy.  Is it something that gets better over time?  I'd have to backup into my driveway which is 90 degrees to the street, and I don't want to spend 30 minutes trying to get it into my driveway every time I go camping.  I was thinking of spending some time in a large empty parking lot after the purchase.  Any thoughts?  Thanks!
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Aug 2014 at 8:46pm
The more practice, the better.  Keep your hand hand at the bottom of the steering wheel, and move it in the direction that you want the trailer to go.  Hand right, TV goes left, camper goes right.  The pods are pretty easy to back up since they are short.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Aug 2014 at 8:54pm
I agree practice, practice and practice!! Spend a few days down at the Mall parking lot.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
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Marx View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 2014 at 9:17pm
I'm fairly competent with towing and backing, though when we got the RPOD it was a change due to not seeing the camper out of the rear view mirror.  Our storage spot we park it is really tight to back it into.  After a few trips though giving me ample opportunity to back it in I've knocked my time in half and it only made me better out in the camp sites we get too.  Overall it made me better which I'm very happy for.
2014 R-POD 177
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Seanl View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2014 at 7:56am
I have backed trailers up ever since I was a kid on the farm (Wow I just heard my fathers voice when I typed that.LOL) The only thing that I notice that is different is that because the Pod is so short and it only has one axle when it turns it turns fast. Small adjustments make a big difference when you are backing up. I do recommend practicing  in an empty lot. if you can get some cones and practice backing around them that would be good. 

I just took my Pod out to my inlaws cottage last week and it has a long drive with no place to turn around at the end. I backed the trailer down the 20 yard lane around a 90 degree turn and only had a couple of false starts where I had to pull ahead and do over. I think that is pretty good. All told took me five min. 
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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cody91 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2014 at 9:14am
I got my Rpod 178 in the spring.  Before that, I had never towed a small camper.  I practiced about three times in a large Church parking lot (got permission first) using cones.  Each session was about 45 minutes long.  After that I feel confident enough to back it up in most situations that you would experience at a campground.
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