Clearance at Gas Stations |
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Grey51shadw
Newbie Joined: 28 May 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 24 |
Topic: Clearance at Gas Stations Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 8:28am |
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Thanks Stephen. I appreciate the tip on protecting the paint. Do you find the tow mirrors enough visual while driving interstates and maneuvering around gas stations?
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'17 178
'16 F150SC ..aRtPODist at large |
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john in idaho
Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 611 |
Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 10:13am | ||
Just remember the trailer will cut the corner compared to the tow vehicle . The sharper the turn, the mor it cuts in. A vacant school parking lot on a weekends a good place to practice.
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danorte
Newbie Joined: 31 May 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 10:53am | ||
We have used the suction cup mirror ext. They have safety cord and suck on the mirror. Good for us on freeway, dirt, gravel etc. As to tight spots. We may drive around the block, send the messenger to look to make sure it is a drive around or oops. IF in the tight situation as said most folks will help get you out of the tight spot. In the forest however we mark places to turn around and check odometer. Then you will know how far you may have to back up. North
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326 |
Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 12:48pm | ||
They provide sufficient visibility. What they don't provide is a view directly behind. The only way to get that would be to have a rear-view camera. However, the mirrors are sufficient as long as one maintains situational awareness which includes being aware of what is behind farther back but getting closer. For passing, I allow a comfortable cushion of space before cutting back to the right. Since I limit my speed to 60 mph, most of the time, people are passing me though. As previously stated by others, the trailer's track will be to the inside of the car's track. I allow for this. For gas stations, the mirrors are more than adequate to help me ensure that I don't hit the pump or the "idiot poles." |
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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Jewel59
Groupie Joined: 19 May 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 70 |
Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 1:04pm | ||
OMG this is my biggest fear......new owner, female, traveling alone and getting stuck!!! My first voyage is this weekend!
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326 |
Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 5:07pm | ||
Practice! Practice! Practice! Make the time to practice maneuvering your R-Pod in an empty lot. If you have access to some traffic cones (even the toy ones) then set them up and maneuver in and around them. Get comfortable with your tow vehicle and trailer so that if a tight situation comes, you will already have some experience.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4517 |
Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 5:18pm | ||
Good tip!!
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 03 Jun 2016 at 4:52pm | ||
And when you back up, put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. If you want the pod to go to your right, move your hand to the right. If things start going wrong, it is almost always better to just pull forward a few feet and start over. Never take your eyes off of your mirrors or you will jackknife faster than you can sneeze. There is more discussion on this in the link in my signature.
As for maneuvering in parking lots and gas stations, a lot of that just comes with experience. I always look ahead and figure out how I'm going to move before I do it. I have even gotten out and walked around to be sure. At the very worst you could unhitch the pod and turn it around manually (you can't do that with bigger campers), but once you are comfortable backing up that won't even be necessary. And all of this becomes much harder with a longer camper, so be happy you have a pod to learn on.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Rustler
Senior Member Joined: 07 May 2016 Location: S. Oregon Coast Online Status: Offline Posts: 100 |
Posted: 03 Jun 2016 at 6:10pm | ||
Thanks for the information. I hadn't thought of being able to unhitch and reposition the Rpod. That would take a bit of brute force with 300 lbs. tongue weight. But it would be an option with some help if necessary. But the thought of practice and experience preventing being in such a situation is comforting. I'll be taking my first trip with the Rpod 171 in three weeks, going over a few mountain passes. But I'll just be careful and not in a rush. This forum has been a big help with many of the questions I've had.
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Russ
2009 Toyota RAV4 V6 w/ tow package 2016 Rpod 171 HRE |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 03 Jun 2016 at 9:22pm | ||
If your tongue jack doesn't have a wheel on the end you can get one. No need to brute-force the tongue around.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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