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Dave D.
Newbie
Joined: 23 Jan 2019
Location: Largo, FL
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11
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Topic: Introduction Posted: 27 Jan 2019 at 9:58pm |
I’m a retired Marine who manages and edits an online
national defense journal. I currently reside in the Tampa Bay area. Because my
job lets me work from wherever I want (as long as I have Internet) I decided to
purchase a travel trailer and spend as much time on the road as I can. I
will be traveling with my two dogs. I plan on purchasing one this summer / fall and
have pretty much decided on an R-Pod (the 179 or 195 floor-plans seem to work for me).
Have looked at many, many options but since I want to keep my 2015 Tacoma 4x4 (it has the tow package) my search eventually led me to R-Pod land. Before I pull the final plug on this adventure, I’m
researching my options for full-time Internet. I really need it 24/7
and the research seems daunting at times (campground WiFi, boosters, WiFi
hot spots off cellular service, and on and on). I would like to do a lot of boon-docking when I'm out west. Any recommendations along this line would be appreciated.
My current carrier is Verizon. All that said, looking forward to joining the R-Pod
community. I hope to be on the road late fall to early 2020.
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podrunner
Senior Member
Joined: 30 May 2013
Location: Draper, UT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 106
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Posted: 27 Jan 2019 at 10:53pm |
Here in the west, you may find that many areas where you might be boondocking may not have cell service. Cell service is often limited to cities, towns and major highways. Sounds like a fun adventure. Happy Trails.
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2010 R Pod 151
2017 4runner
2006 Honda Metropolitan
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Dave D.
Newbie
Joined: 23 Jan 2019
Location: Largo, FL
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11
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Posted: 27 Jan 2019 at 11:57pm |
Yes, thanks. I gathered as much so far. Boon-docking really isn't number one on the priority list, Internet is. B-D would be a nice to have / do thing if an area has cell and seems worth the stay. Even so, it seems to be complicated even in areas of great cell service. That, or I am making it more complicated than it needs to be. On other R-Pod issues I have found John Marucci's YouTube videos of great value. They kind of sold me on the R-Pod over the Winnie Drop when I could not decide between the two.
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Motor7
Senior Member
Joined: 09 Jan 2019
Location: E. TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 196
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Posted: 28 Jan 2019 at 5:08am |
You are going to want a cell antenna/booster. Verizon sells their version with a rubber duck antenna but it actually works quite well. Wilson electronics makes several models and an exterior antenna is always better. Just make sure it operates on the current frequency Verizon is currently using( and that can change with each new generation of "G").
Oh, and if you are headed out West, consider a Hood River Edition R-Pod, 15" rims and 3.5" risers(lift above axle) for much needed ground clearance.
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2016 R-Pod 176T
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Dave D.
Newbie
Joined: 23 Jan 2019
Location: Largo, FL
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11
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Posted: 28 Jan 2019 at 6:40am |
Thank you.
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419
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Posted: 28 Jan 2019 at 8:23am |
Welcome Dave,
You may find it difficult to locate a HRE in FL, any pod without risers and 15" wheels can be modified, all the new pods have 15" tires.
As far as WIFI, several options available, major issue will be lack of service. You may need to stay out of those areas.
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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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Dave D.
Newbie
Joined: 23 Jan 2019
Location: Largo, FL
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11
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Posted: 28 Jan 2019 at 8:50am |
Thanks, a 195 would do. I haven't contacted a dealer yet, but was assuming I could order a HRE 179, not find one as a walk-in.
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp
Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128
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Posted: 28 Jan 2019 at 8:54am |
You cannot "order" an HRE. You live east of the Mississippi.. They are manufactured and sold in the west,not the east. Only FR knows why. To purchase an HRE, you will have to work with a western dealer.. BUT.. other then he knobby tires and some stickers, there isn't enough difference to warrant it. And anything from the HRE package can be added later to an eastern pod.
WiFi and cell coverage is a crap shoot. My wife can also work from anywhere she has good internet, I am retired army.. we have experimented pretty strongly over the last couple years. With a wifi booster, a cell booster, and a verizon air card, we still find lots and lots of places with no, to not good enough, coverage.
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Dave D.
Newbie
Joined: 23 Jan 2019
Location: Largo, FL
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11
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Posted: 28 Jan 2019 at 9:07am |
Thanks. Yes, the more I research on mobile Internet and talk to more and more people the more I get answers like yours - 'crap shoot'. I'm leaning towards your 'solution' and maybe adding a second carrier as a backup / redundancy - if I can afford it. Thanks for answering the HRE thing - most important to me is the floor-plan and as long as I am in the ballpark I'll make do.
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp
Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128
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Posted: 28 Jan 2019 at 9:09am |
There is no difference in the floor plans.. a 195 is a 195, regardless of which plant builds it.
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