R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > I need HELP!!!
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Taking on some repairs and mods, need guidance
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedTaking on some repairs and mods, need guidance
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
KirkH View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 20 Jan 2021
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 16 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Taking on some repairs and mods, need guidance
    Posted: 04 Jul 2021 at 11:56pm
I am a newbie and I have found out, like everyone else, that my 2021 Rpod 192 (1 year old) needs some repairs and maintenance.  I'm pretty good with tools, pex, wiring and DIY stuff.  I have fixed a lot of shoddy, lazy, broken and cheap things on this new camper. I have installed better trailer brakes, fixed AC/thermostat wiring problems, replaced cabinet hinges with stronger ones, installed better hardware for the curtain drawstrings, installed better trailer ground, new stereo and new and more speakers, etc.

I don't know a lot of the "keywords", "lingo", part names, etc to search the forum efficiently, so I'm not having a lot of luck finding threads along the lines of what I need to do next.

If some folks could point me to some threads, I would greatly appreciate it.

Here's what I need to tackle:

1. Fresh water leak, city water.  It's not anywhere that I can see, so I need to remove the coroplast underbelly protection, and find the leak.  The small leak pools at the low point in the coroplast when connected to city water and using pressure reducer.

2. Improve the underbelly insulation because I do more winter camping than summer camping.  We took our Rpod to ski resorts all over Colorado last ski season, with no problems.

3. Tighten all underbelly connections, upgrade where needed, label all lines and wires, clean up the rats nest bundle of wires from the trailer connection.

4. Replace the coroplast in a manner that allows for inspection panels or easy removal.

Thanks in advance for any help. 
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jul 2021 at 9:20am
Hello Kirk,

Okay, you have piqued my curiosity. What trailer brakes did you install? Pictures and specs would be great.

When searching, use the "Advanced Search" function. That will give you expanded options such as the ability to search topics from any date instead of the default newer than six months. 

Fresh water leak? Not sure about that. The City Water connection should go directly inside to the plumbing, not below. The pump draws from the fresh water tank, but has a check valve that should prevent water from flowing into the tank when city water is connected. That can have a bit of plastic from drilling for the connections stuck in it. If the fresh water tank is filling and overflowing, that would be the symptom. The "cure" is to turn off city water and run the pump through several cycles which should dislodge the debris. I have not had that happen, but I have read about it a number of times.

We have a 2016 RP179, so we do not have the Coroplast underbelly cover. The only winter camping we have done was dry camping (no water in fresh water tank, use water carrier that could carry drinking water instead. Use black tank, but carry RV antifreeze for use while flushing and use rest stops and other non-pod facilities instead when possible). I agree with the wiring underneath. I tied up wires so they would not hang down and risk getting snagged. With no covering, they are still exposed though.

It sounds to me like you have a pretty good handle on things already. I've done a number of mods on our 179. You can see them by clicking on the link in my signature. Perhaps one or more of them will be helpful.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
Colt View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 16 Nov 2019
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 383 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jul 2021 at 1:41pm
Don't/didn't you have any warranty coverage?  Most of that sounds like warranty work, including the leak you seem to have, now. 

Look at motorcycle under-grip grip heaters for the tanks.  They are typically 36 watts on High and stick to the handlebars.  Pretty cheap, too. 
John
'16 R-Pod 180
Back to Top
KirkH View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 20 Jan 2021
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 16 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jul 2021 at 6:33pm
Thanks for the reply!

Originally posted by StephenH


Okay, you have piqued my curiosity. What trailer brakes did you install? Pictures and specs would be great.
I went to this little RV parts store in Louisville, KY and bought new brakes because when I drove the camper home from the dealership, the dealer had adjusted them so tightly that I got like 8 mpg.  The little lever that you adjust on the brakes actually broke off.  The dealer ship was far from my home and it was a pandemic AND the dealership told me it would be 6 months before I could bring it in, so i just bought some brakes at the parts store and installed them.  I don't have the specs handy now but I remember the wiring looked beefier and it just looked better quality in general.  It was one of the common brands, I remember that.  At the time, I was extremely ignorant about campers.


Fresh water leak? Not sure about that. The City Water connection should go directly inside to the plumbing, not below. The pump draws from the fresh water tank, but has a check valve that should prevent water from flowing into the tank when city water is connected.

The fresh water tank is not filling up.  I used wrong terminology.  I have a leak when the city water is hooked up only, and the water leaking is clean water.  I do not see any leak at the city water connection (its dry) or under the sink or bathroom.

We have a 2016 RP179, so we do not have the Coroplast underbelly cover. The only winter camping we have done was dry camping (no water in fresh water tank, use water carrier that could carry drinking water instead. Use black tank, but carry RV antifreeze for use while flushing and use rest stops and other non-pod facilities instead when possible). I

Yes we did the same.  We were able to ski many days last season in our "bubble."
Back to Top
KirkH View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 20 Jan 2021
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 16 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jul 2021 at 6:39pm
Originally posted by Colt

Don't/didn't you have any warranty coverage?  Most of that sounds like warranty work, including the leak you seem to have, now. 

Look at motorcycle under-grip grip heaters for the tanks.  They are typically 36 watts on High and stick to the handlebars.  Pretty cheap, too. 


I bought the camper in March 2020 so the one year warranty ran out before I discovered the problem/knew anything about this camper.  For example, the AC did not blow cold air when I brought it home (NOW I know to test it before leaving the lot) because the thermostat was wired completely incorrectly.  Wrong color wires to the wrong posts on the thermostat.  When I called in June 2020 to say it wasn't cold, the dealer told me it would be November before I could bring it back for service.  It was also 3 hours away, and mid pandemic.  AND I got COVID-19 and was sick for 3 months LOL!  So I just figured it out myself.

That's an interesting idea for the tank heater thanks!
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz