Necessary New RPod Add-ons?
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10485
Printed Date: 04 May 2024 at 11:39pm
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Topic: Necessary New RPod Add-ons?
Posted By: 4Papa
Subject: Necessary New RPod Add-ons?
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2017 at 9:31pm
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I'm in the process of buying a 180 and the sales team is pushing a few additional items they say are must haves: 1: Slide Toppers (over slides to protect seals from tearing) 2: All season covers for crank-up vents 3: Surge protectors Are these things good to have? It might appear so, but are they fit especially for the RPod or are aftermarket products available that work as well or better? I'm located in the Northeast and the trailer will be "garaged" during winter in an unheated garage. Thanks for your thoughts. |
Replies:
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2017 at 10:41pm
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4Papa, All this stuff can be bought and installed yourself over time, no rush.
Slide out toppers are nice but not necessary, I put one on myself , bought it from my local dealer for under $200 or carefree brand online, they even show you how to measure for it and it took only 1 hour to install. (Pics in the link below) All season cover for the Fan, I never needed one but they are easy to install and cost $35 everywhere. Some people swear by them. but then we don't get real rain here. Surge protector, if you travel and stay in RV parks Yes, If your a dry camper and only plug it in at home, not so much, but still a good idea, Cost around $100, and is a one time use, more expensive ones can be reset. I had my converter killed during a bad lighting storm in Devils den AR. and spent the rest of the trip charging while driving and with a small battery charger until I got home and bought a new converter. I now own one. Congrats on the 180! Cheers ,John http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=all-my-180-mods-johnsue - All my 180 mods ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost 
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Posted By: 4Papa
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 2:46pm
| Thanks Voisj! Exactly what I needed to know. My dealer is hard-selling the add-ons. Slide Topper, Vent Cover, Surge Protector, 2nd Battery and 100 watt solar... all items that would be nice to have, but not at their prices. We're talking close to $2K for all of the above, installed. As I got a great price on the camper, I told them I'd consider if they bundle it into the loan. |
Posted By: SteveA
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 3:26pm
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I completely agree with Voisj, wait, take a trip, if you need or want something while traveling most everything can be purchased on the road from Camping World and their prices a reasonable.
If I'm correct that's about $600 worth of items they're trying to sell you for 2k.
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Posted By: NHpod
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 3:35pm
WOW, I can't believe it, I was just going to post the exact same question! , I just put a down payment on a 178 and got an email from the dealer with those 3 items listed. I live in N. Central NH and am buying my Pod in Burlington, VT. Are you as well? |
Posted By: PilotPodder
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 7:34pm
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I agree with voisj on the surge protector. I really balked at putting out $100 but it sure adds a layer of peace to camping. I mainly hit Michigan State Parks and sometimes there can be power surges or outages. It is also useful to plug this in first to see if the site actually has power before doing the full set up. Here is the model I use and I recommend it for sure: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015Y9MX38/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - Progessive Industries SSP-30XL JM ------------- Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — https://johnmarucci.com/r-pod-video-list/ - My RPod YouTube Videos |
Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 7:38pm
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We heard the horror studies of campgrounds poor electrical connections and decided to go with surge protection. The Progressive industries HW30C is the best on the market ($229 Amazon). It is hardwired and tells a bunch of things. Its not just surge protection. Sure enough on our second trip out it found something and tripped off. There is a portable version but who wants to worry about it getting stolen. Since we were going camping immediately upon picking up the RV we paid the dealer $150 to install it. I would say it is a must have if you are going around and staying at campgrounds
------------- OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel |
Posted By: NHpod
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 7:44pm
Is this a one time use unit or can you reset it in the event of a power surge?
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Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 7:57pm
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No all these units are constantly cycling through and will turn back on when there are no more faults detected. If the faults are known you can turn the unit off to allow electricity through. At our house the outlet in the garage is not properly grounded and the Progressive industries keeps shutting off so I just turn it off until I get the outlet repaired. More damage can be done by underpower than a surge which is a more common event at campsites and is why so many people recommend the higher priced HW30C. ------------- OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel |
Posted By: 4Papa
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 6:49am
| NHpod, I'd say we're dealing with the exact same dealer. Go figure. I will say they gave me a fantabulous deal on the camper. Might be why they're trying to make it up on over-priced options. |
Posted By: NHpod
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 8:32am
I agree, I have been shopping for a pod for months now and this dealer blew it out of the park. I will probably install a hardwired surge protector myself.
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Posted By: 4Papa
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 10:28am
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The hard-wired surge protector appears to be a PITA to install (#6 gauge wiring). I'm on the fence about attempting it. |
Posted By: NHpod
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 11:01am
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I found this Instruction PDF That someone posted here on the site; I'm sorry I don't remember who posted it but it is very informative. http://www.rpod-owners.com/uploads/5017/HW30CInstall.pdf - http://www.rpod-owners.com/uploads/5017/HW30CInstall.pdf Instead of cutting the incoming wire you just disconnect it from the main breaker at the box, connect it to the input side of the SP and use a piece of 10/2 romex to go from the output side of the SP to the breaker. THis was done on a 179, I don't know what room there is on the 178 to do this until I get it.
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Posted By: 4Papa
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 12:54pm
| Wow! Kudos to the (unknown) author. I am officially less intimidated. Thanks for sharing. |
Posted By: spydie
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 11:25pm
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I'd hate to have anything happen to you if you didn't install a surge protector, but I've been camping in all sorts of RVs for 40 years all over the USA and never had one and never had a problem. But I guess it CAN happen to a few people. ------------- 2018 R-pod 176 2017 RAM 1500 5.7L Hemi 
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2017 at 11:24am
On our last trip, we stayed at a campground where the first site had a power problem. I plugged our circuit analyzer/surge protector in and it showed that there was an open ground. We moved to a different site where the analyzer showed all was fine with the power pole. We might have been fine at the first site, but we might also have had a situation where it could have turned deadly. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2017 at 3:17pm
Slide out for the bathroom.  ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Posted By: ParPod
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2017 at 8:18am
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We had the converter blow in the middle of the night back in our Tent trailer days....sounds like a gunshot....we were in a Provincial Park on the north shore of Superior and they had a surge that got us and a couple of other units.......I've had a surge protector ever since. Cheap insurance for sure! ------------- Bob&Margaret 2017 179 2016 Toyota 4Runner 2 sets of Golf Clubs |