long time tent campers new 179!
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Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5801
Printed Date: 02 May 2024 at 5:59pm
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Topic: long time tent campers new 179!
Posted By: jeffkseattle
Subject: long time tent campers new 179!
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2015 at 3:53pm
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Wife and I have been enjoying the pac nw tent camping since we moved to Seattle 9 years ago. There are so many great camping options and environments here mountains, rivers, the coast, a volcano or two, and we have just scratched the surface! We are at our best and happiest with each other when we are out enjoying it.
Decided to upgrade to an RV after waking up on the hard ground in our wet tent after a cold rain and the mattress deflated overnight (again!).
This is our first RV and settled on the 2015 179 Hood River edition. Those mag wheels and knobby tires sure make an impression! This forum is a great (independent) resource and I spend time reading through it everyday.
We dont have a tow vehicle yet but do appreciate that we have the luxury of choosing the right vehicle for the task. Our current first choice is Chevy Tahoe 2009 or later (integrated brake controller). Seems like a safe bet for rv novices like us. My wife isn't too happy with how big the vehicle is and the terrible gas mileage but I think more is more in this scenario.
My first question for the group (of many to come I am sure). Is it possible to replace the current light fixture (led) switches with dimmer switches? Man are they bright! Not very conducive to creating a romantic mood in there.
Anyway, we are so excited to get travelin this Spring!
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Replies:
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2015 at 4:29pm
Congratulations on the new 1 seven nine r Hmm, the lights run on the 12v circuit and if your lights are like mine on the 178, the switches are integrated into the light fixture. I think the effort and expense required to dim the LEDs would be a lot of trouble. I would look for a simpler solution. Like maybe change the cover out or use one of the 120v service plugs to run softer night lights or maybe affix some kind of shade. We generally don't have this issue because when we want softer light we just turn on one, like maybe the bathroom or maybe use the one in the kitchen and turn the rest of of the light off. Anyway, good luck! ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2015 at 5:57pm
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We use these instead and work great. They have brightness settings and can be placed anywhere. We have two on opposite sides of the bed for reading, and two above the dinning area: http://www.amazon.com/Rite-Lite-LPL743W-Pivot-Swivel/dp/B001B5125K/ref=pd_ys_sf_s_rp_a1_5_p?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XN8JVNF12PNFBYRZAAK# These are also good and have a warm light: http://www.amazon.com/Gemini-Stick-White-Battery-Lights/dp/B00K6H80KE/ref=pd_sim_hi_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1AAGT1TVJTY595M0A422 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2015 at 7:38pm
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Welcome. The Tahoe is the shorter-wheelbase brother of the Suburban. It will be fine towing a pod, but if you think there is any chance you'll get a longer camper in the future you'll want to move to the Suburban for the longer wheelbase. More wheelbase = more stability when towing. Either will have plenty of power for a pod. When we were deciding between Suburban or Tahoe there was little difference in price (used) and no difference in mpg between the two. When towing it doesn't matter what brand or model you are towing with, it will get between 10-12 mpg. Most of the fixtures in the pod have 2 lights, so one option is to open up the fixture and remove one of the lights. I'm not sure if this is possible with the ones that come with LEDs from the factory - they may be permanent but I have no idea. We removed one of the lights over the bed and that helped. Another note on the LEDs, if you have them they can't be dimmed. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Pod4Two
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2015 at 9:16pm
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Welcome ------------- Ina & Philip Kennedy 2011 -177 2014 GMC Z71 4x4 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2015 at 7:13pm
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Welcome! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Kickstart
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2015 at 8:56pm
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Hey, welcome! We're sure lucky to live in this state when it relates to RV'n, camping, hiking and backpacking, kayaking, etc. On Amazon, you might like to check out CAMPING WASHINGTON by Judd. This 1st edition is better than the 2nd edition. It's the best book I've ever found for exploring the public camping/RV opportunities in our state. The hard bound is more handy than the kindle edition for the type of use I get out of it.
Anyway, you're really gonna enjoy your Pod. You can easily get into so many spots that give the big dogs trouble, and there are a lot of tight FS and Nat. Park sites available in Washington. P/S Good choice on going for an able tow rig, as you must know we have a lot of fairly challenging areas to tow. ------------- '10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL '12 Toyota Tundra '05 Sportster (half a Harley) Retired-We're on Beach Time! |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2015 at 9:47am
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Welcome. We recently upgraded from a 2005 Tahoe, which we purchased new. We had been towing our 171 with just an anti-sway bar. Our gas mileage while towing averaged about 10-12 mpg. Ten years later we were again on the quest to replace the Tahoe. The Tahoe had a tow rating of 6,800 lbs. More than enough to power us up and down mountains without breaking a sweat. Personally, I hated to give up that thirsty V-8 but it was time. Our 171 weighs in at about 2,800 lbs. loaded with our "stuff." And just about 5 gals. water in the tank. I wouldn't feel comfortable with a new TV that had less than a 5,000 lb. towing capacity. Did a lot of research and settled on our first Japanese vehicle. We bought a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. Has 260 HP and plenty of torque. With the shorter wheelbase and lighter weight of the Pathfinder I felt it necessary to go with a WDH with anti-sway bar. The Pathfinder had the factory installed tow package. Have had it only a couple of months but have been delighted with the Pathfinder. I have only towed our 171 about 10 miles to our dealer and back to have the WDH installed. Our brake controller was transferred to the Pathfinder and just plugged in to the factory provided plug. Briefly towed it on the freeway and city streets and all seemed just right. Will of course, have more to report on when we start our camping season here in Oregon. You might join us and about 49 other Podders and others in August at our 4th Annual Roundup in Cannon Beach. Look under events for the details. The Tahoe was terrific in all respects. Very comfortable and lots of towing capacity. We had downsized from a Suburban. Only thing that stopped the Suburban was a gas station. In any event, enjoy your new toy. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2015 at 11:07am
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On the light issue.. The 179 was the first model to come with factory LED lighting, and it's implementation fixtures are such that you can't change the "bulbs".. The earlier pods had real bulbs and when upgrading to LEDs you could choose color and brightness. What many owners of the newer LED equipped pods have done is either frost the covers, or add a sheet of thin paper to the inside.. ------------- |
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2015 at 11:26am
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Sorry to hijack thread, but real quickly, why is the 1st edition of the book better than the 2nd? I am interested in this book. Thanks in advance while I lurk in the background. Carry on. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: Kickstart
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2015 at 7:46pm
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Mark & Beth, I thought I had lost my 1st edition and bought the second edition by Giordano, thinking it was an upgrade, but the Giordano book is a different book and really not up to snuff. Thankfully, I found the Judd book, and passed the other on to my cousin.
The only problem you might find with the Judd-CAMPING WASHINGTON book would be with the fact that a very few of the rated campgrounds may have closed over the years. To me it is an outstanding book for info on camping my state. There is, though , no internet info in the book. Ratings, phone #'s, size restrictions,hook up info, location directions, and campground descriptions abound. Hey M&B you DO live a long ways away to get much use out of this book, though!  ------------- '10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL '12 Toyota Tundra '05 Sportster (half a Harley) Retired-We're on Beach Time! |
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 11:30am
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Thanks. We're headed that way later this summer hopefully. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: Kickstart
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 2:28pm
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Nice! Hope you have a great trip. There's a ton of wonderful stuff to see/experience between your area and my beach abode. Plan wisely, as the best spots get pretty crowded out here in the summer. Don't be afraid to P/M down the road if you need any specific WA State info. ------------- '10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL '12 Toyota Tundra '05 Sportster (half a Harley) Retired-We're on Beach Time! |
Posted By: jeffkseattle
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 9:02pm
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Thank you for the book recommendation! ------------- Jeff&Val 2015 R-179 Hood River ed |
Posted By: jeffkseattle
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 9:20pm
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Hi Camper Bob- thank you for sharing your experience with the Tahoe. I keep doing research on tow vehicle options and just today we were looking at the hybrid versions of the Tahoe and Yukon. Does anyone have experience using a hybrid to tow an rpod? The Pathfinder sounds like a good choice. It seems the japanese made vehicles are very reliable. Did you decide to get a lighter duty vehicle for the fuel economy? The Annual Roundup sounds like fun and you its hard to beat the scenic beauty of Cannon Beach. Where does everyone camp? Are there campgrounds accessible with online reservations? I know peak Summer weekends tend to fill up way in advance. We will be camping at Cape Disappointment Sate Park in late August for the Long Beach Kite Festival. We have never attended the event before but it sounds like a good time! ------------- Jeff&Val 2015 R-179 Hood River ed |
Posted By: Kickstart
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 9:46pm
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When you visit Cape Disappointment make sure also to take in the Cottage Bakery in Long Beach. But not if you're on a diet! The Lewis and Clark Interp. Center above the park is also very worthwhile with a great view, particularly on a stormy day. ------------- '10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL '12 Toyota Tundra '05 Sportster (half a Harley) Retired-We're on Beach Time! |