Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: slide paranoia

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slide paranoia

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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8011
Printed Date: 05 May 2024 at 6:57am
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Topic: slide paranoia

Posted By: rvshopping
Subject: slide paranoia
Date Posted: 24 May 2016 at 2:20pm

We are camping with just the battery for two nights this weekend. I upgraded to a slightly bigger battery (group size 27). My fear is that we will run out of battery and not be able to put the slide in. Will plugging it into our car do the trick? I guess worst case scenario we drive with it open some place very close, ideally on the campground, and plug it in? Any advice?

Replies:

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 24 May 2016 at 3:15pm

Carry a set of jumper cables when boondocking. In case of emergency, "jump" your battery. Jumper cables can move a lot of amps quickly.

EDIT: we did 3 days on the group 24 once. Conserve amps.

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Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 24 May 2016 at 3:32pm

If the issue is concern over packing up at the end of the weekend and having the slideout stuck out, all you would have to do is hitch up and connect the 7-way plug to your tow vehicle in order to slide it in. If you're done camping, you wouldn't have to wait for your battery to recharge with jumper cables. Plug and play, and you're on your way. (That's got a ring to it, doesn't it?)

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2014 177
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel

"I lift my eyes to the hills."

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 24 May 2016 at 5:57pm

Originally posted by Mountainrev

If the issue is concern over packing up at the end of the weekend and having the slideout stuck out, all you would have to do is hitch up and connect the 7-way plug to your tow vehicle in order to slide it in. If you're done camping, you wouldn't have to wait for your battery to recharge with jumper cables. Plug and play, and you're on your way. (That's got a ring to it, doesn't it?)

Not knowing what tow vehicle they have, we don't know if it's charging the pod or not.. We know the jumper cables will send enough current.

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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 24 May 2016 at 6:59pm

Good point.

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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 24 May 2016 at 10:56pm

You don't mention what type of slide you have. Schwintek or the Lippert over the floor type. You may or may not be able overcome a low battery / slide problem by plugging into your tow vehicle. If it is set-up properly, you should be able to plug in, start your TV, and have the power you need to draw the slide in. However, keep in mind the minute you do plug in with a dead camper battery, your TV alternator is going to get slammed right away with the charge draw by the POD dead battery.

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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 25 May 2016 at 5:12am

There is always the option of operating the slide out manually.

Posted By: rvshopping
Date Posted: 25 May 2016 at 11:13am

I'm not sure which type of slide we have. Our pod is a 2017 176T. Our TV is a nissan pathfinder and we have the 7 way plug. We'll bring jumper cables in case plugging it in to the car isn't working for some reason. I guess in the first year there is lots of "finding out" this stuff--I'm trying to prevent finding out the hard way :o)

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 25 May 2016 at 2:26pm

Originally posted by rvshopping

I'm not sure which type of slide we have. Our pod is a 2017 176T. Our TV is a nissan pathfinder and we have the 7 way plug. We'll bring jumper cables in case plugging it in to the car isn't working for some reason. I guess in the first year there is lots of "finding out" this stuff--I'm trying to prevent finding out the hard way :o)

Nothing wrong with that.. it's how you handle the finding out the hard way that matters.. Wink

I believe all 2017's have a Scwintek slide. Manually operating that slide isn't easy, well, neither is the other style, but the S-tek is worse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzqbvwCJpNU - Video link..

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Posted By: rvshopping
Date Posted: 25 May 2016 at 2:30pm

Great! I will watch that, too. Then we'll have nothing to worry about, maybe. Except for the 90 degree temps and no power other than the battery :o)

Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 25 May 2016 at 7:04pm

A most valuable tool for a dry camper is the multi-meter to monitor the BAT state of charge. Even better, as many Podders have, install a volt meter inside the POD to make keeping an eye on things real easy. A cheap and very easy MOD. Remember, the battery is almost dead at 11.9 volts. You can take it down lower, but it's best not to go there. Good luck! Have Fun!

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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)