A 20' soft rope, with a clip on one end and a tennis ball on the other, is your friend. Just hook one end to the cover and toss the tennis ball over to the other side. Still good to use a ladder so that you're pulling up from the other side, but makes the whole process a lot easier, and you don't damage anything. Well, maybe the tennis ball when you drill a hole through it.
Yeah John I learned the hard way. I have a 179 and did not put a cover over the trailer and where mine sits, the front is facing the sun in the summer. The top of the front of my trailer started to fade so I have covered mine ever since.I do clean and wax it every year.It has made a big difference.
Thank you for another great video! This is a subject that I was wondering about and you answered all my questions. I will be keeping my R-Pod next to my house and it will be in the shade of my house by afternoon. I think a cover is a good idea but I feel with what you are saying, I think I could wait on buying a cover. Thanks for sharing!
Chris R, you really shouldn't wait on a cover. Haha that's just me though. But seriously think about getting one as vandalists could pour paint stripper all over the poor thing. Maybe even spray paint. Stay safe - George
Hello, I have R pod 180. I wash-n-wax and also utilize the cover. The pro's out way the cons to doing so. I park my Pod in my oversized driveway. The door rolls up, so I 3 still go inside to check things out. Here in Kansas we get heavy rain, snow, ice and hail. So if you have solar panels on top, you want all the protection you can get. Good luck with your decision.
Thanks for the video Question: My son bought an R/Pod 202, same size length as the 201 What would be a right cover for this pod? I don't see any options for these bigger pods.
I don't think there are form-fitted cover options for the 201/202 models. Classic Accessories has several for R-Pods but they seem to be for the smaller models.
A cover is a very nice idea. I have a major sap problem and very often when I wake up to smoke a cig, I'll see yellow crust all over the beautiful gal. It's very disappointing to see this. Do you have any tips for removing sap and other very sticky substances? Best regards, George.
George, I used Turtle Wax Bug & Tar remover last year on my truck when I had a tree sap problem. It worked well for that application, but I am not sure about fiberglass. I would go to a local auto parts store or Amazon and take a look a few of these products. Thanks!
Great video John! Lots of good info. I would like to find a cover for my 192, but I've been unsuccessful locating one. It appears they don't make a cover specifically for the 192. I wonder if they'll come out with one sometime in the future. I'd rather not buy a generic cover because it probably won't fit well. I would appreciate it if anyone knows of a cover that would be decent fit to the 192. Thanks
Dan, that seems to be the issue just now with R-Pod introducing so many new models. I think it takes some time to see accessories like covers hit the market. You could always contact Classic Accessories and inquire if they plan to make other R-Pod specific covers. Thanks!
John, hello my wife & I stumbled across your channel & now are new members.. we love your honest reviews & helpful tips that you provide. You are a very nice guy that’s very sincere. we recently went to the Hershey show in September & came across the new Rpod model 191. We really like the twin beds it’s the only model that I can sleep in 6’3”. We love the new interior & exterior finishes it looks very clean, modern & light weight.. some questions we have is we notice there are two dump values instead of one for both the gray & black tanks. This seems like a major & possibly messy inconvenience if you are not careful.. What’s your honest opinion on this. Maybe a video in the future would be helpful.. also the inside storage on the 191 model is lacking... I know most RV’S are made on assembly lines. But do you think Rpod would for a small up-charge possibly add another wardrobe closet or a shelf with cargo netting over the bed? There seems like a lot of wasted space over the bed on the 191. I know part of the appeal of the Rpod is the light weight towing. I really don’t think it would add that much more weight & give the consumer more storage option when traveling. I know in one of your videos you travel with a closet bar in your truck. That’s not really an option for us.. my SUV is rated for 5,000 pounds towing. Do you think I will have an issue? We also wanted to know if you recommend weight disruption & anti sway hitch with this trailer. I think it’s a wise option since they are light weight & single axel.. finally the build quality, I know with any RV even an Airstream you will have some issues.. we really want to spend more time traveling & exploring & less time at a RV repair shop.. do you think Forest River quality is comparable to most manufactures? Thanks again for your time. Happy & safe travels. Shorefoot
John, we have seen more of your videos!!! Including the dump tank video & towing with a Honda Pilot (I have a Toyota Highlander).. you do a great job on your videos!! Keep up the great work!!! Any answers you can give us on my prior post would be appreciated thanks again!!!
Shore Foot, thanks for watching and subscribing. Here are a few responses to your questions. First, concerning the black and gray tank dump valves being separated, I had a 171 that only had one outlet and now a 179 that has two. It really isn't too difficult to dump from two outlets as you may have noticed in the dump station video. You just always dump the black side first. When I camp at a full-hookup campground, I have a Y connector and two hoses that stay attached. You can see this in my Fort Wilderness campground review video (in the Campground review playlist, timestamp=3:47). Second, as far as interior storage, this is one of the drawbacks to the 191 model and some other R-Pod models. As far as having a factory upgrade of added shelves or wardrobe, I haven't heard of Forest River doing this. I do know many owners do retrofit shelving above the bed. You can find examples of this by searching for R-Pod Mods online and especially on Instagram. Third, a 5,000 lb. towing capacity on your SUV should be doable as the 191 weighs in about 2600 lbs. unloaded. When you add gear and water, it can get to the mid 3k range, but 5,000 lbs. should be able to handle it. You will need a brake controller and a 7-pin connector (tow harness) installed if you don't have one already. You may have noticed in the Honda Pilot video that towing capacity can be reduced if you add significant weight inside the SUV. Next, the weight distribution hitch (WDH), to me is a have to have. I used it with my Pilot and 171 and now with my Tundra and 179 and it controls sway and also levels the tow vehicle. I have towed in some strong winds and was very glad I had the WDH. I can recommend the Fastway E2 or the Blue Ox as both work well. Finally, I do think Forest River build quality is comparable to other RV manufacturers, but this isn't to say that they are built to anything close to the build quality/consistency of an automobile. The Happy Birthday R-Pod video and the First Trip Tips video are both good at level-setting expectations. We have had to get warranty work done on both new R-Pods. Not major issues, but still things that needed to get fixed. I have really enjoyed owning both units, but there have been issues we have had to deal with. Hope this helps and thanks again for watching and subscribing!
Hi John...another great video and something that has been on my mind here in Minnesota! I'll be storing my r p - 179 on my property and using it part-time just like you said as a spare bedroom or place to hang out once in awhile. In between those times do you think I need to bring my batteries in the house to keep them from freezing or will my converter/charger do the trick? Thanks!
Hi MN, as long as you have the Pod plugged in to shore power, and your converter is working properly, it should keep your main battery charged. I did recently have a converter fail, so keep an eye on your monitor panel battery lights. When plugged into shore power, your battery lights should always show full. Thanks again for watching!
i have a starcraft satellite 17rb...it is almost identical to the R-POD, how do you like yours? i have wondered which one is better? have you had any problems with the build? we love the 17rb and after a few years have had no problems at all.
That’s good to hear that you’ve had no problems. I can’t say the same thing. I put a video out about the 20 issues I had in 2 years: th-cam.com/video/MUGp1Tk1TzM/w-d-xo.html
John i babysit an rp179 yr round for relatives that are out of country. I have full use of it and often do. I cannot for the life of me figure out the tv stereo system. Technically challenged I guess. I'd love to cast my phone at the bigger screen or hook up through hdmi. Any chance on a tutorial related to the TV / stereo system ?
Peter, I do have a video on using entertainment in the Pod. There is a tip using an iPhone and cable that I still use to this day. Here is the link: th-cam.com/video/pkIg04tB1lM/w-d-xo.html
I suppose it depends on a few factors. If I was going to cover, I would make sure that my RV was clean and that the cover was clean. Also, that I was using a form-fitted cover for my RV if possible. However, I suppose dirt and debris could get under the cover in certain situation (e.g. high winds) and cause problems. Hope this helps.
I would look at Classic Accessories covers. The issue you may find is that the 202 is fairly new, so it may be tough to find one yet. I know they have several models for the smaller R-Pods. Otherwise, you may need to find something that fits the general length of the 202, as there are a bunch of brands with that length. Sorry I can't be of more help.
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A 20' soft rope, with a clip on one end and a tennis ball on the other, is your friend. Just hook one end to the cover and toss the tennis ball over to the other side. Still good to use a ladder so that you're pulling up from the other side, but makes the whole process a lot easier, and you don't damage anything. Well, maybe the tennis ball when you drill a hole through it.
Great idea, thanks for sharing!
Yeah John I learned the hard way. I have a 179 and did not put a cover over the trailer and where mine sits, the front is facing the sun in the summer. The top of the front of my trailer started to fade so I have covered mine ever since.I do clean and wax it every year.It has made a big difference.
Thanks for the comment. There are a lot of variables to consider including the amount of sun exposure you have. All the best!
Thank you for another great video! This is a subject that I was wondering about and you answered all my questions. I will be keeping my R-Pod next to my house and it will be in the shade of my house by afternoon. I think a cover is a good idea but I feel with what you are saying, I think I could wait on buying a cover. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Chris, glad the video was helpful. Thanks again for watching!
Chris R, you really shouldn't wait on a cover. Haha that's just me though. But seriously think about getting one as vandalists could pour paint stripper all over the poor thing. Maybe even spray paint. Stay safe - George
Hello, I have R pod 180. I wash-n-wax and also utilize the cover. The pro's out way the cons to doing so. I park my Pod in my oversized driveway. The door rolls up, so I 3 still go inside to check things out. Here in Kansas we get heavy rain, snow, ice and hail. So if you have solar panels on top, you want all the protection you can get. Good luck with your decision.
Thanks for the comments and perspective on covering your R-Pod. Always good to hear. Thanks for watching and all the best for 2019!
Thanks for an informative issue
Do you have a video of how you are doing touch ups on the caulk?
I do not have a video on caulking. There are few out on TH-cam.
Thanks for the video
Question: My son bought an R/Pod 202, same size length as the 201
What would be a right cover for this pod?
I don't see any options for these bigger pods.
I don't think there are form-fitted cover options for the 201/202 models. Classic Accessories has several for R-Pods but they seem to be for the smaller models.
A cover is a very nice idea. I have a major sap problem and very often when I wake up to smoke a cig, I'll see yellow crust all over the beautiful gal. It's very disappointing to see this. Do you have any tips for removing sap and other very sticky substances? Best regards, George.
George, I used Turtle Wax Bug & Tar remover last year on my truck when I had a tree sap problem. It worked well for that application, but I am not sure about fiberglass. I would go to a local auto parts store or Amazon and take a look a few of these products. Thanks!
Great video John! Lots of good info. I would like to find a cover for my 192, but I've been unsuccessful locating one. It appears they don't make a cover specifically for the 192. I wonder if they'll come out with one sometime in the future. I'd rather not buy a generic cover because it probably won't fit well. I would appreciate it if anyone knows of a cover that would be decent fit to the 192. Thanks
Dan, that seems to be the issue just now with R-Pod introducing so many new models. I think it takes some time to see accessories like covers hit the market. You could always contact Classic Accessories and inquire if they plan to make other R-Pod specific covers. Thanks!
John, hello my wife & I stumbled across your channel & now are new members.. we love your honest reviews & helpful tips that you provide. You are a very nice guy that’s very sincere. we recently went to the Hershey show in September & came across the new Rpod model 191. We really like the twin beds it’s the only model that I can sleep in 6’3”. We love the new interior & exterior finishes it looks very clean, modern & light weight.. some questions we have is we notice there are two dump values instead of one for both the gray & black tanks. This seems like a major & possibly messy inconvenience if you are not careful.. What’s your honest opinion on this. Maybe a video in the future would be helpful.. also the inside storage on the 191 model is lacking... I know most RV’S are made on assembly lines. But do you think Rpod would for a small up-charge possibly add another wardrobe closet or a shelf with cargo netting over the bed? There seems like a lot of wasted space over the bed on the 191. I know part of the appeal of the Rpod is the light weight towing. I really don’t think it would add that much more weight & give the consumer more storage option when traveling. I know in one of your videos you travel with a closet bar in your truck. That’s not really an option for us.. my SUV is rated for 5,000 pounds towing. Do you think I will have an issue? We also wanted to know if you recommend weight disruption & anti sway hitch with this trailer. I think it’s a wise option since they are light weight & single axel.. finally the build quality, I know with any RV even an Airstream you will have some issues.. we really want to spend more time traveling & exploring & less time at a RV repair shop.. do you think Forest River quality is comparable to most manufactures? Thanks again for your time. Happy & safe travels.
Shorefoot
John, we have seen more of your videos!!! Including the dump tank video & towing with a Honda Pilot (I have a Toyota Highlander).. you do a great job on your videos!! Keep up the great work!!! Any answers you can give us on my prior post would be appreciated thanks again!!!
Shore Foot, thanks for watching and subscribing. Here are a few responses to your questions. First, concerning the black and gray tank dump valves being separated, I had a 171 that only had one outlet and now a 179 that has two. It really isn't too difficult to dump from two outlets as you may have noticed in the dump station video. You just always dump the black side first. When I camp at a full-hookup campground, I have a Y connector and two hoses that stay attached. You can see this in my Fort Wilderness campground review video (in the Campground review playlist, timestamp=3:47).
Second, as far as interior storage, this is one of the drawbacks to the 191 model and some other R-Pod models. As far as having a factory upgrade of added shelves or wardrobe, I haven't heard of Forest River doing this. I do know many owners do retrofit shelving above the bed. You can find examples of this by searching for R-Pod Mods online and especially on Instagram.
Third, a 5,000 lb. towing capacity on your SUV should be doable as the 191 weighs in about 2600 lbs. unloaded. When you add gear and water, it can get to the mid 3k range, but 5,000 lbs. should be able to handle it. You will need a brake controller and a 7-pin connector (tow harness) installed if you don't have one already. You may have noticed in the Honda Pilot video that towing capacity can be reduced if you add significant weight inside the SUV.
Next, the weight distribution hitch (WDH), to me is a have to have. I used it with my Pilot and 171 and now with my Tundra and 179 and it controls sway and also levels the tow vehicle. I have towed in some strong winds and was very glad I had the WDH. I can recommend the Fastway E2 or the Blue Ox as both work well.
Finally, I do think Forest River build quality is comparable to other RV manufacturers, but this isn't to say that they are built to anything close to the build quality/consistency of an automobile. The Happy Birthday R-Pod video and the First Trip Tips video are both good at level-setting expectations. We have had to get warranty work done on both new R-Pods. Not major issues, but still things that needed to get fixed. I have really enjoyed owning both units, but there have been issues we have had to deal with.
Hope this helps and thanks again for watching and subscribing!
John Marucci thank you John again. Keep up the great videos & Happy upcoming Holidays!!!
Hi John...another great video and something that has been on my mind here in Minnesota! I'll be storing my r p - 179 on my property and using it part-time just like you said as a spare bedroom or place to hang out once in awhile. In between those times do you think I need to bring my batteries in the house to keep them from freezing or will my converter/charger do the trick? Thanks!
Hi MN, as long as you have the Pod plugged in to shore power, and your converter is working properly, it should keep your main battery charged. I did recently have a converter fail, so keep an eye on your monitor panel battery lights. When plugged into shore power, your battery lights should always show full. Thanks again for watching!
i have a starcraft satellite 17rb...it is almost identical to the R-POD, how do you like yours? i have wondered which one is better? have you had any problems with the build? we love the 17rb and after a few years have had no problems at all.
That’s good to hear that you’ve had no problems. I can’t say the same thing. I put a video out about the 20 issues I had in 2 years: th-cam.com/video/MUGp1Tk1TzM/w-d-xo.html
John i babysit an rp179 yr round for relatives that are out of country. I have full use of it and often do. I cannot for the life of me figure out the tv stereo system. Technically challenged I guess. I'd love to cast my phone at the bigger screen or hook up through hdmi. Any chance on a tutorial related to the TV / stereo system ?
Peter, I do have a video on using entertainment in the Pod. There is a tip using an iPhone and cable that I still use to this day. Here is the link: th-cam.com/video/pkIg04tB1lM/w-d-xo.html
@@JohnMarucci great John. Thanks ill check that out
Does dirt get under the coverAn scratch?
I suppose it depends on a few factors. If I was going to cover, I would make sure that my RV was clean and that the cover was clean. Also, that I was using a form-fitted cover for my RV if possible. However, I suppose dirt and debris could get under the cover in certain situation (e.g. high winds) and cause problems. Hope this helps.
Hi! Can you tell me where to buy a cover for the Rpod 202? I can’t find one anywhere. Thank you! 🙏🏼
I would look at Classic Accessories covers. The issue you may find is that the 202 is fairly new, so it may be tough to find one yet. I know they have several models for the smaller R-Pods. Otherwise, you may need to find something that fits the general length of the 202, as there are a bunch of brands with that length. Sorry I can't be of more help.