Our RP-171 is on the way out

 It's been fun...

We've enjoyed our small R-Pod immensely, but it's being replaced...by a larger R-Pod!

2021

Early summer visit to KY

We went to KY specifically to drive parts of the "KY Adventure Tour", a route set up for motorcycles, but with 4x4's in mind too. We "camped" at Holly Bay Campground and at Natural Bridge SP. From each location we went out on the "Tour" and enjoyed the scenery mostly, but also some lightly challenging roads. We did several stream crossings, often "testing the waters" beforehand. At a Rockcastle River crossing, we decided the water was too deep and turned around. There were several other points where it was usually muddy conditions that turned us around.

Before leaving Natural Bridge SP, we used the chair lift to visit the arch. We also enjoyed an evening with Glenn, Sonia and Abby in Somerset, and stayed in Richard and Connie's yard on our way home.

Colorado

In August, we spent two weeks visiting CO and driving parts of the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route( CO-BDR ). BDR's have been defined in several states, mostly in the west but also in New England and Mid-Atlantic. Our time there was short since it took a week to and from Colorado. While there, we camped 3 nights at Pitkin Campground(Gunnison NF) in Pitkin and 2 nights at River Fork RV Park in Lake City. The one driving day from Lake City took us on the "Alpine Loop" going over Cinnamon Pass and Engineer Pass. Most of 3 days from Pitkin took us on some challenging roads too.

During our visit, we also went to Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon National Parks. A pleasant surprise at Great Sand Dunes was a "jeep trail" that was another challenge. We turned around there too, because we still had the trailer hitch on the 4Runner. 

Sept-Oct

We've purchased a 2020 R-Pod 192,  (Wedn, Sept 29, 2021), which is much larger than our RP171. That and a Ford F250 truck to tow it are the beginnings of new adventures.

More modifications

Additional Mods 

• Table; removed and replaced with custom table bolted into place. Also removed strap and supports for Table top.
• BAL under frame spare tire carrier
• Second battery with Selector/cut-off switch inside(under seat)
• 12V outlet w/ USB under CPAP shelf
• 120V AC outlet w/ USB replacing original outlet by bed.
• Bathroom vent lid cover
• Replaced single entrance step with folding double step
• Second, better located, folding clothes hanging fixture
• Shelf over dinette; shelf over bed
• Door assist handle anti-lock bar

RV electrical systems

Electricity in the R-Pod

The modern world runs on several different kinds of electricity. The R-Pod uses two of them: 12v DC and 120v AC. This information is based on what I know about our 2017 RP171 R-Pod travel trailer and, of course, your own trailer may be different.  

12v DC

Towing

There are two 12v DC systems on the trailer. The first provides the lighting and brake function necessary to tow the trailer and is almost completely separate from the 2nd system. It is implemented through the electrical connector that is part of the towing hook-up with the vehicle. Unless modified, it has a 7 connector pig-tail that plugs into the tow vehicle. 

In addition to the ground wire, tail/running lights, turn/brake lights, back-up lights and brake controller output, there is a connector providing 12v power to the other trailer 12v system.

The image(https://www.etrailer.com/question-363.html) depicts the connector socket on the tow vehicle. On the left is the view into the socket, and on the right are the screw terminals at the back of the socket.  

Lighting etc.

The second system is based on the battery almost entirely(with two exceptions). In the R-Pod it powers the overhead lights, the furnace fan and thermostat heat mode, the refrigerator and water heater control function, the entertainment center(radio, etc.), and the DC power for the refrigerator. 

The battery stores enough electricity to run these systems for a limited time. Many trailer owners have multiple larger batteries to extend the time it can be used without re-charging. 

120v AC 

The 120v AC system requires a source, usually by plugging in the 'shore-power' cord to a 120v, 30 amp AC outlet in a campground. Alternative sources are generators or inverters that may not provide 30 amps. 

30 Amp Flush Mount Receptacle, 125V, TT-30R
(image is upside down)

The AC is required for the air conditioner, television, refrigerator(AC mode), numerous outlets inside and outside the trailer and the power center.

Power center 

The power center has three functions: fuses(12v DC), circuit breakers(120v AC), and a battery charger. The battery charger function also provides sufficient 12v DC to also operate the trailers 12v DC systems while charging the battery. The fuses and circuit breakers are necessary to prevent potential circuit overloads from being a problem. 

Fuses and circuit breakers

Blown fuses(12v) and tripped circuit breakers(120v) are almost never source of an electrical problem. Which is why replacing fuses or resetting the breaker may not 'fix' them. They are designed to prevent an electrical short that could make wiring overheat and potentially cause a fire. 

For your general knowledge: in addition to the 12v DC fuses in the power center, there are 12v DC circuit breakers under the trailer between the battery and the power center. 

Wiring 

Hidden behind the floor, walls and cabinets are many wires providing power to the appliances, etc. It needn't be said that improper wiring connections(12v DC to 120v AC) could be catastrophic.

Circuits and appliances

All of the overhead lights are 12v DC in the R-Pod, but as delivered there were no 12v DC outlets that would power 12v fans for the charging plugs needed for phones, etc. 

Heating/Cooling

The 'furnace' uses propane to provide heat, but 12V DC is required to run the fan and control it through the thermostat.
The air conditioner runs on 120v AC but may also require 12v DC to the thermostat to control it.
The water heater uses either propane or 120v AC to heat the water, but 12v DC is required to control it. A switch to turn it on/off is in the 'monitor'.

Water pump and storage tanks

The water pump is 12v DC and has a pressure switch to maintain pressure in the water system. When connected to 'city water' in a campground, the water pump is unnecessary and may be turned off.

The status of holding tanks is reported by a monitor panel that also contains switches to control the water pump and water heater.

Refrigerator/microwave 

The microwave oven requires 120v AC and is plugged into an outlet behind the unit.

The refrigerator uses propane, 120v AC, or 12v DC to heat a refrigerant that lowers the temperature inside the 'box' as it condenses. The control board uses 12v DC and the 'mode' must be selected manually. It is almost always run in 120v AC mode, although propane may be selected when AC is unavailable. When the 12v DC mode is selected, it will drain the battery very quickly. The tow vehicle's 12v supply may not be sufficient. While towing, it's often desirable to run the refrigerator. Running it on propane is somewhat dangerous because there is an open flame behind the unit. Whenever in a refueling(gas) station, the propane should be turned off. Using 12v DC while towing risks 'forgetting' to turn it off when parking, even for brief periods.

Television and entertainment center.

Most of the entertainment system functions use 12v DC: radio, cd, bluetooth, clock. But the television requires 120v AC and is plugged in by the satellite/cable/antenna connection. It's possible to find televisions that are powered by 12v DC.

120v AC outlets

There are 120v AC outlets throughout the trailer, inside and outside, to power various plug-in appliances: coffee makers, heaters, battery chargers, lights, etc. Ours seem to be on one circuit that is controlled by a GFCI(ground fault circuit interrupter). We have two outlets under the sink/stovetop, by the bed, and outside.

Things to know

Plugging in to campground or other outlets.

120v AC is polarized in that of the three connectors, one is 'hot', one is 'neutral' and the third is a ground. For safety, it's important that the electrical connection is correct. 

30 Amps

The 120v AC system and electrical cords are designed for 30 amps. But it hardly ever actually carries 30 amps. So it's possible by using adapters to plug in to 15/20 amp outlets without tripping a breaker in the supply circuit(not the trailer circuit). By running one or two items at a time, it's possible to charge the battery, operate the refrigerator, or even the air conditioner from a 15/20 amp circuit. It's also possible, but a poor idea, to use adapters and a 15 amp extension cord from a 30 amp outlet to the trailer. 

12v DC sockets

I needed a 12v DC socket for my CPAP that I use while sleeping when we are without 120v AC('boondocking'). I found an unused 12v DC circuit in the power center and connected wiring to it for that purpose. Since then I have connected 2 more 12v DC sockets and 5v USB ports to the same circuit. 

120v AC outlets

I wanted to use a multiple outlet adapter with USB ports on one of the trailer outlets. In the house, it would have replaced the outlet cover and screwed to the outlet itself. In the trailer, because the outlet is an integrated box and cover too, there was no way to screw the adapter securely to the outlet. I ended up removing the trailer outlet and installing a electrical box, outlet and the adapter. In retrospect, it would have been better to use an outlet that incorporates the USB ports in the new box instead of using the adapter.

Electric heater

I now have a small electric heater that is much, much quieter than the 'furnace'. I usually put it under the table where it is only in the way part of the time. But it plugs into one of the outlets under the sink/cooktop and the cord is a problem. I'd like to have an outlet under the table, but I haven't figured out how to get that to work yet. 

Cordless drill

I bring a cordless drill with a 3/4" socket to quickly put the stabilizer jacks up and down. I have to recharge the battery occasionally and often plug the charger into the outlet outside the unit where it's out of the way, but in the weather. Perhaps an outlet in the storage compartment would help?

Solar

The trailer has a 'solar' connection at the rear of the trailer that apparently is a direct connection to the battery at the front of the trailer. I don't have any solar cell panels, but if I get one, I'll want to know more about the size of the wire and the need for a controller. But it is another way to recharge the battery while off-the-grid.

2019 Travel

Our latest trip was to VA, DC, and NC. Along the way we traveled through OH, PA, and WV.

We were traveling to visit with family in Fredericksburg VA and Washington DC, as well as a brief vacation. We left home Oct 2 and returned Oct 15, 2019.

We took the Ohio Turnpike 'til a traffic backup led us to exit and travel south from near Cleveland. We spent the night in Raccoon Creek SP  west of Pittsburgh. And then traveled I-79, I-86, US-522, and US-17 to Fredericksburg. Then I-95 to S of Fredericksburg. Traveling US-17 to I-95 was a big mistake. The traffic on US-17 was stop-and-go for 2-3 miles. A route taking VA-3 on the S side of the river would have been much less stressful.

Leaving the R-pod at our son's house, we traveled back roads to via Kellys Ford to I-66 into DC. We spent two nights there visiting with two of my brothers and family members in Columbia Heights. My youngest brother rented a house where we enjoyed visiting everyone. Monday was spent visiting DC museums, etc. We joined for lunch at the National Museum of the American Indian. Our history regarding indigenous people is shameful! And we learned our regard T. Jefferson must be tempered by his disregard for indian people.

Our departure from DC on Tuesday was the same route back to Fredericksburg to retrieve the R-pod. We then proceeded south towards Norfolk and Virginia Beach. After our overnight in Colonies RV and travel park in Ft Monroe Nat Mon, we visited their Casement Museum. Ft Monroe was an active military installation until just a few years ago. Now it's a Nat Mon and civilians occupy the housing.

Wednesday, we traveled down the Outer Banks past Kitty Hawk to Cape Hatteras where we stayed in Cape Woods Campground. And we learned that Hurricane Dorian had damaged VA-12 on Ocracoke Is so badly that no visitors were being allowed to travel there. Thursday, we did laundry and visited Hatteras. Then as we left to go back north on Friday, we learned that a Nor'easter storm had breached the dunes by Rodanthe. We decided to proceed north and reached Ocean Waves Cmpgd where we then spent two nights while the VA-DOT fought to open the road again. On Sunday, we finally were able to leave. We drove through a lot of water on Fri, Sat and Sun before we could leave. Saturday(?), while "exploring" we visited a street where so much sand and water had come over the beach, it was like driving on the beach itself.

Sunday, we realized that if we wished to reach home on Tuesday, we would not be able to do much but travel. Going west, we reached Pilot Mtn SP NW of Winston-Salem.

Proceeding N on I-77, we left the freeway and reached Logan, OH. We had decided to visit an RV park the last night, so we went to Logan/Hocking Hills KOA, which was interesting because it's a very nice KOA off of an awful county road with a horrendously steep driveway.

Tuesday, we took a different way and had an adventure before reaching the highway again. So, US-33 to I-270 around Columbus, US-23 to I-75/I-475 back to US-23, then US-223 to M-52 and finally home.

An enjoyable trip.

Pictures of the "rig"

Pictures of "Arpy" and "Teefour" 

Road to Valdez, AK
https://photos.google.com/search/valdez/photo/AF1QipMXkHbFPN9tjx8-Jp5K5XNX6ZjpeRayMpEkgzlD

Late July 2018 trip

So, the primary purpose of this trip was to attend our niece's wedding in Cary, NC(Raleigh suburb). We arranged to spend each of the weeks before and after the wedding traveling and enjoying ourselves.

Departed home on July 23, in mid-afternoon. Our route to Wm. Sterling SP avoided highways, so it was somewhat tedious, although we had a very late lunch at the Double Deuce Diner(used to be StageCoach Stop) in Stockbridge, Mich. The SP campground is an open field on the west end of Lake Erie, but there is a nice paved trail along the shore.

The next night, we planned on visiting Lieth Run CG(Wayne NF) on the Ohio Riv. But there was a closed gate across the entrance from SR-7. So we spent the night at Cokeley CG in WV's North Bend SP. We found the 30A electric service at site 21 had the hot and neutral wires reversed (and socket upside down) so we moved. It's another large open field on a hill.

On the 25th, we drove about 3 1/2 hrs to Mountain Lake Campground, a large commercial CG on Summersville Lk near, you  guessed it, Summersville, WV. The registration had 6-8 items to be initialed to show it had been read. But the site they let us have was right on the lake shore, even if it was shoehorned between much larger RVs with no separation to speak of. We enjoyed the afternoon driving the rural area west of the lake after lunch at Long Point Grille and Bar. Driving in the rural area was fun but some promising two track roads were gated or signed.

The following day, we arrived at Grayson Highlands SP in Va. which is a wonderful location for hikers. The CG was wooded with no views. The road to the top of the "highlands" has almost no views, but a short walk from the parking area reaches a nice viewing platform. A sign on the road back down highlights the only view of Mt Rogers, the highest point in Va.

The 27th had us arriving in Cary, NC at the Homewood Suites Raleigh/Cary. The wedding was the afternoon of the 28th and we left before noon on the 29th for Lake Sinclair Rec. Area in Georgia's Oconee NF.

On the 30th, we visited Ocmulgee NM, near Macon, Ga. It's the site of mounds that have seen extensive archeological digs for 200(?) years. While in Macon, we also did our laundry(Sunshine Ctr on Millerfield Rd). We met a character named Kevin at the Lake Sinclair CG. He drove trucks until physical problems retired him. He was scooting around the CG in an Amigo type chair and it's a mystery how he managed his pop-up camper and pick-up truck.

The 31st found us at Amicalola Falls SP north of Atlanta. The falls are a long cascading stream-bed, and there is an extensive Resort Park. The facilities are above a very steep road and the drive into the campground is steeper yet. Almost all of the campsites are on huge pads above retaining walls on the side of the hill. It must have cost a fortune to build, so it was disappointing that the washroom seemed to lack some serious maintenance. We spent the first driving the roads around the area. Notably, we found the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail in the Chattahoochee NF. More precisely, we found the parking area 1 mi. from the end of the Trail on Springer Mtn.

On Aug 2nd, we moved to Holly Bay CG in Daniel Boone NF, Kentucky. We were 26 mi. from my brother's home in Somerset, Ky. but weren't able to arrange a visit since we all had places to be. No matter, we had visited at his daughter's wedding a few days earlier.

On the 3rd, we drove north through Ky and Indiana to Mounds SP near Anderson, Indiana. On US-127 in Ky, we passed an incredible number of yard sales. Nearing the Ohio River we chose a route along the river to Milton. Of course we couldn't see the river for all the trees on the riverbank. Crossing the river, we followed US-421 north past Big Oaks NWR, formerly Jefferson Proving Ground, a WW-II munitions testing site where the danger of un-exploded ordinance requires visitors sign a waiver annually. So we hoped to get a campsite at Mounds SP on a Friday evening in August. What a foolish idea. And I was told, "What do you want to bet we drive the rest of the way home tonight?" So, we spent the night in this really crappy private campground "resort" a few miles off the freeway. It didn't have a dump station, apparently because each site had a "sewer connection". Ours was too high for us to use, not to mention that, unless we are staying for several nights, I don't want to tempt fate by using one of those "sewer connections." And the only hose I have is for drinking water, so I won't use it to rinse a holding tank hose. Oh well.

Saturday the 4th, we drove home after visiting Pokagon SP where we paid the $9 entry fee so we could use their dump station. Pokagon is a huge park with extensive ways to enjoy yourself, including a toboggan hill( a little warm for that ). So, we arrived home, unloaded almost everything, got Chinese take-out, and enjoyed being at home.    

Our trip June 2018

This trip began on June 5 and we returned home on June 23(?). I've set the date to keep it in context, but the post is being written in August, after being home from our second trip for over a week.

To high school graduation in Va.

The primary purpose of this trip was to attend our youngest grandson's high school graduation in Virginia. And to visit with his brother, home from his Air Force posting at Travis Air Base near San Francisco. And...  to spend time with our son, his "significant other" and her daughter, and our granddaughter and her "significant other" as well.  So, we left home on the 5th and arrived there on the 6th. I think. As I write this, I'm not remembering details well. We visited this part of the U.S. three times this year. So it runs together.

I think we took 2 days to drive to Fredericksburg, Va. Then the trailer was left in our son's driveway for most of a week. We enjoyed visiting an being there when our grandson graduated.

Enjoying our visit to the National Forests of the southeast.

We left Fredericksburg on Monday the 11th, and spent the next several days driving south on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We enjoyed the drive even though the views were often obscured by clouds and fog.
We began at the north entrance(Afton, Va). Although we saw several inviting campgrounds on the parkway they were either 1) not where we wanted to end the day, or 2) full. So we used commercial CGs. We didn't quite reach Cherokee(the south end of the parkway) before we decided to spend our time further north.

I believe we spent a night(2?) at Stone Mountain SP in N. Car. It was during our stay there that we 1) found and visited a very rough road to Scales and Grindstone Campground. We moved to Grindstone campground and spent two nights there. During the two days, we visited Marion, Va, Whitetop Mtn., Comers Rock, and enjoyed driving interesting FS roads in Washington-Jefferson NF.

Sunday, June 17 - It seems we then drove S reaching Mt Pisgah CG which was essentially full. We backed into a site, only to notice it seemed to be reserved. We spent two nights at Asheville W KOA, getting dinner at Botanas and Beer the first night.  The next day, we did laundry and drove south as far as Rosman where we bought lunch from a food truck at Headwaters Outfitters. We then returned to the KOA via US64 and US256. We stopped at the Pisgah NF Ranger Sta./Visitor Ctr. N of the intersection.

Tuesday the 19th - We drove to Lake Moomaw, another Wash.-Jeff. NF campground in Va. and spent two nights there. Wedn. we drove several very interesting roads on an "Overland" route I found.

On a hill with a spectacular view.

Thursday, we moved to Canaan Valley SP in W. Va.where we visited a 4x4 trail in Blackwater Falls SP that we had partially driven in the snow last December. Seeing it again, we were astonished that we had driven it in the snow! We decided not to try it again.

Friday, we again drove sections of the "overland" route, finding and rejecting a river crossing with very high water. But the scenery was great!

Saturday, we headed to Mt Gilead SP in Ohio. We had stayed there one night in the '80s with a rented trailer. Driving I-70 to Columbus, I had an awful time after missing the I-270 interchange and following an erroneous Google map route. Once arriving at the SP, we found it very changed. When we arrived, there was no attendant, and the campground appeared full. We felt very unwelcome, so we decided to continue another 3 1/2 hrs to home.

All in all, it was a very good trip.