Hi All,
Fairly simple mod. I was dis-satisfied with the original hose carrier that came
with our 2011 R-Pod 177. It didn't come with a hose, so I went to Wally's and
got a hose of decent length. Of course I knew when I go it that the hose would
never fit in the stock carrier, so right there my mind started churning.
(typical engineer)
Parts:
1/2 the original hose carrier
5 self tapping metal screws
5"x5" PVC fence post cover
5"x5" PVC fence post cover cap
Brass female hose adapter (NMP into the cap)
Brass Male - Male adapter - for flexibility of hose connections
Brass hose adapter cap
Process:
Decided to mount the new carrier just ahead of the black tank because that had
the most mounting options and the added benefit of protecting the black tank
and drain to some degree.
I cut the original hose carrier in half:
Painted the PVC post cover and cap flat black.
While that dried, figured out the mount point for the "original
half": drilled the holes into the frame and lightly mounted the
"original half".
(of course no pictures during) - (I may fill the square to round gaps with
expanding foam, trim it, then paint it to match)
After the paint dried, I held the cap approximately where I thought it would
go, and then held the post cover up and marked for length. Length does not have
to be perfect... with the length of the original half sliding into the post
cover, it ends up being a good looking finish.
After I cut to length (making sure that the cut end goes into the cap end so
the exposed end is kept clean, sharp and square) I used a small piece of the
cut off slipped lightly over the original half, then measured from the front of
the frame to the front edge of the small part of the post cover. Then taking
the small piece and the cap, move over to the door side and measure back from
the front of the frame to the small piece with the cap on it; This will provide
placement for the cap.
Next drill the correct size hole for the hose adapter to be screwed into the
post cover cap. This is best done before mounting the cap to the frame.
Screwing the hose adapter into the cap by hand will cut the threads. Nothing
else should be needed if the proper size hole is drilled, but if it is loose,
apply some silicone to the threads inside the cap.
Drill two holes in the top of the cap, then use that to mark the hole placement
on the frame. Drill those holes and mount the cap to the frame.
Then slide the post tube over the original half (taking the original half off
the frame to do this - and laying both out on the driveway while doing the cap
measurement will allow the plastics to heat up enough that they slide together
easily).
Once they are slid together, put the cut end of the post cover into the cap. If
you have a helper, have them stabilize the cap as you slide the two parts in
and out to get the proper required length.
Once length is established, lightly screw the original half back onto the frame
- leave it loose so it moves around.
Go back to the cap end and pry / pull the post cover out making sure to support
the weight, apply some PVC glue to the cap and the cover and fit them back
together. Hold until solid. I also added a screw on the bottom of the cap, up
into the cover.
Re-touch the paint as needed.
Now - MORE than enough room.
and now an option: If the other half of the original tube is used on the other
side, then there is some additional storage room for whatever.... just make
sure that whatever goes in, it can be extracted again.
The hose connection on the door side, of course allows for cleaning out the
carrier.
Good Luck
Dan
(still need to do a sig - but we do know that it will be based on:)
5 P's in R-Pod - 2 Peps & 3 Pups