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Junkinpod ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: 04 Jun 2019 Location: ON Online Status: Offline Posts: 18 |
![]() Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 12:48pm |
Broken Welds - 182g 2014 - Part 2. No returned email or phone call from Forest River. I will send another message and call again next week. The slide out position and angle has now changed - as it is now where it should have been. The slide out really tipped on an angle as it was extended. (much worse than before) ... so I've taken out the flooring to access this area and found that the slide mechanism is attached to 1.5" wooden boards that do not appear to be attached to anything. They appear to be sitting on the bottom layer of plywood lauan(sp), and are not attached anywhere. So as the slide extends this is lifting. Once it is balanced and the slide is out all of the way - the wood returns to the floor level. Hope the photos demonstrate this better than my words. This lifting would not have been visible before I took up the flooring, as it would have been under the flooring and under the slide out. How do we stabilize these boards or stop them from rocking up and down, when the slide out is moved? Any suggestions? The bolts that attach the mechanism seem to the floor(?) seem to have moved over time. See last pic. Is this normal? is there a way to adjust and level the slide out? Looking forward to the next step. We want to go camping! Belinda
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Belinda
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offgrid ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
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Can you access the area where the boards are from under the trailer? The boards themselves appear intact. Maybe you can add boards under the floor and screw them up into both the aluminum joists and into the existing boards?
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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Junkinpod ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: 04 Jun 2019 Location: ON Online Status: Offline Posts: 18 |
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Cannot access this area from under the trailer unless we remove the water tank. Doable ... just prefer not to dismantle that too but it may be required.
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Belinda
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offgrid ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
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Compared to all the other stuff dropping a tank is probably minimal extra work. But adding blocking under there might interfere with putting the tank back. A metal plate might work better in that case. Then seal everything up before putting back the tank.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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Olddawgsrule ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 20 Sep 2017 Location: New Hampshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 1014 |
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Broken welds or welds failing is becoming a common issue. Adding out riggers to the frame to help support the outer walls is becoming more apparently needed.
PM me if you so wish.
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StephenH ![]() podders Helping podders - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6417 |
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This is only the second issue of broken welds related to the frame. One was the Lippert frame. This was the floor. They are two separate issues. The broken weld I experienced was on a Lippert axle which is a completely different type of issue. I'm not sure I would say that they are becoming a common issue. However, if it does happen, it is a serious problem.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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offgrid ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
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*1 Floor failure and frame failure are completely different. Manufacturer, fab techniques, materials, and causes of the two types of failure are all different. There is one thing in common though. Both are the end result of FR's quest to minimize cost and weight of their products. That is what they rightly believe their customers want from them. If you want a better built, heavier, more expensive trailer there are several excellent options out there.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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Olddawgsrule ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 20 Sep 2017 Location: New Hampshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 1014 |
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Actually second within a month dealing with floor welds and from this group. I belong to several other and the FR related weld issue is coming up frequently now (more than wished for). Close an eye to the signs if so inclined Stephen or take preventive action (again, if so inclined). Safe Travels!
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StephenH ![]() podders Helping podders - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6417 |
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Okay, your sources of information have given you additional cases that I had not seen. I do keep an eye on my RPod as the last thing I want is for it to start falling apart on me. I have had some leak problems (check my mods and you will see. The water heater one was one that was challenging to find), but I think I have them all resolved now. I know the floor issue for a water damaged and sagging floor was broken welds. That same topic also mentioned the slide-out mechanism dropping also which make sense because that mechanism is in the floor, not in the walls like the Schwintek mechanism in the current RPods. The other, IIRC, was a broken rear cross-member from putting too much weight on the rear receiver (bicycle rack). These are the only topics with broken welds in the last 6 months. I think adding at least a couple of supports would be a good idea so I will likely be trying to find a place that can do that. Meanwhile, I will be keeping an eye on things to make sure I don't see any signs that the floors might be sagging.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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offgrid ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
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I don't believe that there is any evidence to support floor sagging unless there is also water damage. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Based on that and observation of the floor construction I think that water intrusion is the root cause not broken welds. The plywood and the adhesives used to create the floor sandwich are integral to the integrity of the floor structure, so don't let it get wet.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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