Visit to Forest River plant in Oregon

Originally posted by Plantguy I just took my new 179 for a 3 week trip. Many small isues came to light. I meet another rpod owner and checkerd out his pod. The pop out had a boot wrapped around the metal frame where it rests against the body when opened. Mine does not. The 1/4 panel under the 3 storage doors in the pop out came apart. I took a closer look and the guy who stapled it to the frame never checked his gun 1 there were no staples in it. It just left the marks a staple gun leaves. The door under the burners fell off. I purchased new screws and reset the door. Many of the 1/4" panels that separate the heater area from the storage area were not thoroughly pinned. The wiring under the frig. can be seen between the frig and the pop out. And finally, it appears that the pop out does not completely open as the cushions all hang over the edge about an inch. Am I being picky here or is my 179 a lemon? Ken, plantguy

We had several fit and finish issues with our 179 when we picked it up in December. In addition to some of the ones you list are others where the staples were so long that they poke through the boards and into the storage area underneath.

As for the slide-out extending, if you look along the top and side edges while it is extended, you will see a seal. The facing of the slide-out should be compressing this seal. If it is not touching the seal, then it is not fully extended. If it is, then it is fully extended, even if there is a little cushion overhang.

I also had the wiring showing. I removed the panel and used a couple of wire ties to tie up the cables, making sure that they could still freely move with the slide-out when it is moving out or in. I then used some anchors to replace the screws that were not holding well anyway. You can see pictures in my mods which are linked below in my signature.

Short answer: You did not get a lemon. Unfortunately, these leave the factory without a good QA check, or we would not see these type issues. Then again, we might be paying $25k-30k for them. I think that even with minor issues, we are getting a trailer that is basically good. The minor things are annoying, but not fatal flaws.

BTW, check the crossmembers for your water (fresh, gray, black) tanks. Some of us have had problems where they were not installed tightly and there were gaps, bent screws, or missing screws. If the crossmembers are not installed tightly, there is the possibility of one failing and the tank dropping onto the pavement while traveling. In ended up replacing one screw in each bracket with a stainles steel bolt, washers, and nylock nuts. The dealer tightened the screws, but I wanted the extra assurance of bolts.

this is not being picky.  I would be upset.  I live too far from my dealer to complain and I guess I would fix the stuff my self.  The rubber boot is disturbing.  I would have them send me the boot to install myself.

I just took my new 179 for a 3 week trip. Many small isues came to light. I meet another rpod owner and checkerd out his pod. The pop out had a boot wrapped around the metal frame where it rests against the body when opened. Mine does not. The 1/4 panel under the 3 storage doors in the pop out came apart. I took a closer look and the guy who stapled it to the frame never checked his gun 1 there were no staples in it. It just left the marks a staple gun leaves. The door under the burners fell off. I purchased new screws and reset the door. Many of the 1/4" panels that separate the heater area from the storage area were not thoroughly pinned. The wiring under the frig. can be seen between the frig and the pop out. And finally, it appears that the pop out does not completely open as the cushions all hang over the edge about an inch. Am I being picky here or is my 179 a lemon?
Ken, plantguy

Originally posted by BigEyeDuck I am suprised there is that much wood in the Pod especially the wood cross beams. the interior paneling I can see but aluminum cross beams would reduce a lot of weight.

I am also a bit surprised they use what appears to be a fiberglass batt insulation rather than Polystyrene as under the floor. I wonder what the R value of this material is? I gues the Owens Corning Pink is too expensive. The best I have seen is the stuff that is sprayed on and expands to fill all crevices. I used a couple of cans of the "great stuff" and filled openings under the carriage where wires and lines entered the body.

"In colder climates the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends using a minimum of R-49 insulation. You can achieve an R-49 R-value by stacking R-19 on top of R-30. In warmer climates you can get away with R-38 insulation in the attic" Source: EnergyStar.gov

For reference this is the floor thickness and materials.

 
The Rpod and Surveyor floors are made the same. I believe my guide said the floors were 2 1/2 inches thick.

They attach the floor first to the frame then flip the floor and frame to attach the axles and wheels,  tanks, and other things on the bottom.