Sealing/caulking awning and spoiler

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Shearing of wheel studs is a safety issue in which the NHTSB would mandate a recall if FR did not fix it voluntarily. Spoiler edge warping isn't.

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StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6428	Topic: Sealing/caulking awning and spoiler Posted: 03 Apr 2018 at 12:44pm
	Shearing of wheel studs is a safety issue in which the NHTSB would mandate a recall if FR did not fix it voluntarily. Spoiler edge warping isn't.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Tibof Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2017 Location: North Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 115	Posted: 03 Apr 2018 at 12:20pm
	With all due respect, a properly sealed spoiler has absolutely nothing to do with weight. Nothing. And while it is fair to say that warranty terms are normally binding, in the case of a defect, it is certainly not unreasonable to expect the manufacturer to be somewhat accommodating in addressing it. The problem is that the spoiler can't be properly sealed because of the way it buckles between the screws. As you, yourself, note, "...but I am seeing warping in it so I will likely re-do it." FR has addressed the potential of shearing wheel studs — even beyond warranty. I wonder why. I certainly do not expect FR or any manufacturer, to treat a warranty as a perpetual maintenance responsibility; but I do expect manufacturing defects to be addressed by the manufacturer (in some manner) regardless of warranty.
	2015 Pod Hood River Edition 2012 Tacoma Crew Cab 4 Liter

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6428	Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 8:14pm
	OTOH, I have had great support from both my dealer and from Forest River for our 2016 RP179. I had several warranty items repaired before the warranty expired. I re-sealed the spoiler myself because it was out of warranty. One can't expect the factory to do warranty work on a spoiler that is out of warranty, especially since it is not difficult to re-seal it yourself. Even the newer style spoiler has the same issue with not being stiff enough to pull down evenly. These are built to be light. If you want a tank, then be prepared to purchase a vehicle capable of hauling a tank. Otherwise, accept that to keep the weight down, lightweight components that may not be a stiff as one would desire must be used to achieve the target weight of under 3,000 lbs.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Tibof Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2017 Location: North Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 115	Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 6:22pm
	I have tried to work with the dealer and with FR. Nothing, despite the fact that the spoiler leak is a widespread problem. Do a little research and you will find that I am not the Lone Ranger in my dissatisfaction with FR. Actually, I have been RVing with different brands for over 30 years. And I know a problem product and company when I encounter them. For starters, check out the owners who ARE covered by warranty and can't get the work done! There are companies that are willing to be problem solvers and maintain a good reputation.
	2015 Pod Hood River Edition 2012 Tacoma Crew Cab 4 Liter

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 4:26pm
	I get it you are not happy with Forest River, are you dealing with the Forest River factory of the dealership? We are on our second Rpod and have a warranty work done on both through the years and have been treated really well.
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

Tibof Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2017 Location: North Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 115	Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 12:23pm
	I have discovered that after requesting photos of my problem, FR would do nothing, which they could have done right off and eliminated the photo taking time and hassle (since they have a canned response). They simply noted that it is out of warranty and as a 2015 model year it may now be four years old! I simply asked for a good will provision of a spoiler. Nada. The spoiler is a large design defect issue; do a Google search. The new spoiler comes with a tape that you peal the face off, install, then caulk. It costs well over over $100 with shipping. Were anyone to inquire of my opinion, I would strongly recommend not to buy an R-Pod. I know from experience that there are companies out there that build and value a good reputation. FR is not one of them in my experience.
	2015 Pod Hood River Edition 2012 Tacoma Crew Cab 4 Liter

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6428	Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 9:40am
	Thanks. I'll have to look for Eternabond tape in black since that is the color of the spoiler on our 179.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2595	Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 9:33am
	StephenH, that's one of the advantages of the Eternabond tape method. The screws are completely sealed. Using metal strip as a compression bar might work, but it will depend on whether the screws go only into the skin or go into a structural member. If, and it's more likely, they go only into the skin, there isn't enough withdrawal resistance and the screws will eventually work lose permitting moisture to enter. For the metal compression strip to work, you really need to have the screws go into one of the 2x2 cross members so they can be adequately tightened to achieve the needed compression to have a good seal between the roof and the spoiler.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6428	Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 9:17am
	How do you think that taking a narrow aluminum strip, drilling it and using it on top of the leading edge of the spoiler to hold the leading edge down and help keep it from warping would work? Longer screws might be needed. This is what I am thinking: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Steelworks-8-ft-x-3-4-in-Aluminum-Metal-Flat-Bar/3058159 The trailing edge I am not so concerned about as it would be draining any water that would happen to get underneath. On mine, the wires were well sealed going through the roof when I took the spoiler off mine. It was not so much that the edge had come up in my case, but that when I removed screws I noticed that while the edge had sealant, the screws were not sealed and showed evidence of rust which means they were allowing sufficient moisture in for them to rust. Since it went to the factory after our accident, it came back with the new style spoiler but I am seeing warping in it so I will likely re-do it.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2595	Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 9:07am
	Tibof, I have the same soft plastic, way too flexible, spoiler that they put on as part of a recall over clearance lighting. When they installed it they put, likely, silicone caulk under it. There were gaps along the upper edge where they would function like a scupper and capture the water; a guaranteed leak. The sides and bottom had no gap issue. First I tried to fill the gaps with 3M 5200 caulk, but too many of the gaps were too big. So, I put 4" Eternabond tape along the side edges then across the top, overlaying the spoiler. I got a very good seal with no gaps anywhere and have had no leaks. I left the bottom untaped so as to provide an escape route for any water or condensation that could accumulate. I was a little worried about wind driven rain being pushed uphill up under the lower edge, but that has not turned out to be a problem. The bad thing about the tape is that it covers the screws that hold the spoiler on, so if I ever need to take it off, I have to deal with getting the tape off, but there are a number of solvents that will clean off the glue. What I am not sure about is how the 3 LED lights in the spoiler are installed. I don't know if they have to be changed from inside, or will pop out from the outside. But, LED lights last, for my purposes, basically for ever so the probability of having to deal with spoiler removal is pretty low. Hiere is a photo of the spoiler where you can see the installation. What appear to be little white bumps are where the surface is raised a little because of the screws but they're well sealed.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost