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Topic ClosedBlack tank fell from r-pod - Event Date: 03 Nov 2016
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bluecatjudy View Drop Down
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Joined: 27 Jan 2016
Location: Florida
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Posts: 15 		Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: Black tank fell from r-pod
    Posted: 17 Jun 2016 at 11:28am
This is a great thread.  I just read through from the beginning.  I bought my 2016 179 3 weeks ago used.  When I called FR about mounting a WD to the tongue of the trailer they told me if I dril into the frame it would void the warranty.  They did not want me to drill holes for screws.  I can't imagine what they would say about through bolts.  I don't have a warranty but I am concerned about the integrity of the frame - I am no engineer but just concerned after FR comments.
sailorman
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Joined: 07 May 2016
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Posts: 100 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2016 at 2:50am
This thread is a real eye-opener, and full of good advice. Having just purchased a new 2016 Rpod 171 (May 2016) I checked all of the tank cross members. What I discovered is that all cross members (except 1) are welded to the frame on one end with the other end held by heavy sheet metal screws with a 3/8 inch hex head. I snugged up all screws with a reasonable amount of torque well before risking stripping the threads. Only one cross member looked like it would benefit from a bolt drilled through the frame well away from the top or bottom. This was on the front crossmember ahead of the fresh water tank. This cross member is the one that had screws on both ends. So I'll likely drill for a 1/4 inch bolt through the frame. The flange at the end of this cross member is not flush with the frame, but is skewed. One of the two screws is in at an angle at the gap. After I get the through bolt in place, I may removed the skewed screw. Maybe with some heavy pounding I can get the flange end in contact with the frame. If not I'll get some washers to fill the gap. 

While I was at it I tightened all attachment clamps for hoses and wiring. Some were less than fully tightened. Also a couple of electrical ground points needed a bit of tightening. I would recommend that all Rpod owners check the underside for tightness of all fittings.
Russ
2009 Toyota RAV4
V6 w/ tow package
2016 Rpod 171 HRE
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Oliveman View Drop Down
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Posts: 23 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jun 2016 at 2:23pm
Holy S--t, I just bought a 2015 178 and heading out on a big 2 week trip next week.   Thanks for the heads up.
2016 R-Pod 178
2015 Pathfinder Platinum AWD
Wife, Child and Dog on adventures
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 2016 at 12:54pm
Welcome to both of you - go through and make sure all fittings are tight, fresh water and drain lines.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6418 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 2016 at 12:17pm
I used 5/16" bolts, and also drilled through the lower holes at the center of the frame. I used a cordless drill and Harbor Freight bits. I about wore out two of them drilling through the steel of the frame. I have a little sharpener that helped.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 2016 at 11:35am
Originally posted by frogpod

 Make sure the hole through the frame is near the center of the frame to keep the frame structural integrity. 


+1. Very important point!
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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frogpod View Drop Down
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Joined: 17 Aug 2014
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Posts: 40 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 2016 at 11:29am
I believe I used 1/4 inch diameter bolts through the center of the frame to secure my brackets.  Used a 1/8 bit first and then a 1/4 inch , same diameter as the bolts.  Wiggled the bit to make the hole slightly larger than the bolt.  Normal metal bits.  One bolt used for each side of each bracket.  Make sure the hole through the frame is near the center of the frame to keep the frame structural integrity. 

Leo and Tami
with Coltrane the Jack Russell Terrier
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GLBCamper View Drop Down
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Posts: 274 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 2016 at 11:12am
Can you tell me what type of drill and bit you used to drill into the frame? 
Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6418 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jun 2016 at 8:31am
If you make sure that the dealer checks the crossbars and makes sure there are no gaps or bent screws, you probably will have no problems. I added the bolts because I did see gaps and bent screws. This happened, and I took it to the dealer before anything could happen. I was not happy with the dealer just tightening the screws, especially when one of them was stripped and the service person just drilled another hole and put the same type screw in. That is when I decided to go ahead and drill all the way through and put in stainless steel bolts, washers, and locknuts. The dealer will not do that as screws are, apparently, an industry standard way of mounting tanks. It is one thing I would check if purchase another trailer, regardless of brand. Anyone having such a mishap should report it to the NHTSA so that the problem can be documented and, hopefully, get a change so that this will not happen to anyone else.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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jdtrotter View Drop Down
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Joined: 01 Jun 2016
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Posts: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jun 2016 at 11:34pm
Wow, we are in the decision mode and thought we had found what we want, but we don't need these problems!  Is this symptomatic of the quality? 

Thanks
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