Leak Problem - Event Date: 20 Sep 2017 |
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Tibof
Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2017 Location: North Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 115 |
Calendar Event: Leak Problem Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 12:21pm |
A bit of googling "rPod Spoiler Problem" reveals that the leaking spoiler has been an issue from the outset when rear lighting was required by the NHTSC. The spoiler with some small lights was the answer. But the spoiler warps and pulls away from the roof/caulking. There should be a Forest River fix for any leak/damage that results or a class action suit. The FR requirement that you check seals every 90 days is bogus nonsense designed to absolve FR.
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Tibof
Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2017 Location: North Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 115 |
Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 6:59pm |
Update;: here's what I found. The problem was/is the spoiler as nearly as can be determined. It fits so poorly that it can't really be caulked. The top and bottom fit ok, but the sides don't conform to the roof (or tend to pull away from the roof along the vertical sides). The resulting gap is really too large to confidently fill with silicone caulk, for it will pull away from the roof. Apparently, the spoiler is mounted in putty tape, but that does not work well due to the fact that the sides of the spoiler have only three screws, counting the ones at the top and bottom — and it can't be uniformly snugged down against the tape, The middle screw pulls the middle of the side side down, but a gap emerges above and below it. And there is nothing for an additional screw to bite into. I considered using Dicor, but the self leveling would likely run off, and I didn't have access to the Dicor for vertical surfaces. That might work, but I finally settled on Eternabond tape. Taped just the sides and top after a thorough cleaning with naptha. then tested things with lots of water. Now seems nice and dry. While I am pleased with the results of the repair, I am more than a little displeased with the fact it was necessary. In my view, the spoiler installation by Forest River is a total disgrace (and they have to know it), for unless things have changed since 2015, you are going to have a leak! What's more, properly sealing the spoiler is not a matter of returning it to factory specs, for the factory and the spoiler design are the problem. Backin15 and Lostagain above tell the story. This is not a minor issue, for it is clearly factory related and should initiate a recall. Such leaks can cause major damage in the rPod.
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MoPod
Senior Member Joined: 10 Oct 2013 Location: Pittsville, MO Online Status: Offline Posts: 105 |
Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 10:02am |
Remember if your slide does not have a cover and it is wet when you slide it in, you can find strange puddles on the counter top by the frig and also on your bed.
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Bill & Nancy
2015 RPod 179 Previously 2010 RPod 176 2014 Explorer Sport |
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DavMar
Senior Member Joined: 04 Aug 2017 Location: Lexington, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 592 |
Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 10:14pm |
Ah! Nothing like mysterious leaks, yes? I stepped into my 180 before taking off to the coast last week to find some puddled water on the slide out counter and a bit on the floor nearly under the vent area. Yet a visual check and feeling all around the vent showed no sign or touch of water, hmmmm? Mysterious! Maybe my plan on installing a vent cover may solve this, who knows?
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Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the
wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
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Tibof
Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2017 Location: North Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 115 |
Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 9:58pm |
Will begin by looking at the spoiler tomorrow. I have Eternabond tape (thanks to a neighbor). Forest River has minimal faith in its own work when it warranties "seals" for only 90 days. Short of redoing every bit of caulking on the Pod, for a new owner there is no solution but to wait and see if it leaks!
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jato
Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3227 |
Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 7:45pm |
Tibof, I totally agree with you. The seals should last a long time. Ours are on year 7, still looking pristine, and no leaks.
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God's pod
'11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
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lostagain
Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2587 |
Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 6:53pm |
I had the spoiler put on in a recall for improper clearance lighting and also found it to be warped with big gaps where it didn't fit tightly against the roof and was filled with silicone caulk that was doomed to leak from the many screw holes. My solution was to use EternaBond RSW-4-50 Roof Sealant Tape that I got from Amazon. I put it on the top end of the spoiler where it meets the roof and on the two ends, again, where it meets the roof. The bottom I left unsealed so if any condensation collected under the spoiler it had a way out. It made it through a very heavy winter with no signs of leakage.
The only problem I foresee is that it's going to be a heck of a job to ever take the spoiler off if I need to replace the LED lights since all the upper screws are nicely covered. Hopefully, in the unlikely event that happens, I can get to the lights from below where there is no tape.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
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backin15
Groupie Joined: 26 Feb 2017 Location: Burnsville,MN Online Status: Offline Posts: 65 |
Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 5:54pm |
Could the water be coming in from above? I got on a ladder and had a look at the spoiler, and I was amazed at how poorly it was sealed. The plastic was warped between the screws with several gaps present, and to make things worse there was a hole where a screw was probably inserted, stripped and removed. I am amazed that I haven't had water inside and hoping all is well between the roof and ceiling. I used half a tube of Dicor sealing up the spoiler.
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2015 179
2013 Xterra Pro 4X |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 3:44pm |
Treating the rubber strips with Protect-All Slide-Out Rubber Seal Treatment can help the strip to dlide on top of the slide-out better. Using a treatment on the top of the slide-out's roof (not fiberglass like the main roof) can help also. |
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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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Hi-Line
Newbie Joined: 11 Jun 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 24 |
Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 12:49pm |
I had a similar problem in my 179...not a lot of water getting in, but maybe enough to cause problems over time. I remember reading that others have had it too. I got some silicone sealant (probably recommended by someone on this site) and sealed around the back window and seams on the roof in back...anywhere I thought could possibly be allowing water to leak in. I didn't do anything inside the trailer. The problem appears to be solved, at least so far. I'd try sealing those outside seams before doing anything too extreme. Good luck!
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