Fiberglass on back warping

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I have gotten my 2018 R-pod 179 out of winter storage and began the inspections and de-winterization process. One thing I notice is that the fiberglass under the back window down to the bumper flexes in a bit when pressed and feels detached from the inner wall. I removed the license plate holder and saw that the fiberglass has a thin backing of plywood and could see than the inner wall had foam with thin plywood attached on each side. It doesn't seem like the plywood backing has delaminated but has warped and is no longer flush with the inner wall. It doesn't seem like good construction not to glue the plywood backing on the fiberglass and insulation together but I'm also not sure this is normal and whether it's a problem? So far it hasn't done this anywhere else on the R-pod. Is this normal?

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mhfnet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Oct 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 21	Topic: Fiberglass on back warping Posted: 21 Apr 2021 at 7:48pm
	I have gotten my 2018 R-pod 179 out of winter storage and began the inspections and de-winterization process. One thing I notice is that the fiberglass under the back window down to the bumper flexes in a bit when pressed and feels detached from the inner wall. I removed the license plate holder and saw that the fiberglass has a thin backing of plywood and could see than the inner wall had foam with thin plywood attached on each side. It doesn't seem like the plywood backing has delaminated but has warped and is no longer flush with the inner wall. It doesn't seem like good construction not to glue the plywood backing on the fiberglass and insulation together but I'm also not sure this is normal and whether it's a problem? So far it hasn't done this anywhere else on the R-pod. Is this normal?

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 22 Apr 2021 at 6:31am
	Sounds like you may have gotten some water damage in the plywood. Take a look at the construction video so you know what you have in there. construction
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

mhfnet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Oct 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 21	Posted: 22 Apr 2021 at 12:59pm
	I don't see any signs of water damage but it looks like the assemblers forgot or don't glue the thin plywood backed fiberglass to the inner wall including the foam insulation sandwiched with thin plywood on both sides that is at the bottom section above the bumper where it is flexing. The plywood on the fiberglass probably warped due to some moisture but it doesn't feel wet. It is stored outside and this is the first time I've put a cover over it in the winter and that might have caused the moisture to be trapped and caused the warping? Thanks for the video link! Looking at the video at 3:50 you can see the lower insulated panel above the bumper that uses a plywood backed foam insulated panel and at 4:30 you can see the back wall as they were applying the fiberglass but you can't tell how it was attached to the inner wall? Right now it seems the only thing holding the fiberglass to the wall is the metal moldings on the edges that might but the edges might also be glued? Not sure it's a problem right now but I could see if I continue to use a cover during the winter it might become one? I am going to try calling someone at the factory that knows if the fiberglass was supposed to be glued to the inner wall and will post what I find out. Thanks for your help!

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 22 Apr 2021 at 3:26pm
	Don't know if it's glued there or not but from the way they toss the fiberglass roof sheet on there I think it's probably only attached around the edges and the window opening. Fiberglass doesn't absorb water. Wood does of course. If you can access the wood you might want to get a moisture meter and probe it to see how much water is there. The meters are cheap and handy. Once it's fully dried out I'd suggest resealing the window.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

mhfnet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Oct 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 21	Posted: 05 May 2021 at 7:44am
	I sent a video to the R-pod factory people and they say it is "normal" and apparently they don't glue the fiberglass to the inner frame it's only secured on the edges. Not sure why they don't as I would think it would be a good idea as who likes to see the fiberglass warping and bowing out!

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 05 May 2021 at 12:26pm
	Looking at the video the way they assemble it I don't think it's possible for them to get access to glue the roof on except around the edges.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Hubcappizza Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 07 May 2016 Location: pembroke, nh Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Posted: 08 May 2021 at 8:06am
	my 2015 179 is the same way apparently this is how it is
	2015 FR R-Pod M-179 - 2016 Taco DC

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 10 May 2021 at 11:02am
	The roof is not secured or glued in the middle or to the cross joists in any way. It is slid in place, secured by the a/c, skylights/vents, tank vents, and window(s) in the field, and the edges are secured by the trim.

voisj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19 Jul 2016 Location: San Luis Obispo Online Status: Offline Posts: 471	Posted: 16 May 2021 at 7:28pm
	I can confirm that when I cut a window into the back of my pod up in the curve there were 2x2s going across and there was a bead of glue on one of those but it was not touching the fiberglass. I added glue to the two I had access to before I put the window in.
	SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost