Sagging floor and outriggers

Hi Pedwards,

I agree it probably does not make a difference in what model it is.

The floors /walls of our 2018.5 rpod 190 were sagging to the point the slide side fender was rubbing the tire. Our model trailer only had a pair of outriggers at the very front.  We observed the 2021 rpod model 190 had multiple factory outriggers installed. When we notified FR, they offered to sell us outriggers which we deemed unsatisfactory due to they were not welded at the upper corner and did not extend to the bottom of the frame tube, thus putting too much pressure on the center of the frame tube wall.  We had an independent machine shop (www.innomach.com) manufacture welded and taller outriggers that were powder-coated. The company has the dimensions on file and charge $12@ for the powder-coated steel outriggers that we used, and $24@for stainless steel ones.

We installed seven outriggers on the slide side and six on the other side:

5/16 x 3 stainless steel through-bolts used on the upper hole, with extra thick 5/16 fender washers. We ground two flat sides on the outer washers to fit inside the bracket.  The machine shop will make the outer washers for $3@.

5/16-18 x ¾ machine screw type F self-tapping used on the lower hole applying loctite.

#14 x 1 ¼ stainless steel hex-head sheet metal screws used on the upper outer holes.

We reported a safety problem with the NHTSA https://www.nhtsa.gov/.  We recommend that everyone do this to initiate a forced recall by Forest River.

 

Yes, we were able to restore to its original floor height.  We placed two 4ft. 4x4's on the outer edge of the wall- one in front of the axle and one behind the axle - using two scissor jacks on blocks. Over a two-week period I periodically raised the jacks higher as the wall was going up from its sagging position as to not damage any of the body panels. The jacks were raised until the weight was barely off the suspension.

We had a machine shop make ours, and they have a template to make more.