Lack of out rigger body supports

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   I have a problem too with floor sag directly underneath the slide out on my 2019 R-pod 180. I contacted Forest River about obtaining the supports, but instead got a lot push back. They feel that the supports just fixes a symptom and not the problem. They wanted me to take pictures showing the over hang sag with a combination square which I felt was reasonable. They sent me a questionnaire titled "Over Torsion Axle" where they also wanted a pictures of the axle tag on the Lippert axle, pictures of my towing set up, hitch set up, hitch, weight distribution hitch with the brand, tongue and weight capacities and tow vehicle type. They also wanted pictures of the unit showing the clearance between the fender and tires. Apparently they feel that this body sag is related to the axle and weight distribution hitch. I told her specifically that the floor sag was only evident directly under the slide out. That there is no sag in any other location. I told her that I felt sure that the issue was because of the lack of out rigger body supports at the frame. I measured the distance from each side of the frame at the axle to the ground which was exactly the same. I used a string to check for any bend in the axle housing - none. I checked the distance between the fenders and the tires which was almost the same. There was some difference in the clearance measurement only because I discovered that one fender was mounted higher on the body than the other one! I asked if I could just purchase the outrigger supports from her direct and she refused. She also wanted pictures of the inside floor sag with a level. I told her that there was no evidence of interior sag or separation between the floor and wall and hopefully will avoid any future separation if I can get these outrigger supports now so that I can install them immediately. She actually said no that I still needed to get pictures interior floor with a level. I'm at wits end with Forest River. I had many issues with this unit when I first got the unit new (that's a whole different story). I told her that if I can't get the outrigger supports from her, that I would go to a local fabricator and have them made. 

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wvanauken Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 2019 Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote wvanauken Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Lack of out rigger body supports Posted: 30 Sep 2023 at 9:17am
	I have a problem too with floor sag directly underneath the slide out on my 2019 R-pod 180. I contacted Forest River about obtaining the supports, but instead got a lot push back. They feel that the supports just fixes a symptom and not the problem. They wanted me to take pictures showing the over hang sag with a combination square which I felt was reasonable. They sent me a questionnaire titled "Over Torsion Axle" where they also wanted a pictures of the axle tag on the Lippert axle, pictures of my towing set up, hitch set up, hitch, weight distribution hitch with the brand, tongue and weight capacities and tow vehicle type. They also wanted pictures of the unit showing the clearance between the fender and tires. Apparently they feel that this body sag is related to the axle and weight distribution hitch. I told her specifically that the floor sag was only evident directly under the slide out. That there is no sag in any other location. I told her that I felt sure that the issue was because of the lack of out rigger body supports at the frame. I measured the distance from each side of the frame at the axle to the ground which was exactly the same. I used a string to check for any bend in the axle housing - none. I checked the distance between the fenders and the tires which was almost the same. There was some difference in the clearance measurement only because I discovered that one fender was mounted higher on the body than the other one! I asked if I could just purchase the outrigger supports from her direct and she refused. She also wanted pictures of the inside floor sag with a level. I told her that there was no evidence of interior sag or separation between the floor and wall and hopefully will avoid any future separation if I can get these outrigger supports now so that I can install them immediately. She actually said no that I still needed to get pictures interior floor with a level. I'm at wits end with Forest River. I had many issues with this unit when I first got the unit new (that's a whole different story). I told her that if I can't get the outrigger supports from her, that I would go to a local fabricator and have them made.
	2019 R-pod 180 2008 Toyota Tundra

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2629	Post Options Post Reply Quote GlueGuy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Sep 2023 at 10:37am
	Get them on the after market. There are now at least a few places to get them. We got ours from Innovative machine in Missouri. INNOVATIVE Machine & Supply 345 Sun Valley Circle Fenton MO 63026 636 600-1171 www.innomach.com
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

wvanauken Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 2019 Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote wvanauken Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Sep 2023 at 10:42am
	Thank you GlueGuy!!!
	2019 R-pod 180 2008 Toyota Tundra

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: 6288	Post Options Post Reply Quote StephenH Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Sep 2023 at 5:14pm
	If you are good with a welder, make your own. They will end up being more sturdy than the factory ones. It sounds like Forest River is trying to find anything to blame other than the poor design decision that allows for too much cantilevered floor to adequately support the wall when the slide out weight is added.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

wvanauken Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 2019 Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote wvanauken Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Sep 2023 at 6:27pm
	Exactly! I'm not a bad welder, but no welder or other equipment needed to cut bend the pieces. I would love to do it if not for that.
	2019 R-pod 180 2008 Toyota Tundra

ScottShackleton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 14 Nov 2023 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote ScottShackleton Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Nov 2023 at 10:22am
	Newbie here. We just bought (haven't picked up) a 2022 189 HRE. Does anyone know if the outrigger issue was fixed by the time these were made or is this an issue I should check out.

wvanauken Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 2019 Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote wvanauken Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Nov 2023 at 10:47am
	Thank you GlueGuy for the info about where to get the outrigger body supports. They are well made and came with good pertinent info with regards to mounting, fastener info, spacers, etc. They were good to deal with and got my order to me quickly. I've installed them and I'm very happy. Bill
	2019 R-pod 180 2008 Toyota Tundra

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3220	Post Options Post Reply Quote jato Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Nov 2023 at 7:32am
	Has this 'sag' issue only been a problem with the larger pods and slides, like the 179's and up? Am curious if this is something I should install on my 177 that I have owned for 12+ years. It shows no sign of sagging nor have I ever heard of this being an issue on the smaller R-Pods. Advice? Thanks
	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."

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2629	Post Options Post Reply Quote GlueGuy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Nov 2023 at 11:03am
	You may be right about that. The RP179 has a pretty substantial slide-out. I have no idea how big the one on the RP177 is. I did not go out to measure ours, but I think it's around 9' long.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

wvanauken Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 2019 Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote wvanauken Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Nov 2023 at 12:49pm
	So from what I could ascertain is your 177 is not that much smaller than my 180. Your dry weight is about 400 lbs. less than mine and about 1-1/2 feet shorter. Our GVWR is about the same. You said it shows no sign of sagging. Did you use a a framer's square and put it against the outside of the frame up against the bottom of the floor to see if there is any sag? Mine was sagging underneath the slide-out. At the very least, you can check under the slide out and/or see if there are any outrigger supports there.
	2019 R-pod 180 2008 Toyota Tundra