Leak Under Wind Spoiler |
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BendPod
Newbie Joined: 27 Apr 2011 Location: Bend, Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 8 |
Topic: Leak Under Wind Spoiler Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 1:47pm |
This is a warning for the owner's of newer R-pods that have the rear wind spoiler with the LED lights. During a heavy rain storm we noticed a bad leak coming inside the R-pod rear wall (between the ceiling and rear internal panel). I could not find the problem until I noticed some cracking, in the caulk, along the top edge of the wind spoiler. I removed the entire spoiler and found that Forest River had cut a 3" diameter hole through the outside of the R-pod to allow for the passage of the two small electrical wires. The hole was not filled or covered in any way. The caulk at the top of the spoiler failed, while the caulk at the bottom held. This allowed water to fill the inside of the spoiler until it started pouring into the 3" hole. Also, Forest River used regular metal, pan head screws to secure the spoiler. All the screws had rusted and the screw holes had stripped due to water damage.
I filled the 3" hole with waterproof, low pressure, expanding foam. I filled the screw holes and secured the spoiler with STAINLESS STEEL pan-head screws. Finally I only caulked the top and sides of the spoiler to allowing water, getting behind the spoiler, to seep out the bottom. I have no idea how much damage was done to the inside paneling. I probably have a mold garden growing in there by now. Nice craftsmanship FR! BendPod
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 2:38pm |
If you are still under warranty I would contact your dealership immediately. FR should fix any damage.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Sleepless
Senior Member Joined: 07 Jun 2013 Location: Titusville, FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 556 |
Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 2:54pm |
Didn't I read somewhere that on the older models that were recalled, the light bar (spoiler) has its wires running to the left trim channel and then is routed down under the vinyl trim to the rear of the trailer? Then it was connected to the license plate wiring. I had no idea that FR would penetrate the fiberglass to run the wiring on the newer models.
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2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 3:18pm |
THe factory spoiler is in fact different from the recall one, ay least comparing my recall one to Tank's Mom's new 2013..
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asreichler
Newbie Joined: 30 Jul 2013 Location: austin tx Online Status: Offline Posts: 35 |
Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 3:53pm |
BendPod why did you fix the problem rather than let a dealer see the issue and fix it?
Allen
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2014 178 TV 2004 Dodge 2500 deisel
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BendPod
Newbie Joined: 27 Apr 2011 Location: Bend, Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 8 |
Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 4:01pm |
My R-Pod is way past it's warranty. It's a 2011, 172. No one was more surprised than me to see that 3" hole through the fiberglass / laminate, especially with the pride FR takes in the "seamless" leak proof ceiling construction. I'm very interested to see if anyone else has removed the spoiler and how their wires are run through the roof.
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hogone
Senior Member Joined: 09 Apr 2013 Location: St. Louis Online Status: Offline Posts: 1043 |
Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 4:03pm |
BendPod: What year and model?
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
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BendPod
Newbie Joined: 27 Apr 2011 Location: Bend, Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 8 |
Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 4:07pm |
Hey asreichler,
As I mentioned in my other post, my warranty has expired. The dealer might have fixed it, since it so egregious, but I'm kind of beaten down by dealers service departments and don't really trust them to fix the problem for the long run. I'd rather do it myself.
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BendPod
Newbie Joined: 27 Apr 2011 Location: Bend, Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 8 |
Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 4:09pm |
RP-172 2011
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 4:31pm |
That age, definitely sounds like a recalled pod. Probably reaffirms our faith in FR. They're better than that. Also reaffirms my "faith" in dealers. Who else would do such a rotten job?
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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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