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Topic ClosedBlack tank fell from r-pod - Event Date: 03 Nov 2016

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Joined: 17 Aug 2014
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Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: Black tank fell from r-pod
    Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 11:38am
You would think fr corrected this problem that has been identified years ago.l think it first showed up in 2010 models. I corrected mine on my 2011. It is like they made the bracket to short and mounted it any. I installed washers on each side and used larger screws. I checked all the bracket's holding fresh water tank & holding tanks. Obviously all owners (new or used) need to check these bracket's for proper installation. Especially if you still are under warranty.
J. - 2011 rpod 171
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 11:00am
Doing my spring prep checks in preparation for the first trip. Just added this check to my list. I'll continue with this preparation project next week as we've had so much rain I'd have to swim underneath the POD to check it.

Thanks to all on the forum for helping us avoid potential disaster.
Mike & Erin
2013 Tundra 4.6L V8 (Tow PK)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 10:12am
Originally posted by StephenH

If I lived near the dealer, I would be taking it there today. I have to drive about 2 hours to get there. I will be traveling quite a bit this spring and summer. I would not want to have the same thing happen while we are on the road.


Stephen,

I understand the dealer accessibility problem; I had the same situation. From your picture it looks like the bracket is not square with the frame. You cannot fix that with washers. If it were me I would remove the whole support and check for squareness. If the support is square and the welds look good I would remount the support in new holes (both ends) with #14 sheetmetal screws. If necessary fill gaps with large washers or flat metal stock.
Charlie
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 9:50am
If I lived near the dealer, I would be taking it there today. I have to drive about 2 hours to get there. I will be traveling quite a bit this spring and summer. I would not want to have the same thing happen while we are on the road.
StephenH
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 9:40am
If you get FR's OK to have a dealer repair your Pod I caution you to understand the underlying problem and carefully checkout the fix. Keep in mind a full tank can weigh in excess of 250 pounds while you're bouncing down the highway. The alignment of the brackets must be corrected, all welds checked, all gaps fully filled, and larger screws installed. Many dealers will just apply the fastest, cheapest bandaid and declare victory. You'll only get one shot at a warranty fix. 
Charlie
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 9:38am
If it is still under warranty, I would bring it back to the dealership first. Complaint to them about it, they should contact Forrest River for you to see if it can be repaired under warranty. The dealership might also just fix it, to protect their reputation.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 9:23am
Well, the problem does not seem to be only in older models. Mine is a 2016 179.



I intend to contact Forest River to see what they say about this. Mine is still under warranty. I hope they will fix this shoddy work. I appreciate the warning to check. I also noticed significant rust spots on the frame that I will be touching up before taking it out again.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 8:36am
Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be checking our 179 shortly. I hope Forest River does cover this as it is evidently an engineering defect to use such a weak method to mount something. Depending on how many people have had this happen, to ignore it might be inviting a class-action lawsuit. At the very least, has it been reported to the NHTSA?

http://www.nhtsa.gov/Vehicle+Safety
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 12:38am
Your not the only one with that problem. I have a 179 and I had to remove the small screws on the one side of the bracket holding the tanks and shim them with 14 ga. steel. I replaced the small screws with larger screws.  I hope every owner takes the time to get under the pod and check it out. 
     Good luck with your repair.   
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Mar 2016 at 8:34pm
This is a known and documented problem with the tank mounting on Pods.

http://rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5036&KW=tank&PN=1&title=water-tank-beam

Poor installation. Haven't heard of instances in a while, but apparently there is still a problem lurking out there.
Charlie
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OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
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