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

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WalksInDarkness View Drop Down
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Joined: 11 Mar 2016
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Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: Black tank fell from r-pod
    Posted: 14 Mar 2016 at 2:24pm
The fact that this defect still exists is baffling to me.  The tooling cost to create an improved bracket, and improve fixturing while assembling, is chump change compared to what they must already have paid out in warranty repairs.  I am a mechanical engineer, and the costs to FR would be less than their most expensive R-Pod.  They may want to fix this, or increase their insurance coverage, because ignoring a known defect so long can cost them millions if someone gets killed on the highway.  When I was designing textile equipment, we called this mindset "tombstone technology" - so many companies refuse to fix flaws until some dies.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Mar 2016 at 12:14pm
I contacted Forest River and received a reply to have the dealer inspect it. If it is a manufacturing defect (if?), Forest River would cover it. Mine is still under warranty, but this is something that probably needs a recall to inspect and fix all units. I'm sure the NHTSA would not look too kindly on tanks, whether fresh, gray, or black, falling off and potentially causing accidents.
StephenH
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Mar 2016 at 8:23am
 Thanks for the good info. I'll be under the R-Pod in a couple weeks to inspect before camping starts for me. I'll bracket the tanks more with stainless strapping if I see any issues.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Mar 2016 at 9:12pm
I was lucky enough to find the thread shown above before one of the tanks fell off our pod.  I knew it was going to happen for sure once I crawled under the Pod and looked at it.  

Once the new tank is installed and the problem is "fixed" you will want to add bolts on each bracket through the center of the frame for each of the three tanks.  Good as new from FR will still have the tanks ready to fall off.  In addition to the replacing the screws/adding a bolt, you also may need to add shims. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Mar 2016 at 8:17pm
After work tomorrow I will have to go on the back 20 and take a peek underneath to make certain I don't have this problem.  Now that the snow is nearly gone, yeah !!!  Thanks for the warning/updates/info everyone on this.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Mar 2016 at 8:03pm
 Yeah mine had about a quarter inch gap between the frame and the brace 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Mar 2016 at 5:10pm
Originally posted by cactus

My brand new 170 also has significant amount of rust. Shoddy workmanship.


A.. there isn't a "170"

B.. rust happens. Surface rust can happen in seconds. Deep damaging rust takes YEARS to be an issue in most of the country.. decades where you live.. Hit it with some rustoleum and call it good.

C.. maintaining an RV of any type will involve some work.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Mar 2016 at 4:33pm
Thanks to all who replied. Some really useful information here. Will keep you posted with how things work out with warranty issue.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 5:11pm
My brand new 170 also has significant amount of rust. Shoddy workmanship.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2016 at 11:43am
I just picked up my 178 Thursday, but I'm sure not going to take it to the dealer for a shotty washer and new screw job. I will be making new brackets and using actual bolts. I'm shocked they haven't come out with a recall, or at least fixed the issue on new trailers. Doesn't look good on Forest River's part
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