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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Outer side Seams
    Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 4:03pm

Onesojourner, very nice repair job. You could hire out to your local R-pod owners.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
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onesojourner View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 10:02am
Can you show us how you are preventing water from reentering in the future? I have the same problem on my 2017.

Originally posted by fwunder

Just to followup on repair...

 

After removing several track screws along lower front curbside it was apparent that my leak came from the lower corner seam separation and insufficient sealing along bottom front edge (underneath).

I removed a portion or the dinette frame, carefully removed the trim and cut out a portion of the forward ceiling panel. The insulation was damp, as was the framing along bottom and wall edge. I had to dig out the panel edge between outer front and sidewall - that was a lengthy and delicate process, but I got it cleaned up nicely. I then placed a small space heater to dry everything out real well for a few days. Then I bleached the entire front corner with a mild solution of bleach just to prevent any mold growth. When it was good and dried again, I brushed on a fair amount or wood hardener over the framing and along the wall edge followed by a liberal coating of Epoxy  - I wanted a good base to screw outside track into.



I glued some tabs on the existing panel to support panel patch, packed the opening with new insulation and attached the panel patch with glue and staples (narrow gauge crown). I taped the seam with 6" matching seam tape and replace the corner "gimp" trim with new. Used a couple of pocket screws to reassemble the dinette frame, used more seam tape to cover and create new trim and put everything back together. I know that it is put back together better than it was built and is a virtually invisible repair.



The next step was prevention. I replaced the keder track screws with longer stainless and epoxy coated equivalents. Did same along bottom, adding a couple the weren't there in bottom corner.



 I also "painted" quite a bit of epoxy under both front corners. Along the entire front edge (under) where there is a seam, I liberally spread Sikaflex.

As soon as the monsoons stop here, I'll be re-caulking the entire Pod with Geocel ProFlex RV.

I'll also be much, much, more aware of any potential leaking issues!!

I hope that might help anyone with a similar issue and encourage you to keep up with required maintenance!!

fred


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DenisP View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jan 2018 at 10:30am
Fred,
Thank you for the detailed description of your repair.  I just purchased a 2010 171 with the same issue.  I will begin the repair soon and your pictures and step by step details will be invaluable.  How did you obtain the matching luan, seam tape and gimp?  I am a newbie as far as TT camping but as a long time boat owner I am familiar with using epoxy and sealants.
T@b 400 with solar
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jun 2017 at 7:22pm
I have a screw missing from manufacture which caused delamination.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 May 2017 at 10:53pm
I don't know how the dealer fixed it, but the huge gap is gone. It looks like they reinforced the "sagging" area with something solid yet flexible in between the cap and the frame because I can faintly see a rectangle outline of some sort. There is still a small gap there that they filled in with sealant, plus redid the caulking/sealant around the frame.

There were several significant rainstorms I worried about regarding the pod sitting at the dealer service lot, but I felt around the interior walls of the under bed storage and exterior storage, and didn't see/feel/smell any dampness. Ran the air conditioner, fan, etc. and everything is working.

I'll post some more pics so an adequate before/after comparison can be made.
2013 FJ Cruiser + 2015 rpod 179 HRE
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 May 2017 at 8:45pm
If a warranty issue is noted by the dealer and Forest River prior to the expiration of the warranty, then the work should still be done, even if the warranty has expired when the scheduling of the repair is delayed.
StephenH
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Funky View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 May 2017 at 5:52pm
Update on my 2017 rpod / r pod 180 side seam separation:

I ended up doing the repair myself. Fortunately, as I mentioned previously, I noticed the problem and was able to glob on some temporary sealant prior to any water damage occurring. This meant the fix was not rocket science nor did it require a major disassembly of the camper (at least not in my opinion it didn't). Initially, I tried to go to the Forrest River dealer to get it repaired. But, I was only 6 weeks from the end of my warranty and the dealer had at least a three month backlog due to being " short handed". Because this warranty problem and because the other warranty problems on my list of needed repairs were not rocket science, I just went ahead and did all of the work myself. My work (none of it, including the work on the side seam), I'm sure, doesn't look as professional as what the dealership would have done. But, it is adequate.

On a side note, I didn't find the twelve month warranty to be very useful. It's really, due to the logistics of returning to a dealer as well as fitting into a dealer's busy busy schedule, more like a six month warranty. If one waits beyond the first six months to get the warranty work performed, one runs the risk of bumping into personal logistical and dealer scheduling issues which might result in one's warranty expiring before the work can be performed. In my specific case (and this is something I don't believe I've before mentioned on this forum), I've got the time, tools, and ability to perform many types of repairs. Although I would not attempt to remove and rebuild the entire side wall of a RV. Many of the other types of typical repairs (mine, for example, included leaky plumbing, unattached wood trim pieces, a broken power converter, building a proper support for beneath the shower, gooping sealant next to the refrigerator in a spot missed during manufacture, resealing the roof with dicor, resealing the "seams", and let's not forget repair of the side seam separation) are done easily by me. And, because I view this as a hobby, I can appreciate the joy of getting into the details of the ongoing repairs (for me, it's more enjoyable than and preferable to spending time without my camper while it's in for repairs). Perhaps someday RV ownership will be more like car ownership (i.e. easy access to a dealer network for warranty service, short turn-around repair times, longer warranties, longer intervals between required ongoing inspections and service). But, in the meantime, we hobbyists have something to keep ourselves busy. So, maybe, for now, it's better just the way it is.
Funky
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podenvy View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 May 2017 at 1:39pm
Update: the dealer fixed the issue locally versus sending it back to FR for a second time. I don't know how you're supposed to take a piece of material and make it 1/2" wider so it's flush, but I'm curious to find out!
2013 FJ Cruiser + 2015 rpod 179 HRE
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 8:50am
Not only FR, but where has quality control & pride in your product gone? We are fortunate to have had only minor issues with our 179. We hope everything gets resolved to your satisfaction. Oh, I am a strong proponent of letting FR know about your issues. Even though the pod had been at the factory, the higher-ups need to know what you are going through.
Diane and Michael
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Apr 2017 at 10:16pm
 Wow that's unbelievable then the dealer will fix it and it'll probably hold for a few months and then after that it'll probably come apart again after warranty  expires of course 
Love to camp
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