C & T Trailer, Bozeman, Montana

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   I had the misfortune to have the converter in my one-month-old R-Pod fail while in Yellowstone en route from Maine to Denali.  I had the good fortune to encounter Ken (owner) and Bob (technician) at C & T trailer.  They did not have a converter to replace the failed one, but Bob diagnosed the problem rapidly.  I asked if there were any work-around that would permit us to continue our trip and he said that attaching a battery charger while hooked up to shore power would recharge the battery.  When Ken was making out my invoice (which was beyond reasonable in amount), I commented that I would have to cancel my 3 days of boondocking in Denali, the high point of my trip.  He said people don't get things fixed because they SHOULD be covered under warranty, but, how much had I spent on the Pod to begin with? And how much on the trip so far?  And wouldn't it be worth it to pay for the converter out of pocket to complete the journey as we originally planned?  THANK YOU, KEN!  I saw the light.  We then commenced to look for some place that had a converter and could install it before we reached Denali.  See additional comment about really wonderful Bulletproof Trailer in Fairbanks.

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Maureen4664 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Feb 2016 Location: Maine Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Topic: C & T Trailer, Bozeman, Montana Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 1:56am
	I had the misfortune to have the converter in my one-month-old R-Pod fail while in Yellowstone en route from Maine to Denali. I had the good fortune to encounter Ken (owner) and Bob (technician) at C & T trailer. They did not have a converter to replace the failed one, but Bob diagnosed the problem rapidly. I asked if there were any work-around that would permit us to continue our trip and he said that attaching a battery charger while hooked up to shore power would recharge the battery. When Ken was making out my invoice (which was beyond reasonable in amount), I commented that I would have to cancel my 3 days of boondocking in Denali, the high point of my trip. He said people don't get things fixed because they SHOULD be covered under warranty, but, how much had I spent on the Pod to begin with? And how much on the trip so far? And wouldn't it be worth it to pay for the converter out of pocket to complete the journey as we originally planned? THANK YOU, KEN! I saw the light. We then commenced to look for some place that had a converter and could install it before we reached Denali. See additional comment about really wonderful Bulletproof Trailer in Fairbanks.
	Thanks for all the fish. R-Pod 180 2006 Ridgeline 2013 Polaris XP850

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 8:04am
	Glad to hear of your positive experience with that dealer. I would have told you much the same....go to Walmart and buy a battery charger to use when you have hook ups, jumper cables for when you do not (assuming you are not carrying a generator). The converter: (1) charges the battery(s) and (2) supplies 12 volt power - when hooked to commercial power (to reduce drain on the battery(s)). By all means, go on to Denali. I would, if in your position, and would probably wait until I got home to fool with the converter. Safe/happy travels.

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 8:25am
	+1 enjoy your trip!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

DaveC3 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 17 Feb 2016 Location: Georgetown, TX Online Status: Offline Posts: 48	Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 8:31am
	I have lost two converters in my new 180. I also lost money by having to leave a prepaid camping site to get the first converter replaced. The second failed two days later, it took out the battery. I got a new battery at Interstate batteries, the new battery ran down almost immediately until I pulled the two fuses on the converter. As suggested, I bought a battery charger for the remainder of the trip. We came home two weeks earlier than planned to take it to the dealer we bought the unit from. During the trip I contacted a couple of dealers but they could not get to it for one to two weeks. I have been in the service industry for all my working life, I understand that a dealer can not drop everything to take care of your problems. However, I also do not expect to lose two converters within two months of owning the trailer. I hope the third will do the trick. RV converters are not new technology, maybe Forest River got a bad batch from their supplier. We still enjoyed our trip and the R-pod even though it was cut short.
	2016 R-Pod 180 2015 Ford Explorer Limited

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 12:20pm
	Sorry to hear of your problems. Converters are not "new" and, in my experience, are pretty reliable. I tend to agree with your suspicion that FR may have received a bad batch from WFCO. Also, WFCO could have received a bad batch of components from their supplier. It's hard to say. Just one little diode (for instance) could be marginal and when it fails, the whole unit doesn't work. I'll cross my fingers that the third time is the charm for you.

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 8:55pm
	Maureen I would talk to your dealer about getting reimbursed from FR for the converter you paid for out-of-pocket.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

scentralmt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Apr 2015 Location: Montana Online Status: Offline Posts: 24	Posted: 11 Jun 2016 at 12:28am
	Did you know there was a R Pod dealer in Bozeman, right along the interstate. Bozeman Ford and RV. Not sure if they would have helped, but just letting people know there is a dealer in Bozeman.
	Curtis 2014 177 2001 F150

Maureen4664 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Feb 2016 Location: Maine Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Posted: 17 Jun 2016 at 1:16am
	Thanks for the counsel about seeking reimbursement from Forest River. I've sent the invoice and receipt for payment to them and will see what happens. (We couldn't go to the Forest River dealer in Bozeman because it was Memorial Day weekend and they were closed.). And Denali was as wonderful as I hoped. And the Alcan Highway between Alaska and Whitehorse, Yukon, is absolutely magnificent!
	Thanks for all the fish. R-Pod 180 2006 Ridgeline 2013 Polaris XP850

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Posted: 17 Jun 2016 at 8:15am
	Sounds great, do you have some pictures to post?
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171