Leak Problem
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10695
Printed Date: 30 Apr 2024 at 12:47pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Leak Problem
Posted By: Tibof
Subject: Leak Problem
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 3:55pm
| 2015 (NTM), 179 Pod is leaking. Viewed from inside facing rear window, leak shows up in the right corner on top of the counter. Not clear if it is coming from the wall to side seal area (as side wall seems damp) or the window, or perhaps the slide. Just discovered due to 90 days without rain in our area. Now the rain. Plan is to reset the rear window in new butyl and to reset the spoiler above the window. Last will be to pull the wall to side moulding and insert new butyl putty. Would greatly appreciate insights from anyone who has experienced this problem. |
Replies:
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 7:12pm
|
We have seen on a couple occasions where a leak occured from a faulty rubber strip on the top of the slide when it is extended out. For some quirky reason it didn't roll out: part did and part of it stayed rolled under, hence a gap along the top rubber strip would allow water to enter and wreck havoc inside the pod. Fortunately we have never experienced this, but I do check it nearly every time we extend the slide outward to make sure the rubber strip is facing out and is not rolled under.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Tibof
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 10:51am
| Thanks, I'll check that. But IMHO, I find it entirely unacceptable that a two year old RV is leaking. With modern sealants and technology, this should not happen. Forest River says that the "seals" should be inspected every few months. But on the rPod there is very little in the way of exposed seals to inspect. Side-to-roof and window seals are all hidden. If they are done right in the manufacturing process, they should last a very long time. Certainly far longer than the 90 day warranty on the seals — which does not span the drought period some have experienced! |
Posted By: Hi-Line
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 12:49pm
| I had a similar problem in my 179...not a lot of water getting in, but maybe enough to cause problems over time. I remember reading that others have had it too. I got some silicone sealant (probably recommended by someone on this site) and sealed around the back window and seams on the roof in back...anywhere I thought could possibly be allowing water to leak in. I didn't do anything inside the trailer. The problem appears to be solved, at least so far. I'd try sealing those outside seams before doing anything too extreme. Good luck! |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 3:44pm
Treating the rubber strips with Protect-All Slide-Out Rubber Seal Treatment can help the strip to dlide on top of the slide-out better. Using a treatment on the top of the slide-out's roof (not fiberglass like the main roof) can help also. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: backin15
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 5:54pm
|
Could the water be coming in from above? I got on a ladder and had a look at the spoiler, and I was amazed at how poorly it was sealed. The plastic was warped between the screws with several gaps present, and to make things worse there was a hole where a screw was probably inserted, stripped and removed. I am amazed that I haven't had water inside and hoping all is well between the roof and ceiling. I used half a tube of Dicor sealing up the spoiler. ------------- 2015 179 2013 Xterra Pro 4X |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 6:53pm
|
I had the spoiler put on in a recall for improper clearance lighting and also found it to be warped with big gaps where it didn't fit tightly against the roof and was filled with silicone caulk that was doomed to leak from the many screw holes. My solution was to use EternaBond RSW-4-50 Roof Sealant Tape that I got from Amazon. I put it on the top end of the spoiler where it meets the roof and on the two ends, again, where it meets the roof. The bottom I left unsealed so if any condensation collected under the spoiler it had a way out. It made it through a very heavy winter with no signs of leakage. The only problem I foresee is that it's going to be a heck of a job to ever take the spoiler off if I need to replace the LED lights since all the upper screws are nicely covered. Hopefully, in the unlikely event that happens, I can get to the lights from below where there is no tape. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 7:45pm
|
Tibof, I totally agree with you. The seals should last a long time. Ours are on year 7, still looking pristine, and no leaks.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Tibof
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 9:58pm
| Will begin by looking at the spoiler tomorrow. I have Eternabond tape (thanks to a neighbor). Forest River has minimal faith in its own work when it warranties "seals" for only 90 days. Short of redoing every bit of caulking on the Pod, for a new owner there is no solution but to wait and see if it leaks! |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 10:14pm
|
Ah! Nothing like mysterious leaks, yes? I stepped into my 180 before taking off to the coast last week to find some puddled water on the slide out counter and a bit on the floor nearly under the vent area. Yet a visual check and feeling all around the vent showed no sign or touch of water, hmmmm? Mysterious! Maybe my plan on installing a vent cover may solve this, who knows?
------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: MoPod
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 10:02am
|
Remember if your slide does not have a cover and it is wet when you slide it in, you can find strange puddles on the counter top by the frig and also on your bed. ------------- Bill & Nancy 2015 RPod 179 Previously 2010 RPod 176 2014 Explorer Sport |
Posted By: Tibof
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 6:59pm
| Update;: here's what I found. The problem was/is the spoiler as nearly as can be determined. It fits so poorly that it can't really be caulked. The top and bottom fit ok, but the sides don't conform to the roof (or tend to pull away from the roof along the vertical sides). The resulting gap is really too large to confidently fill with silicone caulk, for it will pull away from the roof. Apparently, the spoiler is mounted in putty tape, but that does not work well due to the fact that the sides of the spoiler have only three screws, counting the ones at the top and bottom — and it can't be uniformly snugged down against the tape, The middle screw pulls the middle of the side side down, but a gap emerges above and below it. And there is nothing for an additional screw to bite into. I considered using Dicor, but the self leveling would likely run off, and I didn't have access to the Dicor for vertical surfaces. That might work, but I finally settled on Eternabond tape. Taped just the sides and top after a thorough cleaning with naptha. then tested things with lots of water. Now seems nice and dry. While I am pleased with the results of the repair, I am more than a little displeased with the fact it was necessary. In my view, the spoiler installation by Forest River is a total disgrace (and they have to know it), for unless things have changed since 2015, you are going to have a leak! What's more, properly sealing the spoiler is not a matter of returning it to factory specs, for the factory and the spoiler design are the problem. Backin15 and Lostagain above tell the story. This is not a minor issue, for it is clearly factory related and should initiate a recall. Such leaks can cause major damage in the rPod. |
Posted By: Tibof
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 12:21pm
| A bit of googling "rPod Spoiler Problem" reveals that the leaking spoiler has been an issue from the outset when rear lighting was required by the NHTSC. The spoiler with some small lights was the answer. But the spoiler warps and pulls away from the roof/caulking. There should be a Forest River fix for any leak/damage that results or a class action suit. The FR requirement that you check seals every 90 days is bogus nonsense designed to absolve FR. |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 12:54pm
|
While some have had problems with the spoiler leaking it is certainly not universal. I would be amazed if this issue, like most of the other issues that have caused some to discuss class action suits involved a significant number of units.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 12:57pm
|
I think it would have been better to put a simple 3 light fixture on the back instead of the spoiler. I think FR avoided this fix for the recall because they didn't want to have to deal with how to hide the wires. Since the spoiler runs the width of the roof, it's easy to conceal the wires in the connection between the roof and the wall where there is seam sealer, a metal strip held on by screws, and a plastic bead to cover the screws. A simple 3 light fixture would have to have the wires passed between the roof and ceiling, a much more complicated job. If I were to go through the recall again, I think I'd opt for doing it myself with after market materials and figure out a way to fish the wire from the side to the center of the back roof where I could bed a small light fixture in some sort of bedding compound like 3M 5200 caulk. I'd look for a fixture that could have the lights changed without removing the fixture. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 1:08pm
|
Great....now something else I need to check when I get home.... ------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 2:22pm
Ah don't sweat it unless you have a leaky Pod!  ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: Tibof
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 3:46pm
| If you wait for a leak to develop, there is a reasonable chance that you will have serious interior wall damage, especially if your pod is stored outside for the winter and not covered. Caulking in cold temps is not recommended. As for the frequency of this problem, there is a possibility that something different has been done with the composition and installation of the spoiler. However, if nothing has changed, the warpage of the edges of the spoiler, causing it to pull away from its seal with the roof is more than likely. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6196&title=spoiler-problems I don't know in any empirical sense how may are affected by this issue, but IMHO FR knows of it and should bear the responsibility of fixing it, regardless of the number affected, for it is a factory defect. I have not said that the problem is "universal", but clearly more than a few are affected (especially given that the spoiler material appears to be inclined to warp at the edges.) Dave, your Pod is a 2017, I am curious as to how the spoiler is attached. And is the spoiler plastic or fiberglass? Three screws down the side, including the ones at the top and bottom? Caulked around the outer edges? |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 4:31pm
|
For the recall kit for the older Pods that had the clearance light recall (see the archives for details), they used a very flexible spoiler that seems to be some kind of vinyl plastic... squishy not rigid. On ours they put in about 30 screws to hold it down onto the roof and it did not sit snugly. Initially, I put some caulk in the holes where the spoiler lifted up from the roof, but later took it out and sealed the whole thing up with the roof tape product I mentioned earlier. So signs of it coming up and it's starting into the second winter. As for a different spoiler material on the newer Pods, I haven't a clue as I only saw my neighbor's new Pod for few minutes before he hauled it away for storage and I was admiring other features. I still don't understand why they didn't put a simple 3 light fixture on the back on the new Pods. Less leak risk and I really doubt the spoiler does much with wind turbulence behind the trailer. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 5:27pm
|
Now that the conversation has devolved WRT spoilers, perhaps folks would like to discuss vortex generators? I found this interesting site called "airtab". http://www.airtab.com/application-rv.htm - http://www.airtab.com/application-rv.htm Go about 1/3 the way down the page, and you will see what someone did with a Winnebago Winnie Drop 1780 (rough equivalent to an R-pod 178). They claim about a 20% improvement in fuel economy. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 5:46pm
|
Our 2011 Pod is one of the first year the spoiler was installed at the factory. It is parked outside in our Wisconsin winters and we have had no leak problems with it.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Tibof
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 6:05pm
|
That's encouraging. I am glad that you don't have the problem and hope that most others don't either. BTW, have you resealed things, especially the spoiler? In any case, our Pod has a factory installed spoiler, and I am not impressed. It corresponds to the warpage that others have described. This is not warpage of the entire spoiler but "warpage" on the vertical sides where the spoiler pulls away from the roof. On mine, the gap couldn't be seen until I started to pry up the caulk. It then became apparent that the caulk only seemed to be in place when actually it was not sticking to the roof. Removing it showed a large gap above and below the middle screw. I attempted to add another screw just between the bottom and the mid point screw to pull the spoiler down snug to the roof. But there is no framing for it to bite into.
------------- 2015 Pod Hood River Edition 2012 Tacoma Crew Cab 4 Liter |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 7:17pm
|
I'm just guessing that some folk's spoiler leaking problem may be due to a couple of different things. One would be sealing the spoiler all the way around. Seems silly to me to caulk along the bottom of the spoiler. Let it weep and seal the top and sides as best you can. The other may be mistaking rear window leak or condensation. It's really pretty amazing how much condensation can form on rear window and look like a leak! Again, the rear window caulking should be concentrated on top and sides. Gravity works! Sometimes, I think we create problems where none existed. Just my 2 pennies on the subject. fred
------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 9:49pm
When I was at the factory to pick up our 179 after repair, I asked about it. I was told that the spoiler definitely makes a difference as the turbulence before spoilers were installed could result in loss of the spare tire cover. I don't have the pre/post spoiler experience to verify this but perhaps someone who has experienced with both configurations can address that. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 11:08pm
|
Here's my take on the spoiler, spoiler is black, that's the worst possible color, baking in 100 plus temps something has to pop. That's why I made my own, no caulking needed, rubber gasket, weeping holes at the bottom and a couple vent on either end. https://postimg.org/image/rtd86jk8l/">  https://postimg.org/image/ljhyjjktx/">  ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2017 at 7:32am
|
Glueguy's post on the Airtabs intrigues me. Anyone here tried these? ------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Posted By: Tibof
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2017 at 1:43pm
The factory caulks or attempts to caulk the spoiler all the way around. But when I sealed ours with Eternabond, I applied it only to the top and sides. As for windows, our leak was definitely not the window, though windows can leak. The proper set for a window is butyl tape all the way around. If done correctly, the window should be leak free "forever." That would be the correct caulk for the spoiler, too, if the spoiler could be uniformly snugged down to the roof. But it can't be.
------------- 2015 Pod Hood River Edition 2012 Tacoma Crew Cab 4 Liter |
Posted By: rda54
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2017 at 7:50pm
Th a is to this forum I think I saved my rpod. We just washed and waxed our 178 and looked at the back spoiled and there was a gap in the caulking so I ordered the tape that others had talked about on the forum and put it on today. After putting it on I was getting it ready to park for the winter and there was wasted coming out of the back of the camper. I hope it isn't any thing to serious.  ------------- Ronald & Lonna 2014 178 2016 Chevy 1500 |
Posted By: rda54
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2017 at 7:53pm
|
I this is really bad sleep check. Spoiler and water coming out of the back ------------- Ronald & Lonna 2014 178 2016 Chevy 1500 |
Posted By: JillV
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2017 at 1:15pm
| Weve got two Damp Rid desiccants in our 179, both there for several weeks and both BONE DRY, yet water pooled on the kitchen counter behind our stove. Dry in the cupboard below and walls feel dry. Why aren’t the DampRids working? We’ve never had them not work before. |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2017 at 3:41pm
|
Ronald, when you washed your pod after having put the roofing seal tape on 3 sides, you may have inadvertently squirted water under the spoiler that drained out. If that is the case, you may want to put the roofing seal tape across the bottom of the spoiler. But if you do, then any condensation that may form or water that sneaks in has no exit point unless you fashion some sort of drain. I've had the roof seal tape on three sides of the spoiler, leaving the bottom open, for about a year with some pretty windy storms and have experienced no leakage. It could be dumb luck, or maybe I actually sealed the spoiler up successfully. Only r-Pod goddess knows for sure. 😎 ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: rda54
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2017 at 5:01pm
I didn't wash it after putting the tape on so maybe it was form when we did wash it. I hope it will dry out over the winter we are trying to open it up on warm days to help with drying.  ------------- Ronald & Lonna 2014 178 2016 Chevy 1500 |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2017 at 9:58pm
|
Ahhh, then it's probably residual water from before the tape, as you suggest. I've recently checked the tape I put on last fall and it's holding up very well. In fact, I used left over tape to seal a rain gutter I installed on the front of my house. You may want to consider leaving some way for air to enter and water to drain without exposing it to more water entry as it dries over the winter. I was going to say that hopefully you live in a climate where freezing wouldn't be a problem, but I see you live in Minnesota. I wonder if there is some way you can blast a bunch of warm air through the bottom of the spoiler before winter comes, ... next week 🙃. On the other hand, if a little condensate and water drops freeze it isn't likely to hurt the wiring or lights like it can with plumbing. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |