Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Add this to your inspection routine

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Add this to your inspection routine

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=10852
Printed Date: 29 Jun 2025 at 8:43pm
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Topic: Add this to your inspection routine

Posted By: jimandclare
Subject: Add this to your inspection routine
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 10:08am

Last weekend while on our final trip for the season I exited off of the expressway and decided to fill up the gas tank before going on. While pumping the gas an "Absolutely Wonderful" lady pulled up and asked me if I knew that I was dragging a pipe on the ground. What? I looked down an sure enough the drain pipe and valve assembly to the black tank was on the ground. I don't know how far it had been drug (or dragged?) on the road but the end cap and plastic fitting was pretty much toast. It could have been worse if the drain pipe had been ripped off and fortunately wasn't. If she hadn't have said something I don't know that I'd even have seen it before heading back on the road. Grabbed some zip ties and put the pipe back in place. Ordered new parts from e-trailer for under $20 that should be here this afternoon.

Anyway, the tank drain pipes are supported by pipe clamps bolted to hangers underneath the trailer. The nut on the bolt joining the two parts had completely come off with the obvious results. No way in this lifetime would I have ever even thought to check that the nuts were snugged up tight. Just add this to your pod maintenance or inspection checklist.

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Jim & Clare
2016 R-pod 178
2014 Ford Edge

Replies:

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 12:26pm

Not first post I have seen with this issue, last one, the guy ruined the black tank. Was or is your nut self locking? Mine is. Also I added a second 3" clamp from Lowes so I now have two separate clamps on my black tank drain

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: jimandclare
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 12:47pm

Well since I never thought to inspect the nut in first place and since it's long gone I really can't say. The replacement will definitely be the nylon locking type. Installing backup hose clamps on both drain pipes is a really good idea.

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Jim & Clare
2016 R-pod 178
2014 Ford Edge

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 1:05pm

+1

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 6:43pm

+2
The same thing happened to me while we were on the Interstate headed home. I zip-tied mine up and then made sure that I replaced the missing nut with a nylock nut. When it went to the factory for repairs, a second hanger was added. I checked both. I then fabricated a hanger bracket out of strap aluminum that loops around the gray water pipe and is fastened into the frame with one of the self-tapping screws. It was a pain to make, but I don't think either pipe will sag again.

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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: Leo B
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 7:14pm

+3

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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171