Black Tank Near Disaster
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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=11336
Printed Date: 27 Jun 2025 at 1:56pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Black Tank Near Disaster
Posted By: PilotPodder
Subject: Black Tank Near Disaster
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2018 at 7:37pm
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If you have a 179 (or any R-Pod model) you may really want to watch this. We had to deal with the black tank drain pipe coming loose from the frame of the 179 while driving back from Florida recently. If you have an R-Pod you really should check this and even reinforce it before any longer travel. My temporary solution failed, and I was fortunate to make it home without a real disaster. ~PP https://youtu.be/QTeQqX-dCVY - https://youtu.be/QTeQqX-dCVY ------------- Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — https://johnmarucci.com/r-pod-video-list/ - My RPod YouTube Videos |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2018 at 7:46pm
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Good lesson! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2018 at 9:14pm
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Yikes! As they say is its always something so be prepared! Glad you were able to make it home John without catastrophic damage.
------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2018 at 9:20pm
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Yikes! Thankfully you got home okay without a disaster. Even though we have a 172 instead of a 179, it was worth taking a look at the tank drain suspension. It's something to keep an eye on no matter what model you have. R-Pods, a tinkerer's delight. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2018 at 10:23pm
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We didn't fare so well. The end of ours sagged down and was scraping the pavement. When we stopped at a rest stop, the cap was missing and part of the outlet was worn off. I did a temporary fix and got home where I had to drain the tank (not fun) and then replace the outlet. The valve was not damaged, so it was not as bad as it could have been. When it went to the factory for repair, a second support was added. I added a second support to the gray water drain. It should never happen again.
------------- 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: jato
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 2:25am
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Thanks for posting John. As our 177 is finally sitting outside next to the house I will definitely check this out to see the condition of both drain pipes.
------------- 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: mcarter
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 7:31am
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Hey P2,
Good catch. There has been several posts on this issue and I believe you and I talked (by post) when this originally happened, as mentioned in that post I added a second 3" strap to my drain, which means two would have to fail for drain to drop. I bought the drain strap at Lowe's here locally. I did that when people first started reporting this problem. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 9:08am
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This is not the first time someone has posted about this issue. Do consider using stainless hardware instead of zinc plated. Where that hardware is installed, it will get wet, and zinc plated will rust.
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: johnandcandis
Date Posted: 26 May 2018 at 8:10am
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We had a black tank disaster while on our first outing with our 189. The strap that holds the black tank pipe to the frame broke while driving in downtown Tucson. When we finally could pullover i had lost the cap the gate valve and all the fittings. I was able to cut the end of the pipe off and install a new gate valve. I then strapped it to the frame. All this was done in 109 degree heat. The strap showed metal fatigue where it had been bent. One little strap is not enough to support that whole pipe especially if there is black water in the pipe. Does Forest River look at these posts? This needs to be corrected. |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 26 May 2018 at 8:29am
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Exactly why I added an additional strap. Too easy. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: jimandclare
Date Posted: 26 May 2018 at 8:44am
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Had similar problem last fall. The nut came off the bolt on the hanger and the pipe fell and drug on the pavement. After the repair and replace parts I added a large hose clamp around the hanger for additional insurance. ------------- Jim & Clare 2016 R-pod 178 2014 Ford Edge |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 26 May 2018 at 10:42am
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+1 jimandclare sounds like a great idea that I'm going to look into also. It would be interesting if people who have made these mods posted photos in this thread. Recently viewed a youtube video where a fellow used a automotive (I guess?) spring to protect the dump valve a bit over kill I thought but interesting. ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: Blender Bob
Date Posted: 27 May 2018 at 10:39pm
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Just happened to our new 2018 with only 1500 miles. Nut came off, and I caught it before it started scraping pavement and duct taped it back on. FR should review this as I think it as an insufficient engineered solution for hanging the two waste pipe under the pod. ------------- Bob 2015 Chevy Colorado Z71 2018 178 R-pod Hood River Edition |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 28 May 2018 at 10:46am
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After reading and seeing these horror stories about this thread I decided before we take off on our long extended trip to the west. That I would be proactive so I don't join this club of having the sewer pipe coming off its bracket and the negative results. Taking a clue from jimandclare (thanks!) I ran down to my local hardware store and picked up a couple O ring band clamps for under five bucks. As you can see in the photos I really didn't know exactly what size band to buy so they were a bit long. Though by using some wire I have I was able secure the excess length of the band when tight and double secure the band clamp to the black and grey water support brackets. Sorry for the quality of the photos not being the greatest but I think it will give you the idea.   ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 28 May 2018 at 5:27pm
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This is one of those stupid piss poor quality things that drives me crazy. I have known about this "flaw" for awhile, almost 2 years. Many have probably known longer. There are 2 issues with this. One is the bolt falling out. A pennies worth of lock-tite, or a self locking screw would prevent this, yet, no attempt is made to fix it. 2nd, the hanger itself is made of the cheapest piece of .015 thick strapping that will definitely break at some point. A mere .030 thick hanger would cost again, pennies, yet no attempt is made to fix it. It just makes ya wonder. Oh, btw, I have a 172 and luckily my system is the black and grey are both in one drain point, it is very well supported, so i will never have this happen. But I hate that others have the issue. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 30 May 2018 at 10:41am
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This is an application for a https://www.google.com/search?q=clevis+hanger&client=firefox-b-1-ab&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=_auMUNwjnp8yRM%253A%252CsszSoQ1pzHygeM%252C_&usg=__PrZCXA9y4ixZgfeMz05_gnXtoPY%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwje-7rS4K3bAhUCBjQIHbXLAWMQ9QEIgAEwBQ#imgrc=_ - clevis hangar . Probably stainless steel. They might cost a little bit more.  ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 30 May 2018 at 11:17am
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This could be adapted easily. I just added an additional 3" strap and a nylon lock nut. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: marked001
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 8:11pm
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Happened to me this weekend on my '17. I happened to put the window down and heard scraping. Thankfully a bunch of zip ties saved the day. I had to duck tape it all like crazy to get it not to leak when dumping. Planning to cut off the damaged end...the valve is ok and gluing this on: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006MRRWG/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006MRRWG/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER I'm definitely adding a second strap to both.
------------- 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 2017 Rpod 182G |
Posted By: Kup-Pod
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 9:25pm
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Well, that settles it, I'm adding a couple of hose clamps to my 178... after I read a post like this last year, I keep reefing on them and they seem secure but better safe than sorry. ------------- 2017 RP-178 2021 F150 5.0l "Lead me on a level path" |
Posted By: PilotPodder
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2018 at 7:07pm
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Just posted a black tank outlet reinforcement video. Pretty cheap and easy fix. ~PP
https://youtu.be/0RKfAek7ITE - https://youtu.be/0RKfAek7ITE ------------- Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — https://johnmarucci.com/r-pod-video-list/ - My RPod YouTube Videos |
Posted By: FrayAdjacent
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2018 at 3:37am
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Whoa, that could have become a very crappy situation! (pun intended) I'll be buying a 176 this week, and will have to keep in mind to check that. Maybe a quick upgrade to a better bolt with a lock washer and nylon nut... and do it before the tank gets filled with crap! Thanks for bringing attention to this.
I removed the Progressive Industries EMS from my 'old' camper, ordered a MicroAir EasyStart for the AC... this will be a little project I'll need to add in there. |