Trailer Coupler Inspection
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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=11619
Printed Date: 27 Jun 2025 at 5:04pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Trailer Coupler Inspection
Posted By: mcarter
Subject: Trailer Coupler Inspection
Date Posted: 25 May 2018 at 8:42am
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Hey Group,
Reading a post on another forum about a 2018 owner whose trailer coupler separated from the frame. Pics showed a poor weld job. Not trying to start hysteria, but reminded me to check that coupler and ensure there is no cracks or separation. There was no talk on the post about what anybody is doing and lot of discussion on what should be done. This owner was lucky, no injuries and he got the whole rig stopped without damage, other than fact coupler was on truck and trailer wasn't. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 May 2018 at 9:26am
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Hopefully, this was reported to the NHTSA. Do you have a link so we can see what you are describing? Was this an R-Pod? Which model? There are too few details to know if this was just a weld failure or if there was too much tongue weight that contributed to this.
------------- 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 May 2018 at 9:45am
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StephenH, it was on the rpod Owners Group on FB ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 May 2018 at 10:09am
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Thanks. I'll go take a look. ------------- 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: mcarter
Date Posted: 25 May 2018 at 10:11am
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+1 it's on the FR Forum under RPods. It was a 180, the coupler came off the A Frame, looks to me like it separated at weld, it didn't break off. Pics are available. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 May 2018 at 10:35am
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Wow! Somebody at the Lippert factory did not do a good job on that one!. I'm glad nobody was hurt.
------------- 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: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 25 May 2018 at 11:31am
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Without pictures most of us can't comment.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: disputin
Date Posted: 25 May 2018 at 11:40am
Here is the message from the http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f197/warning-trailer-coupler-assembly-broke-off-160701.html# - FR Forum
   ------------- Sean & Christine Whitney 2002 F150 2016 179HRE 
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 25 May 2018 at 12:41pm
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That is nasty looking!!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 25 May 2018 at 1:35pm
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Thanks. I am sure we will hear whAT Happens next.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 25 May 2018 at 3:48pm
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I'm looking forward to hearing what happens next! Going to make me take a good look see on my 180! Thankfully no one was hurt and shows why you use crossed safety chains.
------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 25 May 2018 at 3:51pm
Even crossed safety chains are no guarantee. On the 2016 and earlier R-Pods, the chains were bolted to a metal plate that was less than 1/4" thick. Ours ripped out and are now attached to the A-frame with Grade 9 bolts going all the way through the A-frame. ------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: lgblau
Date Posted: 29 May 2018 at 9:30am
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Good Morning Mike. I saw that coupler picture too. Scary to say the least. But remember this forums saying,” you get what you pay for”. ------------- Leonard🌵 2017/179 2017 Ram 1500 |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 29 May 2018 at 10:31am
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Bum,
I remember you and I moved our chains about the same time, that original mounting point was a bad idea. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 29 May 2018 at 1:41pm
You are totally wrong on that point. Assuming this was factory welds it never should have happened. Constant crying about sawdust and minor issues may fall under that but not a safety issue. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 May 2018 at 3:39pm
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Remember also that Lippert constructs the frame which is then taken to the R-Pod assembly line where the trailer is built.
------------- 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: mcarter
Date Posted: 29 May 2018 at 3:42pm
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+1 - I was thinking frames are built off site and delivered to TT builder. I know my frame has markings on it that do not say RPod. So frame has multiple uses. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |