Black Tank Pipe Hanger Broke
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11909
Printed Date: 12 May 2025 at 5:58am
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Topic: Black Tank Pipe Hanger Broke
Posted By: ZuBrew
Subject: Black Tank Pipe Hanger Broke
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2018 at 3:04pm
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On our 2nd time using the RP189 as I pulled around a corner and I noticed in my side mirror the black tank outlet hanging down. I pulled over to discover the cheap bracket that was installed broke right at the bolt hole for the large clamp. I was able to get 2 heavy duty bungee cords on it to secure it while we drove. Now I'm trying to figure out the best way to reattach it. I was thinking of making a stronger metal bracket for the hanger to attach to. Anyone have any methods that has worked well? I watched a video from John M. but I think I want something more secure. ------------- 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 4X4 2018 R-Pod 189 2013 Yamaha FJR 1300A |
Replies:
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2018 at 3:34pm
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I just posted about this a week or so ago. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11840&KW=suspenders&PID=111875&title=black-gray-drain-belt-and-suspenders#111875 - The thread is here . Other folks have added straps of different kinds. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2018 at 3:39pm
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Look at my mods for my solution. It involves getting and bending aluminum strap, then drilling and bolting it to the frame in place of the factory strap. Since it goes around and does not fasten to the pipe, it should be able to take the flexing of the pipe without failing. You can see it in my mods. I did this one after the hanger failed for the second time. The first time, the factory installed a second strap when it went there for repairs after an accident. This time, both of the hangers failed. There won't be a third time! ------------- 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: PilotPodder
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2018 at 7:03pm
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I also have two videos on this specific issue. I replaced the bolt and added a strap. The videos tell the story and the process I went through. ~PP https://youtu.be/QTeQqX-dCVY - https://youtu.be/QTeQqX-dCVY 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: Pod613
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2018 at 2:26pm
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You have great videos John! ------------- 2019 RP176 2016 Honda Pilot EX-L AWD |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2018 at 10:13pm
Our first major trip with the new hanger (see mods) verified that I found a workable solution. I had no issues with the new hanger. It performed well and kep the black tank drain up off the pavement. Since the fitting can move a little, it does not stress the two machine screws holding the bracket into the frame. Unless something else damages the valve or end, I should not ever hae to change them 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: ZuBrew
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2018 at 8:05pm
I finished repairing the black tank outlet bracket. I also updated the bracket for the gray tank before that broke. I used a piece of 1" angle iron and formed it into a right angle. I welded the corner for strength. I hung clevis brackets from my new brackets I made to support each pipe. I used multiple coats of Rust-Oleum on everything to limit rust. The first 2 photos are the black tank pipe. I ended up adding 2 ty-raps to keep the pipe from bouncing in the clevis bracket.   The bottom photo is the gray tank pipe. My original bracket was intact so I didn't need ty-raps.  No more worries ------------- 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 4X4 2018 R-Pod 189 2013 Yamaha FJR 1300A |
Posted By: tcj
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2018 at 10:29am
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I haven't had a drain pipe problem but don't want to so I made a
strap out of a piece of conveyor belting from a potato processing plant. The
belting is 3/16' thick. I cut a strap 22" long X 7/8" wide. Used an
arch punch to punch a 1/4" hole about 1" from each end. Held it in
place around the pipe to mark the spot on the trailer frame to drill the
1/4" hole for the bolt. The large area washer is an AN970-4 from
Aircraft Spruce.
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/hapages/an970flatwashers.php You
could probably find a fender washer the same size at a good hardware
store. I also replaced the nuts on the factory mount with nylocks. For
what it's worth, I order hardware... nuts, bolts washers, machine
screws etc. in quantities large enough to make the shipping cost worth
while. Lots of good stuff there for most any project besides building
airplanes. They will send you a free catalog
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/stpages/sprucecatalog.php?clickkey=64821  ------------- 2018 R-pod 180 Hood River Edition |
Posted By: crw8sr
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2018 at 8:22pm
I have this Mod on my to-do list. Looks like I need to move it up on the priority list. ------------- Chuck & Lyn Izzy, Morkie. RIP Zoe Joy & Gracie, Yorkie 2018 R Pod 190 2019 Traverse In moments of adversity;when life's a total wreck, I think of those worse off than me and really feel like heck. |
Posted By: Ghosthawk
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2018 at 8:30am
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Well after reading several people posting problems with black tank hangers coming loose. I first went and put a dab of glue on the end of the bolt. Then I used some cheap dollar store braided nylon rope to make a safety hold. So just in case the metal strap breaks or the nut still comes loose it won't be dragging on the road. That conveyer belt looks like a good mod. May have to think about that.
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Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2018 at 9:14am
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I wonder why FR degraded the quality of the hangers over the years? On our old reliable 2009 Pod, the hangers are sturdy, show no sign of stress or imminent failure, and are keeping the sewer lines nicely in place. i just replaced the gate valves for black and gray water and found that there is almost no movement; a problem when you need a little space to slip the valves in place. A side note: I got a Valtera 1 1/2 inch for the gray water and the seal configuration was such that I couldn't get them to seat properly on the pipes. I threw it away and got a Bristol, the OEM equipment, and it took less than 5 minutes to put it in and the gaskets seated perfectly. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Podman
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2021 at 12:38am
| I have just purchased my second rpod, first one was a 2016 179. My second one is a 2021 196. On my 179 the “bracket” between the frame and the black water drain pipe clamp broke and I drug it on the highway until I noticed it, by then the valve was half gone and some of the pipe. Fortunately I was empty and was able to get parts to fix it when I reached my destination. I temporarily held it up. When I got home I made two new brackets out of 1/8” x 1” mild steel flat bar one for gray and one for black water drains. The original brackets were made from 3/64” thick material (cheap), so my new brackets are more than twice as thick. I never had another problem with it. Needless to say I Checked my new rpod as soon as I got it home and made new brackets for it. They have added a nylon back up strap for “suspenders” from the factory but I feel much safer replacing the thin ones that came on it. Easily made brackets with a bench vise and hacksaw. |
Posted By: Toyanvil
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2021 at 8:49am
I just built this out of stainless steel for mine.  |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2021 at 10:48pm
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How is the flat part attached to the round rod? Is it welded? It looks great. I have not had any problems either since changing the cheap hanger for my homemade one. Yours looks a lot nicer though. ------------- 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: Podman
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 12:08am
| Yes that is a very nice bracket, replacing or fortifying the lousy factory bracket is mandatory. This is one of those cases where not fixing unless it’s broke doesn’t apply. |
Posted By: Gebaldwin1
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 6:11am
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I have a 2017 180 that I had to redo the hanging bracket on. There is a recall on 2018-20 models. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20V763-1991.PDF - https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20V763-1991.PDF ------------- GMan Lil' Bumpy - RPod 180 |
Posted By: Toyanvil
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 8:13am
It's welded.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 8:40am
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Okay. Thanks. I don't have the capability to weld stainless steel. I have a Harbor Freight welder that uses flux-core wire. It works okay on regular steel, but won't work on stainless steel since there is no way to connect up shielding gas. ------------- 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: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 12:06pm
Did you replace the whole unit? As in, nothing but a straight pipe was coming out? or did you just replace the actual sling mechinism? If you replaced the entire unit, do you have to cut them off? ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 12:25pm
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The biggest problem with the hanger is the weight of the black water pipe when it is full. That tube has some weight bouncing up and down. If the valve had been installed right as the pipe exits the tank with an extension handle, then the pipe would ordinarily be empty unless the valve were leaking. The pipe would be much lighter and the original style hanger might have been sufficient. I'm surprised it took this long for a recall to happen. Too bad it doesn't include all RPod models that have exhibited this problem, to include my 2016 RP179 which had the hanger fail twice before I made my own hanger. ------------- 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: Podman
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 3:24pm
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I replaced my valve and coupling, plus a foot plus of pipe |
Posted By: Shane
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 10:47am
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I think I have read something about Forest River doing a recall on this issue sometime this year. this seems to be a huge problem! ------------- ENGINE 55,TRUCK 44,BATALLION 12 |