Back Wall Separating Out
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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=12441
Printed Date: 25 Jun 2025 at 12:51pm
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Topic: Back Wall Separating Out
Posted By: shicks
Subject: Back Wall Separating Out
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2018 at 7:48am
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I was about to try to tighten up the back outside wall as it looked like it was separating from the body. But then I noticed the entire bottom edge of the back outside wall is pulling away. I don't see any obvious water damage, see nothing inside the camper. Has anyone had to fix this? I'm trying to decide best way. Longer screws? Brackets bend to grab and pull it back together? Thanks for your help. https://postimg.cc/D8vztPvB">  ------------- RP 2014 178/Grand Cherokee/E2 WDH/Prodigy P3 Mods: Solar, lowes shelves, sink-out, dual batts/propane, steps, door window, EMS, glass stove top, tires, Microair EasyStart... it doesn't seem to end. |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2018 at 7:53am
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I can't tell for sure, but it looks like, on the bottom, it may have dragged or hung up on something.. ? But, the fix would be to remove the black plastic screw cover on the trim rail, pull the screws in the area you see is going to need to move back into place, use straps or some other method to push/pull it back into place, then reset the screws. I suggest going up one screw size, and using stainless. ------------- |
Posted By: shicks
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2018 at 8:19am
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Pretty sure it didn't drag, though the tape (or whatever they used) in the photo makes it looks like it. Thanks for the confirmation about how to fix it. Another project! ------------- RP 2014 178/Grand Cherokee/E2 WDH/Prodigy P3 Mods: Solar, lowes shelves, sink-out, dual batts/propane, steps, door window, EMS, glass stove top, tires, Microair EasyStart... it doesn't seem to end. |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2018 at 10:21am
| Can't tell from the photo - is the stabilizer jack missing? |
Posted By: shicks
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2018 at 11:02am
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Stabilizer is there. I was trying to photograph the separation so jack didn't get in there. ------------- RP 2014 178/Grand Cherokee/E2 WDH/Prodigy P3 Mods: Solar, lowes shelves, sink-out, dual batts/propane, steps, door window, EMS, glass stove top, tires, Microair EasyStart... it doesn't seem to end. |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2018 at 2:25pm
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shicks,
I had a front wall on one side do similar, fixed it pretty much as Furpod said. I also used slightly longer screws. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Woodmiester
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2018 at 8:57am
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You can also remove the existing screws and glue a section of hardwood dowel rod into the old screw hole. let it dry a bit then use the same size screw again...........Works like a charm! (I would probably add a screw or two if there is room). ------------- Swampfox |
Posted By: shicks
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2018 at 9:01am
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Thank you, I was wondering if that might be worth it. Going to look for stainless screws at lunchtime today. Longer ones if not bigger. ------------- RP 2014 178/Grand Cherokee/E2 WDH/Prodigy P3 Mods: Solar, lowes shelves, sink-out, dual batts/propane, steps, door window, EMS, glass stove top, tires, Microair EasyStart... it doesn't seem to end. |
Posted By: shicks
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2018 at 12:34pm
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Does anyone know if those screws are going into wood or into the frame? If is the aluminum frame, I wouldn't want the screws to be too much longer or they might drive into the back side of the square aluminum tube? Thanks. ------------- RP 2014 178/Grand Cherokee/E2 WDH/Prodigy P3 Mods: Solar, lowes shelves, sink-out, dual batts/propane, steps, door window, EMS, glass stove top, tires, Microair EasyStart... it doesn't seem to end. |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2018 at 2:29pm
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I think it would be a aluminum frame and I wouldn't use a longer screw just larger in diameter. Marwayne I think would know what material the screws enter into. He has done so much remodeling of his r-pod I think he knows every square inch of it and how it's constructed.
------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2018 at 3:30pm
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I used longer screws and it seemed to work. My theory was if it does go unto the tubing, it is inside the wall, it won't leak. There are several videos on interweb of RPod construction to include the floor. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2018 at 3:48pm
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Interestingly, the way it works is.. when assembling the wall unit, they place wood blocks INSIDE the aluminum tubing where things get screwed into.So you want to pierce the aluminum frame member and anchor in the wood inside. ------------- |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2018 at 8:02pm
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2018 at 6:19am
It's wherever they need to screw into something more than the aluminum framing. And it's not a "R-Pod" thing, it's how almost all aluminum framed walls are done for campers. Not sure how or what the welding has to do with the placement of wood blocking. But, it's not an issue.
------------- |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2018 at 8:09am
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Old video from Oregon. I've used it to see how to it was put together to address fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXNYA73rCNE ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: shicks
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2018 at 8:33am
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Seems like mine was manufactured differently? There was a metal tube along the bottom of the outside back wall that moved with the flexing. That tube lined up with another tube attached to the frame. I couldn't see the 2nd on so not sure if was tube or metal or frame? There is no way the 1 inch screws were holding the wall to the camper. They were holding the wall to the back wall tube frame but something caused the back wall tube frame to separate from ??. I ended up drilling through the first metal tube, creating a pilot hole in the 2nd metal. I used #10, 2.5 inch screws which grabbed in the last 1/2 inch and are tight! Not sure why is different from others but it ain't going anywhere now! Thanks for all the responses. ------------- RP 2014 178/Grand Cherokee/E2 WDH/Prodigy P3 Mods: Solar, lowes shelves, sink-out, dual batts/propane, steps, door window, EMS, glass stove top, tires, Microair EasyStart... it doesn't seem to end. |