The countertop - still particleboard!
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Wish List
Forum Discription: Tell Forest River what you would like to see in the r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1342
Printed Date: 10 May 2024 at 12:12pm
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Topic: The countertop - still particleboard!
Posted By: techntrek
Subject: The countertop - still particleboard!
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 9:30pm
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One of my biggest complaints with our popup is that they used particleboard around the shower/toilet, and for the countertop. Water and particleboard don't mix. Think sponge that doesn't shrink again when it dries. Great choice in materials around the two water sources. So, I assumed with the high-tech shell construction and solid wood in all the cabinets that the countertop couldn't possibly be particleboard. Outside chance it was solid wood, maybe aluminum-over-foam like the 'pod's shell, maybe solid plastic? Heck, the shower is all plastic (ok, the door isn't but that gets covered...) I discovered my answer during our week-long trip two weeks ago. It wasn't perfectly level so water on the countertop kept going to the back right corner of the counter (by the window on the 171), dripping over the edge in the process. The edge trim apparently isn't watertight. Yeah, its particleboard under there. Expanding like a sponge. So much for having a camper in perfect shape. Now I want to rip the countertop out and replace it with something waterproof. Hey camper manufacturers - you hear that? Waterproof! Let's keep particleboard out of our campers, ok? Especially you FR. If you can make the shell aluminum over foam, you can make the countertop plastic over foam. Wouldn't that be lighter, too? Double-plus! Putting particleboard around a water source does not work. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Replies:
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2010 at 5:15am
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Particle board should be outlawed altogether. Fasteners usually don't hold up well in it either. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2010 at 6:58pm
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Why they use it would be a big question. To save money for the manufacture is the only answer I can think of. In the long run it does not save the consumer money. That hurts to know the counter top is particle board or MDF. Our camper is out of warranty if we keep our camper that will most likely be our next Forest River improvement replaceing counter top. Another option I wish we had, a RPod without particle board it would have been well worth the small extra cost. As I think about it I should have known since the counter top and table match. The table already started sagging in the middle I ended up gluing and screwing braces to the bottom to straighten it. David ------------- 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: David and Danette
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2010 at 1:45pm
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I went out and looked at our Pod and the conter was in good shape. What we are going to do though is seal around the edges and under the stove cover and around the sink for safety. I noticed some sealant arond the edges where the counter meets the wall but a little more will not hurt. David and Danette ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |