Mods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: RPod 180 Seal Replacement

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RPod 180 Seal Replacement

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: Non-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Mods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Same as podmods, just... not for pods
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15735
Printed Date: 02 May 2025 at 5:00pm
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Topic: RPod 180 Seal Replacement

Posted By: Bowcat66
Subject: RPod 180 Seal Replacement
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2023 at 8:06pm

Need to replace the rubber seals along both sides of my 2016 RPod 180. Has anyone done this and what was the width of the seal you used?
Also, hail such up on my town of Pampa, TX today and broke my exhaust fan cover on the roof. Anyone know where I could get another one by chance?
Any info is much appreciated.

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God Bless America! Go NAVY!!

Replies:

Posted By: Bowcat66
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2023 at 8:07pm

Snuck, not such.

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God Bless America! Go NAVY!!

Posted By: seafans
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2023 at 11:10pm

Check with camping world I think they have the seal by the role. Easy to replace. Seems to me one has to start at the front and work back?

Posted By: hank*pod
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2023 at 8:02am

Are you referring to the vinyl strip that covers the screws on the metal piece where the sidewall meets the roof?
This works well and is cheap enough to replace every couple of years (Mine had cracks along its length so it was time):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0031Y7Z0A/ - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0031Y7Z0A/

There's a right way and a wrong way to install. Slip the end of the vinyl under the bracket at the front of the trailer far enough up that you can drive the lowest bracket screw through it, then bend it 180 degrees around the bracket and snap it in, working from front to back. At the rear there's a metal piece that screws on to cover the rear end of the vinyl.

Some people have reported replacing all of the screws holding on the metal bracket; I didn't do that.

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2023 at 9:52am

or are you talking about the D-shaped bulb seal that goes around the slide-out?

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: Travel is Fatal
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2024 at 6:34pm

Regarding the molding strip that covers the screws from front to back along top. I purchased an 179 with the strip removed. Didn't notice until I got it home. In fact I found the brand new stripping in two 50 foot rolls in the trailer. Sooo, reckon i oughta put that in as fast as reasonably possible. I assumed i would use light glue to put it in, but based on the above comments, it "snaps" in and then end it with a screw in piece at the back end? Ok, I'll examine it further.

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2017 RPOD 179
2016 Toyota Highlander w E Brake

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2024 at 8:36pm

The best time to install the insert trim is when the weather is warm and likewise with the trim, as it is very moldable and soft when warm/hot. You may wish to check all the exposed screws to see if the originals have been changed to stainless steel. The originals from the factory were steel and after a few years it reacts chemically to the aluminum it is screwed into and begins to rust. It took me the better part of a day, about 6+ hours to change out the nearly 200 1" long screws. Most of the ones underneath that run from the front to the rear were rusted so a lot of new holes were drilled out for new stainless screws. Each one received a dab of Dicor for a sealed, watertight connection.

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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: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2024 at 1:06pm

No glue needed to hold the strip as the tension between the sides will hold it locked in. However, you will need to use the cover plate at the ends to hold the neds in place.

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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: Travel is Fatal
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2024 at 7:06pm

JATO,

That's ALOT of screws. I've not had a chance to examine them yet, but I'm guessing they have not been replaced, they appear to be the original screws and do not look like they are stainless steel. They have painted heads. Yes, I can bet that took awhile. Remove, clean, dicor, screw in new screws. Hank*Pod, StephenH and JATO thx for the helpful tips.

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2017 RPOD 179
2016 Toyota Highlander w E Brake

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2024 at 7:28pm

The original cover strip is not the best quality. I purchased heavier-duty vinyl strip on Amazon. It held up much better than the original strip that was installed by the factory.

This is the one I purchased. If I needed to, I would purchase this brand again.

https://www.amazon.com/JR-Products-10111-Premium-Insert/dp/B0031Y7Z0A/ - https://www.amazon.com/JR-Products-10111-Premium-Insert/dp/B0031Y7Z0A/

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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