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2012 Rpod 177 problems

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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=3625
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 3:54pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: 2012 Rpod 177 problems
Posted By: dshearer
Subject: 2012 Rpod 177 problems
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2013 at 4:03pm
Unfortunately, the latest in a line of problems with our 177 is the axle failure which will cost about $900.00, waiting 6-7 weeks for the part, and not covered by warranty. We are extremely disappointed. Other issues have been: rear window leak, DVD falling off cabinet numerous times, lights falling off ceiling, lose clamp under slide-out (clap pushing on slide-out facia causing it to catch the screws), loose wiring on monitor panel for black and grey tanks (tanks not reading properly), furnace grill continues to fall off when traveling, table rubs the front camper wall, sink was not tightened down and moved out of position, and screws fell out of brackets holding dump valves.
I'm sure some might wonder how we care for our camper, it's our first new camp trailer and we are extremely careful with it.
Anyone else having similar issues?


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Montana camper



Replies:
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2013 at 5:08pm
Nope I had an issue with the Ac that was repaired under warranty and thats it.

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Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition


Posted By: danthoman
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2013 at 5:11pm
Wow, we haven't had any problems like that. Everything has worked fine except for the black water tank monitor and connecting a hose (not a drinking water hose) to the spray inlet to help clean the tank when emptying solved that. Most all the problems mentioned should have been fixed under warranty.

Also, welcome to forum.

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Linda and Dan
Calley the golden retriever
R-pod 177 and a Tundra 8 cyl


Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2013 at 5:15pm
Were these items covered by factory warrantee ?
               Moe


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Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150

Jo and Gary
2010 174
2011 Ford 150





Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2013 at 5:29pm
That's sad to hear of all your problems. Do you travel with the table set up when you travel, this I could see rubbing the front wall. Goose

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Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2013 at 7:16pm
Welcome.  What year is your pod?  Did you buy it from a dealer (new or used) or from another owner?

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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2013 at 7:36pm
Ours is a 2011 and has been nearly trouble free.  Ours was made in Indiana.  Was yours made out west?

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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150


Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2013 at 11:52am
We've had one or two minor issues with ours since buying it last October, but nothing like what you have encountered. 

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P & M ... and Comet too!
2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod
2018 Ram 2500


Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2013 at 12:47pm
I have had no major issues as of yet, granted it's only a year old.  When I purchased, I did buy the extended warrenty.  Never in my life have I purchased an extended warrenty on anything, not quite sure why I did on the pod.  Maybe for piece of mind, but then how good is it actually if I were to use.  One thing I have noticed however is when my air conditioner compressor goes off there is kind of a thumping noise. 

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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2010 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
2009 HD Lowrider
CHEESEHEAD


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2013 at 2:31pm
Thumping is normal, if you can call anything about the A/C normal.
 
I, too, never buy extended warranties but did for the pod.


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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2013 at 7:59pm


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Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150

Jo and Gary
2010 174
2011 Ford 150





Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2013 at 8:04pm
I to am having axle problems that effect the brakes, not really sure what to do at this time and if it is a replacement axle it won`t be a lippert axle. Thinking of replaceing with a standarded spring axle
 
                              moe
 


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Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150

Jo and Gary
2010 174
2011 Ford 150





Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2013 at 8:42pm
There are two different makers of the torsion axle used on the pod.  The ride quality is much better vs. springs so I'd recommend sticking with torsion. 

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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2013 at 9:51pm
Originally posted by techntrek

There are two different makers of the torsion axle used on the pod.  The ride quality is much better vs. springs so I'd recommend sticking with torsion. 

   I'm waiting till I get the pod back home and then start looking at my options, I think I may good on a short camping trip brake less .
           Moe


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Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150

Jo and Gary
2010 174
2011 Ford 150





Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2013 at 10:00pm
dshearer, for comparison with my 2009 RP-171 which I've had for three years and eleven months:
  • Rear window leak - about two years in, I wasn't happy with how the seal looked from the outside, so I took the trailer in to my dealer and paid to have the rear window reseated
  • TV/DVD - I noticed that mine was loose in the first few weeks of ownership and tightened it down with blue loctite
  • Furnace Grill - After about a year, one screw that holds the grill in place popped out during travel.  I reinstalled both screws with a dab of blue loctite and it hasn't been a problem since.  While the loose grill rattled around, it rubbed the cabinetry and I used some furniture knick filler to clean it up.
  • Table - During the orientation session with my dealer, I was told that the table must always be lowered during travel.  This was unacceptable to me (I had just come from a tent trailer and was tired of putting up everything in the trailer before being able to use it).  Instead, I used a bungee cord to hold the back edge of the table to the support rails so that the table would stay relatively still during travel.  Its neat and out of the way - you'd never notice it even when sitting at the table.  In four years, I've never had any issues with it rubbing any walls.
  • Brackets for dump valves - noticed they were loose and used some blue loctite again
I've also had to tighten drawer slide screws, readjust the screen door (it was tilting down), tighten screws in the awning rail, replace the black sewer valve after 3 years because the gasket seal was failing, tighten screws for the bath light, re-caulk the r-dome mounting pegs, remount the propane detector (admittedly, that was because my dog kept knocking it off), replaced the seals around the outside storage bay hatches after two years, adjust blinds, replace the freshwater cap as it started to disintegrate from UV after 3 years, and so on...

I consider this all to be standard maintenance on a travel trailer.  Things jiggle and come loose.  UV dries out and rots plastics and caulking.  Screens rot.  Things wear out.  I've been fortunate to have spotted loose bolts and screws before they've completely let go and caused more damage.  But, really, all I've faced is normal wear and tear.

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Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150


Posted By: Paige
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2013 at 11:47am
We bought our 177 used.  The previous owners had cut two square holes in the bench on the door side, near the floor. They then built wooden channels inside the bench.  So when we travel, we push the table legs into those two channels and then bungee the table.  We travel with our two bikes, so this enables us to store one bike alongside the table. It also keeps the table in place during travel.  Our furnace cover is fine, but the circuit breaker cover keeps popping off,,,a little duct tape? :)  

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Paige and Pete
2010 177 - RPug
2012 Rav (six cylinder)
New York & Florida residents


Posted By: gappman
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2013 at 11:42am
Bought our 177 last September. Almost immediately the wood screws holding anything with a hinge came loose. The door under the sink, loose. The storage door under the table, loose. The door above the sink, loose. The problem is, these surfaces just aren't strong enough to hold hinges that get used frequently. Also, I've posted in other areas about the heater fan being loud and they are ALL loud but the problem is, Forest River won't do anything about it because I seem to be the only one contacting them about it. Nobody else is complaining to them about it although there are some users like me who don't use it because of the noise. Their solution is to buy a heater and bring it along. That doesn't make sense to me since the trailer has one built in and I paid for it!
Rant over.
Okay, not much else has failed on the unit and I go over it with a fine tooth comb after each outing.


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Gary Piazza
www.garypiazza.com


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2013 at 12:29pm
The heater in our popup was just as loud, so its a general issue with camper heaters unless you have a larger camper with a ducted system.

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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: gappman
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2013 at 1:10pm
I realize that, but why can't these companies put silent fans in there? Ductless or not, I have a portable fan that pushes a heck of a lot of air (without ducts) and it makes little to no noise. I just don't understand the oversight.

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Gary Piazza
www.garypiazza.com


Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2013 at 1:52pm
Originally posted by gappman

I realize that, but why can't these companies put silent fans in there? Ductless or not, I have a portable fan that pushes a heck of a lot of air (without ducts) and it makes little to no noise. I just don't understand the oversight.

They could if anyone made one. The fan on these is a squirrel cage fan that moves a lot of air but not quietly. You could probably put hushmat around these to make them quieter but  I have never tried to take mine out so I don't know how hard a job that would be. 


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Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition


Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2013 at 2:24pm
gappman's right.  If nobody complains, then the companies involved won't work toward a solution.  A couple dozen complaints about excessive noise from the furnace may get them looking into the problem and suggesting a solution.

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Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150


Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2013 at 2:35pm
The heater is oversized for the space, but it is the smallest model RV heater made. The market for small campers is very small. No one is going to make anymore special parts than they have to for 1% of the market.

I use a ceramic heater whenever possible because I would rather not use my gas when I am paying for their electrons. Not because it's all that loud. The heater in a tank is LOUD, and I lived with that for 20 years...

I hate to hear of gappman's screw troubles.. the wood in the R-Pod is of no less quality or thickness than in any other standard RV, and they all hold together fine(ish).. I know I have not had to tighten a single screw yet that I hadn't already loosened myself..
 


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Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2013 at 3:39pm
I think the main issue isn't the fan or the motor, but the amount of air that has to move through there to dissipate the heat. If you used a quieter fan it would probably melt or catch on fire.

The real problem is that the heater is just too big for the rpod and unfortunately they don't make them any smaller.


Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2013 at 4:12pm
My furnace was so bad the floor was vibrating, so I went to work on it.
I insulated the exterior metal box all around, left vents open. Where ever metal touched wood I put insulation in between. The most important thing is to attach the grill to the wood not the furnace box.
No more vibration, noise is down by 50%.

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If you want something done right, do it yourself.
2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.




Posted By: gappman
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2013 at 4:16pm
Well, then maybe there is a market there for a new invention? Quiet heaters! Imagine that! Could be a demand, if the consensus is that all small trailers are over equipped with these squirrel cage units. 

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Gary Piazza
www.garypiazza.com


Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2013 at 4:41pm
Originally posted by gappman

Well, then maybe there is a market there for a new invention? Quiet heaters! Imagine that! Could be a demand, if the consensus is that all small trailers are over equipped with these squirrel cage units. 

I don't think there are enough of these little trailers to make it worthwhile. Considering that the heater in this trailer is exactly the same as the one in my childhood trailer, I'm guessing they don't change designs very often either.


Posted By: dshearer
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2013 at 12:56pm
In the first year all was covered, last year we had the sensor on the black/grey tank we paid for and, so far what we hear from the local dealer, no the axle is NOT covered under warranty.

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Montana camper


Posted By: dshearer
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2013 at 12:57pm
Interesting, we were not given the option of a spring axle. Just the choice between the Lippert (the axle which comes on RPODS) or the Dexter. We ordered the Dexter...

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Montana camper


Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2013 at 12:58pm
Have you contacted the manufacturer of the axle directly? Safe Travels.

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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund)
2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod)
2016 Lance 1685
2015 Nissan Pathfinder


Posted By: dshearer
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2013 at 12:59pm
Nope, the table is down and locked (that's where the rubbing happens). I now have a rug I put between the table and the wall whenever we are traveling.

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Montana camper


Posted By: dshearer
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2013 at 1:00pm
2011 and we bought it new from a dealer in Boise, ID.

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Montana camper


Posted By: dshearer
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2013 at 1:11pm
I know many of these issues are small things, guess we were spoiled our last trailer was a 1971 Bell truck camper - was build like a tank, very solid, but also heavy. I don't know what Loctite is, but I'm sure my husband does. Thanks for the suggestions, and we'll watch for other items you mentioned.

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Montana camper


Posted By: dshearer
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2013 at 1:14pm
No, but what a good idea.
Thanks!

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Montana camper


Posted By: dshearer
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2013 at 2:16pm
Sent them pictures and information this morning...we'll see if they will stand behind their product...

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Montana camper


Posted By: dshearer
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2013 at 12:15pm
Good news to report on our Lippert Axle problems on the 177 RPOD Hood River Edition. After emailing Lippert, who answered promptly, and emailing pictures of our RPOD, axle, wheels, etc we just heard back that they will send a replacement axle, parts and pay shipping! So all we will end up paying is installation ($200.00).WHEW, that's a huge relief. We still don't know how long it'll take to get it so,living in Montana, our camping season will be considerably shorter this year ...
BTY, this is my first contact with a forum. It has been very rewarding with great suggestions from everyone - THANKS...

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Montana camper


Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2013 at 12:23pm
Glad to hear its resolved.  Was it I, who suggested you contact the manufacturer directly?  If so, I will take one lap around the track and add an 'atta boy.  Keep in touch.  Safe Travels.

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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund)
2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod)
2016 Lance 1685
2015 Nissan Pathfinder


Posted By: danthoman
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2013 at 12:53pm
Nice to hear that they are standing behind their product and that you'll soon be on the road again.

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Linda and Dan
Calley the golden retriever
R-pod 177 and a Tundra 8 cyl


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2013 at 10:35pm
Good news!

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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: dshearer
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2013 at 11:37am
It was you! Thanks...



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Montana camper


Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2013 at 12:38pm
This is why I USED to get the big money.  Glad I could help.  Does this mean you will be joining us in Seaside Oregon in August?  Safe Travels.

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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund)
2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod)
2016 Lance 1685
2015 Nissan Pathfinder


Posted By: Gram-Pod
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2013 at 7:18pm
What did you notice happening with the axle failure before it actually failed?

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2012/177/2004 Chevy Tahoe


Posted By: Andiamo
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2019 at 11:31pm
We have a 2017 177, owned for 18 months, seven trips. Only problem so far, Knock, Knock, is the sink has come lose because it was only held up against the counter by funky toe-nailed screw heads. Join the r-pod FaceBook site. Sorry for your troubles.
Tom, Vancouver, WA



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