Leak Under Wind Spoiler
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
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=3970
Printed Date: 06 Jun 2025 at 10:11pm
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Topic: Leak Under Wind Spoiler
Posted By: BendPod
Subject: Leak Under Wind Spoiler
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 1:47pm
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This is a warning for the owner's of newer R-pods that have the rear wind spoiler with the LED lights. During a heavy rain storm we noticed a bad leak coming inside the R-pod rear wall (between the ceiling and rear internal panel). I could not find the problem until I noticed some cracking, in the caulk, along the top edge of the wind spoiler. I removed the entire spoiler and found that Forest River had cut a 3" diameter hole through the outside of the R-pod to allow for the passage of the two small electrical wires. The hole was not filled or covered in any way. The caulk at the top of the spoiler failed, while the caulk at the bottom held. This allowed water to fill the inside of the spoiler until it started pouring into the 3" hole. Also, Forest River used regular metal, pan head screws to secure the spoiler. All the screws had rusted and the screw holes had stripped due to water damage. I filled the 3" hole with waterproof, low pressure, expanding foam. I filled the screw holes and secured the spoiler with STAINLESS STEEL pan-head screws. Finally I only caulked the top and sides of the spoiler to allowing water, getting behind the spoiler, to seep out the bottom. I have no idea how much damage was done to the inside paneling. I probably have a mold garden growing in there by now. Nice craftsmanship FR! BendPod
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Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 2:38pm
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If you are still under warranty I would contact your dealership immediately. FR should fix any damage. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 2:54pm
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Didn't I read somewhere that on the older models that were recalled, the light bar (spoiler) has its wires running to the left trim channel and then is routed down under the vinyl trim to the rear of the trailer? Then it was connected to the license plate wiring. I had no idea that FR would penetrate the fiberglass to run the wiring on the newer models. ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 3:18pm
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THe factory spoiler is in fact different from the recall one, ay least comparing my recall one to Tank's Mom's new 2013..
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Posted By: asreichler
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 3:53pm
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BendPod why did you fix the problem rather than let a dealer see the issue and fix it? Allen ------------- 2014 178 TV 2004 Dodge 2500 deisel |
Posted By: BendPod
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 4:01pm
| My R-Pod is way past it's warranty. It's a 2011, 172. No one was more surprised than me to see that 3" hole through the fiberglass / laminate, especially with the pride FR takes in the "seamless" leak proof ceiling construction. I'm very interested to see if anyone else has removed the spoiler and how their wires are run through the roof. |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 4:03pm
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BendPod: What year and model? ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: BendPod
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 4:07pm
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Hey asreichler, As I mentioned in my other post, my warranty has expired. The dealer might have fixed it, since it so egregious, but I'm kind of beaten down by dealers service departments and don't really trust them to fix the problem for the long run. I'd rather do it myself.
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Posted By: BendPod
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 4:09pm
| RP-172 2011 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 4:31pm
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That age, definitely sounds like a recalled pod. Probably reaffirms our faith in FR. They're better than that. Also reaffirms my "faith" in dealers. Who else would do such a rotten job?
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 5:43pm
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Hi Bendpod, check my tagline. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2013 at 8:12am
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Lots of 2011 models had the factory light bar, and the other half didn't.. lol
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Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2013 at 4:02pm
 When I brought my POD in for the spoiler retro-fit, we discussed the 'factory' instructions about drilling a hole in the rear roof. My dealer was dead set against it. He insisted in running the wires laterally inside the spoiler to the vinyl spline (?) where the rear roof meets the wall. The spoiler actually has a molded raised section to allow the wires to be brought to the side. The dealer said the more holes in the roof...the greater chances of leaks further on.------------- TIDALWAVE |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2013 at 12:28am
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our pod is a 2009 model 173. we were in Indiana last summer and stopped by the factory. They installed the light bar while we were there. The wiring definitely was run inside the trim channel between the exterior wall and ceiling. The rubber trim piece was removed, the wiring put in the channel and the trim reinstalled.I watched part of the operation. There were no holes cut. Vann |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2013 at 8:58am
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Checked my back light bar last night. The caulking job has definately separated from the pod, primarily in the bows between the screws. The wiring definately does not go threw the side channel trim as the light bar does not extend to the ends. So I am assuming there must be a hole under the light bar for the wiring. I have not had any water laekage, again assuming it must be caulked/filled well under the bar. I did put a tube of caulk along the top of the light bar however just to make sure. Hope that all makes sense. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: BendPod
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2013 at 12:10pm
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Hi hogone, I know R-Pods are manufactured in a couple of places. Ours is a Hood River version, manufactured in Oregon. Maybe they are installing the spoilers by cutting a hole through the roof instead of running the wires to the side trim. Hopefully, mine was an exception and most have had their wire hole filled in some manner, but I still can't fathom why they'd need to cut such a large hole. Also, I notice my spoiler could not be screwed down securely because the metal screws had rusted and the screw holes stripped due to water damage. This just compounds the problem by making it harder to keep the gap sealed. The next time you notice the caulk failing it might be worth removing the spoiler and double checking how the ran the wires through the roof. It's also would be a good time to fill the holes and switch to stainless steel screws. I allowed me a much tighter fit when I re-installed my spoiler.
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Posted By: wagnert
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2013 at 8:18pm
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I had the same problem with a bad leak on my 177 because the front of the spoiler was not caulked correctly at the factory. We were getting ready for an RPod adventure, went out after dark and found lots of rain water on the bed, in the A/V cabinet, etc. Got a tall step ladder and inspected the spoiler with a flashlight. Found the front of the spoiler was poorly caulked. Went to Home Depot for some clear caulk that can be used wet or dry. 3 inch bead of caulk where Forest River had done a sloppy caulk job stopped the leak. I prayed that was the only problem area. Apparently it was - never got water inside again. For good measure I later added caulk in a few places on the front edge of the spoiler. Small quality issue by Forest River caused major problem the first time RPod was in the rain. ------------- Tom Wagner 2012 R-Pod 177 2003 Toyota Sienna |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2013 at 9:27pm
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My 2011 RP-172 did not have the light bar. a dealer in Clarksville, Ind did the recall. It worked out perfect as hail had damaged the plastic u channel on the right side, they ran the wiring down the right side and as a side benefit the trim was replaced during the recall. Killed 2 birds with one stone.
------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |