Door on the 179
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4565
Printed Date: 13 Jun 2025 at 8:03am
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Topic: Door on the 179
Posted By: GHillers
Subject: Door on the 179
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2014 at 10:55pm
We found the hook that is used to hold the door open on our 179 a little sub-optimal. So we bulked it up with this low-tech solution. Definitely helps us to prevent yanking the door closed and further stressing the rivets on the door-side plate that holds the hook.
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Replies:
Posted By: Cap-n-Cray
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2014 at 12:50am
Now I see what everybody is talking about. The mechanical advantage of the door is really great. One big lever. Have you thought of going to this type of holder? I have this type on my Tent Trailer for years. Works pretty well and cheap too. http://www.ebay.com/itm/RV-3-Door-Holder-Angled-Door-Stop-w-Rubber-Bumper-/150719887772 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/RV-3-Door-Holder-Angled-Door-Stop-w-Rubber-Bumper-/150719887772 ------------- Cary 2014 RP-177 |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2014 at 6:13am
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same type of door and hinge on the 181g. i do not recommend ever keeping the door open with it. hardly a breeze at all and you will do some damage somewhere when it yanks that latch off! ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2014 at 7:38am
As an ex Podder who has never seen a 179, please help my out. Does the 179 door open against the fender and come with some kind of latch device to keep it open at a ninety degree angle? What is that latch device mounted to on the trailer? If so, what's preventing FR ($$) from having the door open the other way? ------------- 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: Goose
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2014 at 9:48am
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CharlieM, if the door opened the other way there is a chance that if it were not latched properly that it may blow open going down the road. Older Airstreams were like that. I am sure that there is a more secure way of holding the door open as it is, just have to put some thought into it. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2014 at 10:51am
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Goose, Good point on the wind if the door opened aft. Didn't think about that. My new Camplite door only opens 90 degrees and is held open by a strut similar to those found on cabinet doors. Seems to work but the 90 degree limit takes getting used to. My old 172 door opened fully against the trailer side and was held open with a positive latching hook. Seemed like a pain when I had to go out to latch or unlatch it, but maybe I should have loved it. ------------- 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: David and Danette
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2014 at 1:53pm
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Charlie our door on the Visa opens like yours and is held by a strut at 90 degrees. It takes getting used to soon as you unlatch the door to open its flies out to the 90 degree position. I kind of like the door latch on the r-pod better it allowed the door to be fully opened. I don't know the reasoning for the struts by I guess Forest River have a reason. ------------- 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: rmccart813
Date Posted: 23 May 2014 at 1:21pm
| I use a foam swim tube. Slit down one side and slip around the edge of the fender. One piece to fit between the fender and the door. |
Posted By: We3bPodding
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2014 at 1:21am
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If FR really thought about the design of the 179 they would have placed the hinges on the other side and the door would open right to left and not left to right. BUT that would entail a whole new door manufacturing process. They just did the "use-what-we-have" for this new floor plan. I have the 179, (love it), but the door is an issue especially with the dome on. 
------------- Ed, Lynn & Frankie the Pug 2015 179 Pod 2011 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2014 at 9:25am
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Door issue is fixed on the newest Pods now. There are friction hinges which keep the door from moving. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2014 at 11:26am
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The friction hinges work well. We have put a 4"by 4" piece of packing Styrofoam on the lower corner of the fender, in case the door was to swing all the way open. Makes a good cushion to prevent damage,scratching or dents. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: kylekai
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2014 at 12:05pm
I have a new 179, which presumably has the friction hinges. While the door does not hit the fender now, I wonder how it will be in windy conditions? The friction hinges seem sturdy, but with a strong gust it appears it will still hit the fender.
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Posted By: Cap-n-Cray
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2014 at 12:26pm
That would make the door a "suicide door". Opening opposite to the direction of travel. ------------- Cary 2014 RP-177 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2014 at 6:09pm
Actually no. That's called a "suicide door" and all manufacturers except one have quit using them, because occasionally a door pops open while traveling, and it does a crap load of damage when a suicide door does it. Airstream is the only manufacturer I know of still doing it, and I once had to remove, drill out 200 rivets, and reshape my door, and install 200 new rivets when it happened at 70mph. ------------- |
Posted By: We3bPodding
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2014 at 11:29pm
Oh, that makes sense! Thanks for the info. I will look at my door more lovingly now! 
------------- Ed, Lynn & Frankie the Pug 2015 179 Pod 2011 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: Grayotter
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2014 at 6:25pm
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I have a new 179 with friction hinges. Only problem is if we accidentally open the door too fast, or a high wind blows the door wide open it is stopped by hitting the right rear tail light! I've added two 2" pieces of self sticking weather striping to the back of the door in alignment with the taillight. When I get home, I'll add two more vertical pieces to my current ones for better cushioning. Gar ------------- Love2 1der |
Posted By: Grayotter
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2014 at 10:34am
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Instead of taillight, I should say right rear fender clearance light. ------------- Love2 1der |