some warps and cracks
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Printed Date: 15 Jun 2025 at 12:13pm
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Topic: some warps and cracks
Posted By: Unclewillis
Subject: some warps and cracks
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2014 at 4:10pm
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Our new pod arrived in Aug, and we have used it alot. On our most recent outing I noticed a few warps and some kind of cracks. Are these normal or should I warranty these since the trailer is new.
here are some pictures   ------------- Daddy, Mommy and Daughter. BlackJack & Keno (boston Terriers) Rpod 176T 2015 Nick: ouR-pod |
Replies:
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2014 at 4:28pm
The separation from the ceiling would bug me to the point that I would probably want it fixed. The question is why is it separating. Is it: 1, settling of the wall, or 2, a little trim sagging, or 3, is the roof starting to bubble!  Additionally, is the vertical trim piece on the bottom picture related to the situation in proximity to the top? If not, it appears it may have been installed without room for expansion so all it may need is a trimming and some glue. I don't see any cracks unless you are referring to the separation of the wall from the ceiling in the top pic as a crack. If not, can you point out the cracks? ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2014 at 5:14pm
They're on the extreme side of normal. The trailer does rattle and shake while travelling down the road and things do happen. I've got to admit, yours seems to be a bit much. Fit-n-finish issues should be expected with all new recreational trailers. Its the way the industry works. And that's what warranties are for. The manufacturers rely on the dealers to correct these types of issues; dealerships depend on income from fixing these types of problems. How well the dealer fixes these problems, and the (hopefully) positive experience will give you confidence to go back for other (non-warranty) maintenance as well.
I definitely would. Make a list and include very minor issues you've come across as well. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: Unclewillis
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2014 at 10:13pm
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cracks may be a bad description. those two pictures are the only type of problems I found. im not sure what to do ------------- Daddy, Mommy and Daughter. BlackJack & Keno (boston Terriers) Rpod 176T 2015 Nick: ouR-pod |
Posted By: wildfire305
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2014 at 5:17am
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I had two of those. I might be able to explain what is happening. Others, feel free to agree or disagree. The factory doesn't have near as much humidity as my side yard. I think the fit and finish is sometimes so tight, that when excessive humidity hits it, wood expands and pops the caulk holding it down. I noticed on mine, there were not any nails near the areas that popped out. I applied a dot of elmers glue behind it and nailed it back down with 5/8" nails loaded in my T50 staple gun. Completely, invisible and not worth driving 30 miles to the dealer and time spent for me.
Second explanation - the assembler cut the piece a hair too long, and didn't feel like another trip back to the saw. If you are able to easily push the piece back in place, I would fix it myself. If it is difficult to push back in, that would be a fence sitting proposition wether to go back to the dealer or fix it myself. ------------- 2005 Dodge Durango 4.7 V8 OLD Tow Vehicle 2004 Honda Odyssey 2015 RP179 "73b" OLD 2005 Viking Saga 2480ST popup |
Posted By: wildfire305
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2014 at 5:18am
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I just realized you're in NV. Probalby less humidity than a factory in IN. ------------- 2005 Dodge Durango 4.7 V8 OLD Tow Vehicle 2004 Honda Odyssey 2015 RP179 "73b" OLD 2005 Viking Saga 2480ST popup |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2014 at 9:25am
I would describe it as separation of the top of the wall from the ceiling resulting in a significant gap. I concur with Outbound, it is excessive, get it fixed under warranty along with anything else you can add to the list to be addressed while its in the shop. This will allow for the opportunity for a trained technician to determine the cause. Also, if for some reason it continues to be a problem, you have it on the record that it was addressed under warranty. Good luck! Please come back and let us know how things work out. We can learn a lot here about why this separation happened.
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2014 at 10:02am
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Yup, while you have your warranty get it fixed that way. In the future, know that a bit of caulk to seal some separation gaps and some re-affixing of a trim piece might indeed be on your own personal maintenance lists. Your dealer is probably going to do just that, bit of caulk and you'll be back out the door. Be sure and discuss if with them though and have them say that they do not see any structural issue that has lead up to this! Good luck ------------- 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: fwunder
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2014 at 11:39am
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I wonder how much flex there is in the frame. Could allowing too much weight on one or all of the stabilizers lead to gaps/leaks in various areas? I ask only because I did recently notice that my winterized pod was sitting on rather soft ground and did "sink" just a little on one side. My stabilizers are up, so no harm done, but did lead me to wonder about flexing the frame. It would probably straighten itself out after weight removed, but does make me wonder if it could contribute to a problem like above? fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Unclewillis
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2014 at 1:03pm
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I will post what I find out. I have a appointment with the dealer tomorrow. They actually sell the pod too so they know it well.
Yeah we dont get much humidity here in NV although it has been raining for two days :). As far as flexing goes. I really dont know. But I would think the independent axles (which are awesome) would help keeping flex to a min while towing. ------------- Daddy, Mommy and Daughter. BlackJack & Keno (boston Terriers) Rpod 176T 2015 Nick: ouR-pod |
Posted By: Unclewillis
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2014 at 1:32am
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For all folllowing this thread. The warranty work was done today and everything looks great.
As far as any insight into what or why, there isn't much to much to report. The only explanation was that they put these trailers together in haste and he was surprised this was all I have seen. I forgot to take pics but the work looks good. Just some re-fastening and re-sealing. PS: it was a bummer to put the pod away, I wanted to just stay out in it!! ------------- Daddy, Mommy and Daughter. BlackJack & Keno (boston Terriers) Rpod 176T 2015 Nick: ouR-pod |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2014 at 5:15am
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Wow, sounds like you have access to good POD service, easy, quick and done well. Well, good deal...it's always nice to know the POD is in Tip-Top shape and ready for the adventure! ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2014 at 10:41am
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Glad it was indeed just minor little things. Will look forward to your trips and pics next Spring of your travels with your Pod. ------------- 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: techntrek
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2014 at 11:15am
There's always winter camping.  ------------- 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: Unclewillis
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2014 at 11:24am
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Oh yes. winter camping in a few weeks out here in the desert!! ------------- Daddy, Mommy and Daughter. BlackJack & Keno (boston Terriers) Rpod 176T 2015 Nick: ouR-pod |