Reconsidering purchase - shoddy workmanship
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=6168
Printed Date: 17 Jun 2025 at 10:45pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Reconsidering purchase - shoddy workmanship
Posted By: Leighbeelu
Subject: Reconsidering purchase - shoddy workmanship
Date Posted: 04 May 2015 at 5:39pm
|
Hello everyone, I love my Rpod but I am seriously reconsidering the purchase. I don't want to be negative but I am just so overwhelmed and saddened by what seems to be the quality of workmanship. I bought a new 2015 179 in January and been having to work on it ever since. It just seems that the workmanship is just so shoddy. I guess I need to know if I have a lemon or if this is just how they are produced?
Here is a list of the main issues I have had since only January. I have attached photos. 1. Dinette 3 inches too low. Had to purchase a customized cushion to make high enough to use as bed. Yes, they know this is an issue and say that is just how it is. 2. Just noticed steps are already peeling paint and rusting. 3. Curtains in kitchen will not open, tore trying, as the screw heads are too large to get past. Yes, I have tried screwing them in further. Also tried purchasing screws with smaller heads, was unable to find them. Seriously, WTF. 4. Had to purchase and replace the entire city water intake as water squirted out when water pump used. A piece was completely missing. 5. R-Dome track is too wide in some areas so the dome just falls out. 6. Was dry camping and found a leak in the water system by water running out from under the bed. It was easily fixed as someone just didn't screw on a connection tight enough but I am oviously concerned if there is water damage. 7. Last but not least, my battery would not hold a charge so I took it in today and they said it was fine but that I have a "Dual purpose" battery instead of the "Deep Cell" that was shown on my purchase order. Per Interstate, big difference. I realize that all of these things can be fixed but I bought this brand new to hopefully avoid these kind of issues. I love projects but I feel like every time I turn around, something else is broken. I have spent more time fixing than camping. Everyone seems so excited about heading out and I am almost dreading what I will find next. Is this typical or do I have a lemon???     
|
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 04 May 2015 at 6:18pm
|
Sounds like a lot of that should have been discovered during your dealers prep and your walk through. The pods have a 1 yr bumper to bumper warranty. All should be fixed by the dealer that sold it. We are on our second pod and havent had those problems on either pod. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 04 May 2015 at 7:02pm
Typical. And, its typical across all manufacturers for this price range/recreational use class of trailer. Buying a recreational trailer is not like buying a new car; its more like buying a new house. They are put together quickly and economically and quality standards seem to apply to significant issues only. Problems like the ones you have described are expected, and dealerships are the ones to address and fix these issues. That's why the trailer comes with a bumper-to-bumper one year warranty. I've seen similar posts to yours over the years. The specific problems tend to vary somewhat. And, the owner's opinions as to whether they are major or minor issues also varies greatly. Some are gravely disappointed, others are unconcerned - where, to my eye, their issues were similar. Choosing a dealership is just as important as choosing the trailer itself. A good dealership will do a thorough check of the trailer before you take delivery and fix any glaring problems before you arrive. Then, when you come to pick up your trailer, the dealership will demonstrate the full operation of your trailer and answer your questions. Finally, before you leave, they'll remind you that you're covered by warranty for a year and ask you to make a list of any issues you may find when you head out on your first trip. When I picked-up my trailer, I was given a five-page pre-delivery checklist, completed and signed by a technician. I was given a two hour demonstration of the trailer - from filling the fresh tank, to how to flip the water heater bypass valves, to operation of the A/C, stove, microwave and TV and everything inbetween. [I've owned trailers before. I knew how these things work. But, they insisted.] And, before I left, I was booked into a return appointment in six weeks as a 'just in case i spot any problems (feel free to cancel or reschedule).' Did I have issues? Yup! You bet! Two pages of them. Was I concerned? Not at all. I brought the trailer back on a Monday, left the list in the sink, and picked up the trailer on Thursday - everything fixed. Found my checklist in the sink with big checkmarks beside each item. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 04 May 2015 at 7:54pm
|
Said it before.. "Way better to have a good dealer than a good trailer.. one can be fixed." Most of what you listed is warranty covered.. Did you bring any of it up with your dealer, or have them fix it? On the battery, while I like a true deep cycle myself, your "dual purpose" battery, well one of the dual purposes is.. RV.. Hard to get to bent (IMHO) about an RV battery, in an RV. One thing to remember, even though we pay "good money" for them, the Pods really are just about the least expensive TT in their class/length.. In the end, that means something. Also, as Outbound above stated, it's a lot more like buying a house, rather than a car. having only bought one new house in my life, and it was custom built by one of the top builders in our half of the state.. after 2 weeks in it, we had a 3 page punch list for his crew to fix. And they did. They came back at 6 months and did about a half page of stuff.. and we hadn't driven it down a single highway. ------------- |
Posted By: Hinterlander
Date Posted: 04 May 2015 at 8:09pm
|
We took delivery of our 2015 RD 178 in March. In early April, we did a 2,900 mile trip south from Michigan through Florida, Alabama and return to Michigan. We have 4 problems with the Pod. First, the R - Dome is useless. The plastic track will NOT stay in the channel at multiple locations. Second, the refrigerator continually beeps when on AC power. I unplugged the interior light to deactivate the switch to silence that beast. Third, the dinette frame is very cheap pine stapled together. I fixed that with 18 gauge finishing nailer but not sure if that is a long term fix. Fourth, the interior Fantastic Fan bezel is cracked in multiple places and needs replacement. After paying top dollar for this RV
there is no way I am fixing it myself. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 May 2015 at 8:15pm
|
A question on "battery would not hold a charge". The battery you show should run the 12 volt stuff in the pod (with the fridge on LP and not DC mode) for several days. How long does it last? Have you kept the battery on a trickle charger or the pod's converter since you picked up the pod, or have you charged it overnight every 30 days and then disconnected the battery? ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 04 May 2015 at 8:17pm
|
It is difficult to except poor workmanship and the sad part the RV industry excepts it as normal and continue to build the campers as you described with shoddy workmanship. My personal thought it's mostly the hiring of unskilled labor that are not supervised and little management to over see the quality of work. Our 2009 r-pod I thought was built rather well compared to most other campers but our Vibe that easily fit the definition of shoddy workmanship. Do not expect the RV industry to have the quality of the automobile industry. ------------- 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: Leo B
Date Posted: 04 May 2015 at 8:25pm
|
sad but very true! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: funks
Date Posted: 05 May 2015 at 12:06am
|
I understand your frustration. I also purchased a 179 and I had a lot of the same problems. I can't believe a lack of workmanship and pride. I here the comment that this is just how RVs are built. Its not like buying a car. I like my 179 R.pod, but if I do buy another RV I think I'll wait tell the car dealership come out with one.  |
Posted By: Leighbeelu
Date Posted: 05 May 2015 at 8:10am
|
Thank you everyone for your input. I guess my answer is that this is typical in this industry.
To techntrek, regarding the battery, I took it on a trip and with the fridge on gas, it lasted one day and we hardly used it. I was at a music festival and was gone during the days. Once it stopped working, I would run the car and charge it to at least 2/3 and by the evening it was all but gone. AND we weren't even at the campsite. Is the battery in the photo correct? Is there something draining it that I am unaware of? My invoice says "Deep Cycle" battery. Thank you, Leigh |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 05 May 2015 at 8:57am
|
Hi Leigh, Sorry for your disappointments. As has been previously said, it pretty much is the state of things. Overall, I am very pleased with my 178 purchase. Thanks to this group and others I had no expectations before I purchased and immediately after began to "fix and mod". It's actually been fun for me. Generally, I shake my head, might even slip a swear or two, and move on. I really haven't had any major issue. Not making excuses for shoddy workmanship and your dealer should be working to make sure you are satisfied. With regard to the battery. Interstate does use the term "Deep Cycle" for the HD24-DP. I think that term is used loosely. It is an (est.) 70 amp/hr battery and retails for around $100.00. 70 Amp/hr is not a lot of battery and I would argue that the battery is a true deep cycle, but you did get what you paid for. One of the first things I did was swap out the group 24 battery that came with my pod with a dual 6 volt 230 amp/hr system. You will find many battery discussions from searching the forum. And...welcome! 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: pepmac
Date Posted: 05 May 2015 at 9:03am
| I agree that the quality has declined as the years have gone on.. Our 2010 was much better quality than the 2014 we upgraded to.. People say it is dealer prep that should take care of this but I think it is Forest River quality control . They build they inspect and all the dealer really cares about is selling them.. it is disappointing and does take some of the joy out of the purchase. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 05 May 2015 at 9:26am
What are you doing to maintain the battery between trips? what was the state of charge upon arrival? Upon departure from home? What is on in the pod? The propane detector draws 12v continuously, some entertainment systems do, (some are 12v, some 120v), is the antenna booster turned on? Lights? Fantastic fan? If you are going to be using the pod off grid at festivals and such, it might be a good idea to look into a dual battery system so you have plenty of reserve.. You say you charged with "the car", did you use the bargman connector, or a set of jumper cables? ------------- |
Posted By: Leighbeelu
Date Posted: 05 May 2015 at 10:02am
| Regarding maintaining the battery, I had the pod plugged in for most of the last 4 months. I would take it off for a little while then plug back in. I charged it completely before I left. Fridge was on battery while driving then switched to gas upon arrival. Nothing left on that I know of, only propane detector. Not even sure what the antenna booster is. When I charged the battery with the car, I plugged in the round plug that runs from the car to the trailer. It would show 2/3 full then run out very quickly. Only used 1 light at a time and turned on the water pump only when ran water for a minute. That was really it. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 05 May 2015 at 10:30am
|
"2/3rds charge" doesn't really mean anything. Monitor panels are hokum. If using the tv to charge the battery, at camp, use jumper cables, it literally will move 10x the amps. ie: charge 10x faster, for the same amount of idling. Next to where your tv plugs into the cable outlet inside, there is a small button, a LED comes on when it's on, that's the antenna booster, uses more amps then it should in my opinion, but they get left on all the time.. and eat up batteries. You say a battery shop told you your battery is fine.. I am wondering if your tow vehicle was/is charging while you are towing. If you were on 12v, and the tow vehicle wasn't charging, or charging well, a single group 24 battery will be dead in 3 hours or so.. ------------- |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 05 May 2015 at 10:45am
|
Two problems. First is running the fridge on DC while driving. Depending on you TV and how well it's wired it's possible that you're battery is not only not charging, but actually discharging. The fridge draws 11 Amps on 12V. With the small wire used in most TVs the auto will supply around 10 Amps. At best you will maintain the charge, but more likely you will be in a net discharge condition. The solution is run the fridge on propane while traveling. There is no danger. Second problem is trying to recharge from the same 7 pin TV connector. With the limited charge capability (see above) it can take 10 hours to recharge the battery. Then add the fact that the factory supplied four light battery indicator is totally inaccurate and useless and you begin to see the problem. The most accurate way to check battery condition is with a hydrometer, but a digital voltmeter is a useful substitute. If you are off-grid the battery can be recharged from the TV with a good set of heavy gauge copper jumper cables, but even that will take an hour or so. Edit: Furpod you beat me too it. I type slower than you. ------------- 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: Leighbeelu
Date Posted: 05 May 2015 at 11:57am
|
Wow, lots of great info. I really do love this forum and you very knowledgable folks are wonderful.
I am starting from scratch right now and will experiment, at home, using your advice. The battery is back in, confirmed secure and the pod is plugged in. I don't as yet have anything to monitor the battery but will purchase. Had no idea the pod monitor wasn't accurate. I did unplug the TV but did not know about the booster, it is now off. Should it be completely charged within 24 hours? I have it plugged into a normal home outlet with an 30 amp adapter. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 05 May 2015 at 12:22pm
Yes, the battery will completely recharge overnight with the onboard converter. I don't know if the 179 has a 12V socket inside, but if it does there are a number of good plug-in battery monitors available. Check Amazon. One additional point on your household outlet: It will run everything in your pod with the possible exception of the AC. Depending on what else is on your house circuit and the outside temperature, your AC may trip the house circuit breaker. No danger, just inconvenience. However, if your "30 amp adapter" is the little molded plastic hockey puck it can be a fire hazard. If you intend to run the AC or microwave you should purchase a good quality dog bone type adapter and make sure any extension cords are rated for at least 15 amps. The 30 amp cord supplied with the Pod is completely adequate. ------------- 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: Seanl
Date Posted: 05 May 2015 at 12:22pm
|
I would note that the battery and propane tank are dealer installed items as I understand it. Problems with them are on the manufacturer and the dealer.
------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
|
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 05 May 2015 at 12:30pm
|
When you unhooked the pod, did you also unhook the battery from the pod? I would expect more than barely a day of little use out of that battery, and from your description it sounds like the battery has been damaged. It sounds like you kept it plugged in more than long enough over the last few months to keep it properly charged - if the battery was immediately disconnected from the pod. That leaves the possibility it was discharged too deeply. Maybe you unplugged it for 2 weeks while the battery was still attached to the pod? The fridge brains and LPG detector would deeply discharge the battery in that amount of time. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Jay in Maryland
Date Posted: 17 May 2015 at 4:25pm
|
I also recently bought a 179. This is my fist camper trailer. There is no excuse for the low initial quality I have observed, -but then again they sold it to me... So why should the manufacturer bother doing their job any better? I'll say it, -if I knew then what I know now, I would not have purchased a camper trailer. It is a sad situation, for what I paid the camper could and ought to be put together much better.
------------- Jay r-pod179 05 Tacoma PreRunner |