Cracked fiberglass
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Warranty, Service and Recall Bulletins
Forum Discription: Have a warranty or service experience to share?
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6397
Printed Date: 07 Jun 2025 at 2:21pm
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Topic: Cracked fiberglass
Posted By: Markie
Subject: Cracked fiberglass
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 12:58pm
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Hello to all, My wife and I purchased a used 2013 178 at the end of the 2013 camping season. A hairline crack has developed in the fiberglass since our purchase. It runs horizontally from the left side across the front at approximately chest height of the camper. It is approximately three feet in length. It appears to be caused by a stuctural cross member that created a slight bulge in the curvature of the fiberglass. It's as though the fiber glass is supported by the corner if the cross member rather than the wider flat surface. This appears to have applied undue stress at that point causing the crack. I noticed there is a similar bulge on the rear of the camper and probably is only a matter of time before a crack develops there as well. I'm wondering what the factory warranty is on the skin and what are my options for repair short of replacing the entire shell? Also I'm curious if anyone else notices the outline of these cross members or has experienced any other cracks? Any information would be appreciated. Markie ------------- Mark & Vicki R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L Weimeraner "Zeke" |
Replies:
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 1:51pm
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We owned a 2009 171 it had the crease along the back similar to what you are describing with your camper but it never did crack in the 5 years we owned it. I thought that it might if placed under a lot of stress. They use I believe wood framing for the front and back and like you said if the the framing was turned to match the flat surface with the fiberglass their would not be a crease. Sorry that your crease resulted in cracking and I am not sure about how to repair it. I think the best thing to do would be if possible to turn the framing so that it would match up with the surface of the fiberglass before repairing the crack. Perhaps someone on this forum will be able to answer your question on how to repair it. ------------- 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: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 3:03pm
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I would contact your dealer and have them submit a claim to FR, even though you are out of warranty. It sounds like a basic construction defect that FR would take care of. ------------- 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: Markie
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 9:42pm
I took some pictures of the crack and the ridge. I thought I would post them to give other members an idea of what to look for. Picture one is of the ridge located just under the R-pod sticker. you can see it runs almost the full width of the camper. picture two is a closeup of the same ridge showing the hairline crack. Picture three is of the back of the R-pod showing the other ridge. It's a little harder to make out. Markie   
------------- Mark & Vicki R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L Weimeraner "Zeke" |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 2:54am
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I would agree with Doug in that Rorest River may fix it. We live in a warm climate I wonder if we had lived in a colder climate when we owned our 171 the cold weather would have cracked ours. The picture of the back of your r-pod looks like the crease we had on ours. ------------- 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: 11 Jun 2015 at 8:11am
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That is terrible. FR should do something. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 9:15am
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We had some cracks repaired by/at FR a couple years ago. It's a pretty easy process, took about 4 hours. I would think any RV dealership with a repair shop could do it. ------------- |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 9:39am
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We live in some pretty cold weather, we had our 2010 171 and never had any cracks in that one. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Markie
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 12:56pm
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I,m not sure what the process is to repair the fiberglass so even if the shell is repaired rather simply I'm concerned that if the cross member is not moved to the proper position the shell will crack again. Markie ------------- Mark & Vicki R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L Weimeraner "Zeke" |
Posted By: funks
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 1:45pm
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I agree with Markie I wish you luck with FR. THANKS FOR THE PHOTO'S
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 2:45pm
Which is why you should get FR involved to see if they will fix it properly. ------------- 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: Leo B
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 6:25pm
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Ditto, they may have dealt with this issue and know exactly what to do. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Markie
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 9:51pm
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I sent pictures to the local dealer service adviser for his opinion of the defect and to submit a request to FR for assistance. Now I wait to hear from them. My fingers are crossed and I'm working on my prayer for tonight. 'll try to update this thread as I find out things along the way. Wish me luck . Markie ------------- Mark & Vicki R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L Weimeraner "Zeke" |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 10:03pm
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Prayer sent your way. ------------- 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: Markie
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2015 at 4:07pm
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UPDATE! I have an update for everyone on the issue of cracked fiberglass on our R-pod. I talked with Jessica Wiggin who is the warranty claim contact at Forest River. I sent her my pictures and she forwarded them to the engineering department to discuss and determine if they would make the repair. GOOD NEWS! I have an appointment at the Indiana plant to have the skin replaced at no charge. I will be taking "Our Pod" to the "R-pod" plant after the 4th of July weekend. It's a 500 mile trek but I'm elated they are going to take care of it. They couldn't tell me how long it would take but would likely be no more than 30 days. When asked what would cause the crack I was told it may be a seam in the fiberglass although I thought the roof was seamless. It doesn't matter if they're going to take care of it for me. I also mentioned the ridge on the rear of the camper and they will address that as well while the skin is removed. I will still be holding my breath until the unit is repaired and returned home to Pennsylvania. We have allot of camping to do yet this year. Standbye...more updates to come as we go though the process. ------------- Mark & Vicki R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L Weimeraner "Zeke" |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2015 at 5:25pm
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Good news! ------------- 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: techntrek
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2015 at 6:01pm
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yay! ------------- 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: Leo B
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2015 at 6:55pm
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Glad to hear they are standing by their product and fixing it. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: 2McPods
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2015 at 7:06pm
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That's awesome, we live near Pittsburgh Pa and we can get some terrible cold weather !! After reading this I checked my 171 and all is good, thank goodness. Good Luck ------------- Everything Happens 4 A Reason Pat & Viki McCartney 2015 171 {2McPods} 2014 F150 Pittsburgh, Pa |
Posted By: Markie
Date Posted: 04 Aug 2015 at 6:36pm
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UPDATE! We just returned from the Forrest River plant in Goshen Indiana after having our 2013 R178 fiberglass roof replaced. What a great experience. As you know by reading previous posts the fiber glass roof cracked and we weren't sure if Forrest river would standby their product and repair the problem or not. Well let me tell you... our experience dealing with them was outstanding. Jessica Wiggin and the entire warranty department was a pleasure to work with. We not only got the roof replaced they went over the rig and fixed other issues we were having. Some issues a little to embarrasing to discuss in detail like the dent shaped very much like a small tree located in the rear of the camper. (I'm not sure how that happened). But they also went through and checked lighting, replaced a seven-way electrical plug, reinstalled the slideout seal and a few other items at no charge. The Pod looked like new when we picked it up. Now that's how to run a company for return business. When we dropped it off two weeks ago we got a tour of the plant from beginning to end. It was very interesting to see how everything goes together. The plant runs like a well oiled machine. At first it looks like chaos with everyone running around (yes I said running) but each had a job and it was more like choreographed chaos. At the end of the day though, out comes twenty plus campers. We just about have everything back in the camper and ready for a trip. Maybe this weekend we'll be out in the woods. Happy camping and many thanks to Forest River. ------------- Mark & Vicki R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L Weimeraner "Zeke" |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 Aug 2015 at 8:38pm
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Great! ------------- 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: kymooses
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2015 at 3:13pm
Wonderful story!! ------------- 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 |