Please read & check your hitches
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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=6623
Printed Date: 27 Apr 2024 at 3:47pm
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Topic: Please read & check your hitches
Posted By: samiam2
Subject: Please read & check your hitches
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2015 at 5:59pm
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Newbie’s and Veteran Podder’s – Please read & check your hitches, 1.) Some R-pod models have faulty/bad couplers and latches for hitches. 1.) 2.) 2” balls do fit properly in some couplers. 2.) 3.) Some latches do not properly cover 3/4” of the ball. 4.) Trailer will come off ball. 4.) 5.) Some “NEW” 2016 trailers have a new safer hitch design. I’ve attached picture. I have towed everything from triple axels to single axel trailers. I now have a dented bumper and damaged trailer. I have attached pictures. http://www.rpod-owners.com/uploads/3317/20150711_151838.jpg - uploads/3317/20150711_151838.jpg uploads/3317/20150711_115742.jpg - uploads/3317/20150711_115742.jpg I went to a dealership today and took pictures of some “UN-SOLD” R-Pods trailers with older hitch design with damaged hitche. I attached a picture. uploads/3317/20150712_125341.jpg - uploads/3317/20150712_125341.jpg uploads/3317/New_hitch.jpg - uploads/3317/New_hitch.jpg Design I have and has come off ball several time. My father builds trailers and said: it's a poor design and he won't put that hitch on any trailer he builds. uploads/3317/Untitled.jpg - uploads/3317/Untitled.jpg |
Replies:
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2015 at 6:07pm
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Do you have a pic of the top of one of the "bad" hitches? Mine has a lever you push forward and then flip up to release. ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2015 at 6:34pm
| Our Pod has a hitch like that titled " http://www.rpod-owners.com/uploads/3317/New_hitch.jpg - uploads/3317/New_hitch.jpg ." Very difficult to lock. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2015 at 8:45pm
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Yep, our 2011 has the style you show as "new"..
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Posted By: funks
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2015 at 9:48pm
I have a 2015 179 and it looks like I have the old hitch, do I have a problem? What should I do about it? 
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Posted By: funks
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2015 at 9:50pm
underside of hitch on my 179  
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Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2015 at 9:51pm
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Do you have a name of manufacture and part number of faulty coupler??????? Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: funks
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2015 at 9:52pm
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underside of hitch on 179
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Posted By: samiam2
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2015 at 11:09pm
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Funks, I wish my underside of my hitch looked that nice. "IF" you ball does not fit properly in coupler or tab's on bottom of latch that goes around the ball is broken off, you have a bad hitch. "IF" your trailer comes off ball easy when latched/locked down properly it's bad. My trailer has come off more than once! My trailer comes off the ball with the littlest bump going down the road. Bottom tab on latch that goes around ball is broken off. My screw is bent. I have to stand on my latch to get it to go down to latch around the ball. I've got a damaged, untowable trailer and truck bumper. I'm a weld inspector. Who to contact: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Send them an email with pictures and information about your hitch if you are having problems. It's a public safety issue. I posted a picture of an "NEW" trailer on a dealership lot with a damaged hitch.
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Posted By: funks
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2015 at 11:28pm
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Thank You for the Info I'll check out my hitch for any damage. Good luck with yours. John
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2015 at 12:01am
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Usually all that is needed is to adjust the latch mechanism if it won't stay on. Always, always, always crank the tongue back up after hitching up to ensure it lifts the rear of the TV so you know the mechanism has engaged 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: furpod
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2015 at 8:01am
We always lift the trailer back up, and the rear of the truck, with the tongue jack, so we KNOW it's properly coupled. It's part of the hook up sequence, so we can attach our WDH with as little effort as possible. 
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2015 at 8:05am
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We also double check as part of our hooking up. Heard of someones pod popping of, so double check every time. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2015 at 6:04pm
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I've seen folks put a 2" receiver on a 1 7/8" ball. I know it seems obvious that you just gotta have the balls to match the challenge, but... I have had a trailer bounce off the ball and onto the chains. Fortunately I wasn't moving too fast. Was loud and scary. I forgot to latch it. Learned that lesson and now never tow anything without pin or lock on hitch latch. I'm pretty sure it's a requirement in some states. 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: leahfoo
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2015 at 7:39pm
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Warranty coverage. ------------- leahfoo |
Posted By: samiam2
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2015 at 8:59pm
| My trailers/hitch is under warranty and dealership said: They will replace it. My trailer is not towable. Dealership I deal with is 3hrs away from me. I'm paying a local hitch & trailer place to cut hitch off and up grade to a bulldog hitch. |
Posted By: mccvii
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2015 at 11:44am
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This happened to me just last weekend. Hit a small bump (uneven pavement) as I was pulling my 2013 178 with the old style coupler off of the park grounds. I had just passed through the gate when I felt the transition and a little bump; when I looked in my mirror my trailer had slipped free of the ball (yes, it's a 2" ball). Thankfully I wasn't going but maybe 25 mph but the trailer still knocked into the back bumper cover on our TV. When I got out of the car, the latch was still in the locked position but the trailer was hanging by its chain (yes, only 1, one link on the factory chains snapped! Trailer ground to a halt on the jackstand. Wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. Reading this post has me perplexed. What is the purpose of the latch lock if we can't trust that its secure without jacking up the trailer to make sure it locked? I guess that may be SOP for the R-POD. If so, I can live with it but that needs to be printed in big red letters on the tongue "This latch has a tendency to fail, raise your jack stand to ensure that our shoddy equipment actually works" I've towed trailers and boats hundreds of times in my life. I have hit many bumps much worse than the pavement transition this past weekend. Never have I worried about a trailer coming free after feeling positive engagement on the ball and closing the latch. This really has me concerned about bringing this back out on the road again - especially after hearing the steps other owners are taking to make sure that a locked latch is actually secure. Has Forest River made any statements about this risk in their coupler design? ------------- 2013 178 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: SNO4ME
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2015 at 6:22pm
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I would venture to guess it doesn't say Forest River on the ball hitch. It's likely manufactured by some one else. ------------- Bruce & Donna in the Sno Pod (and Brewer too) 2011 RP 177 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2015 at 8:03pm
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I would suggest that a call to Forest River will tell you what they say about this. I agree with Doug: when you hitch check if it can lift the TV using the tounge jack. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2015 at 9:36pm
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Welcome. Did you raise the jack when you hitched up? ------------- 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: mccvii
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2015 at 11:22am
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No I didn't. The hitch fell over the ball and the latch locked. Its honestly never occurred to me to raise the jackstand to ensure proper connection. The hitch was (at least in appearance) fully over the ball and locked. I've reached out to Forrest River via email but I have not yet received a response. In the meantime, I am having the hitch inspected by a local trailer shop / service center that performs state safety inspections. Thankfully, the shop is about 1/4 mile from where I store my trailer. I appreciate the tip to raise the jack to verify static mating. I've never done that before but maybe I've just been lucky with my previous trailers. Hoping to hear from FR this week. ------------- 2013 178 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: leahfoo
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2015 at 12:06pm
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Stiff lock fixed with WD 40. ------------- leahfoo |
Posted By: leahfoo
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2015 at 12:26pm
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WD 40 hitch latch. ------------- leahfoo |
Posted By: samiam2
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2015 at 1:42pm
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Sorry for the delay guys. Forest River agreed to change my coupler out with the "SAME" crappy coupler. I turned them down! I don't feel they have safety or people's life a high priority. They are a bottom line/cut cost/out source parts cheap company. Example: Steel from China - has a lot of impurities and is weak, but looks just like USA steel. I want to feel safe driving down the road. I want to sleep at night knowing my trailer didn't come off, kill anyone, or me! I had custom trailer and hitch place inspect and replace hitch with a bull dog hitch for $150. Ask yourself. Is it worth having Forest River replace with same cheap, faulty coupler or $150 worth knowing you can drive down the road safely! P.S. YES, I did file a complaint (attached link to this forum) with: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. (I also file about their axles.) If enough people email the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. They will investigate! See picture of new couple. http://www.rpod-owners.com/uploads/3317/20150721_130702.jpg - uploads/3317/20150721_130702.jpg
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Posted By: mccvii
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2015 at 3:25pm
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Thanks for the info Samiam. I went to my local dealer and I didn't see any pods with the new hitch design from your photos. The one's I checked appeared identical to what is on mine. I have not heard back from Forest River on this but I'm kind of inclined to follow your lead. Its a small price to pay for the security. Plus, it was already going to cost me $100 to rebuild the coupler with new parts and another $100 to install a new jack and safety chains. Definitely going to issue a complaint to DOT. FR needs to tell us if there is a problem with the hitch/latch. Jacking the trailer up to verify solid coupling is a good preventative step but it can't overcome faulty engineering - if that proves to be the case. At any rate - this wasn't a cheap lesson to learn but it could have been a hell of a lot worse had the hitch decouple at 60 vs. 25. If I end up hearing back from FR, I'll post. ------------- 2013 178 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2015 at 4:00pm
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Great info. Just called U-Haul to see about a replacement coupler. In this state, you must use a "Certified Welder," and they referred me to one. His quote to remove and install a better coupler was approx. $165. Cheap for the piece of mind. For those who might want to do it themselves, they might think twice before tackling this project. Not sure all what a "Certified Welder" qualifications are, but I would suggest, that it is certainly a safety concern. If you are going to replace your coupler, might do some investigation before plunging ahead. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: samiam2
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2015 at 4:38pm
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mccvii and Camper Bob, I had a custom trailer & hitch company install the Bull Dog hitch I posted. Forest River "WILL NOT" replace coupler with a different one. They will "ONLY" replace with same coupler on trailer. Welding certification come in many positions, metal thickness, welding process, and metal types. When the term "Certified Welder" is used it only means that welder is certified under the welding procedure that have tested under. There is not a single welding certification that covers all types of welding. All welding certifications come in many positions. The position are different depending if the welder will be welding on plate of pipe. The terms properly used in the welding field refers to plate as "structural welding" and pipe as "pipe welding". I'm a welding inspector for American Welding Society for oil rigs, for the last 15yrs. Thanks, Sam
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Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2015 at 5:15pm
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I never am ceased to be amazed at the expertise that we have on this forum. I am well out of warranty so would be doing this on my own. Since FR will only replace like with like, I guess it is up to the Pod owner to belly up to the bar if he or she wishes to replace the supplied coupler with one that is more secure. Just wanted to alert the other Podders of the importance of using a welder that is licensed to replace the coupler. Thanks for the alert. Safe Travels.
------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2015 at 9:51pm
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There seems to be 2 separate 'issues' here. 1. False hitches - Happened to me, my bad, prevented by watching the TV rise up. 2. Inadequate/weak hitches. R-Pods are light, I doubt if a heavy duty hitch is required, but people describe their hitches as taking a beating. Is this 'operator error' - chronically driving too fast on bumpy roads, or something else?? I have no complaint about the durability of my 171 hitch so far, and I've gone cross country. |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2015 at 8:30am
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I wonder too. My five year old 177's hitch looks like new. I think it is something that needs to be looked at as regular maintenance, but unless damage is found I wouldn't jump to replacing it. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: mccvii
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2015 at 3:13pm
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I guess it's that I've never had a "false" hitch with previous motorcycle, boat, flatbed trailers. Now, my second time pulling this thing it jumps the ball. And it sounds like this thing happens enough that experienced owners have a mitigation process. Perhaps forest river will update their safety documentation to include this seemingly mandatory step.
8n any case, thanks for the shared experiences. ------------- 2013 178 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2015 at 8:38pm
It is something I was taught to do with any trailer, long ago. It isn't an R-pod thing. ------------- 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: grovny
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2016 at 10:13pm
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Just found this thread when trying to determine why my r-pod has come off the ball twice (most recently a few days ago). Latest happened after 3 hours of towing, and still 1 hour from home, at 50 mph. Very dangerous. Chains held and the auto-braking mechanism engaged. I apparently have the faulty hitch type - matches the photos of others who've had this problem. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 172 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2016 at 11:18pm
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Grovny, What type of hitch are you using on your tow vehicle? Is it a simple ball hitch or a weight-distribution hitch? I have not had problems with the hitch on our R-Pod. I do make sure the coupler is fully on the ball, nudging the car forward a bit if needed before trying to lower the locking mechanism. Sometimes, the coupler's locking plate can be sitting on top of the ball instead of locking below it. After lowering the locking mechanism, I use a locking pin to secure it so that it can't pop open. Then I use the jack to raise the coupler and ball, which is what I need to do to be able to get the bars on my Equal-i-zer hitch. If I did not do that, I would not be able to get the bars on, even with the snap-up lever. If it were not fastened correctly, raising it would show. I have never had this procedure fail. We have about 10,000 miles of towing with our R-Pod. The Equal-i-zer hitch (and other brands such as the E2 or Andersen) are more likely to keep the coupler on the ball as well as the bars exert downward pressure on the coupler and upward pressure on the ball. Speaking of the ball, is it the correct size (2")? The wrong size ball or a worn ball or coupler could also contribute to this. As for the coupler, I am not sure what type you have. I'll try to get a couple of good pictures of ours. If you can post a picture or two of yours, that would also be helpful. Try to get a good side shot and one of the underneath side of the coupler. I think those would be more useful to help figure out why it is popping off the ball. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: grovny
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2016 at 11:57am
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Hi Stephen, 2" ball, latch down and secured with a pin, and I nudge the car forward and backward and pull up vigorously on the hitch to make sure the vehicle comes up a little with it. I haven't tried jacking it up after hitching to be absolutely sure, but my concern is that the thing is working itself loose over a number of miles (don't know how that's possible with a rod securing the closed latch though). The first incident happened about an hour into the trip after encountering a bad bump in the road. The most recent incident happened after 3 hours of driving. I'd gone over a number of rough spots during the early part of those 3 hours with no problem. The point in the trip where it came off the ball was on a fairly smooth highway - very bizarre. Then yesterday I googled the situation and found a number of people with the same problem, who all have the same hitch style. Some have alerted the National Highway Safety Board. I'll take a look at Equal-i-zer hitches - I thought about one originally, but the r-pod 172 is so light that I didn't think I needed one. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 172 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2016 at 1:11pm
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I would not rule out a worn or defective coupler. Here are some pictures of mine: Latch open:  Plate slid back:  Latch closed:  Plate slid closed:  As you can see, when the coupler is latched and the plate is slid closed, there shouldn't be room for the ball to pass through the opening. One thing you need to check is the tongue weight. 10-15% of the trailer's weight should be the tongue weight. Example: If the trailer weighs 3000 lbs, the tongue weight should be 300 lbs. If it is less, it can lead to sway. It also might be contributing to the hitch popping off. One other thing you could look into is a device made by http://www.amazon.com/SS-300-SEPARATIONMADE-information-www-amazon-com-HitchItSafeLLC/dp/B00UW0HG78/ref=pd_lpo_263_tr_t_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6PV71HG36AQG6FXVYVXK - HitchItSafe . It would help prevent the hitch from popping off the ball. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: ScottHouchens
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2017 at 11:10pm
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Thanks for sharing this information.
------------- Scott L Houchens |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2017 at 5:15pm
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SH,
Looking at HitchItSafe. I have asked OEM about how it plays with the sway bar attachment at the TV hitch. The HitchItSafe swivels with the TT and both are attached by the hitch ball. Might not be a big deal and the HitchItSafe is relatively inexpensive. Different question - I see you mounted the Hayes device to auto brake sway. I know we both have an aframe cargo mount, where did you mount it to access the "sky"? THANKS ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2017 at 5:59pm
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I removed the Trailer Tray. Now that I have a pickup truck, I can carry the generator in the truck bed since it has a locking cover along with a locking tailgate. I was concerned also about the Trailer Tray interfering with the sky view of the Hayes Sway-Master. I needed to remove it anyway since I was not sure if the R-Pod was going to be totaled or repaired. Now that I know it will be repaired, I still need to leave it off so that it won't be in the way when it goes to be fixed.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2017 at 6:57pm
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Thanks, I thought that maybe case. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: ribet
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2017 at 12:55am
| I always use the jack to lift the rear of the TV to make it easer to put the lift bars on without using the tools.. This way I know the trailer is attached to the ball! |