front window
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=7654
Printed Date: 17 May 2025 at 6:29pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: front window
Posted By: koukla1812
Subject: front window
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2016 at 1:35pm
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Hello. Has anyone ever added a front window to the their Pod? For obvious reasons it would be a great mod. Is there a reason (structural or other) that this can't be done? Thanks for your interest. PJ ------------- PJ |
Replies:
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2016 at 1:55pm
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Interesting idea. My first concern would be compromising the structural integrity of the one piece roof. The arc profile actually helps give it strength, similar to arches on bridges. The roof is fiberglass, which can be tricky to cut into without FUBARinng it, I would be super cautious about that. If there are structural members supporting the roof, I would want to stick with a small that I could fit between the studs/joists. Somebody with sweet skills might be able to pull off a larger window though. ------------- |
Posted By: koukla1812
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2016 at 5:13pm
Thanks for your response. Not being an engineer, the structural question is probably a key to this. However, my engineer friend (brotherinlaw!) always boasts about almost being able to do anything. Which leads me to think that there may be a cost factor involved as well. Thanks again.PJ ------------- PJ |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2016 at 6:07pm
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I would be very interested in this mod. Would it be any structurally different than the back window? Please post what you find out. ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2016 at 6:43pm
| Someone posted a while back that if you go out side on a frosty morning as the sun just hits the rPod, one can see where the vertical studs are. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2016 at 9:13pm
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When this was suggested to FR in the past, their claim was a structural problem. Pods with the dinettes up front would benefit by having a large window up there, but no-go apparently. ------------- 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: Retroactive
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2016 at 10:09pm
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Unless there is a truly flat spot in that area, I would not attempt it. My 171 is completely curved in front...nope! ------------- |
Posted By: timpod
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2016 at 11:22pm
| My wife and I are planning a long narrow window on the front, narrow of course because of the curve. I'll post if we ever do it :) |
Posted By: pnwcamper
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2016 at 9:36am
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First, I have a 177 and realize this only applies to R-pods with the dinette up front. I would love to hear from one of the engineers/designers at Forest River why they decided to put a large window over the bed versus one in front, there must be some logical reason. Camper companies have been putting windows over dinettes and in the front of campers for many years. Most of us camp to enjoy the great outdoors and to have more natural light and view would be nice. Certainly don't need more light over the bed at night. Don't get me wrong I love my R-pod but the decision not to have a window up front must have been made by the same guy that decided not to include a 12v plug.  ------------- 2014 R-Pod 177 2009 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab 4.0 V6 |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2016 at 9:45am
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I agree. The only thing I wish was different on the RP-171 would be what you suggest, with reversing the big window. It is way too bright in the bed area, and not bright enough in the dinette. ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2016 at 9:43pm
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However, on the 179, the situation is great. The big window is on the back where the kitchen is located. The dinette has its own window, even though it is behind us when we are seated. The bed has windows at the head and foot end of the bed. Partially for insulation and partially for light control, I got some of the insulating material that looks like silver bubble wrap and cut it to fit the windows at the bed end. I also cut for the dinette area. I need to get a bit more to make one for the door window now that we have one. I have not bothered with the kitchen window yet. Reflectix is one brand of this type of product. It isn't cheap. ------------- 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: Jonknite
Date Posted: 27 May 2016 at 2:38pm
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I too think a little more light in the dinette area of my 178 would be nice. I found these photos of the structure of the "roof" front and back. I don't see why you couldn't do the same in the front as FR does in the back. I'm thinking 8-10" high window maybe 20"-40" long. If anyone is interested in how an R-Pod is built check out this video: http://blogpro.eu/the-2014-forest-river-r-pod-factory-tour/ - http://blogpro.eu/the-2014-forest-river-r-pod-factory-tour/   |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 27 May 2016 at 5:54pm
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If I had a pod with the dinette in front I would have put a window in a long time ago ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Jonknite
Date Posted: 27 May 2016 at 7:12pm
| Based on what I've seen in this and other forums you would have been the first to do it. Your dinette has windows on all three sides? |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 27 May 2016 at 9:36pm
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I have the bunks up front, I would have put the window the same hight as the side windows, ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Jonknite
Date Posted: 27 May 2016 at 10:19pm
| I'm going to go higher, so that the bottom of the window is even with the top of the side windows. I don't want to mess up my nice big decal. It will throw more light down on the table too. |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 27 May 2016 at 11:34pm
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That maybe so, but you would have a hard time locking out. The other thing I would do is to have some kind of cover for the window while traveling.
------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: CFWARREN
Date Posted: 29 May 2016 at 10:58pm
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One thing I miss with my 179 is being able to see out the front, to keep an eye on my vehicle, if need be. What I often do is, if I am in a pull-thru site, I park the pod as far forward as possible, disconnect, then bring my vehicle around to the back of the Pod, where I can keep a better view on it out the rear window of the pod. ------------- 2016 179 - Hood River Edition 2008 Nissan Xterra |