Outer side Seams
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=7904
Printed Date: 20 Apr 2024 at 2:34am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Outer side Seams
Posted By: FL RPOD
Subject: Outer side Seams
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 6:11pm
Has anyone with the 2016 Model 179 had issues with the outer seams/black trim surrounding the top, front, sides, and rear of the pod separating exposing the edges of the outer panels? Hairline cracks in the sealant under the black trim? It almost makes it look as if the side panels were cut a fraction of an inch in diameter too small. Warranty covered the left front repair. The dealership said the screws mounting the trim/panels were over tightened and stripped at manufacturing time? Assured me I would have no re-occurrence.  When waxing the Pod I found 3 more areas where it looks like the seams are coming apart in addition to original repair opening up again. I have only had it on the road once since repair. Smooth highway, no out of the ordinary bumps. Out of warranty now
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Replies:
Posted By: jstrenn
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 7:20pm
| Would it be possible to post some pictures? I have a 2015 178, and just ran out of warranty. Had it out this past weekend and noticed some of my caulking/sealant cracking/separating in the area you are describing (I think) |
Posted By: FL RPOD
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 7:38pm
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I will take some pictures tomorrow and post. |
Posted By: Patriot Dave
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 8:24pm
I would like to see them too. Thanks ------------- Dave & Joyce Never Forget, In God We Trust; This Our National Motto. Member; Patriot Guard Riders, Michigan Chapter Retired; So Every Day is Saturday.... Except Sunday |
Posted By: Patriot Dave
Date Posted: 09 May 2016 at 8:25pm
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I would like to see the pics too.
Thanks ------------- Dave & Joyce Never Forget, In God We Trust; This Our National Motto. Member; Patriot Guard Riders, Michigan Chapter Retired; So Every Day is Saturday.... Except Sunday |
Posted By: Gavin
Date Posted: 13 May 2016 at 10:17pm
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Wow more r-pod problems...glad I sold mine |
Posted By: birderdiane526
Date Posted: 13 May 2016 at 11:16pm
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OK, we need some reassuring about our being close to buying a very gently used 2016 179 (private sale), and hearing about so many problems with the rpod products on this forum. Is the QA really as poor as it sounds? Does FR back up their trailers and resolve issues?
We understand that some issues may arise that require attention, but some of these posts worry us. Thanks. ------------- Diane and Michael 2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE) 2007 Toyota Tundra BLOG:Podding in Paradise, birderdiane526.blogspot.com |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 14 May 2016 at 8:58am
Unlike yours, this owner tried to get his fixed instead of just whining about it. His will be taken care of. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 14 May 2016 at 10:14am
In my experience, Forest River produces good trailers. High demand for RPODS has resulted in SOME units being shipped with significant QC problems. Major problems show up when first used, it sounds like your proposed purchase has already gotten past that stage. ANY travel trailer needs routine inspections and repairs, shaking, rattling and rolling is hard on structures.
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Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 14 May 2016 at 12:38pm
We have had ours since 2011 with no problems. We even slept on the original mattress for four years and replaced it in the fifth. The problems do happen, and most of them are easily repaired by the dealer. Most of the problems found on delivery are fixed before delivery at good dealers, so check out your dealer before purchase. Some of the problems posted here and other places are by folks that love to post problems. Some are real, some are. not. With anything made by people mistakes can happen. I would not be afraid to buy again. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: FL RPOD
Date Posted: 14 May 2016 at 1:59pm
Forest river is taking care of my seam issues. Apparently a few screws got over tightened. It is being repaired as we speak with no leakage found. 
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Posted By: rdbedford
Date Posted: 23 May 2016 at 11:48pm
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I purchased a new 2016 R-Pod 180 in March, and yesterday I noticed exactly what you have described. Also, I noticed a small 2 inch area in the middle of the siding that I am sure is delaminating. I have not used the camper once and I'm already not impressed with my purchase. I plan on calling and sending them pictures tomorrow.
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 24 May 2016 at 7:35am
Talk to the dealer first. FR won't get involved unless there is some serious issue that the dealer can't resolve. ------------- |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 24 May 2016 at 11:02am
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I think all dealers are not as skilled as others in making repairs. I would try to get some understanding of the skills and quality of their work where you will have it repaired. You can almost be positive that if the repair is difficult factory will fix it correctly. Hopefully it will be a easy repair and it is not that serious. Hope all works out well. ------------- 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: Funky
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2016 at 11:40pm
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Our 2017 R Pod 180 appears to have a similar problem. We have used it twice so far. It is very disappointing. For now, I have applied caulking/sealer to the area. At the end of the season (unless the separation becomes more severe and makes it unuseable before the end of the camping season) it will go to the Forest River service department for warranty repair. We've encountered several other quality problems as well. This one, I think, is the worst of the bunch. You'd think they'd build the camper well enough that the walls wouldn't come apart. We did a lot of research prior to getting out R Pod and we thought we were getting a good quality product. I guess we were wrong. I will let you know, at the end of the camping season, whether Forest River performs a repair to our satisfaction. ------------- Funky 2017 R pod 180 |
Posted By: Jazz trumpet
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2016 at 12:45pm
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Funky, looking forward to your next post on this issue. Thanks ------------- John and Marilyn 2016 Rpod 180 2001 Chevrolet Suburban |
Posted By: Jazz trumpet
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2016 at 1:13pm
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Well, I'm taking delivery on my Rpod 180 on July 11, 2016 and will definitely climb a ladder, check all appliances and video the walk thru. Thanks for all your posts of issues. John ------------- John and Marilyn 2016 Rpod 180 2001 Chevrolet Suburban |
Posted By: Beachguysc
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2016 at 11:09pm
| We are buying a close-out 2016 182 this week. Went for a walk through the other day and noticed the same thing happening on the front of the pod, just above the diamond plating on driver side. The small piece that goes from back to front covering the seam was pulling up. Asked them to re- caulk both sides before we pick it up. Our pod was made over a year ago, so 2 hot summers baking in the SC sun. I hope it stays in place and is not something that will keep happening. Is there anything else I should check for? Dealer is 3 hours away and don't want to take it back and forth for little things. And how much is extended warranty and is it recommended? |
Posted By: Marco T
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2016 at 5:57pm
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We have the same issue on our 176T - we just got back from our first big trip yesterday (3000 miles to the Oregon coast and back), so I will take it into the dealer tomorrow to get fixed. No leaks, but it's good to get ahead of the problems before they become bigger. ------------- The Tri-podders 2011 Dodge Durango Citadel - 5.7L Hemi 2015 R-pod 176T |
Posted By: Beachguysc
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 2:19pm
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1 week into ownership, we already have a warranty issue with the seams and our 182G. The small interior passenger side panel in the garage is warped a little from water damage. I noticed it before we bought the trailer, but the dealer made arrangements to get it fixed at our local Camping World (since we are 3 hours away from dealer). The dealer said he thought it was because the garage door was left open, which made since because I didnt notice the damage the week before we picked it up. Anyway, after a couple of heavy rains, there is a very small amount of new water on the countertop and I can see a wet spot at the top of the frame around the garage door frame. This is even after the dealer caulked and sealed the side seams that run front to back and the seam above the garage that runs side to side. Hopefully we caught it before it gets too bad and they can fix it.
------------- Tim and Melina 2016 182G 2015 GMC Canyon crew cab 4x4 SLT = main Tv 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid-TV |
Posted By: rdbedford
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 7:34pm
| Update: After finding delaminating on the slide side of the camper I also found that the siding was cut about 1/2 inch short therefore the corner trim will not cover. When I purchased the unit I complained about the messy caulking job in that area and now I know why...they had to cover up that big ass crack. I took the camper to Camping World in Columbia, Missouri for the warranty claim/work and they said the complete side would have to be replaced and would involve a couple weeks of labor plus parts. However, these fruit cakes would not file the warranty claim unless I signed their legal disclosure making me the customer responsible for payment. These people are f**king NUTS! I contacted Forest River, sent pictures of the problem areas, informed them of the situation that I was having with Camping World, and that I would never sign any document that makes me responsible for payment for warranty work. Forest River said the warranty work would have to be done at their factory and that they would make arrangements to pickup the camper when I was done using it for the season. We’ll see! |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 8:00pm
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I had the same situation with Camping World with 4 warranty claims with forest river and every time I excepted the responsibility for payment if Forest River did not honor the warranty work and everytime Forest River payed for the repairs. It is more I think of a Camping World policy than something you have to be concerned about. I think Camping World gets the claim approved first before any work or repair is made. Perhaps it could depend upon which Camping World you visit management and policies could differ. The one we visited in Fort Myers Florida they were always very helpful and provided good service with never a problem. ------------- 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: rdbedford
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 9:01pm
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Warranty work is paid for up front by the owner when they purchase the item new. Any payment or cost for warranty work should be worked out by the contractor and the manufacture…not the customer. Signing any legal binding contract that says you are responsible for the cost of warranty work simply allows them not to work within the warranty estimate from the manufacture. I think that you have been very lucky! |
Posted By: yalilminx
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2016 at 11:02am
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Is the seam that you are referring to the black plastic material covering the screws on the edges at the top of the camper? The entrance side of mine came off last month... 176t ------------- 2015 rpod 176t |
Posted By: rdbedford
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2016 at 11:41am
No, here's a picture of the problem area. |
Posted By: rdbedford
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2016 at 11:41am
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Posted By: yalilminx
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2016 at 12:03pm
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My plastic strip came off, so if its not repaired this might ensue, i imagine. My local dealer stopped selling rpods.... ------------- 2015 rpod 176t |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2016 at 1:10pm
I think you will find FR to be good to their word. More then one Pod has gone back to the factory to be repaired in this manner. NONE of the owners of whom I know to have had it done, have been unhappy afterwords. ------------- |
Posted By: Funky
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2016 at 10:03pm
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I will be sure to provide a post with an update at the end of the season when ours goes to the local Forest River dealer for repair under warranty. It is too bad our brand new 2017 R Pod 180 has this problem with the side seam. It is disappointing that I (and, apparently so many others) need to spend time dealing with this issue with their brand new Pods. ------------- Funky 2017 R pod 180 |
Posted By: rdbedford
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2016 at 10:37pm
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I hope you are correct, but I would have felt better about our purchase if the work would have been done correct the first time. Hopefully, replacing the complete side of the camper will not create a domino effect of future problems. It does not make me feel very good knowing that they are having that many warrant returns! |
Posted By: venture230
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2017 at 10:00am
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Now I'm in the same boat. 2014 - out of warranty- Side seem separation. I see screws did pull out. (actually what appears to be the whole bottom front edge) is separating. (not clear how to post pictures?)
I've seen a lot of QC problems (gaping wholes not sealed (above water tank - lets in a lot of dust!) - screws missing studs, lots of saw dust in areas you normally don't see, etc). While trailers have to hold up to a lot of road rattling - FR seems to have thrown together this trailer. |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2017 at 7:37am
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I wonder what's going on with them. Any earlier model years having these kinds of issues? I just sold my 2013 177 so I can get a toy hauler, but I never had any of the problems with seams or gaps seen here. The picture of the trim coming away from the fiberglass exterior is crazy. That should not happen. I would be extremely upset regardless of the age of the camper if that had happened to mine.
------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: Jpntime
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2017 at 10:12pm
My 2014 opened up in the front bottom corners to  ------------- Love to camp 2014 171 |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2017 at 7:45pm
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Hmmm. Now I an starting to wonder if this isn't a year/assembly line issue? I first noticed the problem by seeing some blistering of the vinyl wall covering in the forward curbside locker. Just lucky I noticed. At first, I thought water had gotten into the locker from the outside locker door and had wicked from the floor. I then noticed a small separation in the seam on the bottom corner outside. I caulked it up good until I could start a proper repair.  Recently, after ordering wall panel material, seam tape and corner gimp I started digging. I first found that water had, indeed, wicked up quite a distance. The insulation was damp and there was quite a bit of evidence of long term moisture (rusty brads and staples and a fair amount of soft wood). Fortunately, it seems confined to a small area.  I am in the middle of removing all damaged material. Snowstorm slowed me down a bit.  I have cut out a section of the wall (ceiling) panel approximately 24" from the side wall well beyond any signs of water intrusion. Also had to remove portion of dinette frame. After it is all cleaned and dry, I will use some wood hardener and epoxy and then replace the section of panel and insulation. I will also be replacing a number of the screws holding the trim on both front corners with longer stainless equivalents, adding a few more along the bottom and some additional sealant. I am confident the repair will be better than original, but gotta admit I'm disappointed I'm needing to do it at all and soooo glad I happened to notice the blistering before it spread any further. Be very aware that the entire interior front edge (and back edge) is very exposed to potential water damage. I would suggest close and frequent inspection. If the insulation behind the ceiling panel does get wet, it will cause problems. It also seems there is very little tolerance in outside trim overlap with an insufficient number and size of anchors holding the trim. I do kinda wonder if this is happening to more pods? 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: venture230
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2017 at 1:42pm
RV repair said they missed studs and used undersized screws. Worth inspecting and fixing as needed too avoid water damage. Also, storing covered would be beneficial
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2017 at 4:54pm
I would be curious what they mean by "studs". There really isn't any "studs". I agree with the undersized screws. Before I started taking things apart I studied these as best I could. http://grafiks101.com/pod/walls/pod-a1.jpg - http://grafiks101.com/pod/walls/pod-a1.jpg http://grafiks101.com/pod/walls/pod-b1.jpg - http://grafiks101.com/pod/walls/pod-b1.jpg http://grafiks101.com/pod/walls/pod-b2.jpg - http://grafiks101.com/pod/walls/pod-b2.jpg http://grafiks101.com/pod/walls/pod-c1.jpg - http://grafiks101.com/pod/walls/pod-c1.jpg I see a couple of potential construction issues that lead to the problem I have. The exterior black trim along the top is screwed into end-grain plywood all the way around and under a bit of tension due to curve. Doesn't take much moisture or movement for screws to loosen in end-grain ply. The trim along the bottom seems to be simply screwed into the sandwiched foam floor - at least as far as I could tell. Screws are too short to reach aluminum frame. I removed screws along track until I reached screws with no signs of rust. The interior wall (ceiling) repair is a pain because the luan is stapled to plywood frame before the assembly is attached to side walls. I used a variety of dremel tools dig out soft or rotten material being careful not to penetrate exterior wall. It's all fixable and made better than before, but avoidable with closer and frequent inspection. Not sure where I found the images above. Thanks to whoever took them!! 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: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2017 at 5:29pm
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Throw a small blob of Gorilla glue onto the screw. It won't come back out. The downside is you can't get them out if you really need to either. ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2017 at 5:39pm
That's definitely one way to "fix" it! My plan is to first bleach any signs of dark or moldy wood. Dry thoroughly. Then, I will paint lot's of wood hardener and top off exposed framing with West System G/flex epoxy. That's all before I replace ceiling (wall) panel patch and then screw track back in place with longer stainless screws. Got enough material from Forest River that I can do it four or five times! Had to order a 4x8 sheet of vinyl covers luan wall material. Oh well, time to remover bathroom sink! 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: fwunder
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2017 at 4:54pm
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Just to followup on repair... After removing several track screws along lower front curbside it was apparent that my leak came from the lower corner seam separation and insufficient sealing along bottom front edge (underneath). I removed a portion or the dinette frame, carefully removed the trim and cut out a portion of the forward ceiling panel. The insulation was damp, as was the framing along bottom and wall edge. I had to dig out the panel edge between outer front and sidewall - that was a lengthy and delicate process, but I got it cleaned up nicely. I then placed a small space heater to dry everything out real well for a few days. Then I bleached the entire front corner with a mild solution of bleach just to prevent any mold growth. When it was good and dried again, I brushed on a fair amount or wood hardener over the framing and along the wall edge followed by a liberal coating of http://www.westsystem.com/ss/g-flex-epoxy/ - Epoxy - I wanted a good base to screw outside track into.  I glued some tabs on the existing panel to support panel patch, packed the opening with new insulation and attached the panel patch with glue and staples (narrow gauge crown). I taped the seam with 6" matching seam tape and replace the corner "gimp" trim with new. Used a couple of pocket screws to reassemble the dinette frame, used more seam tape to cover and create new trim and put everything back together. I know that it is put back together better than it was built and is a virtually invisible repair.  The next step was prevention. I replaced the keder track screws with longer stainless and epoxy coated equivalents. Did same along bottom, adding a couple the weren't there in bottom corner.  I also "painted" quite a bit of http://www.westsystem.com/ss/g-flex-epoxy/ - Epoxy under both front corners. Along the entire front edge (under) where there is a seam, I liberally spread http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NW5LWHA/ - Sikaflex . As soon as the monsoons stop here, I'll be re-caulking the entire Pod with http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RCP49O/ - Geocel ProFlex RV . I'll also be much, much, more aware of any potential leaking issues!! I hope that might help anyone with a similar issue and encourage you to keep up with required maintenance!! 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: techntrek
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2017 at 6:47pm
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Great job. ------------- 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: jato
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2017 at 7:51pm
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Great workmanship Fred. FR will probably be calling you and seeing if you will go to work for them. So far our 177, built in January 2011 still looks great and am in probable agreement with you that it may very well be a year/assembly line issue. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: podenvy
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2017 at 5:18pm
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We had a different issue on our 2015 179: the front outer shell started buckling in the middle. Our dealer said this was a manufacturing defect and arranged for the trailer to be brought to the FR factory in Oregon last October 2016. When the trailer returned a few weeks ago (March 2017), we had the same exact issue as the OP: the shell pulled away from the left side resulting in a huge gap that's letting in water. We refused to take possession of it in this condition. Dealer said they put the shell on too tight. Now the dealer is going to try to fix it with permission from Forest River instead of at the factory. I'm absolutely petrified about what this "fix" will entail. Not only that, but the cable/sat exterior outlets were ripped off the exterior either in return transit or at the factory, and the dealer said we'd have to pay to replace it! If your RPOD is going to the factory for warranty work, take pictures of everything including items not going for repair. I'm so upset about this shoddy warranty work done at the Oregon factory. How can anyone say FR will fix it when something comes back in worse condition?! EDIT: here's a picture - http://imgur.com/wUVfny6 - http://imgur.com/wUVfny6 ------------- 2013 FJ Cruiser + 2015 rpod 179 HRE |
Posted By: Jpntime
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2017 at 10:16pm
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Wow that's unbelievable then the dealer will fix it and it'll probably hold for a few months and then after that it'll probably come apart again after warranty expires of course ------------- Love to camp 2014 171 |
Posted By: birderdiane526
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 8:50am
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Not only FR, but where has quality control & pride in your product gone? We are fortunate to have had only minor issues with our 179. We hope everything gets resolved to your satisfaction. Oh, I am a strong proponent of letting FR know about your issues. Even though the pod had been at the factory, the higher-ups need to know what you are going through. ------------- Diane and Michael 2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE) 2007 Toyota Tundra BLOG:Podding in Paradise, birderdiane526.blogspot.com |
Posted By: podenvy
Date Posted: 15 May 2017 at 1:39pm
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Update: the dealer fixed the issue locally versus sending it back to FR for a second time. I don't know how you're supposed to take a piece of material and make it 1/2" wider so it's flush, but I'm curious to find out! ------------- 2013 FJ Cruiser + 2015 rpod 179 HRE |
Posted By: Funky
Date Posted: 15 May 2017 at 5:52pm
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Update on my 2017 rpod / r pod 180 side seam separation:
I ended up doing the repair myself. Fortunately, as I mentioned previously, I noticed the problem and was able to glob on some temporary sealant prior to any water damage occurring. This meant the fix was not rocket science nor did it require a major disassembly of the camper (at least not in my opinion it didn't). Initially, I tried to go to the Forrest River dealer to get it repaired. But, I was only 6 weeks from the end of my warranty and the dealer had at least a three month backlog due to being " short handed". Because this warranty problem and because the other warranty problems on my list of needed repairs were not rocket science, I just went ahead and did all of the work myself. My work (none of it, including the work on the side seam), I'm sure, doesn't look as professional as what the dealership would have done. But, it is adequate. On a side note, I didn't find the twelve month warranty to be very useful. It's really, due to the logistics of returning to a dealer as well as fitting into a dealer's busy busy schedule, more like a six month warranty. If one waits beyond the first six months to get the warranty work performed, one runs the risk of bumping into personal logistical and dealer scheduling issues which might result in one's warranty expiring before the work can be performed. In my specific case (and this is something I don't believe I've before mentioned on this forum), I've got the time, tools, and ability to perform many types of repairs. Although I would not attempt to remove and rebuild the entire side wall of a RV. Many of the other types of typical repairs (mine, for example, included leaky plumbing, unattached wood trim pieces, a broken power converter, building a proper support for beneath the shower, gooping sealant next to the refrigerator in a spot missed during manufacture, resealing the roof with dicor, resealing the "seams", and let's not forget repair of the side seam separation) are done easily by me. And, because I view this as a hobby, I can appreciate the joy of getting into the details of the ongoing repairs (for me, it's more enjoyable than and preferable to spending time without my camper while it's in for repairs). Perhaps someday RV ownership will be more like car ownership (i.e. easy access to a dealer network for warranty service, short turn-around repair times, longer warranties, longer intervals between required ongoing inspections and service). But, in the meantime, we hobbyists have something to keep ourselves busy. So, maybe, for now, it's better just the way it is. ------------- Funky 2017 R pod 180 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 15 May 2017 at 8:45pm
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If a warranty issue is noted by the dealer and Forest River prior to the expiration of the warranty, then the work should still be done, even if the warranty has expired when the scheduling of the repair is delayed.
------------- 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: podenvy
Date Posted: 15 May 2017 at 10:53pm
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I don't know how the dealer fixed it, but the huge gap is gone. It looks like they reinforced the "sagging" area with something solid yet flexible in between the cap and the frame because I can faintly see a rectangle outline of some sort. There is still a small gap there that they filled in with sealant, plus redid the caulking/sealant around the frame. There were several significant rainstorms I worried about regarding the pod sitting at the dealer service lot, but I felt around the interior walls of the under bed storage and exterior storage, and didn't see/feel/smell any dampness. Ran the air conditioner, fan, etc. and everything is working. I'll post some more pics so an adequate before/after comparison can be made. ------------- 2013 FJ Cruiser + 2015 rpod 179 HRE |
Posted By: Belin
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2017 at 7:22pm
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I have a screw missing from manufacture which caused delamination. |
Posted By: DenisP
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2018 at 10:30am
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Fred, Thank you for the detailed description of your repair. I just purchased a 2010 171 with the same issue. I will begin the repair soon and your pictures and step by step details will be invaluable. How did you obtain the matching luan, seam tape and gimp? I am a newbie as far as TT camping but as a long time boat owner I am familiar with using epoxy and sealants. ------------- T@b 400 with solar Formerly 2010 171 2013 Tundra TRD |
Posted By: onesojourner
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 10:02am
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Can you show us how you are preventing water from reentering in the future? I have the same problem on my 2017.
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 4:03pm
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Onesojourner, very nice repair job. You could hire out to your local R-pod owners.
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |