R-pod Owners Forum : Black Tank strap - 178 http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Black Tank strap - 178 Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sat, 02 May 2026 16:06:10 +0000 Thu, 14 Dec 2017 15:47:19 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=10988 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Black Tank strap - 178 : Cool, there ain't no recalls:)... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102936#102936 Author: mcarter
Subject: 10988
Posted: 14 Dec 2017 at 3:47pm

Cool, there ain't no recalls:) Happy to see they addressed, but us older owners have to be prepared.]]> Thu, 14 Dec 2017 15:47:19 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102936#102936 Black Tank strap - 178 : For kicks, I went by a nearby... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102934#102934 Author: TEDDY
Subject: 10988
Posted: 14 Dec 2017 at 3:43pm

For kicks, I went by a nearby rPod dealer and checked out the 2018 178's - Apparently FR learned a lesson - the newer 178's do not have the 6" strap hanging the end of the black tank tube, but have it fixed directly to the frame with a fixture as they do the gray tank tube.]]> Thu, 14 Dec 2017 15:43:12 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102934#102934 Black Tank strap - 178 : Good call Teddy, it doesn't... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102760#102760 Author: mcarter
Subject: 10988
Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 5:43pm

Good call Teddy, it doesn't matter about things that break. I bought mine with no warranty and no amount of changes at FR is going to effect me. So I do preventative and other fixes as needed. Like you, I watch this forum and if I see repetitive complaints I look at that on mine and take some action. 178s are good trailers, I've fixed a lot of stuff, but I own it and I fix it:)]]> Thu, 07 Dec 2017 17:43:46 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102760#102760 Black Tank strap - 178 : Smart move MC - it could have... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102758#102758 Author: TEDDY
Subject: 10988
Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 4:39pm

Smart move MC - it could have been a disaster!

You just never know - before deciding upon a FR rPod, we talked with a lot of folks in campgrounds all over the NW this year - None were without issues except perhaps a couple of folks with new Casitas.  However, the Casita forum talks about crazing of the gel coat and minor cracks in the molded fiberglass shell after 5 years or so.  Also, I feel a bit confined in the Casitas I've been in - and they are heavier.

I doubt there is a perfect solution for any of  us, but I love this forum to share/learn.
]]> Thu, 07 Dec 2017 16:39:34 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102758#102758 Black Tank strap - 178 : Teddy, I added an additional... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102754#102754 Author: mcarter
Subject: 10988
Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 3:19pm

Teddy,

I added an additional strap for safety, mine had not broken, but I'm more confident with two straps.]]> Thu, 07 Dec 2017 15:19:26 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102754#102754 Black Tank strap - 178 : This is such a common problem.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102753#102753 Author: mjlrpod
Subject: 10988
Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 3:16pm

This is such a common problem. I cant understand why F.R, cant simply make that hanger strap 1/8 thick. At 1/8 thick, it would cost them almost no money, and it would make the chance of it breaking very remote. THIS is the kind of stuff that makes people so irritated and complain about shoddy quality.]]> Thu, 07 Dec 2017 15:16:40 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102753#102753 Black Tank strap - 178 : With about 2,000 miles on our... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102746#102746 Author: TEDDY
Subject: 10988
Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 10:11am

With about 2,000 miles on our 2017 Mod 178, I was gassing up the car and checking out the camper, hitch connections, etc. and noticed that the black tank valve was a little close to the ground.  So I wiggled it, and, sure enough, the strap between the frame and the pipe clamp on the black tank valve tube had failed, so the valve tube was simply hanging from its connection to the tank itself.

I was lucky - it had not cracked the tube's connection to the tank, and had not been ruined by rubbing along the ground at 65 mph.

I always carry some stainless steel perforated strapping (and a few stainless screws, nuts/bolts) - so I was able to crawl under the camper, wrap the valve tube with the St Stl strapping and actually used the screw already in the frame (holding the failed strap) to secure the new St Stl strapping to the frame.

BEWARE - there is a lot of vibration that flexes that thin strap between the frame and the pipe clamp Forest River provides - even on Interstates.
'
The gray tank valve tube is different - it appears that there is no strap suspending that tube from the frame, but rather the pipe clamp seems to be directly connected to a fitting on the frame - I'll have to look more closely at that.
]]> Thu, 07 Dec 2017 10:11:03 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10988&PID=102746#102746