R-pod Owners Forum : Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180

R-pod Owners Forum : Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Warranty, Service and Recall Bulletins : Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 01 May 2026 07:17:09 +0000 Wed, 15 May 2019 19:59:02 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=12657 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : My latest video is my 20 issues... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=123884#123884 Author: PilotPodder
Subject: 12657
Posted: 15 May 2019 at 7:59pm

My latest video is my 20 issues in two years on my 179. All were fixed but the last one that is still outstanding. Seems fitting for this thread!]]> Wed, 15 May 2019 19:59:02 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=123884#123884 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : Originally posted by furpod Originally... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122926#122926 Author: Motor7
Subject: 12657
Posted: 15 Apr 2019 at 6:45pm

Originally posted by furpod

Originally posted by Eluv201

Thanks for clearing that up. I hope Forrest River is not like that. I heard they’re the best in the business, they stand the test, and how other makers copy them. All I know is that we’ve had nothing but issues

I am not sure who told you FR was "The best in the business" but it takes mere moments to know that isn't true. However, They are by far not the worst.

And as the R-Pod goes, it is the best available, for it's features and size, at it's price point. But, those are all separate purchase/design/feature points. When you start deciding on which features are most important to YOU, any particular RV may or may not be "right for you".

TT's and RV's all have issues. It's a house, that goes 70mph. All RV's regardless of brand will have some issues, both when new, as delivered, and over time. 99% of the time, if a new owner is unhappy, it's the dealers fault.

"it's better to have a great DEALER, rather than a great CAMPER... ONE can be fixed"

I have worked on, repaired, and modded, a lot of TT's over the years. All of them had issues.

If you want to stay pretty close to the size of an R-pod, but want to see the best constructed, full featured TT, look at an Oliver Legacy Elite or Elite II. BUT.. that's looking at only one part of the decision process. For most people, the price point and often the wait for it to be built, is a show stopper. For us.. well.. we don't dig the sterile interior at all. But they are very very solidly built, by a small factory that hires good people and pays them well.

truth............................................

]]> Mon, 15 Apr 2019 18:45:29 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122926#122926 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : I had numerous items wrong on... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122792#122792 Author: Billy Bob
Subject: 12657
Posted: 11 Apr 2019 at 9:12am

I had numerous items wrong on my 190, but FR paid for everything under warranty....I think after the kinks get worked out, very few problems in the future. Since I didn't understand the DEALER, not buying local, Camping World has done all the warranty work for me.]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2019 09:12:52 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122792#122792 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : I have my repair work done at... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122791#122791 Author: Richand Cindy
Subject: 12657
Posted: 11 Apr 2019 at 8:57am

I have my repair work done at a private shop that also stores my RV. They do authorized warranty work for Forest River. They did most of my warranty work on my RPOD and I did not pay a penny. For my new Keystone Passport they told me before I bought it they will NOT touch it. It seems Keystone pays a very low labor rate and they would lose money on it. I still bought the Keystone because the actual dealer where I bought it from is closer to me than the repair shop. So while FR may not be the best in the business, they seem pretty good in backing their product and paying independent shops.
]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2019 08:57:44 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122791#122791 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : Originally posted by Eluv201Thanks... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122789#122789 Author: furpod
Subject: 12657
Posted: 11 Apr 2019 at 7:20am

I am not sure who told you FR was "The best in the business" but it takes mere moments to know that isn't true. However, They are by far not the worst.

I have worked on, repaired, and modded, a lot of TT's over the years. All of them had issues.

]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2019 07:20:57 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122789#122789 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : Thanks for clearing that up. I... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122788#122788 Author: Eluv201
Subject: 12657
Posted: 11 Apr 2019 at 6:55am

Thanks for clearing that up. I hope Forrest River is not like that. I heard they’re the best in the business, they stand the test, and how other makers copy them. All I know is that we’ve had nothing but issues]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2019 06:55:23 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122788#122788 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : Dealers are working on the issues.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122787#122787 Author: Eluv201
Subject: 12657
Posted: 11 Apr 2019 at 6:52am

Dealers are working on the issues. They’ve been really apologetic. I’m at the right dealer. I just can’t understand why so many issues and I haven’t had it for a month. It’s new out of the factory. I’ll keep everyone posted. Thanks]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2019 06:52:29 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122787#122787 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : My posts about visitng an RV factory... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122780#122780 Author: Richand Cindy
Subject: 12657
Posted: 10 Apr 2019 at 8:47pm

My posts about visitng an RV factory was NOT RPOD and not even another Forest River product. However I feel they are pertinent posts because I was told that all RVs are built the same way. Several people who were on the tour with us had been to about 3-4 other factory tours and told us they all did it the same way. They were not able determine who is the better manufacturer simply by going on a tour and seeing them being built. Lastly since all the factories are within a couple of miles from each other in Elkhardt IN, there is frequent movement of employees. So it is possible that someone who built my RPOD in 2017 built my Passport in 2018! I am sorry to hear about your problems with leaks in a brand new trailer. A good dealer is CRITICAL to purchasing any RV. It is not a car which you can take to any dealer and get warranty service. A dealer should have checked for leaks. Plumbing leaks are common due to faulty connections. Leaks from rain are less common and should be checked and fixed by the dealer. Technically leaks are not covered under warranty since there are many places where joints can get exposed and leak. However for a new RV people have posted here that FR did cover repairs on new units that obviously had build defects
]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2019 20:47:00 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122780#122780 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : Check with the dealer where you... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122777#122777 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12657
Posted: 10 Apr 2019 at 7:15pm

Check with the dealer where you bought it an push them to fix things. Call FR's r-Pod plant where your trailer was made, in Sheridan, OR, or Goshen, IN. The contact data is on their web site. If they are unwilling or unable to fix the issues, check your state's lemon laws to see if they apply to travel trailers.]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2019 19:15:37 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122777#122777 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : I have a silly question are we... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122776#122776 Author: Eluv201
Subject: 12657
Posted: 10 Apr 2019 at 6:59pm

I have a silly question are we still talking about our pods or is this RV in general? Was this in An Forrest River plant? If so which plant? I’m having serious issues with my our pod and it is a 2018 190 brand spanking new not even one month we had it and we have leaks everywhere. Not to mention other little things that we found. Thank you!]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2019 18:59:00 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122776#122776 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : Good news. I contacted Forest... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122052#122052 Author: wvanauken
Subject: 12657
Posted: 25 Mar 2019 at 7:50pm

Good news. I contacted Forest River about all the issues I've had with my new R-pod. As a good faith gesture, they offered to make two payments on my trailer loan. This goes a long way in taking some of the sting away. ]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2019 19:50:47 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=122052#122052 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121735#121735 Author: wvanauken
Subject: 12657
Posted: 19 Mar 2019 at 10:31am

LOL

]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2019 10:31:46 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121735#121735 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : Glad to be of some help. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121734#121734 Author: wvanauken
Subject: 12657
Posted: 19 Mar 2019 at 10:30am

Smile

Glad to be of some help.]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2019 10:30:52 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121734#121734 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : Exactly! http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121733#121733 Author: wvanauken
Subject: 12657
Posted: 19 Mar 2019 at 10:27am

Exactly! ]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2019 10:27:36 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121733#121733 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : I understand and this has been... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121732#121732 Author: wvanauken
Subject: 12657
Posted: 19 Mar 2019 at 10:25am

I understand and this has been my sad introduction to the world of RVs. With regards to quality control, Forest River brags about their QC right on their website and points out their QC procedures. Yes, it shouldn't be this way as you said, but I hope that more people like myself don't settle for this and contact FR with their issues. Maybe if more people did, there wouldn't be as many issues. I don't know...just speculating a bit. In my case I wrote detailed letters with pictures to all the FR locations in Oregon and one to the main headquarters in Indiana. We'll see what kind of response I get. At the very least, I felt a little better just by taking the action and expressing my frustration in writing. Thanks for you input.]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2019 10:25:28 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121732#121732 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : i added an 1/8" piece of... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121728#121728 Author: texman
Subject: 12657
Posted: 19 Mar 2019 at 8:50am

i added an 1/8" piece of flat aluminum to each end of the support and added a third bolt to each end. so i added 1/4" total and it torqued down nicely.

Did i see some of you have drilled all the way through the frame and bolted these supports ?

i would have never noticed this had i not removed the water tank twice now.

]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2019 08:50:23 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121728#121728 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : The trailer you got was the one... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121723#121723 Author: ribet
Subject: 12657
Posted: 18 Mar 2019 at 11:12pm

The trailer you got was the one I was trying to buy from Harrison Marine. I put a deposit on it but you had first choice over me. I could not wait for the next shipment so I got a r180 in Sacramento. I bought my 171 from Harrison and I was happy with them. Sold it after 2+ years for the same price I paid for it.

I think you saved me a lot of grief. Smile

]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2019 23:12:09 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121723#121723 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : I actually was very surprised... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121719#121719 Author: Richand Cindy
Subject: 12657
Posted: 18 Mar 2019 at 8:37pm

I actually was very surprised that a factory tour would discuss how the workers were paid. They even had a large blackboard with the number of RVs made that day and the record holders. I agree that paying piecework (although it is only piecework above and beyond the normal number that their salary includes) would lead to shoddy craftsmanship. Next time in the area I will tour one of the more upscale RVs (e.g. Airstream) to see how they are made. But to be honest to be able to buy something at a more than fair price and American made, I can live with having problems that need fixing as long as they are not major.]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2019 20:37:16 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121719#121719 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : In my experience, paying piecework... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121684#121684 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12657
Posted: 17 Mar 2019 at 9:39pm

In my experience, paying piecework usually leads to shoddy craftsmanship, injuries, and long term development of disabilities that cut one's work life short. I suspect that if someone made a study of the correlation between piece work and quality, there would be an inverse relationship. But it is a way to drive the bottom line for manufacturers, as long as they don't mind paying very high workers' compensation rates and dealing with high turnover.]]> Sun, 17 Mar 2019 21:39:26 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121684#121684 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : If the bonus were dependent on... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121682#121682 Author: StephenH
Subject: 12657
Posted: 17 Mar 2019 at 9:25pm

If the bonus were dependent on the units passing inspection (a real one, not a cursory once-over), then quality would possibly be better since there would not be the incentive to do shoddy work just to slap it together and get it out the door in order to get the bonus. ]]> Sun, 17 Mar 2019 21:25:31 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121682#121682 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : Good article. From our trip last... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121680#121680 Author: Richand Cindy
Subject: 12657
Posted: 17 Mar 2019 at 8:43pm

Good article. From our trip last summer to RV country we learned the following. The Amish mostly do the woodwork (cabinets, bed etc). The reason why the day starts so early is that there is no air conditioning in the factories. They are paid on a unit basis. They must build a minumum number of RV's (at the plant we visited it was 12). Then for every unit over that they are paid a bonus (the highest number at our plant was 17!!!). That is the major reason why there are so many mistakes, they are rushing. The more they build, the more they make. Would you want your surgeon paid on the number of heart bypasses they do a day! In addition, they do not have extra helpers. So if a person calls in sick there is one less person working the line that day and the remaining workers have to make up the slack. So for all these reasons it is amazing that RV's do not have more issues. But again this is industry wide and not an RPOD issue.
]]> Sun, 17 Mar 2019 20:43:59 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121680#121680 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : I thought this article was interesting... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121655#121655 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12657
Posted: 17 Mar 2019 at 7:37am

I thought this article was interesting and might give some insights into the work culture in the northern Indiana RV industry.

http://amishamerica.com/3-negatives-for-amish-working-in-the-indiana-rv-industry/

]]> Sun, 17 Mar 2019 07:37:02 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121655#121655 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : Turning out trailers with inadequate... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121634#121634 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12657
Posted: 16 Mar 2019 at 6:19pm

Turning out trailers with inadequate quality control makes little sense to me. If you give your employees adequate time to do it right the first time, you have happier customers and lower costs in the long run. It is much less costly to use care to build something right than to pay a dealer to go back and tear something apart to do it over again. The dealers have to be paid for their warranty work and the more errors are made, the more it eats away at the bottom line for the manufacturer. Would it really be that much more expensive to give the employees 2 or 3 hours of additional assembly time to allow them the ability to avoid mistakes and save 3 or 4 times as much time for repairs at the dealer. I suspect, even thought the dealers don't charge their full shop rate to FR, they are receiving more than the average hourly worker in the factory. Go figure. Confused

]]> Sat, 16 Mar 2019 18:19:44 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121634#121634 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : +1 to SH, I also drilled and bolted... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121624#121624 Author: mcarter
Subject: 12657
Posted: 16 Mar 2019 at 4:46pm

+1 to SH, I also drilled and bolted my tank supports to frame. The sheet metal screws used at OEM were not adequate, I had loose screws, gaps and missing hardware. No issues once I modified the install.]]> Sat, 16 Mar 2019 16:46:51 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121624#121624 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : Never buy an RV that was made... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121618#121618 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 12657
Posted: 16 Mar 2019 at 3:58pm

Never buy an RV that was made on Monday or Friday... or after lunch on Wednesday... or before lunch on Tuesday or Thursday... or any day that ends with a "day".

]]> Sat, 16 Mar 2019 15:58:06 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121618#121618 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : There really is no such thing... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121569#121569 Author: Richand Cindy
Subject: 12657
Posted: 15 Mar 2019 at 8:40pm

There really is no such thing as a quality control check for any RV built. When done it leaves the floor. This is unlike cars in which there is a final inspection team and random units are pulled and really tested. A dealer once told me they are the final inspectors and that they are paid to go over all RVs and fix everything BEFORE it leaves the showroom. The same dealer told me of all FR products they sell the RPODS have the most issues to fix. This is the reason who you buy from is critical for purchasing any RV. But the issues are usually straight forward and fixed. Should it be this way? Of course not. But that is the RV business and goes beyond an RPOD issue. Nobody wants to buy the last RPOD made the day before xmas holiday when there is a short staff to begin with but thats life. As was posted earlier it may be better to buy a slightly used RPOD as the whatever will break already did and was fixed. When we sold ours after only a year it was better than new!
]]> Fri, 15 Mar 2019 20:40:00 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121569#121569 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : We haven't had any issues... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121568#121568 Author: crw8sr
Subject: 12657
Posted: 15 Mar 2019 at 8:33pm

We haven't had any issues with our 190. (Knock on wood!)]]> Fri, 15 Mar 2019 20:33:25 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121568#121568 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : I drilled out one hole in each... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121567#121567 Author: StephenH
Subject: 12657
Posted: 15 Mar 2019 at 5:49pm

I drilled out one hole in each support and added a stainless steel bolt with washers and lock nut (could have used lock washers and regular nut also) because my supports also had the gap issue. Since doing this, I haven't had to worry about it.]]> Fri, 15 Mar 2019 17:49:38 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121567#121567 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : The little gap at one end or the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121557#121557 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 12657
Posted: 15 Mar 2019 at 9:43am

The little gap at one end or the other of that tank support seems to be a common issue. Ours doesn't have the issue, so there must be too much variation in the length of the support, or the the frame, or both.]]> Fri, 15 Mar 2019 09:43:12 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121557#121557 Many Issues with 2019 R-pod 180 : I suggested to the dealership... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121556#121556 Author: wvanauken
Subject: 12657
Posted: 15 Mar 2019 at 8:56am

I suggested to the dealership that a spacer be fabricated and installed between the flange on cross member water tank support and the frame. They did this and it is OK now. This will provide a good mechanical clamping force to complete the bond between frame and the cross-member. If that bond isn't there, then you are relying on those two little self-drilling screws to hold all the weight of the water tank. I would recommend that you have this fix done.]]> Fri, 15 Mar 2019 08:56:15 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12657&PID=121556#121556