http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Warranty, Service and Recall Bulletins : Tongue jack / Safety chain failure. Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 01 May 2026 15:03:37 +0000 Tue, 11 Oct 2016 12:13:53 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=8892 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83426#83426 Author: TheBum
Subject: 8892
Posted: 11 Oct 2016 at 12:13pm

The bolt that goes through the flip foot can easily get caught in the chain. I had it happen bad enough that the bolt sheared off. I replaced it with a Grade 9 yellow zinc bolt.]]> Tue, 11 Oct 2016 12:13:53 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83426#83426 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83397#83397 Author: Leo B
Subject: 8892
Posted: 10 Oct 2016 at 8:32pm

+1]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2016 20:32:34 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83397#83397 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83376#83376 Author: furpod
Subject: 8892
Posted: 10 Oct 2016 at 1:13pm

The chains do not drag, but just barely. I planned to use a small bungy if needed.

I have heard the "cross the chains" mantra all my life. My dad used to be in the Cali DMV. One of his positions years ago involved traffic safety and accident reconstruction. He said he never saw evidence for, or against it. The only "purpose" of the chains is to restrain the trailer in the event of an uncoupling. In the case of Pods, the chains start out so close together anyways, I suspect the whole "catch the tongue and not let it dig in" theory is, just that, theory. 
]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2016 13:13:14 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83376#83376 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83363#83363 Author: StephenH
Subject: 8892
Posted: 10 Oct 2016 at 7:18am

Originally posted by furpod Yes, it can. It can move the mounting points back far enough, that in a tight turn, they can either be caught on the jack, the WDH bars, or the side of the hitch extension, and either bend the mounting plate, or snap the chain.. (we did both) Thsnkfully, it was at home when it snapped, but the mounting plate was bent in both directions, and the bolt holes torn, so I know it had snagged before. I ended up replacing the chain with two chains, which gave me 4 extra links per side. Hasn't been an issue since.

Did the extra links allow the chain to drag? With the chain that came with my R-Pod and the Equal-i-zer hitch, I have still noticed that the chain has dragged on the pavement. This reminds me that I need to replace it before our next trip, as it is worn enough so that I should not trust it. Since then, I adjusted the hitch so it is no longer dragging, but the damage to the chain is there.

When you connect, do you cross your chains so that they cross behind or in front of the jack's leg? Or are the chains long enough so they hang freely below the foot? Does it even matter? I am thinking that if they are not long enough to hang freely, having them cross in front of the jack leg would be better as the chains would be less likely to pull tight against the leg in a sharp turn. Longer chains would be nice, but would require something like the Fastway Chain-Up to keep it from dragging in my case. I have purchased one, but have not had the chance to try it out yet.
]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2016 07:18:06 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83363#83363 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83361#83361 Author: M&M
Subject: 8892
Posted: 10 Oct 2016 at 6:29am

Good Morning Furpod, Thank you very much for this information. Looks like we'll be upgrading to the two chain solution. I never would have thought that the WDH would have been the culprit.]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2016 06:29:03 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83361#83361 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83355#83355 Author: furpod
Subject: 8892
Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 10:24pm

Yes, it can. It can move the mounting points back far enough, that in a tight turn, they can either be caught on the jack, the WDH bars, or the side of the hitch extension, and either bend the mounting plate, or snap the chain.. (we did both) Thsnkfully, it was at home when it snapped, but the mounting plate was bent in both directions, and the bolt holes torn, so I know it had snagged before.

I ended up replacing the chain with two chains, which gave me 4 extra links per side. Hasn't been an issue since.
]]> Sun, 09 Oct 2016 22:24:34 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83355#83355 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83351#83351 Author: M&M
Subject: 8892
Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 7:53pm

We do. Does that make difference?]]> Sun, 09 Oct 2016 19:53:32 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83351#83351 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83345#83345 Author: furpod
Subject: 8892
Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 4:06pm

Do you use a WDH?]]> Sun, 09 Oct 2016 16:06:13 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83345#83345 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8892&PID=83343#83343 Author: M&M
Subject: 8892
Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 3:28pm

Good Afternoon All, We took delivery of our new 179 in August and had it out for the third time this weekend. When operating the factory (manual, flip-foot) tongue jack, we heard a loud pop. Upon further examination, the one side of the bottom bracket that the jack runs through sheared off. The bolt with the chain simply pulled out. We figured that we'd go back to the dealer tomorrow. When we were leaving today, the jack seemed "Bound up" and was very difficult to move. The "good" side was now completely bent down. I was afraid to crank any further, afraid of breaking it and driving home with no safety chain connected at all. With help from the campground owner we were able to get the Pod on our TV and we got home safely. Has anyone heard of this happening? I wouldn't have thought that simply operating the jack would have any impact on the safety chains. It's my position that this is a warranty issue. Do you agree? Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks, Marty  
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