Recent Quality Concerns? Fall 2015 On Especially? |
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fleurdenola
Newbie Joined: 11 Nov 2015 Location: Houston, TX Online Status: Offline Posts: 6 |
Topic: Recent Quality Concerns? Fall 2015 On Especially? Posted: 09 Dec 2015 at 4:23pm |
I'm smitten with the 2016 r-pod 179 and have one "waiting for me" nearby if I could take the plunge and buy it already. But in the course of my research, especially on this forum, I've come across a lot of complaints posted recently about the quality issues in the 2016's as a whole, and with back window leaks when it comes to the 179's.
Overall, do you guys feel these issues are the new norm for r-pods, or is this just a case of unhappy consumers are more likely to post than happy ones and these problems are more of an exception? Does anyone have an r-pod produced in Fall 2015 with the new changes and, if so, have you experienced major issues or seen quality deficiencies? I'm just trying to assess whether these issues have become so rampant with the new r-pods that'd I'd be better advised to look at something else? Thanks! |
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Commander203
Groupie Joined: 19 Feb 2015 Location: Central Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 87 |
Posted: 09 Dec 2015 at 4:51pm |
I've had no major problems that I've found yet. Everything works as it should. I've read on here where some folks have had no problems with this model at all, and then there is the other end of the spectrum where there have been major problems. I don't think about if I'm going to have a problem or not, I just enjoy my trailer and if a problem pops up I'll deal with it at that time. No worries, enjoy the adventure is my philosophy. I think buying any trailer is hit and miss on quality. |
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Mike & Erin
2013 Tundra 4.6L V8 (Tow PK) 2006 Honda Goldwing GL 1800 2005 Honda VTX 1800N |
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kylekai
Senior Member Joined: 06 Aug 2014 Location: San Diego Online Status: Offline Posts: 139 |
Posted: 09 Dec 2015 at 6:01pm |
I have had my 2015 RPOD 179 for over a year now, camped in it a total of about 12 weeks, and have had only very minor problems with it. As with most forums, people tend to post when they have problems. Not too many posts that just say "I have no problems with my RPOD!"
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hogone
Senior Member Joined: 09 Apr 2013 Location: St. Louis Online Status: Offline Posts: 1049 |
Posted: 09 Dec 2015 at 6:47pm |
unfortunately i cant speak for newer models (have a 2013 177). my only complaint is about hogone; he needs to do some mods!!! hogone
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
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LuvPod
Newbie Joined: 05 Dec 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7 |
Posted: 09 Dec 2015 at 7:51pm |
As we stated in our introduction post, we bought our brand new 2015 172 this past October and yet to take it out camping. Currently, the two problems we have are minor cosmetic ones and after we visited Forest River's factory here in Oregon (we were there for a tour) last weekend the wonderful folks there simply took care of it. Should we have any other problems, they gave us the option of bringing in the rPod when we're in town so they can take care of it right away or call them. They would prefer to take care of any problems as soon as possible before they worsen. Plus the folks there are very informative and give lots and lots of tips regarding the rpod.
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David and Danette
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1218 |
Posted: 09 Dec 2015 at 9:09pm |
If it be you are seeing more complaints it could be a rise in popularity of the r-pods and with more being sold there would be more r-pods on the road having the opportunity for something to go wrong. Just trying to think of a possible logical answer. I was once told by a doctor not to have surgery around the holidays because the doctors mind is likely to be somewhere else. Perhaps a r-pod built around the holidays may have been built by workers with there minds somewhere else. Maybe someone could think of another reason.
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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 10 Dec 2015 at 9:09am |
There is also the "Friday afternoon effect" often cited on camping forums when problems crop up. If they build 50 a week, 10 a day, then 5 of them will be finished up on Friday afternoon. Just like holidays, the guy with the caulk gun will have other things on his mind, then. Or he'll be under pressure to get them all done before closing time so he'll rush.
While the root problem is the quality of the original construction, there should be a "safety net" with a quality control feedback loop. On Monday morning the QC manager should be going over those same campers with his checklist, sending them back if he finds a gap in the caulk or any other problem. Instead those problems are just shipped along (literally) to the dealers. There should be a second "safety net" in the form of a delivery acceptance inspection (or pre-delivery to the consumer, or both), where the dealer should catch those problems and fix them - charging FR for the repair, which is more expensive than if they took care of it at the factory. Finally there should be a third "safety net" during the consumer walk-through. It seems many of these problems are making it to the walk-through, or worse, the consumer is finding them post-delivery. To be fair to FR - there are some problems that just won't be evident until the camper gets on the road. A tail light with a bad solder joint (from its manufacturer) may not break until you hit a few pot holes. Caulk on the roof that passed a quick spray-down during the QC inspection loosens up during a heavy downpour at 60 mph. Pipe joints that held up during a pressure test during QC and dealer inspections, but vibrate loose at mile 100. This stuff happens. |
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 10 Dec 2015 at 9:56am |
It's a house.. that goes 70mph.. Look what happens to real houses when earthquakes or 70mph winds hit them.. stuff comes loose.
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4517 |
Posted: 10 Dec 2015 at 2:10pm |
I am on my second pod. Have been really lucky with both. Each had a couple of minor issues and were brought ride back to the dealers and all issues were fixed under warranty.
I can't stress enough to do a really thorough walk through and then have any issues addressed under warranty. If you buy used, you need to really check them over before you purchase it.
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
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Outbound
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767 |
Posted: 10 Dec 2015 at 2:56pm |
Whether its r-pods, televisions, or cell phones, when you 'check online' you'll find an over-representation of complaints. Its the nature of things - when someone has an issue with their new toy, they post to (a) see if anyone has a solution and (b) warn everyone else. On the other hand, when that new toy works perfectly, there isn't such a compelling reason to post about it - and so, very few positive posts tend to be created.
That said, a new travel trailer is not like a new car; the rigid quality control simply isn't there. Instead, a new travel trailer is more like a new house; there will be issues - mostly small, but sometimes annoying. And, like a new home warranty where the builder is called back to fix things, a travel trailer has a warranty and it is pretty much expected that a new travel trailer will be brought back to the dealer to correct issues. My advice is to make a list of all the issues you run across in the first 4-6 weeks and bring it back to your dealer for repairs. They will be happy to see you - they EXPECT to see you - and the issues will be fixed without fuss. Its the way the industry works. The customer has final review on product quality. And that's why choosing an RV dealer is as important as choosing a manufacturer/model/floorplan. Ask friends/family/strangers-with-trailers which dealer they bought from and for recommendations on which dealer to buy from. When you visit dealerships and speak to sales reps, ask to have a tour of the repair facility as well. Make sure that this is the dealership you want.
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Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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