Trailer Coupler Inspection

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   Hey Group,

Reading a post on another forum about a 2018 owner whose trailer coupler separated from the frame.  Pics showed a poor weld job.  Not trying to start hysteria, but reminded me to check that coupler and ensure there is no cracks or separation.  There was no talk on the post about what anybody is doing and lot of discussion on what should be done.  This owner was lucky, no injuries and he got the whole rig stopped without damage, other than fact coupler was on truck and trailer wasn't.

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mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Topic: Trailer Coupler Inspection Posted: 25 May 2018 at 8:42am
	Hey Group, Reading a post on another forum about a 2018 owner whose trailer coupler separated from the frame. Pics showed a poor weld job. Not trying to start hysteria, but reminded me to check that coupler and ensure there is no cracks or separation. There was no talk on the post about what anybody is doing and lot of discussion on what should be done. This owner was lucky, no injuries and he got the whole rig stopped without damage, other than fact coupler was on truck and trailer wasn't.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326	Posted: 25 May 2018 at 9:26am
	Hopefully, this was reported to the NHTSA. Do you have a link so we can see what you are describing? Was this an R-Pod? Which model? There are too few details to know if this was just a weld failure or if there was too much tongue weight that contributed to this.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

marwayne Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Location: Edmonton AB Can Online Status: Offline Posts: 1002	Posted: 25 May 2018 at 9:45am
	StephenH, it was on the rpod Owners Group on FB
	If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326	Posted: 25 May 2018 at 10:09am
	Thanks. I'll go take a look.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 25 May 2018 at 10:11am
	+1 it's on the FR Forum under RPods. It was a 180, the coupler came off the A Frame, looks to me like it separated at weld, it didn't break off. Pics are available.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326	Posted: 25 May 2018 at 10:35am
	Wow! Somebody at the Lippert factory did not do a good job on that one!. I'm glad nobody was hurt.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Keith-N-Dar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 03 Apr 2011 Location: Mayville, WI Online Status: Offline Posts: 1447	Posted: 25 May 2018 at 11:31am
	Without pictures most of us can't comment.
	Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150

disputin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 03 Jan 2018 Location: WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 27	Posted: 25 May 2018 at 11:40am
	Here is the message from the FR Forum I happened to run across a post on May 24/25, 2018 on the Facebook group: R-Pod Owners. An Eric Mantz which owns a new 2018 HDR 180, had his trailer coupler break off. Photos are attached. Mr. Mantz claims this is only the 2nd time he has taken the trailer out and was only going 35mph when this occurred. It appears to be due to faulty welding. Images attached. I've suggested that he should contact the DOT as I feel there is a real possibility of other trailers from this production run could have the same defect.
	Sean & Christine Whitney 2002 F150 2016 179HRE

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4517	Posted: 25 May 2018 at 12:41pm
	That is nasty looking!!!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

Keith-N-Dar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 03 Apr 2011 Location: Mayville, WI Online Status: Offline Posts: 1447	Posted: 25 May 2018 at 1:35pm
	Thanks. I am sure we will hear whAT Happens next.
	Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150