Cracked fiberglass - Event Date: 10 Jun 2015 |
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Markie
Groupie Joined: 22 Sep 2013 Location: Chambersburg PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 67 |
Calendar Event: Cracked fiberglass Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 12:58pm |
Hello to all,
My wife and I purchased a used 2013 178 at the end of the 2013 camping season. A hairline crack has developed in the fiberglass since our purchase. It runs horizontally from the left side across the front at approximately chest height of the camper. It is approximately three feet in length. It appears to be caused by a stuctural cross member that created a slight bulge in the curvature of the fiberglass. It's as though the fiber glass is supported by the corner if the cross member rather than the wider flat surface. This appears to have applied undue stress at that point causing the crack. I noticed there is a similar bulge on the rear of the camper and probably is only a matter of time before a crack develops there as well. I'm wondering what the factory warranty is on the skin and what are my options for repair short of replacing the entire shell? Also I'm curious if anyone else notices the outline of these cross members or has experienced any other cracks? Any information would be appreciated. Markie |
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Mark & Vicki
R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L Weimeraner "Zeke" |
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David and Danette
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1218 |
Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 1:51pm |
We owned a 2009 171 it had the crease along the back similar to what you are describing with your camper but it never did crack in the 5 years we owned it. I thought that it might if placed under a lot of stress. They use I believe wood framing for the front and back and like you said if the the framing was turned to match the flat surface with the fiberglass their would not be a crease. Sorry that your crease resulted in cracking and I am not sure about how to repair it. I think the best thing to do would be if possible to turn the framing so that it would match up with the surface of the fiberglass before repairing the crack. Perhaps someone on this forum will be able to answer your question on how to repair it.
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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 Jun 2015 at 3:03pm |
I would contact your dealer and have them submit a claim to FR, even though you are out of warranty. It sounds like a basic construction defect that FR would take care of.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Markie
Groupie Joined: 22 Sep 2013 Location: Chambersburg PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 67 |
Posted: 10 Jun 2015 at 9:42pm |
I took some pictures of the crack and the ridge. I thought I would post them to give other members an idea of what to look for. Picture one is of the ridge located just under the R-pod sticker. you can see it runs almost the full width of the camper. picture two is a closeup of the same ridge showing the hairline crack. Picture three is of the back of the R-pod showing the other ridge. It's a little harder to make out. Markie
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Mark & Vicki
R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L Weimeraner "Zeke" |
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David and Danette
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1218 |
Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 2:54am |
I would agree with Doug in that Rorest River may fix it. We live in a warm climate I wonder if we had lived in a colder climate when we owned our 171 the cold weather would have cracked ours. The picture of the back of your r-pod looks like the crease we had on ours.
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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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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4517 |
Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 8:11am |
That is terrible. FR should do something.
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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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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 9:15am |
We had some cracks repaired by/at FR a couple years ago. It's a pretty easy process, took about 4 hours. I would think any RV dealership with a repair shop could do it.
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4517 |
Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 9:39am |
We live in some pretty cold weather, we had our 2010 171 and never had any cracks in that one.
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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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Markie
Groupie Joined: 22 Sep 2013 Location: Chambersburg PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 67 |
Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 12:56pm |
I,m not sure what the process is to repair the fiberglass so even if the shell is repaired rather simply I'm concerned that if the cross member is not moved to the proper position the shell will crack again.
Markie |
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Mark & Vicki
R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L Weimeraner "Zeke" |
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funks
Groupie Joined: 05 Nov 2014 Location: CALIF Online Status: Offline Posts: 98 |
Posted: 11 Jun 2015 at 1:45pm |
I agree with Markie
I wish you luck with FR. THANKS FOR THE PHOTO'S
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