Visit to Forest River plant in Oregon |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
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Topic: Visit to Forest River plant in Oregon Posted: 29 May 2016 at 7:02pm |
Yes, the front and back are wood with fiberglass insulation (I figured they would have moved to a metal frame on the front and back by now). Straight sides and the floor are metal frame with foam insulation.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2016 at 3:31pm |
We had several fit and finish issues with our 179 when we picked it up in December. In addition to some of the ones you list are others where the staples were so long that they poke through the boards and into the storage area underneath. As for the slide-out extending, if you look along the top and side edges while it is extended, you will see a seal. The facing of the slide-out should be compressing this seal. If it is not touching the seal, then it is not fully extended. If it is, then it is fully extended, even if there is a little cushion overhang. I also had the wiring showing. I removed the panel and used a couple of wire ties to tie up the cables, making sure that they could still freely move with the slide-out when it is moving out or in. I then used some anchors to replace the screws that were not holding well anyway. You can see pictures in my mods which are linked below in my signature. Short answer: You did not get a lemon. Unfortunately, these leave the factory without a good QA check, or we would not see these type issues. Then again, we might be paying $25k-30k for them. I think that even with minor issues, we are getting a trailer that is basically good. The minor things are annoying, but not fatal flaws. BTW, check the crossmembers for your water (fresh, gray, black) tanks. Some of us have had problems where they were not installed tightly and there were gaps, bent screws, or missing screws. If the crossmembers are not installed tightly, there is the possibility of one failing and the tank dropping onto the pavement while traveling. In ended up replacing one screw in each bracket with a stainles steel bolt, washers, and nylock nuts. The dealer tightened the screws, but I wanted the extra assurance of bolts. |
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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WillG
Newbie Joined: 28 May 2016 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2016 at 11:43am |
Interesting... I was surprised to see the wooden spacers along the main curved roof panel as I was told it was all metal and had sprayed foam insulation not the fiberglass mats shown.... the aluminum sides I see - what do they insulate the sides with? I understand what someone mentioned about vibration on vertical surfaces and damage to spray foam but I'm not so sure that it will be worse than settling insulation... I'm not expecting perfection - seems like owning the RP-179 will be a work in progress...regular maintenance etc. I imagine the vibration is much higher than I imagine.
No you aren't being picky... If I was buying new I'd want it all done right the first time. I'm getting a used unit so I'm expecting some minor issues but this forum I'm sure will help along the way.
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R-Podder by process of elimination
2014 RP179 2011 GMC CrewCab Short Bed |
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jeffreydean
Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 12 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 27 Jul 2015 at 8:51pm |
this is not being picky. I would be upset. I live too far from my dealer to complain and I guess I would fix the stuff my self. The rubber boot is disturbing. I would have them send me the boot to install myself.
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im20agn
Newbie Joined: 01 Jun 2015 Location: Tacoma Online Status: Offline Posts: 13 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 27 Jul 2015 at 5:34pm |
Who do we call to arrange a tour?
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Plantguy
Senior Member Joined: 29 Mar 2015 Location: Calistoga, Ca Online Status: Offline Posts: 102 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jun 2015 at 12:57pm |
I just took my new 179 for a 3 week trip. Many small isues came to light. I meet another rpod owner and checkerd out his pod. The pop out had a boot wrapped around the metal frame where it rests against the body when opened. Mine does not. The 1/4 panel under the 3 storage doors in the pop out came apart. I took a closer look and the guy who stapled it to the frame never checked his gun 1 there were no staples in it. It just left the marks a staple gun leaves. The door under the burners fell off. I purchased new screws and reset the door. Many of the 1/4" panels that separate the heater area from the storage area were not thoroughly pinned. The wiring under the frig. can be seen between the frig and the pop out. And finally, it appears that the pop out does not completely open as the cushions all hang over the edge about an inch. Am I being picky here or is my 179 a lemon?
Ken, plantguy |
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Life is too important to be taken seriously!i
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Mar 2015 at 1:45pm |
They don't use spray in, because in a trailer area that "moves" it will rub itself into dust. The front bend is such a place. So they can't use flat sheets, and they can't use spray in...
As far as r value.. LOL, your NEVER going to see R49 in a TT, that's like 19 inches of insulation. |
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johnmaci
Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2014 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 202 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Mar 2015 at 10:52am |
I am also a bit surprised they use what appears to be a fiberglass batt insulation rather than Polystyrene as under the floor. I wonder what the R value of this material is? I gues the Owens Corning Pink is too expensive. The best I have seen is the stuff that is sprayed on and expands to fill all crevices. I used a couple of cans of the "great stuff" and filled openings under the carriage where wires and lines entered the body. "In colder climates the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends using a minimum of R-49 insulation. You can achieve an R-49 R-value by stacking R-19 on top of R-30. In warmer climates you can get away with R-38 insulation in the attic" Source: EnergyStar.gov |
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jeffreydean
Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 12 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 13 Mar 2015 at 11:23pm |
My 2015 R 179 (which I totally love) has a floor that is less than sturdy…..a bit spongey in places. Now I see that it might be a 1/2" x 1/2" sandwich of not the best foam?
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Cap-n-Cray
Senior Member Joined: 22 Feb 2014 Location: Bainbridge Is Online Status: Offline Posts: 121 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 2014 at 1:25pm |
For reference this is the floor thickness and materials.
The Rpod and Surveyor floors are made the same. I believe my guide said the floors were 2 1/2 inches thick. They attach the floor first to the frame then flip the floor and frame to attach the axles and wheels, tanks, and other things on the bottom. |
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Cary
2014 RP-177 |
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