Initial Quality |
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3ofUs
Groupie Joined: 12 Jul 2014 Location: TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 99 |
Topic: Initial Quality Posted: 19 Aug 2014 at 7:08am |
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Guess we are lucky with our 2011 182G we bought last August. All the problems had been resolved but one. Obviously, previous owner had not used the black tank flush because our first experience was water seeping out on kitchen floor from shower wall. We had extended warranty and dealer resolved the problem. It was the check valve under bathroom sink.
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NormanHill
Groupie Joined: 30 Mar 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 49 |
Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 11:43pm | |
Fred, I can add to the list:
Caulking on the roof is excessive and sloppy. Antenna base is completely covered with caulking - does this seem right? Welds on the bracket for the propane tank and battery are very sloppy - according to my dealer they are "within-spec" Fridge doesn't work on AC - in the shop now; Interior fit and finish is poor, trim installed to tight so it warped, gaps in the trim corners filled with wood putty. But re-reading this it looks like I had pretty good quality compared to you. I wonder if others have grown to expect a level of quality that would be intolerable in other industries, and for other products. I've bought a few fishing boats and a number of cars over the years and none had the fit and finish issues of the Forest River camper. Any way we can get them to read the forums? I think we are in for a lot of maintenance.
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 29 Jul 2014 at 5:26pm | |
And the 120 volt Romex wiring will be contained within its own insulative sleeve (yellow, white or orange depending). So it should be easy to identify.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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wildfire305
Groupie Joined: 22 Jul 2014 Location: Erlanger, KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 85 |
Posted: 29 Jul 2014 at 5:22pm | |
Build quality on ours was good, but I believe two things should not have made it past QC. The windows wouldn't open - caulked shut. Once freed I silicone sprayed the channels and they freed up easily.
Secondly, on the 179 the refrigerator in the slide has a panel below it that conceals the propane hose and wiring for the slide and sink piping. The propane hose was twisted the opposite direction it needed to be and causing the panel to bend inward when the slide was closed. I had a fear of it breaking the panel off after the third time closing it (it would have if I didn't stop). So I twisted the hose the correct direction so it unfurled correctly and did not cause the panel to bulge. While in there, i secured the wiring properly with zip ties instead of the electrical tape that had failed and allowed the wiring to pop out from underneath the panel. Other things like the holding tank brackets being to short, and a few plumbing issues I fixed. Overall though, I am still satisfied. I recommend going over a new purchase with a fine tooth comb before the first trip out in it and have the dealer make any repairs. If buying used, do the same and work the repairs into your deal.
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2005 Dodge Durango 4.7 V8
OLD Tow Vehicle 2004 Honda Odyssey 2015 RP179 "73b" OLD 2005 Viking Saga 2480ST popup |
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 29 Jul 2014 at 12:44pm | |
Are the wires individual wires or part of a three conductor cable? The 12 volt wiring is usually individual wires, sometimes color coded. The 120V AC wiring is usually 3 conductor Romex type cable. If Romex, one wire is white, one black, and one bare. |
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Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
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fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Posted: 29 Jul 2014 at 12:35pm | |
You're right henksailor. That wasn't a very fair or reasonable comparison.
Those wires are a bit baffling. Perhaps the beginning of a 12v. outlet install? On my 178, there is a chase that runs transverse under the floor from galley side to under shower for wiring and plumbing. Did you check to see if there is any voltage at the wire ends? Does furnace and HW wiring seem intact? Just guessing. BTW, delivered (crewed) a Hinckley Sou'wester 42 from Freeport, Bahamas to Hilton Head. What a beautiful ride! fred
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2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
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henksailor
Newbie Joined: 25 Jul 2014 Location: Michigan Online Status: Offline Posts: 5 |
Posted: 28 Jul 2014 at 11:04pm | |
Wow! Looks like I hit on a good topic. Thanks, everyone, for your input on build quality and your take on the state of RV construction. I'm not complaining about my pod, was just wondering if these type of things are to be expected when purchasing a entry level RV. If I were buying a Hinckley Sou'Wester 52 and had these types of issues, I would be more concerned. Although I would also be there throughout the build of a Hinckley to oversee the steps of construction...
From what we saw when we first looked at the R-Pods at Gillette's RV in Lansing, MI, I would have to assume that they borrowed parts from my trailer and several others to prep ones they had sold earlier. An open hole for an interior speaker, top control panel missing from the refrigerator and a few light fixtures and trim screws loose. Most of these things were back in place when we picked it up, so I don't consider them to be issues. Of the list that I initially posted of problems, the only one that really concerns me are the wires hanging down under the countertop of the slide out. The ends of both wires are stripped and the copper has some crimping on it, so it was connected to something at one time. What, I don't know. They go up into the space between the storage under the sink and the 2 drawers. Not sure what is up there that would require that robust of wiring, the 2-burner stove does not have an electronic igniters. All of the other issues I can fix or have already fixed. |
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'13 Silverado Z71 4x4 Crew Cab
'14 RPod 177 (Uncle Ed) 2 big labs and one large mutt (our 4-legged crew, hence the crew cab) |
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fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Posted: 28 Jul 2014 at 9:52pm | |
Thanks Doug. Although mine are young (only 11 months), I do have about 10K miles on them and notice a little odd and uneven wear. I really had to stare at them to even notice. I'm thinking they are just inexpensive tires or, perhaps, could use a balancing. Might balancing have something to do with uneven wear? fred
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2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 28 Jul 2014 at 9:46pm | |
Mine are now 5 years old and have over 15,000 miles on them. Plenty of tread left, although it is worn oddly. The 2nd ring of tread from the inside, on both sides, has worn down much more than the rest. General rule of thumb with trailer tires is they will "age out" before the tread wears out. 5-6 years is usually end-of-life if you want to be safe, so I'll replace mine next summer before we head out for another 5-7k mile trip.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4508 |
Posted: 28 Jul 2014 at 9:26pm | |
Good 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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