Fiberglass Star Cracks

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   Missy and I have owned our 179 for one season and I wanted to bring this issue to new owners (1 or 2 years) especially 179 owners. 

We noticed a small star crack on the outside fiberglass at the back of our pod. The area on the outside (about dime size in diameter) is directly opposite where they must have screwed the kitchen counter top into the frame/skin from the inside. The dealer believes it is a point of one of the screws that started the cracking.

I know this was not there at the beginning of the season or over the middle as I hand-washed the Pod a number of times. So over time of road bouncing this must have started to come through to the skin.

The dealer has had it about a month and Forest River had them take it to a body shop for warranty repair. They initially thought it might have to go back to the factory. 

Today when we inquired as to the status, we were told that the body shop found another star-crack and are repairing it. They did not say where it was located.

Just a recommendation, do a thorough visual of your R Pod skin where you think installed items may have screws possibly poking through or causing damage. As an FYI, we have never attached anything inside with screws. 

Take care and happy podding.
Jon

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Viperbyte Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 31 Mar 2014 Location: Louisville, KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Topic: Fiberglass Star Cracks Posted: 07 Feb 2015 at 7:24pm
	Missy and I have owned our 179 for one season and I wanted to bring this issue to new owners (1 or 2 years) especially 179 owners. We noticed a small star crack on the outside fiberglass at the back of our pod. The area on the outside (about dime size in diameter) is directly opposite where they must have screwed the kitchen counter top into the frame/skin from the inside. The dealer believes it is a point of one of the screws that started the cracking. I know this was not there at the beginning of the season or over the middle as I hand-washed the Pod a number of times. So over time of road bouncing this must have started to come through to the skin. The dealer has had it about a month and Forest River had them take it to a body shop for warranty repair. They initially thought it might have to go back to the factory. Today when we inquired as to the status, we were told that the body shop found another star-crack and are repairing it. They did not say where it was located. Just a recommendation, do a thorough visual of your R Pod skin where you think installed items may have screws possibly poking through or causing damage. As an FYI, we have never attached anything inside with screws. Take care and happy podding. Jon
	Jon & Missy Bandit, Willy, Woody, & Fargo (The Pod Pack) 2015 (Early) R Pod 179 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac V8 4x4

Podster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108	Posted: 07 Feb 2015 at 7:27pm
	Good to know...thanks!
	Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

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: 4508	Posted: 07 Feb 2015 at 8:17pm
	Will keep an eye out for it. Thanks
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

funks Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 05 Nov 2014 Location: CALIF Online Status: Offline Posts: 98	Posted: 07 Feb 2015 at 9:45pm
	My wife and I also have a 179 and we noticed star cracks along the bottom part of the r.pod by the water inlet. Dealer sent out the pod to a body shop for repairs. I'll take a better look at the back side of our 179 for any other cracks. Thanks for the input. We have had our 179 for eleven months.

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 08 Feb 2015 at 6:03pm
	Good info.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

rpodcamper.com Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Location: Reading, Pa Online Status: Offline Posts: 3990	Posted: 09 Feb 2015 at 2:32am
	we had one small Star crack on out 2009 Rpod 171 on the side right below the outdoor light. showed up after our second winter. My body show was able to fix it cheaply (about $100) but did not know what caused it. Maybe a rock hit it from the snow blower? never saw any others.

IL-Podders Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 03 Feb 2015 Location: Mokena, IL Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Posted: 09 Feb 2015 at 9:32am

	Marv-N-Kathy 2015 179 RPod 2016 Chevy Tahoe

IL-Podders Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 03 Feb 2015 Location: Mokena, IL Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Posted: 09 Feb 2015 at 9:34am
	Thanks for the info. I will be sure to look our 179 over carefully when we pick it up next month.
	Marv-N-Kathy 2015 179 RPod 2016 Chevy Tahoe

Satellitephotog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 26 Aug 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 28 Dec 2015 at 9:20pm
	Our 2016 178 has two places along the back seam with spider cracks. Its in the shop now being repaired. Has anyone who has undergone repairs like this had any recurring trouble after the fact??