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Topic ClosedR pod 180 Sink Issues

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GMflyfish View Drop Down
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Joined: 26 Jul 2020
Location: Inverness FL
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: R pod 180 Sink Issues
    Posted: 27 Jul 2020 at 11:16pm
I bought this for the design and the ability for me to camp alone with lots of space.   I have had a lot of issues since buying it and beginning to get buyers regret.  I had an issue with the GFCI the first time I hooked up power.   Got a tech on the phone and got it sorted out.   I thn put water in the tank  after having a hose connected to the unit.  My sink spigot  would not allow any water to come out.  Off to the deal in Tampa and 150 later to find out the areators were plugged.   Got the tools to take care of it myselff  the next time. I blew a tire on my  first trip to the National forest in Montana.  It bent my steps and i am now waiting for a dealer to find a window to fix the steps.  I did immediately buy three new tires.  I now have a sink which fell down.  I think I have a solution to fix it. I also have one of my outside storage  door locks which will not operate.  I may just drill the lock out to get it open . I have gotten some other suggestions from Pod Mod for on Facebook.  I bought this trailer to tow behind my Toyota Tacoma and I love to fish in the back Country in Montana.   When this trip is over I will tow it back to Florida where I have all my tools to begin to make repiars on small issues and trim issues.  
This is my first trailer so I expected some things....  Just not all of them on the first three weeks in Montana.
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 6:52am
Other than your tires and the sink these are all workmanship issues which will generally show up soon on a new trailer. So have hope that you come more or less to the end soon.  The tires are because FR puts the lowest spec tires on there they can get away with. The sink I assume you have is the undermount, bad design for a travel trailer. 

The next issue you are likely to face is your black and.or grey water lines falling down. Reinforce those now before it happens and you have worse problems. 

You mention back country camping. Rpods are not designed to be rough country trailers. If you are towing on rough roads you will have lots of problems unless you crawl along very very slowly. 

Good luck!
1994 Chinook Concourse
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 6:54am
Hello and welcome. I'm sorry you have had issues. That is why some people take short trips first. We did like you, take a long first trip starting a week after we picked up our RP179. Our issues were not the same as yours, but we did have some. I'm not a fan of undermount sinks, especially in something that bounces down the road. The original and the one I installed is top mounted. That is much stronger and there is no possibility of it falling down. It eliminates the ability to have a flush surface with a cover though. There are always trade-offs.

Can you access the compartment with the non-working lock from somewhere inside? If so, can you look to see if something is blocking the lock from operating? Is it that the key turns but the lock does not unlock or is it that the key won't turn?

Overall, you still got a basically good trailer but long initial trips will definitely show up any flaws. I hope you can finish your trip and then get these issues resolved. Once fixed though, you will be in good shape for future trips.
StephenH
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 8:15am
Welcome.  It is unfortunate that you are experiencing issues with  your trailer, but they are pretty normal. Almost no trailers available here in the US have the workmanship that that they ought to.  Sadly, it's just a fact of life.  Add to that the fact that the trailer is sustaining a continuous magnitude 7 earthquake as it bounces down the road and you have the recipe for the need of constant repairs.  Many people who buy trailers are tinkerers who don't mind doing constant repairs and adjustments.  Working on one's trailer can be fun and relaxing, but it is certainly not for everyone.  

It sounds like you already have tools, so the challenge will be to become proficient at trailer maintenance.  Over time you will get used to it and it will occupy some of your time in the off season.  This board has tons of useful information that can save you a lot of headaches.  If you can't find what you need in the archives, ask.  Many people will step up and help you out.  

Don't despair.  Once you get your trailer's little bugs worked out, you'll find it will be a source of a great deal of fun and relaxation in your life.
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 11:42am
Hello and welcome. As stated, you will have some issues no matter what camper you buy. It sounds to me like you bought a used unit, or your warranty would have kicked in on these issues. I would recommend coming here first when things happen, or you want advise on preventing problems. We are very inexpensive, and probably can help you out. As you may have seen in an earlier post, the black tank discharge is a known issue you will face if you don't take preventative steps. The hanger they (all campers) use is a piece of @#^*. You can add an exhaust clamp and hanger, or what ever you can come up with. Good luck, and don't lose hope, we get many trouble free days out of these campers. 

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GMflyfish View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 1:07pm
I bought the unit new.   the local dealers are 6 weeks out on any maintenance.  I fixed the sink this morning only took about an  hour and one additional trip to the hardware store.  I have tool now and more at home. I will make the necessary modifications as I go forward.  Remember to tighten all screws after a trip down a gravel road. 
GMflyfifh
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 1:13pm
Don't forget to check the drain fittings for tightness also. We had that problem when we first got our RPod. The kitchen drain was not tightened and it leaked into the drawers beneath and badly damaged two almost new cookbooks that were in the drawer.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
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