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Disappointed

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vics View Drop Down
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    Posted: 14 Mar 2013 at 7:39am
We bought our R Pod 8/12 and have had a lot of fun with it, but so far nothing seems to be covered by the warranty.  First, after six or seven trips, none of which was more than 100 miles one way, the brakes needed replaced.  They looked as if they had been driven while engaged for an extended period.  We always had our setting around five, it never smoked or smelled hot and never pulled.  It wasn't covered by the warranty even though no one can explain what happened, probably assuming we're lying to get our money back.  If we caused the problem, we'd admit to it.  The tech at the dealer recommended we set the new brakes on 7, but we're afraid to do that.  What's to keep it from happening again?  We're still in talks with Dexter Axle about it.  They recommended we get the wiring checked out, that maybe it's wrong, so we'll do that.  Another problem we had was that the fresh water tank was filling when we'd plug in the city water.  We took it to the dealer, and they said there was debris in the hose they had to blow it out, and it wasn't covered by the warranty...even though we never used the fresh water tank!  Because the bill was so large for the brakes, I didn't even notice they charged us for the hose repair.  When I called the dealer about it yesterday, they said no, no, no.  I think I need to call Forest River myself. 
 
I also have to take it in again, because when I turned on the heat last weekend, the air conditioner came on, which never happened before.  I understand things need tweaked but I'm not liking the dealer very much, and am tempted to go somewhere else to trade in the Pod just to get away from having to deal with them. It's feeling like nothing is covered by warranty.
"Ken, Vicki, and Jillie-dog"
2012 RPod 177
2011 Chevy Silverado
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ratdog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Mar 2013 at 8:06am
Sorry to hear about your problems, Vics. That certainly would take the fun out of camping for most people including myself.
 
My observation on this forum is that there is a wide variation in quality of these trailers. Some have lots of problems, some have none. We've had ours 177 for 3 years and dragged during which time we've dragged it all over the country without any problems other than problems that wee my fault.
 
I would definitely contact FR about your problems. They have been terrific with me in getting the parts I needed to fix the stuff I broke. Contact Susan Thornberg at sthornberg@forestriverinc.com.
 
Also, if nothing is going to be covered by warranty anyway, I'd start teking your rpod to a local RV shop in your area. You don't have to take it to a FR dealer. Any RV shop can deal with the problems you've mentioned. I took our rpod to a local independent shop to do the lighting recall, I paid for it there, and FR reimbursed me.
 
Good luck with getting your rpod fixed and keep us posted how things go.
 
-- Steve

Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote vics Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Mar 2013 at 10:02am
Thanks for the info, Steve.  I sent Forest River an email, so we'll see what happens.  I didn't even mention in my previous post about the large leak we head under the sink last weekend. We ended up taking the partition out from under the sink and tightened up the water connections, which fixed most of the problem, but there remains a small leak at the drain pipe which we're going to try and fix at home.  As to not having to take it to the dealer, we may well take it elsewhere, except that the dealer's probably closer than anyone else!  I certainly won't buy another camper from them.  I'll post Forest River's response, as well as whatever Dexter says about it.
"Ken, Vicki, and Jillie-dog"
2012 RPod 177
2011 Chevy Silverado
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote furpod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Mar 2013 at 2:46pm
Unfortunately, often times, we learn the dealer is way more important than the manufacturer. We have a great dealer, near as I can tell.

I was pretty sure the R-Pods have a hitch-to-spare warranty on non-wear items for the first 12 months.. what does your paperwork say?

As far as brakes and settings, what do your controller instructions say? Ours gave a complete walk through on how to set them initially, but I go through it before every trip, because the trailer is not loaded the same..

I have found over the course of time that all the plumbing should be checked once and awhile in any RV, even the 'stream. You never have to do it to your home, but your house doesn't go 75mph either.Wink

If you are unhappy with your dealer, which is how it sounds, and you can't get a warranty issue fixed, I agree, take it elsewhere, or, as I and many others do.. DIY. The things are pretty simple.
Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie.
'11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295FurPodsMods
'17 Ford F250 CCSB
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote vics Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Mar 2013 at 6:38pm
I did email Susan at Forest River and since she's out of the office, Amber's helping me.  She was really fast about resonding to me to ask for more information, so I'm looking forward to hearing back from her. 
 
As far as the brake instructions go, they were easy to follow, which we did to a T.  We've never driven it more than 100 miles at a stretch, and it's almost all interstate driving.  When we do take it on the 100-mile trip, we usually even stop midway at a rest stop to let the dog out, and when I'm walking her, my husband's doing a walk-around to check everything out on the trailer.  If we were burning up the brakes we'd see smoke or smell it.  Anyway, we'll see what Forest River says. 
"Ken, Vicki, and Jillie-dog"
2012 RPod 177
2011 Chevy Silverado
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Butterfly_Lee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Mar 2013 at 10:54pm
First of all sorry to hear your problems.  I had over 9,000 miles on my pod before I had any problems.

I took Podterfly to a closer dealer because my normal dealer was booked and wanted to get the wheel bearings serviced before I went on the road.  Well the closer dealer did a half a-- job and less then 300 miles she blew out a bearing seal and burned the spinal.   Of course nothing was covered under warranty and didn't even give me credit for the serving that went bad.  Oh this is a Forest River Dealer, and this guy really didn't want to help me in the least,  and want to sell me a whole new axle because DEXTER wouldn't honor the warranty.   

The whole thing put a clog in my camping last year.  Moral of the story GOOD service people are hard to find.  I wish you luck and hope that this is the last of your problems.

Oh one of my friend lent me a Heat sensor (saw them a Harbor Freight about 60.00 bucks), when I first went back on the road so I could check the temp of the wheels when I stopped.  The wheels of the truck and Podterfly were within a couple of degrees.  First trip I stopped once and hour to check for the first couple and then very couple hours.  Because they "didn't know why the bearing blew and the brakes LOOKED OK" having the senor made me feel a little more comfortable and I would be able to tell if I had a brake over heating problem.

So for any of you traveling thru Corpus Christi TX and need service may stopping at the RV Center HWY 37 might not be a good idea, there's a much nice dealer in town.  PM me and I'll be happy to provide the names. (can't remember if naming a dealership is permitted)

LeeStar
Still a work in progress, lots of pictures.
http://podterfly.blogspot.com/
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote headcold Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Mar 2013 at 2:30pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote headcold Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Mar 2013 at 2:34pm
Sorry for the empty post.  Yes, the integrity of the dealer is the key.  Bozeman Ford is our local R-Pod dealer. They have stood behind every warranty problem (I've had two), one of which was a complicated heater/thermostat issue.  Laura, their service manager, is helpful, efficient, and friendly. If you are vacationing in the Greater Yellowstone area and experience a problem with your R-Pod see them. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote headcold Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Mar 2013 at 2:40pm
I guess, by naming our local dealer, I might have violated some rule of which I was not aware.  Sorry again.  I am interested in learning more about the heat sensor from Harbor Freight that you mentioned.  I looked at their website and couldn't find what I imagined might be of use in monitoring the heat produced by braking.  Could you give me some help in this regard?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ratdog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Mar 2013 at 2:53pm
Originally posted by headcold headcold wrote:

I guess, by naming our local dealer, I might have violated some rule of which I was not aware.  Sorry again.  I am interested in learning more about the heat sensor from Harbor Freight that you mentioned.  I looked at their website and couldn't find what I imagined might be of use in monitoring the heat produced by braking.  Could you give me some help in this regard?
 
I think this might be it:
 
 
I've looked at them and had though about getting one for other uses. It hadn't occurred to me to use it to check brake temperature but that's a great idea.
 
-- Steve

Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)
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