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&@%$# Exit Window

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Larry View Drop Down
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    Posted: 04 Jan 2012 at 8:08am

I had a very wonderful camping trip in the Mojave Desert over the Christmas/New Years holiday at Red Rock Canyon State Park, which is very primitive but has and incredible landscape and I also spent a week at Anza Borrego Desert State Park, which has full-hookups and scenic vistas. Both of these campgrounds are part of the California State Park system.

 

But I did have a couple of mishaps which some of you might benefit from. I put a cup of water with tea bags in the microwave when I was out there camping and my microwave/convection oven threw off some sparks and went dead. I got back home yesterday and found out that every appliance repair shop I called did not accept the Cornerstone Extended warranty which covers the microwave and they all gave me rather expensive repair estimates.

 

Cornerstone told me that they would rather deal directly with the repair shop and they don’t particularly give reimbursements for work performed without them first giving their consent. I really searched for a repair shop that would at least talk to Cornerstone and then one of the repair shops told me on the telephone that it sounded like my microwave had blown a fuse and I could save money, I have a $100.00 deductible on my extended service plan. The repair person told me over the phone how to replace the fuse in the microwave, which involved taking the microwave from the R-Pod and removing it from its’ outer case, and I installed a new fuse and the microwave works great now. I guess the lesson here is to make sure you clear everything with the warranty people before beginning any work and also see if you can fix it first before going to a repair shop.

 

As if the microwave going out was not enough I also lost my “EXIT” window and had to order a new one from Forrest River. I was cleaning out my black water tank before leaving the campground by bringing a hose through the exit window and spraying water into the toilet. Well I did get my black water tank cleaned out but I forgot to latch the exit window when I was finish. Subsequently I pulled away from the dump station and did not notice anything until after about 150 miles when I stopped for gas. There was a big gaping hole where my exit window used to be. Evidently that exit window just hangs on a track and it is secured by the two latches on the bottom.

 

As sad a story as this is I called Forrest River to order a replacement exit window and was told that RV owners frequently lose their exit window. The Forrest River Parts person told me that they get a lot of calls to replace the exit window. She told me about one owner of a Surveyor Travel Trailer who brushes against the exit window before getting in bed, pushing the two latches (red) up, and then not noticing it in the morning they go down the road, like I did, and the window falls to the ground and is left behind somewhere along the road.

 

Just thought I’d share how those exit windows are not on hinges or have any permanent attachment to the trailer. As I said earlier the window is on a track at the top and is secured by the two latches on the bottom. BTW the price of a new window, including shipping, is $165.00. But nonetheless I did have and excellent holiday camping trip even though I returned home a few days early. Did not feel I could continue with one window missing from the pod and a broken microwave.

 

Everything is repairable but I thought I’d share this here in case someone else found themselves in the same situation, either with the microwave or exit window. Now that I have everything back under control, ordered a new window and fixed the microwave, it all seems rather comical.

 

Happy New Year 2012

 

P.S. Forrest River also told me that it is common for R-Pod owners to crush or scrape their trailer wheel fender when pulling in or out of a gas station. That was also one of the things I did just after taking delivery of my R-Pod 171.Smile

 

 

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joe&carol View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote joe&carol Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jan 2012 at 9:13am
Sad that you had to experience the microwave and exit window mishaps!  However, we should all be thankful that you've described these problems for the rest of us such that we can learn and benefit from your ordeals.  Yes, thank you for your posting!  Joe
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jato View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jan 2012 at 10:41am
Thanks for the info Larry.  We didn't order any extras when we got our 177 last year.  No A/C, no entertainment center, no microwave - so those aren't issues for us.  HOWEVER, I was totally unaware of the window issue you brought up.  THANK YOU for the heads up.  I will be far more careful when that window is open to be sure it is securely latched B 4 traveling down the road.

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this_is_nascar View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote this_is_nascar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jan 2012 at 1:31pm
I was aware of the window situation.  If you look at it, it's pretty clear how it mounts.  I'm sure this will save someone, someday, from loosing thiers.  As far as the microwave issue, that's why we purchased ours with the micro/oven combo unit and spent $39 for a Wal-Mart microwave.  When it breaks, I'll throw it out and get another one.  In addition, I can easily take it out of the camper to use if I'd like, leaving all that space for "stuff".
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sixgunner Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jan 2012 at 5:31pm
Thanks for the advice, Larry. I'd personally not given the operation of the exit window much thought. Daggone shame you lost yours.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sfish Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jan 2012 at 6:04pm
Thanks for the heads up on the window. I will be sure to check it before we go down the road.
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tsunami View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tsunami Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jan 2012 at 7:32pm
You may wish to check how well the twist-locks on the Dometic outside appliance doors secure the doors.  I had one fall of my FR RV a couple of years ago.  This fall, I found the refrigerator outside door missing on my Pod, when I arrived home.  The doors cost about $30 plus.  I ended up drilling several holes and carefully using a couple of stainless screws running through the doors into the plastic door frames. It might take a couple more minutes to do an inspection but at least I won't have to replace any more doors.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 2Peas-n-RPod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jan 2012 at 9:56pm
Originally posted by tsunami tsunami wrote:

You may wish to check how well the twist-locks on the Dometic outside appliance doors secure the doors.  I had one fall of my FR RV a couple of years ago.  This fall, I found the refrigerator outside door missing on my Pod, when I arrived home.  The doors cost about $30 plus.  I ended up drilling several holes and carefully using a couple of stainless screws running through the doors into the plastic door frames. It might take a couple more minutes to do an inspection but at least I won't have to replace any more doors.

THAT'S the modification I was going to do!! Thumbs Up Thank you for reminding me! I knew there was one more thing I needed to do on the outside of the Pod, but couldn't remember what it was to save my life. Man, I feel stupid!Confused
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Larry View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Larry Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jan 2012 at 11:53am

Just thought I’d let you folks know that the Cornerstone United Extended Warranty is only valid if repairs or replacements are done by a licensed RV service center.  My microwave started giving me trouble again even after I had installed a new fuse so I called the warranty company and they told me what I just stated.

 

Camping World does repair and replace RV convection microwave ovens, and I am going to have them replace mine because I like having a convection microwave and not just the standard microwave oven that most people have in their homes. The Sunbeam Convection Microwave Oven that came with my R-Pod 171 retails at about $500 so I've decided to pay the $100 deductible and get a replacement.

 

Just a heads up that the warranty company will only pay for work done at a licensed RV service center, even if it is just the microwave, but they will not pay for work done at an appliance repair shop.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HuronSailor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jan 2012 at 12:00pm
Sorry to hear about the exit window, but I appreciate the heads up. I'll be sure to add "check exit window latches" to my getting underway checklist.

I also lost a fridge vent door this summer, and now both have zip ties loosely woven through the top to keep them from being separated from the trailer. Got the idea from someone else on the list.
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