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my recent r-pod factory tour

Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: Forest River r-pod
Forum Name: r-pod Adventures
Forum Description: Post your camping adventures here. Feel free to post pictures of you and your 'pod' from around the country...
URL: http://www.rpodNation.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3171
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 9:41am
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Topic: my recent r-pod factory tour
Posted By: tedbear
Subject: my recent r-pod factory tour
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2012 at 2:52pm
On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, I was treated to a tour of the r-pod facility in Goshen, Indiana by Kristin Griffin, and after two hours there I came away impressed.  To see how raw materials are transformed into an r-pod, by a relatively small number of highly skilled people, is amazing.  I am not the first forum member to get a look behind the scenes, and the only photo I took is below.  All I wanted to say is that I was treated like gold and was even given a set of decals to replace those that are peeling on my 171.
 
If there is one message I want to share with others here it is that they want you to be happy with your r-pod and will do anything and everything possible to make that happen.  They are on our side 100% and are doing what they reasonably can to resolve customer issues whether it's peeling decals or concern about lights.  If you have questions, contact them - don't whine and grouse and spout opinions disguised as facts.  Kristin's email address is mailto:kgriffin@forestriverinc.com - kgriffin@forestriverinc.com - she would love to hear from you.
 



Replies:
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2012 at 3:40pm
Wow.  Out here in Oregon they have an assembly plant in Dallas, OR.  We are scheduled to take a tour of that facility this coming Thursday as ours is being assembled. (Got our fingers crossed.)  My understanding is that the parts and assemblies are sent from Indiana to Oregon and then final assembled.  Will take some pics and post them if I can. 

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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 lb.) Mini Dachshund
2013 Rpod 171HRE (Pods-of-Luck)
2005 Chev. Tahoe


Posted By: Racer|X|
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2012 at 8:08pm
Nice to see the tongue jacks all have a nice wheel...too bad they remove them.
Wink



Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2012 at 10:18pm
One of the first items I bought to add to our yet to be delivered 171 is a Bal Jack with wheel.  It replaces the tongue jack and bolts onto the side of the front support.  Has a wheel attached and runs about $55.  Easier to roll into position at our home. 

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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 lb.) Mini Dachshund
2013 Rpod 171HRE (Pods-of-Luck)
2005 Chev. Tahoe


Posted By: tedbear
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2012 at 10:42pm
Unless you have a tongue jack/wheel that swings up and locks in place, it won't work.  There is not enough clearance, even with the jack fully retracted, for a wheel - you will bottom out on even the smallest bumps in the road.  Furthermore, even the fattest wheel won't keep your r-pod from sinking into dirt and gravel, so wheels are only practical when you are on concrete or blacktop.  I tried a number of wheel experiments on my 171 when it was new, and none of them were practical.


Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 01 May 2012 at 12:21am
The Bal jack does swing up and lock in place.  You might want to take a look at one of them.  Google it.  Better still, go to Autoparts Warehouse.  Look up Bal #29001 for $56.69 delivered.  This is the one you want. 

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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 lb.) Mini Dachshund
2013 Rpod 171HRE (Pods-of-Luck)
2005 Chev. Tahoe


Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 01 May 2012 at 10:51am
We have a wheel for the 'stream, it slides off for travel, same as the "foot" we use for the pod..

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Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie.
'11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295 http://www.rpodnation.com/some-of-our-mods-so-far-with-pics_topic2786.html" rel="nofollow - FurPodsMods
'17 Ford F250 CCSB


Posted By: Larry
Date Posted: 01 May 2012 at 2:08pm

That is one reason why I had axle risers put on my pod; to lift the pod up and the added height helps when draining the tanks. I also put a new electric tongue jack with a wheel on my pod; now my jack does not scrape when I enter or leave a driveway. Without the axle risers sometimes the rear end of the pod would scrape as well.

 

P.S. There is also and R-Pod factory in Oregon, and I want to echo what tedbear said; because I met with people in the Oregon factory and they were very proud of their work and wanted owners of R-Pod’s to be proud as well.

 



Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 01 May 2012 at 7:25pm
We are scheduled to tour the plant in The Dalles, Oregon this Thursday and hopefully see our 171 being assembled.  Hope to take some pics and will post them if I can.  Safe Travels!!

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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 lb.) Mini Dachshund
2013 Rpod 171HRE (Pods-of-Luck)
2005 Chev. Tahoe


Posted By: Racer|X|
Date Posted: 01 May 2012 at 8:38pm
I have the swing up on my pontoon trailer....I just need to add it to the PackR-Pod.

X


Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 14 May 2012 at 7:51am
Originally posted by Camper Bob Camper Bob wrote:

Wow.  Out here in Oregon they have an assembly plant in Dallas, OR.  We are scheduled to take a tour of that facility this coming Thursday as ours is being assembled. (Got our fingers crossed.)  My understanding is that the parts and assemblies are sent from Indiana to Oregon and then final assembled.  Will take some pics and post them if I can. 
 
 
With all due respect to the OP..... you see that trash all over the floor?  That's indicative to how they build these things.  Sloppy, with no regards to tidiness.  If I had been them, there's no way in hell I would have let you snap that picture with that place looking like that.  It's a disgrace and the "I don't care what it looks like, as long as the normal customer doesn't see it" attitude is echoed in their product.  Take a look under a bench in you R-Pod, one of those benches that aren't supposed to be used for storage.  Tell us how much sawdust you find.  Tell us how those wires are run and fastened throughout that area.  Take a look at where the piping goes through the shelves under the sink.  Take photos of that area and see if your feelings are the same.  Unless FR has changed in the last few years (and by that picture, I'd say they haven't), then the guts of your R-Pod looks just like that floor.  Still impressed?
 
 


-------------
"Ray & Connie"

- 2017 R-Pod RP-180
- 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road



Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 14 May 2012 at 10:15am
Whoa Big Fella.  They aren't making precision missile parts.  Constant cleanup would just be reflected in the prices we pay for an Rpod.  I guess it's something like watching sausage being made.  Not pretty, but awfully tasty.  I would guess that as a plant manager, you have to balance your costs against benefits.  Hope that unrings your bell.

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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 lb.) Mini Dachshund
2013 Rpod 171HRE (Pods-of-Luck)
2005 Chev. Tahoe


Posted By: tedbear
Date Posted: 14 May 2012 at 2:47pm
Kristin said that the place is made spotless at the end of each day, which it would have to be in order for them to work the next day.  I was there, you were not.
 
Obviously, you work for the competition - either that or you're just another misinformed idiot, and I would never presume that about anyone I don't know.


Posted By: Uncle Billy
Date Posted: 14 May 2012 at 3:37pm
Originally posted by Camper Bob Camper Bob wrote:

Whoa Big Fella.  They aren't making precision missile parts.  Constant cleanup would just be reflected in the prices we pay for an Rpod.  I guess it's something like watching sausage being made.  Not pretty, but awfully tasty.  I would guess that as a plant manager, you have to balance your costs against benefits.  Hope that unrings your bell.
Constant clean up is one thing but safety hazards are another.  Empty caulk tube on the ground is a trip hazard.  Not sure if those are extention cords or air lines on the ground but either way they are trip hazards also and should be hung from the ceiling.  A proper factory layout and a garbage can at each work station doesn't cost that much.  Many insurance companies will work with small factories to help improve safety at no charge and some offer discounts for compliance.


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POD With No Name


Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 14 May 2012 at 6:00pm
All good info.  If your really concerned, I would forward your issues to Warren Buffet.  He owns Forest River and I'm sure he would also be concerned.  Don't have his email address but I'm sure you can find it on the web.  Safe Travels.

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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 lb.) Mini Dachshund
2013 Rpod 171HRE (Pods-of-Luck)
2005 Chev. Tahoe


Posted By: tedbear
Date Posted: 14 May 2012 at 8:39pm
New Rule:  No one gets to hijack my posts.  You wanna whine, then start your own discussion.


Posted By: Racer|X|
Date Posted: 14 May 2012 at 9:00pm
LMAO Nascar...that may be one of the most interesting posts I have ever read!  Things get a little messy when working.  Doesn't exactly mean the final product is trash.




Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 15 May 2012 at 7:50am
Go ahead guys.  Have at it busting my stones.  If any of you ever have the opportunity to visit a plant who puts out a quality product,  then you can come back to me with your comments.  Until you've seen what a real company plant looks like while in operation, you have no basis to doubt what I'm saying.  These looks not only reflect the finished product, they pose a huge safety risk.  I'm not going to sit here and have a p*ssing contest with anyone.  If you don't want opinions that include negative ones, don't post in a public forum.
 
Have a good day.


-------------
"Ray & Connie"

- 2017 R-Pod RP-180
- 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road



Posted By: tsunami
Date Posted: 15 May 2012 at 9:39am
I concur that new Forest River products look great as long as you don't look too closely.  My FR RV had a waste hole in the floor which was never foamed in. I had vermin problems for two years until I had the lights on in the interior and noticed light shining under the RV.  I had to remove a plywood panel...the waste pipe hole had a 1 1/2 inch gap all around the pipe with no foam insulation.
After buying my Pod, I opened the pump compartment, adjacent to the shower area.  Again no foam insulation around the waste pipe hole. I am no electrician but the wiring was strung haphazardly with a lot of split wood where it was anchored down.
Plastic drawer sliders had to be replaced along with soft pine supports which had been split by overtightened screws. My dinette-bed panel crashed down after the second night of usage because the anchor screws had split the wood supports.  There were air gaps around the door and one of the window frames where insulation had not been inserted at the factory.
I felt I got a good deal on the price on my Pod. The time it took me to do touch-up repairs was my part of paying a lot less for a Pod than the competition.
I am mentioning these consistent problems so that as a new buyer you can look at these locations and have your dealer fix them if necessary before you take possession.



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tsunami


Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 15 May 2012 at 11:29am

 I agree with Tsunami. These campers will never be considered examples of fine American craftsmanship. The tradeoff is, that the price is kept low enough so that folks who might not be able to afford an Airstream can still get into the RV game.

 
But with the low entry price to get into this hobby/lifestyle comes another price to pay . . . your own sweat equity. These campers are a "work-in-progress". You have to do some work yourself to complete the job that Forest River started.
 
I have not had all of the nightmare problems that some on this forum have had. But my rpod was far from being "fully cooked" when I got it. I'm not thrilled with the quality but I'm basically contented with the fact that I got fairly reasonable value for my money.
 
-- Steve 


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


Posted By: Tom and Carol
Date Posted: 15 May 2012 at 12:47pm
Steve, I agree with you.  I haven't even done any mods and I'm still satisfied, so it can't be that bad.
 
Tom


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Tom and Carol
R-Pod 177
2006 F-150


Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 16 May 2012 at 7:43am
From what I have seen on our new 2013 171 HRE many of the original manufacturing problems have been addressed.  Never will be perfect but I do believe that FR is sincerely interested in turning out a quality product.  The do read the forums and make additions and corrections as they are deemed necessary.  They have now hinged the bed platform and replaced a troublesome support stand for the dining table.  Seems that they do listen.  Whining and complaining doesn't further your concerns.  But pointing out to FR your needs and wants in a professional way goes a long way to them adjusting their product.  Do any of you like to be whined at?  In any event, I am very happy with our 171 and will continue to take it camping.  Safe Travels.

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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 lb.) Mini Dachshund
2013 Rpod 171HRE (Pods-of-Luck)
2005 Chev. Tahoe


Posted By: wbillar
Date Posted: 16 May 2012 at 9:02am
I have added the new legs to my 2009 171 table, wow what a difference, it goes up and down with no hassle.  I'd be interested to know what the change is to the queen size bed platform.  

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Bill


Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 16 May 2012 at 11:05am

They added hinges to make it easier to lift.  Now, if they had put a finger hole to help lift it, it would be perfect.



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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 lb.) Mini Dachshund
2013 Rpod 171HRE (Pods-of-Luck)
2005 Chev. Tahoe


Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 16 May 2012 at 9:44pm
My hangar floor never looks like that. I deal with aircraft though, so safety is paramount. As far as being cheap, my FR product is not at all cheap, but it does have it's flaws. We've spent well over two months in it [to include three cross country trips] and it held up great thus far in a little over a year.

Nascar does have a great point - Safety is paramount!

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2010 RPOD 176 (Silly-POD), 2011 Forest River Stealth 2612, and 2014 Forest River XLR 380AMP


Posted By: pepperpod
Date Posted: 16 May 2012 at 11:24pm
While cleaning up the road dust from a 1200 mile trip from Florida, I realized how much I love my little Pod.  As others have pointed out, there have been little things that were not done quite right.  We have, however, been very pleased with it.  We had to put the risers on the bottom bunk of our 172 because it was too heavy for me to lift. Thank you Huron Sailor for the great directions.
Those of us, who have attended the Eastern rallies in the last two years, know that the people from Forest River are very interested in improving the Pod.


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Pepper,Coach,and Henry (a very brave little Maltese)
R Pod 172

The rewards of the journey far outweigh the risk of leaving the harbor...unknown


Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 17 May 2012 at 8:16am
Originally posted by pepperpod pepperpod wrote:

While cleaning up the road dust from a 1200 mile trip from Florida, I realized how much I love my little Pod.  As others have pointed out, there have been little things that were not done quite right.  We have, however, been very pleased with it.  We had to put the risers on the bottom bunk of our 172 because it was too heavy for me to lift. Thank you Huron Sailor for the great directions.
Those of us, who have attended the Eastern rallies in the last two years, know that the people from Forest River are very interested in improving the Pod.
 
 
Yup, the amount of notes you saw Lionel and the others taking was proof that they were listening to all of us and wanted to make changes to the future Pods.
 
Not to mention some of the great tips they provided.


-------------
Travis & Carrie
http://goo.gl/maps/Vlelv - 181g - MoosePod Adventures Map
http://goo.gl/maps/ho9Rf - RPod Owners Map



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