Caution with the Grill Mount Rail

[DocRob]

I have a Roo 17 and purchased a grill to use with the supplied rail and propane hose. The first time I fired up the grill it worked fine but while I was waiting for it to cool down it fell off the rail. Well I looked at the bracket that hooks onto the rail and it didn't seem to have much of a hook to hold the rail so I closed the channel a bit and solved that issue. So second time worked fine but the rail appeared to be canted a bit. Now I just used it again and you guessed it the rail is coming loose. I unscrewed the rail and found that Forest River had screwed the rail to the gel coat only and nothing went into anything of any strength. I've now screwed the rail through to a plywood backer on the inside and it should stay. Sooo! - for safety don't use the rail until you run the screws into something other than the gel coat. 2 1/4 screws will give you about 3/4 ths of an inch on the inside and use can use the grill rail without fear. I shudder to think what might have happened if a large pot of baked beans or corn on the cob had dropped of onto one of my family.
Happy camping.

[rockfordroo]

Why did you have to purchase a grill? RVQ grill should have come with your Roo. You should have a table that slides onto the rail, also.

[bikendan]

Yep, you not supposed to get the rail and propane hose, without getting the grill.
It's a package option.

[DocRob]

I didn't purchase the grill but suspect that someone may have put on the rail before they looked at the invoice. At any rate the issue with the rail stands and the grill I ended up with is an Olympian 5500 that works great
I had a number of other issues that I fixed rather than getting old waiting for service at the local dealer, but this one is dangerous so thought others should know.

[CNYCamper]

My rail came loose on my old Shamrock 183 while I was in the middle of barbequing. Caught it just in time.
This was mounted at the FR factory and no problems on prior occasions of use. Repaired with wider screws after shooting epoxy into the holes and allowing to partial set. Never used that set-up too often after that. Current RV has the bumper mount - much safer.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Yep, you not supposed to get the rail and propane hose, without getting the grill.
It's a package option.

I have the rail and gas port on our 17 23WS and did not buy the grill option. Roo rep told me they are all built with the rail and gas port.

[ebcobra93]

I've used the grill and shelf (usually for an electric griddle) more than dozen times with no issues. I will definitely keep a close eye on it though. Thanks for the notice.

Are you sure that the grill was on the bracket properly? My wife attached it once, and I noticed that she missed the bottom lip of the bracket (barely holding on to the top lip). The grill was holding, but wasn't fully attached.

[DocRob]

Yes the grill was mounted properly it was the rail that wasn't! So you have a grill of about 15 lbs, a table with fixins on it, grill tools, meat and the like. You need more than an 1/8th inch of gel coat to hold it. That's even without someone loosing there balance and reaching for the table for support (didn't happen yet but it could) In this world were everyone is a lawyer or has a phone I find it hard to believe that FR would take that kind of risk.

[ebcobra93]

Originally Posted by DocRob

Yes the grill was mounted properly it was the rail that wasn't! So you have a grill of about 15 lbs, a table with fixins on it, grill tools, meat and the like. You need more than an 1/8th inch of gel coat to hold it. That's even without someone loosing there balance and reaching for the table for support (didn't happen yet but it could) In this world were everyone is a lawyer or has a phone I find it hard to believe that FR would take that kind of risk.

Sorry, missed the part about the screws pulling loose...

[mike.t]

This is how I mounted mine (yes I know it is not a Roo)

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by CNYCamper

My rail came loose on my old Shamrock 183 while I was in the middle of barbequing. Caught it just in time.

That must have hurt.

[DocRob]

Mike.T,
You have the right idea in that the lever arm of the grill is like the handle of a claw hammer when removing a nail and you have to have something substantial holding on the inside. Having a panel to work with on your rig gave you a good option and easy access to the back. Nice job.

[OldCoot]

mike t., now you have to keep watch on bending the flimsy door or loosening the door hinge/frame.

[SeaDog]

Originally Posted by DocRob

Yes the grill was mounted properly it was the rail that wasn't! So you have a grill of about 15 lbs, a table with fixins on it, grill tools, meat and the like. You need more than an 1/8th inch of gel coat to hold it. That's even without someone loosing there balance and reaching for the table for support (didn't happen yet but it could) In this world were everyone is a lawyer or has a phone I find it hard to believe that FR would take that kind of risk.

My grill rail seems fine but after reading your post I'm going to check mine out, and add a backing plate if needed. I really like the barbecue and table supplied with my rig, did 18 cheese burgers 2 weeks ago at a gathering.

[CNYCamper]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

That must have hurt.

Fortunately I was able to grab my fire pit gloves as it started to pull away, but as it tipped the accumulated grease caught fire. Basically had to balance the bottom of the grill with one gloved hand, remove the other glove to turn off the grill with the other and then pull the quick connect.