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2B's In A Pod View Drop Down
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Posts: 7 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Add shocks to r-pod suspension?
    Posted: 16 Dec 2018 at 9:39pm

For my situation the definition of ‘bounce’ is movement by the trailer that causes small items (eq. soap bottle, olive oil bottle) to ‘migrate’ from the kitchen sink to the floor during travel. I already use a Pro Series RB2 WDH.

Much good info has been posted to this topic. However it appears no one has added shocks to a r-pod. Therefore I’m going to use very slow speed to remedy the problem.
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 4:13pm
I would need to know the definition of "bounce".  If it feels like the pod is making the TV bounce forward-to-back (on long bridges this would be "porpoising") then a WDH is the answer, not additional suspension on the pod.  A secondary benefit of a WDH is it acts as a third suspension system between the two vehicles.
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Posts: 1223 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2018 at 6:47pm
   I was reading on the Gulfstream owners forum that a man installed a stronger axle on his Visa and the frame ended up bending. I think the r-pods frame is not much different in construction. But I am thinking shocks would just soften the bumps which sounds like perhaps a good idea if it could be done. That if there are weld points for brackets to mount the shocks. If you know a good trailer frame shop I am sure they could tell you if it could be done or not. But I personally agree with others ultra lite campers are just not designed for off road. I would think if the frame flexes or twists to much it cause damage to the fiberglass walls.
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Posts: 2709 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2018 at 5:40pm
Yah. The term "road" all by itself can run quite a spectrum. There is a particular place we are fond of east of Yosemite out on BLM land that we've not gotten the nerve to travel with the R-pod. We've been out there in our 4WD trucks, and came close to getting "stuck" a couple of times. It's not particularly rough, but the sand gets over a foot deep in many places.We have an ongoing debate whether we could take the R-pod out there or not. I think it's possible, my SO thinks not. There is also the issue about turning around and getting out.
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Posts: 1454 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2018 at 3:10pm
I think we all have an idea of what we mean when we talk about taking an RPod "off road", but I'll bet our ideas run the gamut.  Just talking about forest service roads, some of them a just as good as federal highways; just lacking pavement and maybe not as wide.  Others are narrow, rutted, with ruts full of mud or water of unknown depth, not to mention fallen or low overhanging trees, etc, etc. You see all kinds of cars on the former -- why not?  You see serious 4WD types winching each other out and or retreating from the latter. 

I can imagine shocks helping on unpaved roads at the milder end of the spectrum but you can't even pull a Pod over roads on the other end.  Again, it's up to the individual to know what kind of roads they're thinking of, and to decide whether it's worth the effort.  I'm skeptical about how much you could extend an RPod's range though by adding shocks.

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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2018 at 2:50pm
Sounds to me the real issue is in how to set up functional attachment points and whether the structure of the frame is substantial enough to withstand the stresses imposed.  If those issues can be solved, then having shocks on the trailer probably wouldn't hurt anything.  

We travel on forest service roads from time to time and really haven't had a problem bouncing the trailer.  But we're in no hurry, so we just go slowly over the bumps.  ....makes the ride in the truck more comfortable too.  But trucks tend to have stiffer suspensions than a 4Runner which rides more like a car.

Personally, unless one is talking about real off roading and jeep trails, I don't think there is any reason you couldn't take your Pod on forest service roads, as long as you proceed with caution and don't try to go over things that can hang up on the axle or the hitch.  You may need to disconnect the WDH torsion bars, but, then, trailer sway is rarely a problem when traveling at walking speeds.
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2018 at 2:04pm
I had an Airstream. The outriggers extend from the frame to the outside of the cabin and the TT is mounted on them, they add support to the cabin from the frame and are not part of the axle. The Airstream does have shocks (mine did) which are attached to the axle assembly. The composition of the frame is not at all like a Pod. A Pod has a basic trailer frame with an axle attached. +1 to Furpod and not trying this if you have a warranty.
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Posts: 2709 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2018 at 11:47am
Originally posted by furpod

Among other things, an Airstream has frame outriggers, and a different style frame (I have had to replace 2 outriggers on ours).
What do those outriggers look like? I'm wondering if adding outriggers to an R-pod axle would improve the load capability; especially for those of us with the heavier (~~ 3800 lb GVW)?
bp
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Posts: 1454 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2018 at 11:21am
Originally posted by 2B's In A Pod

Appreciate the comments folks. Prior to posting my question I did some research and found that Airstreams have shocks. What's good for Airstreams is good for Rpods...
Anyways, I hear what you're saying Mcarter ie. Rpod not being an off road trailer and the mods I speaking of will have second and third effects. However the Hood River edition has higher clearance and off road tires. So although I'm not trying to match the off road capabilities of my 4Runner, I would like to travel 'smoothly' a wee bit more off road.

I'll be interested to hear how this goes if you decided to do it.  I'm more of the same mind as MCarter though and I think there may (or may not) be a logical disconnect in the idea that what works for an Airstream will work for an RPod.  I know next to nothing about Airstreams, but I can tell you that the off-roadness of the Hood River Edition Pods is almost 100% cosmetic.  They are not higher off the ground than other Pods with axle risers, other than a few millimeters due to the 15" tires.  There is no added strength in the HRE frame, body, or axle or anything else in its construction. 

What makes a trailer an off-road trailer is largely a matter of opinion, just as is what "off-road" means.  In my opinion, shocks might smooth things out a little but they won't make a Pod an off-road trailer.  Which is not to say they won't help on some forest service type roads.... The cost:benefit analysis is up to you.

I just switched to load range D tires, and they do get rid of a lot of bounce, plus I'm pretty sure they added about 10% to my MPGs while towing.

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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2018 at 11:09am
Among other things, an Airstream has frame outriggers, and a different style frame (I have had to replace 2 outriggers on ours). Since modifying the frame and axle will be involved, I would seriously consider waiting until your warranty is out. I don't normally worry about such, or warn against mods just because they may not be warranty friendly, but in the case of the frame and suspension, and the fact that it wouldn't be hard to argue a lot of issues with the modification in the future, I would advise waiting a bit. 
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