Axle Problem 2015 182G

Your problem is pretty common and is usually caused by the inboard mounting of the axle to the rpod frame, which results in the axle being cantilevered.

There should be a sticker on the axle with model and serial number. Most are manufactured by Lippert.

You can upgrade from a 3500 lb to a 4400 lb axle. The brake back plate to back plate dimension, the mounting spacing, and the takeoff angle of the torsion arms need to match what you have.

Note that the heavier axle has 6 lugs so you will need new wheels as well as tires. You can go with 15 inch wheels but you will need an able riser kit if you don't already have one.

Edit: if you have a good trailer shop in your area you could consider getting your current axle straightened and then reinforce it, assuming it's the diamond axle tube that's bent. A simple reinforcement is to ubolt a 2x2 steel angle under the existing axle, using 2 ubolts at each end each at 45 degrees. The angle should be slightly crowned to mate up to the axle which should be also be crowned in the center. I did the reinforcement on mine before it got bent. If you do an advanced search you should find my posting.

+1. Definitely check from frame damage too while you're under there. But negative camber indicates a bent axle, I don't think a frame failure alone would cause that. Doesn't mean you can't have both at once if you hit a curb or pothole hard when heavily loaded.

You can see in my mods how I solved the problem.

Originally posted by Toyanvil There is a difference between a bent axle and one that has lost it's camber. If your axle is flat across the middle it is a good chance it has just lost camber and can be realigned. Overloading is normally what causes this, and most people don't weigh their trailers and just go by the factory decal. My 178 shows something like 2750 lbs on the factory decal, but weighs 3200 lbs at the scales ready to camp. So am only 300 lbs under the max axle rating, add in a WDH adding around 100 lbs to the axle, bad roads and extra water in the tanks and your axle will flatten out over time. Remember the math, I keep my trailer under 3400 total lbs at all times and try to slow down for bumps. Just look around for a good frame or trailer shop in your town and have them align it, It's like having your car aligned. I see people buying new axles and it will just happen again. A 5000 lbs axle will start new problems you didn't need, and will be a lot more money. This is the problem with the way R Pods are built, your axle is 89.5 inches from center of hub to center of hub and 59.25 inches frame mount to frame mount = 15 inches of over hang on each side, the R Pod frame should have been about 15 inches wider making it only 7.5 inch over hang. If you call any axle company and tell them you are building a trailer with frame rails 59.25 inches apart and you want hubs 89.5 inches apart they well tell you don't do it. That is why I did this two years ago with no more problems. Here is how I fixed my 178, P.S there are easier ways to do it on this site. before After