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IrishPod View Drop Down
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Joined: 05 Jul 2011
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Posts: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Ground Clearance??
    Posted: 14 Jul 2011 at 12:56pm
Techntrek

Thanks for the "posting" repair.  I wrote it in "word", and copied and pasted to forum. Must have clicked something wrong!

As to the stabilizers.....when I do something, I do it big.  I bent both rear stabilizers! And, I'm not a crazy driver!  The land where I park my Pod is not paved and grassy so it has greater variations in slope.  And, the gravel driveway leading to the land is also a bit pitted.
 I'm thankful the forum introduced me to the risers! Easy fix!!!
"You have to make your own fun in this world"

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Posts: 539 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2011 at 7:13am
Well, I called the dealer and asked for a quote for parts and labor for installing the risers.  After everything I've read here on the forum I think it will be worth it to get them.  I also asked for a quote for installing a window in the door.
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 2011 at 11:34pm

IrishPod - I sort-of fixed your post.  Not perfect but better.

I bent one of my two rear stabs before I got the risers.  I bent it back but it still isn't right.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 571 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 2011 at 5:36pm
Chuck, can't see that raising the couple of inches with larger tires (and wheels to accommodate them) is much different than the 3.5-4 inches for the risers. The difference in wind profile isn't really that much - we drove ours home against the wind without risers when we bought it and against the wind on a couple of trips with them now without any difference in handling. Besides $75 for the risers and $150 for the install is less than $100 a piece for tires, $40-50 for wheels, (remember -you would need to buy three)and then worrying about how often to redo the bearings with the larger wheels.
Chris and Walt
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Posts: 140 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 2011 at 11:02am
Originally posted by duck42

, would simply replacing the current 14" tires with 16 inch tires solve the problem and would there be enough room in the wheel well?


I love this question. I don't want to do risers for a bunch of reasons but could this be the alternative? Right now I'm using ramps that I made by laminating 3 pieces of diminishing length from 1X6 wood. Kind of like upside down pyramids. It works for the home driveway but I don't like taking them with me. Two more things to take up precious storage space. So far the driveway has been the only place that I've needed them but you never know.
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Posts: 35 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 2011 at 10:47am
I have a 171 and am also puzzled as to why Forest River built in so little ground clearance. Even emptying the black and grey water tanks is an "uphill" battle at many dump stations.  4" risers seem like more than what would be "enough." With an additional 4" I am concerned about sideways wind resistance stability in storms and on the highway- just an additional 1-2" clearance would be a big improvement. Someone mentioned tires, would simply replacing the current 14" tires with 16 inch tires solve the problem and would there be enough room in the wheel well?
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Posts: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 2011 at 8:50am
PS: I don't know how my post above came out in font color blue!  Sorry.
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Posts: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 2011 at 8:49am
 

Techntrek:   Thanks for the welcome!

Brin:  I didn’t know Shenandoah Park now has RV camping.  Good info. Thanks. As far as other campgrounds are concerned, I have not taken the Pod anywhere yet because I became too chicken to drive it until risers are added.

I did just visit a new campground (for RV's too) in Luray, Va. named “Outlanders” located right on the Shenandoah river. My daughter was tent camping there and I was able to day visit and tube down the river which was nice. I didn’t notice hiking trails. (They might have been there, thou) The grounds were well groomed and facilities very clean.  

I’ve also daytripped to Endless Caverns RV Resort which does have hiking plus a “cave”.  Most important to me thou, was the very nice wooded RV sites with beautiful mountain views.

Hope to have the Pod up and running by August!!

  

 Hodge:  I bent my two rear stabilizers and I am having the risers installed. While this wasn't a good start to my Podding experience, I am not at all deterred!  

From everything I’ve read here, the risers are a very good option!  I didn’t want to have to worry about the variations of terrain at various campgrounds. The extra clearance will give me peace of mind. Well worth it!!!

Nina
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Joined: 08 Jun 2011
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Posts: 130 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 2011 at 8:23am
I didn't, but I can see how dragging them would fatigue the bolts over time, or possibly bend one of the jacks.
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Posts: 539 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jul 2011 at 10:30pm
Just curious if anyone who has dragged their rear stabilizers has seriously damaged them.  My son assured me when coming up my Mom's driveway, "Don't worry, Mom, you're just sanding them on the pavement."  But how much sanding can you do before you seriously bend or break something?  I believe I should order the risers.
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