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Topic ClosedR Pod for a Family of Six?
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6289 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: R Pod for a Family of Six?
    Posted: 16 Oct 2018 at 9:36pm
About that axle, at the Kentucky MiniMini/10th Anniversary Rally, the question about the axle rating came up. Yes, it is the same basic hardware as a 4400 lb axle except that because the mounts are so far inboard from the wheels, the axle is derated to 3500 lbs. If the mounts were next to the arms, the rating would be higher. It makes sense because the longer distance means the tire can exert more force on the axle.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
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jato View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
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Posts: 3227 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2018 at 7:54pm
Before moving up to our 177 we had a Jayco pop-up that was plenty large for the 5 of us, when extended it was 22 feet in length and worked well even on those rainy/sleety/snowy days that we encountered.  We took in on many rough dirt/gravel roads for the 19 years we owned it and never had any axle issues.  I guess the only drawback would be the lack of a shower and flush toilet which are S.E. on the rpods.  We managed even with 3 teens, but every family is different in their needs/wants.
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'11 model 177
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Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2018 at 5:57pm
My bad, you did, I had the V10 in my Class C. I had to be careful, I'd be going 80 towing a car:)
Mike Carter
2015 178
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2018 at 5:55pm
You didn't mention your TV or I missed it, the 6 lug axle is a hint. I like the NoBo 19.5, so does my wife who hates the bed in our 178 because it is a hassle to make.
Mike Carter
2015 178
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Maticuno View Drop Down
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Joined: 15 Oct 2018
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Posts: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2018 at 5:44pm
Originally posted by offgrid

Interesting about the 4400 lb axle, I have a little story on that. 

I have a Lippert 3500 lb rated axle in my 2015 179 (FR has used both Dexter and Lippert axles in the product line over the years). When I called up Lippert to see about an axle upgrade they asked for my "variant" number. When I gave them that they said they could sell me a bolt up replacement 4400 lb axle but it was identical to my 3500 lb one except for the label. Needless to say I didn't buy it Tongue. The next higher weight range axles from Lippert starts at 5200 lbs and take 6 lug wheels. 

It could be that the NoBo has exactly the same axle as the rPod just rated higher, or it could be that it's really a more robust axle, it would take a bit more research to determine which. Did you notice who the axle manufacturer was on the NoBo? 

Sounds like the frame is the same as the rPod. I could certainly be wrong but overall my feeling from your report is that the NoBo probably isn't really going to be much more off road worthy than an rPod is. 




I can only base my frame report on an estimate since the bottom of the NoBo is enclosed.  The tubing I could see at the front with the jack and propane cylinder looked identical to the R Pod that was sitting next to it.

I could see the label on the axle, but they were washing the nearby trailers and the runoff was puddling under the rig I wanted to crawl under, so I couldn't get close enough to read the info.  It is a 6 lug hub on the axle.

Having the R Pod and the NoBo parked right next to each other was nice to make direct comparisons.  You can tell they are made in the same assembly plant as floor plans and certain materials are almost identical.  The fit, finish, and overall materials quality seemed just slightly better on the NoBo.  If the NoBo 19.5 didn't have the panoramic window in the front over the queen bed, I think my wife would have been sold on the RP190.  I think either product would do well enough off road in the areas I plan on taking them.  I'm limited on where I can drive my land yacht of a tow rig anyway.
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2018 at 4:49pm
I would be more concerned with the actually construction of the trailer. Not the frame or the axle. Adding tires of any rate or risers of any height or a mighty axle doesn't change the trailers construction to handle a constant rough ride on a bad road. End of the day the FR products to include Pods and NoBos are travel trailers. They add some bling so it looks good on the back of your lifted 4X4, but it's not truly effective. You can do interweb searches on off road trailers and see how limited the market is, especially if you are looking for a sleep 6 capacity, almost every product involves a tent.. The niche the Pod fills is people who want to camp, with amenities, at a reasonable price and they are reliable, because they are basic. I don't know of one instance of a frame problem with a Pod, unless it was induced.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2018 at 4:17pm
Interesting about the 4400 lb axle, I have a little story on that. 

I have a Lippert 3500 lb rated axle in my 2015 179 (FR has used both Dexter and Lippert axles in the product line over the years). When I called up Lippert to see about an axle upgrade they asked for my "variant" number. When I gave them that they said they could sell me a bolt up replacement 4400 lb axle but it was identical to my 3500 lb one except for the label. Needless to say I didn't buy it Tongue. The next higher weight range axles from Lippert starts at 5200 lbs and take 6 lug wheels. 

It could be that the NoBo has exactly the same axle as the rPod just rated higher, or it could be that it's really a more robust axle, it would take a bit more research to determine which. Did you notice who the axle manufacturer was on the NoBo? 

Sounds like the frame is the same as the rPod. I could certainly be wrong but overall my feeling from your report is that the NoBo probably isn't really going to be much more off road worthy than an rPod is. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
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Joined: 15 Oct 2018
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Posts: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2018 at 2:54pm
So it looks like the NoBo's use the same frame construction as the R Pod with lighter weight side walls. The 19.5 has a 4400lb torsion axle. Sleeping all six of us inside will be tight, but doable until the kids get bigger. Having everyone inside during a rainy day (rare in SoCal) doesn't seem too cramped in the 19.5.
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Posts: 142 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2018 at 1:08pm
Just got back from the Alaskan Highway.  Left Anchorage and picked the ALCAN highway at TOK.  I must say, most of the road was in excellent condition.  However there are a few places where the road is being repaired and man is it ROUGH!  Having said that, you will be following an escort truck thru these areas and they attempt to keep you out of the worst of it, but still it is extremely brutal!  They DO keep you at a slow pace, so I dont think you will break anything.

Ensure your brakes are in good working order.  Not so much for the grades, although there are a few, but for the wildlife on the road.  Buffalo, Antelope, goats and moose etc.

Nicest thing about this trip, no one is in a hurry and are very courteous on one another.........Fantastic trip,  take it if you can!!!!
Swampfox
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2018 at 11:23am
Frame on the rPods is 4 inch x 2 inch steel box tube. IIRC the tube wall thickness is 0.1 inch but I'd have to verify. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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