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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: Bearings and Wheel Problem-Twice
    Posted: 13 Dec 2018 at 1:31pm
The dealer ordered the same axle as the original. I would have preferred upgrading. When I get it back, I will look and see if there is a way to make a bracket that would brace the parts of the axle between the mounting bracket and the arms that would be bolt-on and not require welding.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Wood River Pod View Drop Down
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Joined: 30 Sep 2016
Location: Wood River, ID
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Posts: 153 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 9:44pm
SH, did you replace with the same axle as original?  Or did you beef it up to the next weight class?  I think the next Lippert up is 4,500 or 5,000.
Thanks
Jeff
Smith's in Hailey
Early 2017 179 HRE

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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 Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 8:40pm
Thank you. My dealer ordered the axle already. It is likely that another Lippert axle was ordered. I will email and ask.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
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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: 12 Dec 2018 at 5:43pm
SH,

Just a comment. I have a Dexter axle. Some time ago I was on phone with etrailer and they told me the Dexter axle is more reliable. I have also seen some talk about Lippert and Dexter being one and the same. I can't verify that. Maybe someone else can. I have had more than one person tell me if you have a failed Lippert replace it with a Dexter. The brake and wheel parts are compatible.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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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: 12 Dec 2018 at 5:14pm
SH,

I was thinking about my old racing days. We would attach ladder bars, traction bars or support beams to the axles and then to the frame. Basically to square the axle under torque. Issue with Pod is you probable shouldn't weld to the axle. You can weld to the frame, but I was thinking about a bolt on solution. You could mount outside of present mounting areas and then back to frame. It may possibly add support outside of the present mounting area. I agree you got a non-answer from Lippert. I'll look at it and offer advice.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Joined: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Quaker Hill, CT
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Posts: 2587 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 4:31pm
Roger & Joan,
What was the ultimate outcome of your axle, brake, suspension issue?  Hope you got everything fixed okay.  
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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Joined: 15 May 2017
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Posts: 2630 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 4:07pm
It should be possible to put an inverted support cradle over the axle that is attached to the frame. You would only have to weld the part that attaches to the frame, and the part that extends over the outer part of the axle would just "wrap" over  the top. This would probably increase the load capability of the axle by several hundred pounds without any modifications to it at all.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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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 Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 1:31pm
Well, I got the answer from the dealer. Lippert sent a non-answer answer to the measurements:
Begin quote:
Thank you for providing the information. It is possible the axle beam is somehow bent. The customer may need to replace the axle beam. Based on the DOP of the unit is out of warranty. Because the unit is 2 years out of warranty I will not be able to assist with this issue.
End quote.
It frustrates me that the person who replied could not say it was or wasn't based on the measurements sent by my dealer. The bottom line is that I will be replacing the axle.

I view this as a Forest River design flaw. The supports for the axle should be closer to the wheels. Then the road forces would be less able to exert excessive force on the axle. I saw one YouTube video where a shop welded extended mounting brackets to the outside of the frame on both sides to provide a mounting point closer to the wheels. However, I expect that the axle that will replace the one that is on there will be of the same type that is already there and will be subject to the same forces that bent the first one.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6289 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Dec 2018 at 11:23am
The dealer said measurements were sent to LCI. I have not yet heard the results. I suspect a new axle may be in our 'Pod's future.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Joined: 15 May 2017
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Posts: 2630 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Nov 2018 at 9:20am
Originally posted by seafans

CAhikers2x2 View Drop Down,
have you checked the total axle weight of the trailer?  Next time you are out run the trailer through a weight station that is closed so they don't git upset.  Go very slowly over the scale.  The axle weight should not be over about 3800-3900 to be safe.  Depending on the empty weight. They only have about 800lbs. useful load.
That would be overweight for a 177. Full up weight on a 177 should be around 3750 lbs with maybe around 400-450 on the tongue. So without a WDH, the axle weight I would expect to be in the neighborhood of 3300 lbs.

As usual, YMMV.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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