Jacking up my RPod for inspection

"Officially" The axle manufacturer says not to lift on the axle, and the trailer manufacturer says not to lift on the frame.. 

You are correct, never use the stabilizers to lift the pod (or any camper, except large RVs with self-leveling systems).  In a life-or-death situation I would risk it.

I've been contemplating the responses above (I examined my RPod too) and I can only conclude that the axle design is so fragile that it can be damaged if used to raise the RPod. The only reason it can be attached to the RPod is because of the two flanges on each side which are welded to the axle and prevents the axle from being distorted. Note that the flanges are ONLY on top so jacking underneath could distort the axle shape. So as an alternative, I should jack up the RPod using the frame, which is also fragile and this should be done with wood blocks to distribute the load. Needless to say, if I use my emergency road service I just know there're going to jack it up under the flanges (hopefully) and will think I'm crazy if I say jack up the trailer using the frame. Did I get this right?

My little bit of research on jacking the RPod pretty much backs up Doug's observation that you are supposed to levitate the trailer to change a flat.  Either that or take it to the dealer.

It seems unacceptable that the subject is omitted from the owner's manual (if I recall correctly) and that Forest River seems to avoid the subject at all costs.  They sell a product with two wheels and inflated rubber tires, with a spare tire as standard equipment.  I can understand not providing a jack, since if you are going anywhere with the pod you are required to have a tow vehicle that almost certainly carries a jack.  Maybe not the right kind of jack, but a jack in any case.

I think it's irresponsible and unacceptable for Forest River to not specify how to lift the pod to change a tire or pack the bearings.  We shouldn't have to speculate about this or risk damaging the axle or frame.  Clear instructions need to be readily accessible and if they have to modify the frame or the axle to provide lift points, they need to do so and they should label the lift points just as they do the low point drains.

My little rant aside, how do they lift Pods at the dealership or factory when people buy new tires?  Even if no one has ever had a flat on the road, surely someone has bought new tires for an RPod by now, or Forest River at least has contingency plans for when someone does.  It makes me think that I must have missed the official instructions somewhere.

TT

Originally posted by furpod Truthfully, I lifted mine in the driveway with the stabilizers. I stayed hooked to the truck, I chocked the opposite side, I put 4 legos under the stabilizers on the side I was lifting..  worked fine. The stabilizers are, after all, just scissor jacks. With a 5000lb rating each. You are lifting from 2 places, not just one. If I was going to go UNDER the trailer I would have used jack stands. I am in no way telling anyone to do it, just like the lawyers for FR and Dexter don't. YMMV, blah blah blah