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joe W View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: rpod 178 axle
    Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 9:09pm
Picked up our rpod 178 in Lansing MI during June this year and covered 3000 miles so far. No problems
until last week. Camping at the National Seashore of Assateague Island we got stuck in the sand and
had to do some manouvering to get going again. Once back home, I discovered that the rear axle
was bent. Never thought my F 150 Ford with 2 wheel drive could do such harm. Anybody has an idea
what the replacement cost could be and where to get a new one?
Thanks, JoeAngry
happy wanderer
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 9:44pm
Welcome.  In what way is it bent?  I've seen some which have a natural arch upward - but I don't know if the two versions used on the pods have this.  Its dark out so I can't go check mine.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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marwayne View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 12:08am
I have the Dexter axel it has an arch.
If you want something done right, do it yourself.
2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.


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kymooses View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 9:21am
Originally posted by marwayne

I have the Dexter axel it has an arch.

^ same!
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furpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 9:52am
If it appears to be bent "up".. that is the way they are made. 
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joe W View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 2:14pm
What a nice gang of frogs. Thanks for your interest and suggestions. Right  now it is 91 degr. outside,
but will go and check tomorrow. My left wheel , just as my right, was perfectly centered under the
fender, now it is almost three inches closer to the front edge and very visibly out of center. When I
looked underneath, it appeared as if someone had put a jack underneath the tube and tried to raise
the trailer. It is arched up and it appeared as if there was a tiny kink in it.
Thanks. To be continued. 
happy wanderer
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 2:45pm
Its possible the bolts holding the axle to the frame have come loose and you just need to recenter it and retorque the bolts.  If you have the risers the holes allow for adjustment front-to-rear.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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joe W View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 3:09pm
Flickering hope. Took a quick look, braving the heat and looming severe thundersorm. The arch
is too perfect to be accidental and my risers were installed Friday PM by a crew anxious to start
the week end. Torque wrench?? Tomorrow - the day the truth will be known.
Thanks. tbc.
happy wanderer
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2013 at 8:20pm

That was a wild storm front that came through earlier.  I was near Westminster at the time.  No power at home for 2 1/2 hours.

Sounds very likely they didn't install it right, one way or the other.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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joe W View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2013 at 7:30pm
Happy ending. Checked all bolts. ok. checked for any movement of risers. ok. measured both fenders
from the rear.ok. measured wheel rims (horn) to frame forward and aft on both wheels. ok
Used carpenters level to check trailer - listing to the left. With spindle center above axle center, the
left wheel moved closer to the front of the fender because of the trailing arm radius.
Conclusion: the arch of the axle beam had me in a panic. The left wheel being closer to the front of the fender seemed to confirm my suspicion. My bad adventur in the State Park made it abvious.
Not unusual - I always start out assuming the worst, to be prooven wrong. Thanks for all your help,
particularly the arch fact.
 
For what it is worth: After the first 1000 miles I removed the spare wheel and bracket. Mounted it
to the tongue. Trailer was a little nervous on the Turnpike and I do not want to install a stabilzer.
Keeping any loads behind the axle to a minimum and moving the spare wheel made a difference.
 
Installed mud flaps for the pod and my Ford F 150. Highly recommended.
 
Switching off the overdrive on my truck (V8) a must through hilly terrain. ATF gauge moves towards
the red quickly going up a long incline. No difference in MPG, cool running transm. and no strain on engine. Adds only appr. 750 rpms to engine speed.
 
Love our rpod.
happy wanderer
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