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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Bearing Service 2015 178
    Posted: 19 Mar 2015 at 10:18pm
Originally posted by techntrek

Podster, do you want this added to the "manual"?

Sure, if it fits. The reason it is set up the way it is now is because I didn't want to upload all of the pics. Cry
If you can link it to the manual in its current form that would be great. 

Thanks Doug, 
Cliff & Raelynn
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Posts: 1807 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2015 at 10:21pm
Originally posted by techntrek

Podster, do you want this added to the "manual"?
 


 Thumbs Up

I'm glad I've done my before and have the knowledge and experience of how to do them.

I know I watched etrailer videos over and over before my first time.  This is a nice aid for someone wanting to tackle it themselves.

Kudos Podster!
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2015 at 10:25pm
Thanks Travis, I appreciate you and Mark looking it over and giving me some feedback to make it better.  
Cliff & Raelynn
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Posts: 1807 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2015 at 10:28pm
Originally posted by Podster

Thanks Travis, I appreciate you and Mark looking it over and giving me some feedback to make it better.  


Still don't know how you stayed so clean!

LOL
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2015 at 10:33pm
Originally posted by kymooses

Originally posted by Podster

Thanks Travis, I appreciate you and Mark looking it over and giving me some feedback to make it better.  


Still don't know how you stayed so clean!

LOL

...a magician never reveals his secrets. Big smile
Cliff & Raelynn
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2015 at 11:08pm
That really is a great and detailed description, Poster! Thanks.

Not sure what kind of milage/time this is recommended. I've got 10K+ miles on my 178 over the last year and don't feel an urgent need to do anything. Should I?

fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Mar 2015 at 8:54am
I will just add a link to this thread.

I looked at Dexter's service manual, and on page 85 it says to repack the bearings every 12 months or 12,000 miles.  I believe axles that are subject to submersion (boat trailers) are supposed to be repacked more often but I didn't see that in the manual and I've never owned a boat.  Personally I stick more to the mileage recommendation.  If we have several summers full of local weekend trips I'll go 2-3 years.  If I'm about to go on a 7000 mile trip, they get it before we leave.  I'm sure Dexter's recommendation is more CYA, like my Generac generator's recommendation to change the oil and filter every year.  Oil oxidizes and does need to be replaced every year, but with only 20-30 hours of run time annually I see no need to change the filter then.  Cars on a 5000 mile schedule get over 100 hours of run time between oil changes.

Axle bearings on a car or truck are factory sealed, trailer axle bearings aren't - but obviously we have the technology so I don't see why they don't (other than the obvious - price wars between manufacturers, make them as cheap as possible).  I would pay a little more for a camper if they advertised that the bearings never needed maintenance.  But, this is again like my big generator.  Auto manufacturers perfected paint jobs by the early 90's.  In most cases.  Yet my genset after only a few years started getting rust spots.  Make 'em cheap, make 'em cheap.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Mar 2015 at 5:33pm
That all sounds very reasonable to me...thanks.
Cliff & Raelynn
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Posts: 168 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 May 2015 at 6:37pm
Not so urgent update on the wheel bearings dilema.   I have 2013 model 177.
For my own peace of mind I took the rpod in today and had the bearings packed.  It cost $72 bucks and is worth the worry.  This place does lots of wheel bearing packs. 
And so, I asked the obvious question of why?  The mechanic said most people over grease the ez lube.  Inner and outer seals get old and grease leaks out onto the brakes.  To him it was more a brake issue than ever seeing a worn out wheel bearing.  He said that to do this once every 2-3 years is often enough for mechanic pack unless you haul a lot of miles. 
So I still don't see the point of ez lube hubs.  Maybe they are best on boat trailers. 
Most people around here have never seen an rpod, in the shop it caused quite a stir, so I opened it up, ran out the slide, and showed it to all that were circling around.  I may have even sold one today, at least the guy is going to call my recommended dealership. 
If you can't handle a little smiling positive attention, best not to purchase an rpod.  I think that is one of the best features of them, they make people smile.  And me too. 
Happy camping. 
Safe travels. 
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 May 2015 at 7:18pm
I would agree to every 2 or 3 years, generally, under light use that is. I like the Superlube hub function. It provides an option to add grease in appropriate situations. E.g. A few thousand miles into a cross country trip with a few thousand more to go. I think the realization here is that the Superlube function was not designed to allow the owner to forego the required breakdown. You're fortunate to have a good mechanic do the job at a reasonable price. That kind of deal and competence is hard to find these days. 
Cliff & Raelynn
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