|
|
Post Reply 
|
Page 12> |
| Author |
 Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search  Topic Options
|
zappapod 
Groupie 
Joined: 15 Feb 2017 Location: Virginia Online Status: Offline Posts: 48 |
 Topic: 2017.5 tire and wheel upgradePosted: 23 Feb 2017 at 8:27am |
|
About to pick up new 178 from dealer. The new models have the new axles which lift the trailer a couple of inches, like the risers would do for the Hood River model. They still come with the fourteen inch wheels however and I am wondering if anyone has done a fifteen inch wheel/tire upgrade and if it makes any real difference in the look, handling, and ground clearance capability (I intend to go on mountain forest roads). Forest River will sell the upgrades tire/rim for $275 x3 or $750. No rebate on the exchanges. Anyone have an opinion on whether this would be worth it?
|
|
|
2017.5 178 (Blue Bell)
2005 Tundra Double Cab Outer Banks Bound |
|
 |
|
|
jato
Senior Member 
Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3225 |
Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 8:57am |
|
We have traveled quite a few mountain roads over the Rockies and off roads as well with our 2011 model 177 with the 14 inch wheels and NO risers, so the pod sits pretty low. The only issue we have had are some filling stations with a somewhat severe incline as we exit the main road and have scraped the back stabilizers a few times, but not to the point of tearing them off. I have done that in our backyard and also in the UP of Michigan once when I went into an area I shouldn't have; bent them pretty bad, but figured even if I had the risers, the same thing would have happened. Just went into an area that I shouldn't have, it is called driver discretion, which that time I lacked big time.
|
|
|
God's pod
'11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
|
|
|
|
zappapod
Groupie
Joined: 15 Feb 2017 Location: Virginia Online Status: Offline Posts: 48 |
Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 9:13am |
|
Discretion is always key. But, perhaps better equipment allows for better results when discretion fails.
|
|
|
2017.5 178 (Blue Bell)
2005 Tundra Double Cab Outer Banks Bound |
|
|
|
|
furpod
Moderator Group - pHp 
Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 9:32am |
|
We pulled our 2011 177 about 30,000 miles, no risers. Drug once or twice going into gas stations.. go slow, pay attention. If it looks iffy, go on to the next one. My biggest worry was always hanging a wheel on a barrier or something, not scraping the bottom.
|
|
|
|
|
CharlieM
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 9:45am |
|
Don't get too excited about the 14" to 15" conversion. For the same size tires (tread width and sidewall ratio) the difference is 1" diameter or 1/2" radius. That's only 1/2" added ground clearance at the axle. The important number is the overall diameter of the tire. Most clearance issues are at the rear of the trailer such as driveway or gas station dips. The risers will yield more improvement in ground clearance. However, there are many more tire options available with 15s but you must consider the cost of the new wheels. The big improvement would be 16" rims but, without the risers, you may run into fender clearance issues.
|
|
|
Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
|
|
|
|
zappapod
Groupie
Joined: 15 Feb 2017 Location: Virginia Online Status: Offline Posts: 48 |
Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 10:22am |
|
Thanks, that is helpful information. Perhaps I will wait until I take delivery and get someone local to look at and advise. Sixteens would be awesome but the new axles no longer accept risers (aren't supposed to need them anymore). Maybe I will have a brand new set of fourteens to sell!
|
|
|
2017.5 178 (Blue Bell)
2005 Tundra Double Cab Outer Banks Bound |
|
|
|
|
Our pod
Groupie
Joined: 03 Oct 2016 Location: Olympia WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 62 |
Posted: 24 Feb 2017 at 7:09pm |
|
If you do upgrade, consider Load Range D.
|
|
|
Life is good.
|
|
|
|
|
finder9
Newbie 
Joined: 03 Oct 2014 Location: Maryland Online Status: Offline Posts: 25 |
Posted: 24 Feb 2017 at 7:57pm |
|
Ask the dealer to move the rear stabilizers (they are bolt on)
forward about 18 inches. They should do it for free. Does not affect function and eliminates dragging. Solved my goofy driveway problem well.
|
|
|
Jack
2017 Rpod 179 2015 Dodge Ram |
|
|
|
|
zappapod
Groupie
Joined: 15 Feb 2017 Location: Virginia Online Status: Offline Posts: 48 |
Posted: 24 Feb 2017 at 8:30pm |
|
thanks for the suggestions.
|
|
|
2017.5 178 (Blue Bell)
2005 Tundra Double Cab Outer Banks Bound |
|
|
|
|
computerfixitguy
Groupie
Joined: 04 Jun 2016 Location: Littleton, CO Online Status: Offline Posts: 91 |
Posted: 16 Apr 2017 at 12:36am |
|
I bought these ; Save A Jack; https://www.amazon.com/Mounting-Brackets-Attachment-Release-Protector/dp/B005ZI03GS
My stabilizers now just come off and store in the trailer because I got tired of hitting the ground. Derek
|
|
|
|
|
Post Reply
|
Page 12> |
| Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |
2017.5 tire and wheel upgrade