Bent/Broken Axle ETC.
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Topic: Bent/Broken Axle ETC.
Posted By: bobt49
Subject: Bent/Broken Axle ETC.
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 5:33pm
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My 2011, 177 Pod has a bent axle. This is just one more example of a good overall concept, RPod, that was poorly assembled or, in the case of the axle, with a critical system that is right at the ragged edge of it's design capacity. I noticed the problem when checking tires. The driver's side wheel was so far out of alignment (picture below) that a groove had been gouged in the tire tread by a screw used to hold on a running light. My local running gear expert mechanic checked it out and the axle is bent, camber and toe in is way out and the lift kit has a crack. This wouldn't be so disturbing if I had routinely taken the pod off road like it's huge mud and snow tires and lift kit imply it is capable of. However, I have owned this pod from day one and babied it always. It has less than 10k miles on it. It has never been off road and I carry everything in the pickup bed except food, clothes and 3 gallons of water when traveling. Always empty grey/black water tanks and drive at 55 MPH, which is the limit in California. Another poor construction example: Air Spoiler that is screwed into the "One Piece Fiberglass Roof" with plane steel screws unprotected by even a dab of self leveling caulk. So they rust out, leak and allow the spoiler to warp. The warped spoiler then allows rainwater to enter the 3" diameter running light wiring access hole in the "1 Piece Roof" and cause havoc. Another example: Who really believes that a couple of No 8 self tapping screws will hold light fixtures, Venetian blinds etc when they are screwed into wall board that is about 1/8" thick? I must have put in 40 screw anchors so far. OK, Rant over. Everyone, be warned: check your wheels/axle. If this had happened a long way from home, we would have been out of luck. It takes many weeks to get an axle shipped from the manufacturer, assuming you can find someone to do the work. You may not be able to limp home. I have done a lot of research since I discovered the problem and torsion axles continue to fail until the tire contacts the wheel well and then all hell breaks loose.  ------------- Bob & Cindy San Francisco Wine Country RPod 177 Nissan Titan |
Replies:
Posted By: sean p
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2017 at 6:54am
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I know exactly how you feel. Last month had the axel fixed and 2 new tires. 500$+. After 2 years i now see the quality issues. Little things keep breaking and i'll keep fixing. Looks like 1 more year with the pod then looking at class b's. ------------- 2016 179pod--BETTY 2010 nissan frontier Sean and Doug Butchie the morkie touring the west |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2017 at 7:45am
My friends with motor homes fix things too. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Jasp
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 10:53am
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Bob,
Are you using a weight distribution hitch ? I have learned that a weight distribution hitch on a loaded truck bed will actually transfer the bed weight to the trailer axle thus causing overload of certain single axle trailers |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 4:43pm
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Jasp,
Unfortunately many RV folks will not read your post. I think it was very interesting. Take a over capacity TV, add a WDH and expect no change. The end result is that weight transfers somewhere, and you could be possibly spot on it moves back to the trailer axle. It's not rocket science. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 5:22pm
Just for general information - 1. I do feel the axles are too light, but as far as I can see, it's 'industry standard' for ultralights like the R-Pod. At least as far as I can see, all the competitors also have the same light axles. 2. I believe the R-Pod, at least for our 171, stands right at the point on the graph where the lines cross measuring the best-quality at the lowest-price. 3. Fixin' things is part of having a travel trailer, or a house.
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Posted By: Winterpod
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 5:49pm
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when I brought my WDH for my 178, I got the E-2 400-4500 model. It was more expensive than the 600-6000 model, but I didn't think I needed a 600 lb. tough weight hitch for a 350 lb. tough. So far its performed well. The argument that if I ever moved up to a larger unit I would be set did not make any sense to me. If I move up to a larger unit it will be the biggest baddest toy hauler any one has ever seen.
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Posted By: bobt49
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 6:04pm
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No weight distribution hitch. The frame and axle specialist working on it said the original axle was only a 3,000 capacity axle and may have been defective from the git go. He is replacing it with a 3,500 # Dexter axle that he believes will be better suited to the Rpod. He is also reinforcing the lifts and frame. ------------- Bob & Cindy San Francisco Wine Country RPod 177 Nissan Titan |
Posted By: bobt49
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 6:16pm
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Regarding the general comments above. I understand the Rpod is relatively inexpensive. Also, I do not mind fixing things and modifying the unit to fit my needs and interests. However, I must conclude that FR put the "Hood River Edition" on lifts with macho tires only as a marketing ploy. That I do not appreciate. I would have happily paid more for a more heavy duty trailer. The $1,000+ new axle and modifications I am putting on now would have been relatively inexpensive if they were included in the original build. ------------- Bob & Cindy San Francisco Wine Country RPod 177 Nissan Titan |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 6:19pm
IOW, a 3500 lb trailer with a tongue weight of 350 lbs without a WDH puts pretty much all of that 350 lb to the rear wheels of the TV. WITH a WDH, a portion of that gets shifted to the front wheels of the TV. In a typical situation, you'll end up with ~~ 200 lb on the rear wheels, and ~~ 150 lb on the front wheels. These are not hard and fast numbers, they are speculative on what would be "typical". In any case, the weight on the axle of the trailer does not change. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 6:37pm
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Now if that isn't true, why does my pod weigh a 150# more with WDH
then without. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 8:27pm
Be careful. I was scolded for making a similar comment about Hood River pods. Fact is by far most pods never have axle problems. Is it to light? I don't know. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: bobt49
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 10:02pm
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Well, I don't want to be scolded so lets put an end to this conversation. However, I do believe that it is a good idea to take note (pictures) of your Pod's wheels and their relationship to the wheel wells. If things start to get out of kilter, have it checked out. could save you some grief down the line. By the way, I have no intention of getting rid of our Pod. With the upgraded axle I think it will be very reliable while meeting our camping needs. ------------- Bob & Cindy San Francisco Wine Country RPod 177 Nissan Titan |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2017 at 11:12pm
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I found out2 years ago that my Dexter axle was only 3000#, replaced it with 3500# after 2 years camber is gone. I will replace with 4500# or 5000# ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Jasp
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 4:52am
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Interesting axle WDH video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lVg8QgIFJoU |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 10:28pm
+1 Jasp, Good information! Now your going to make me crawl under my trailer to check out what the axle is rated. 
------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: Jasp
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 5:01am
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Sorry Dave. I too crawled under for a look. It's definitely good information and something I've never heard of before. Makes sense though.
Paul |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 12:25pm
I recommend everyone go to this web site: https://www.ajdesigner.com/apptrailertow/weightdistributionhitch.php - https://www.ajdesigner.com/apptrailertow/weightdistributionhitch.php and punch in your numbers. At the bottom it will display a bunch of gauges showing red or green for all the various different parameters. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |