Wheel-Tire- Fender Upgrade Mod
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5162
Printed Date: 14 May 2025 at 12:05pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Wheel-Tire- Fender Upgrade Mod
Posted By: GingerPod
Subject: Wheel-Tire- Fender Upgrade Mod
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2014 at 8:32pm
|
Wanted to share my progress of upgrading the factory fitted rolling stock to something a bit beefier. We all know FR is at or arguably above the limit when it comes to the 14" load range "C" tires fitted to our Pods.I highly doubt there is a safety issue involved or we probably would have heard about it. That said,I prefer the larger safety margin of 20% load capacity "extra" when fully loaded as recomended by Forest River News. Plus,the factory fitted fenders are poorly installed,not centered over the axle,not the same hight side to side and don't extend below the trailer belt line.A little Dremel action on the curb side to the RDome rail will get it centered and lowerd to match the other side.The other side just needs to move forward and will still have enough clearance for the shore power plug (I have a 178) so couldn't speak for other models. The new aluminum fenders I have coming are 2" longer, 32" versus 30" and 3" taller, 15" versus 12". Width is 10-1/2" which is 1/2" wider than the stock 10". This will enable the fender to extend below the belt line about 3" front and rear offering added body protection as well as eliminating the "bobbed" fender look.I will be 1" over legal width with these fenders though not too worried about it   Tires are 205-75-15 load range D with single axle capacity of 2150 lbs at 65 psi max pressure and about 1" larger in diameter campared to the stock 205-75-14 tires. Wheels are 15"x6" ION trailer specific wheels with 2600 lb. capacity each...I like the beefy look  So here are a couple pics and will post up more when I complete the fender installation.  ------------- FOUND OUR NEW-RETRO TEARDROP!!! |
Replies:
Posted By: Marx
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2014 at 8:43pm
|
Noice, this is something I want to do down the road as well too!
------------- 2014 R-POD 177 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2014 at 8:48pm
|
As of next summer my tires will be @ 6 years and over 15,000 miles, with another 5,000+ on tap next July so I'm seriously considering replacing them before we do that. I've considered going larger so you've given me more think about. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|
Posted By: GingerPod
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2014 at 9:16pm
|
Well the tires and their sizes were one of the first things I noticed when talking with the salesman when we bought it. He said no issues and I believe this to be true.But on the road home looking at the sidewalls flexing in my mirror much more than I'm used to seeing,I wanted to do something about it. Excessive sidewall flexing is actually having the tire load and unload repeatedly.Of course the safety margin is built in with regards to load ratings to keep people from overloading and thus the lawyers at bay.In other words the tire could probably carry much,much more than stated on the sidewall. This stated load rating is presumably the "abuse" level the tire can take before failing....I/E continuous flexing while traveling 65mph in the desert in the middle of summer  This "D"rated tire won't even come close to maxing out. ------------- FOUND OUR NEW-RETRO TEARDROP!!! |
Posted By: GingerPod
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2014 at 9:12pm
|
Got started today after work seeing that the UPS man left my fenders on the front porch .OMG it looks so much better with larger tires and fenders.I completed one side today.The slide side should be much easier since I don't have to lower the fender as much or deal with the Rdome channel. You can see in the before pics just how whacky the fenders were mounted from the factory.I used a couple stripes from the front to cover the old fender holes,kinda trying to make some pattern out of what was available.I think they have too many stripes any way and removed the big pod letters previously. The larger tires also make it look more in proportion and side wall flex is just about non-existent while parked. Anyway,thought I would share.I'm very happy with the results.     ------------- FOUND OUR NEW-RETRO TEARDROP!!! |
Posted By: GingerPod
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2014 at 9:15pm
And here are the after pictures   ------------- FOUND OUR NEW-RETRO TEARDROP!!! |
Posted By: GingerPod
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2014 at 9:26pm
Before and after side view   ------------- FOUND OUR NEW-RETRO TEARDROP!!! |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2014 at 9:55pm
|
Wow! That looks really great! Very, very nice. Any chance you could post links for the wheels, tires and fenders? Thanks. fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: GingerPod
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2014 at 10:15pm
|
Sure, Fenders....http://www.ebay.com/itm/261237098126?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT or same place:www.teardroptrailerparts.com Wheels.....http://www.ebay.com/itm/271275062171?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT also available from amazon. Tires...could be found about anywhere.I like buying from a high Volume E-Bay "Store" with free shipping. Keep in mind the Fenders don't have to be changed to run the 15" tire,but with the larger diameter,the whacky mounting location from the factory will be more pronounced. I'm not sure why the links don't highlight for me on this site? ------------- FOUND OUR NEW-RETRO TEARDROP!!! |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2014 at 10:36pm
|
Thanks! I think I found the same wheel/tire combo here: http://www.trailer-wheels.com/15x6-Transformer-Aluminum-Trailer-Wheel-5-x-450-Bolt-2540-lb-Max-Load_p_872.html#.U-7CCMNdUct - http://www.trailer-wheels.com/15x6-Transformer-Aluminum-Trailer-Wheel-5-x-450-Bolt-2540-lb-Max-Load_p_872.html#.U-7CCMNdUct http://www.trailer-wheels.com/ST22575R15-Freestar-Radial-Trailer-Tire-Load-Range-D-2540-lb-Max-Load_p_585.html#.U-7BFcNdUcs - http://www.trailer-wheels.com/ST22575R15-Freestar-Radial-Trailer-Tire-Load-Range-D-2540-lb-Max-Load_p_585.html#.U-7BFcNdUcs With free shipping and mounting looks to be about same as Ebay. To make a link, hilite the url in your text and click the insert hyperlink button (the globe with the chainlink) fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: GingerPod
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2014 at 10:42pm
|
Oh ok,I see now,thanks. Yep those are the wheels my friend,but the tires are 225's which will be too tall. They probably have 205's as well I'm sure. ------------- FOUND OUR NEW-RETRO TEARDROP!!! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2014 at 10:47pm
|
Very nice. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2014 at 7:58am
|
Thanks GingerPod! I'm curious why you went with the Freestar tires. I read a lot of good things about Maxxis => http://www.amazon.com/Maxxis-M8008-Radial-Trailer-Tire/dp/B004QL6I00 - http://www.amazon.com/Maxxis-M8008-Radial-Trailer-Tire/dp/B004QL6I00 fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2014 at 8:01am
|
Nice set up! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: GingerPod
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2014 at 1:26pm
I just went with the Freestar because I found a store that was running a special.2 tires "D" load range for $130.00 shipped is a smoking deal since normally about that much for one tire.I got the last set they had,they went fast. The Freestar tread design is identical to the factory equipped Pod tires "Guard Ride" as well as "Loadstar" etc. I suspect all by the same manufacturer just different brands. Yeah,Maxxis are good tires as well,but pay a little more for the well known brand name.I have a set of 4 Maxxis on my boat trailer,205-75-14 "C" and like them a lot. The link above is a nice tire,but it is a "C" load range ------------- FOUND OUR NEW-RETRO TEARDROP!!! |
Posted By: GingerPod
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2014 at 1:46pm
|
Ok,well I finished up the project this morning..... Got all the running lights hooked up and shot the brake drums with a coat of black engine enamel to keep um looking good. The before and after look is awesome....   ------------- FOUND OUR NEW-RETRO TEARDROP!!! |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2014 at 1:55pm
|
That really is an awesome upgrade! Thank you so much for sharing. One last question. What (screws) did you use to attach the fenders? Did you fill the old holes and start new? OK, two last questions. fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: GingerPod
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2014 at 2:28pm
Thanks,no problem.I'm on 6 different forums and love to share my projects! You see how I hid the old screw holes with stripes,they are very small and filled them will plumbers putty before applying the stripes.On the curb side all the old holes are above the new fender and exposed.On the slide side only 3 of the old holes are left exposed,the other 2 are behind the new fender. The slide side fender was mounted lower from the factory so that's why only 3 holes have to be covered.I used one stripe. I used new stainless steel button head screws I had laying around from another project.They happen to be the same size as the old factory screws.The factory screws could be reused no problem though. None of the old screw holes will be used to install the new fenders,different radius anyway plus being shifted toward the front.Use thin self adhesive weather striping attached to the lip of the new fender and then pre-drill the holes,like the factory did. There are 7 holes all together,pre-drill just the upper most 5.Leave the last 2 bottom to be drilled once attached so you can hit the bottom rail on the trailer,again just like they did at the factory.Just drive the screws into the fiberglass with your Dewalt,low torque setting,they hold tight. I used the bottom rail existing screws to attached the wire harness holder.Works better since now the running light are effectively lower to the ground.There is enough wire to reach,just cut off the old connector as close as you can.I used butt connectors and shrink wrap to reattached the running lights.Used the old fender as a pattern to drill holes in the new fender. Post up when you do this! ------------- FOUND OUR NEW-RETRO TEARDROP!!! |
Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 6:24am
|
This looks really nice! ------------- Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |