New axle system for rpod?
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Topic: New axle system for rpod?
Posted By: taxman
Subject: New axle system for rpod?
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 10:39am
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I placed an order for a 2016 model 179 and am scheduled to pick it up in the next week or so. Yesterday, I asked the owner of the dealer (Jeff Zimmerman of Country Roads RV Center) whether or not my unit included the axle riser option because I don't remember it being on the options list. I was told the following:
"They have changed the axle systems to now include the height of the old axle riser system. Totally different axle than what they used 6 months ago." Is this true, or am I being fed horse manure? Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: taxman
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 10:50am
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Well, I just spoke with the Forest River service department and gave them my VIN to confirm the specs on my unit. It appears that my rpod has a new axle with a higher pitch than previous models' axles. The higher pitch is the equivalent to installing the riser kit on the older models.
The axle riser kit, although still available from FR, is not covered under warranty if installed on the new axle system because of the increased pitch. Confirmed. Good info. |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 12:06pm
| I wanted the risers on my 2016 179 so that I could run tire chains if necessary. It came with the new axel and there seems to be enough room for chains if needed. Not that I have any intentions of ever running chains but just in case. |
Posted By: taxman
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 1:32pm
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Yeah, I was looking for risers (or at least the extra height) because I would like to eventually get larger tires. I have 35" tires on my truck and it would be nice to have more meat on the rpod. The rpod comes with 26" tires on 14" wheels and I'd like to get 29-30" tires on 15-16" wheels with a more aggressive tread pattern.
I hope the increased height of the new axle is sufficient to run larger tires. I don't want to install risers if it voids the warranty on the axle. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 1:47pm
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See the pic I posted here. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7401&title=the-ultimate-offroad-rv%20 - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7401&title=the-ultimate-offroad-rv ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: taxman
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 2:11pm
| That's a bit much. I'm looking for something similar to what comes on the HRE. Those are 29" tires on 15" wheels. That should be just fine. |
Posted By: JB pod
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 5:00pm
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Hi,
We just bought our first Rpod this week-end (model 179) and it was really confusing about the axle riser. The dealer was saying there was some kind of new axle that provide a better clearance but when we look at the official options included on the unit, the axle riser was checked "X" but we could not find the riser..... Can anyone explain was is the pitch of the axle and how the new one is better? Thanks JB ------------- Rpod 179 2016 Ford F150 2007 |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 5:07pm
| I don't know what the pitch is or how it is better but even without the riser you have more wheel clearance. |
Posted By: JB pod
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 5:09pm
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Just found this explanation on the FB Rpod page (3 nov 2015)
Seems to be from Forest River I just want to clear up some discussion on the new r-pod axles and the risers. The Indiana r-pods have always had the axle risers as an option and the Hood River Edition had them built in the package. We monitor option usage and when it hits and maintains a high precenatge of use, we look at making it a standard item. With working with our axle company we were able to achieve the same height as the axle risers by using a different pitch axle without having to add the blocks. The new axle sits approximatly 2 1/2 higher at the beam, gaining more gorund clerance there. The rest of the height is achieved at the end of the axle with the different pitch for a total rise of approximatly 3 1/2", the same as we had with the risers. In doing this we also redesigned the fenderskirt to have a consistant clereance over the tire (no more hump in the middle) for better appreance. I think some of the cofusion here is with the newly designed fenderskirt, most are thinking it doesn't has the rise because of no large gap above the tire. I'm sure there will be more discussion here and I will keep my eye out and try to answer questions. Thank you ------------- Rpod 179 2016 Ford F150 2007 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 6:19pm
Why would you want chains on a trailer tire? ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 6:49pm
Seems counter intuitive, but it's for braking. Some states require chains on all wheels with brakes. Makes great sense to me. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 6:50pm
He is in Cali.. The sierras often have "all axles with brakes" requirements.. ------------- |
Posted By: taxman
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 6:54pm
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Thanks JB Pod. That makes sense. It's unfortunate that FR lowered the fenders because I was looking for a bit more clearance to add some beefier tires. The added height from the new axle is certainly welcome, but I guess I may need to look at moving the fenders up if I want to add more meat.
I also was going to ask about chains on trailer tires. Chains are usually added to tires that drive the vehicle, otherwise, you're just dragging. Now, if you're adding tracks, that's another story.... |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2016 at 8:05pm
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I've been told you can add the risers but it voids the warranty. Not sure that is true I would contact FR to verify.
With the new axel there is enough room to run cable chains. What state are you in, in California they make you run chains sometimes but only if you have trailer brakes. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2016 at 12:04pm
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W/o chains on the pod, if you hit the brakes hard the pod will keep going and you'll jackknife. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2016 at 9:38am
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The Risers for the new axle are not part of the build and sales side any longer for Pods now. Some owners are still choosing to purchase them from the parts department and add them to their Pods afterwards. And no, it will not void any warranty at all on your Pod to add risers to the new axles. It is okay to do if that is your choice. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: taxman
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2016 at 10:32am
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See my second post in this thread. I spoke with a service representative at Forest River and was told that installing risers on rpods equipped with the new axle will void the warranty on the axle as the riser was not designed for the new axle.
The service representative also commented that rpod dealers have been instructed by Forest River not to install risers on rpods equipped with the new axle, but that owners are certainly able to do so, as long as they are aware of the warranty issue. It's just a buyer-beware issue. |
Posted By: Baypod
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2016 at 4:46pm
I have heard the same story. I recently picked up my new 2016 POD 178 and when I asked about risers, the dealer explained I don't need them any more because the 2016's come with a reconfigured axle that performs the same function without the spacers. My vin is 4x4TRPT12GL013948. Built end of August 2015. I am mostly pleased with my unit, but would like to clarify this issue. Can anyone provide a contact person at FR with a phone number who knows what they're talking about.  ------------- Baypod |
Posted By: JB pod
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2016 at 4:54pm
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I just got confirmation from my dealer who checked with FR that our new R.Pod 179 2016 #4X4TRPT11GL013715 manufactured 8/12/2016 (August 12th, 2015 I presumed) has the new axle.
Would be nice if FR would post a date or VIN from which all the Rpod have the new axle. Or if we could have a visual characteristic to check the axle for. Thanks ------------- Rpod 179 2016 Ford F150 2007 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2016 at 5:29pm
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Mine was manufactured 5/15/2015. It still has the riser blocks. They are obvious. If you don't see blocks, then you have the new axle.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2016 at 10:35am
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The new RPods with the higher pitched axle went into production from the Dallas Oregon Plant in late August of 2015, a week or so later they went into production at the Goshen Indiana plant. If your R-Pod has a late August 2015 or beyond build date then it has the higher pitched axle. However to even more easily confirm if your RPod has the yellow front jack flip foot on it, it is part of the 2015 changes to the RPod line and will have the new axle as well as the different slideout and the other 2015 change features. And per my discussion with Forest River yesterday the addition of risers to a newer high pitched axle does not Void any warranty. I will speak with them again today to confirm for a second time so that we can 100% put this question to rest though. Will follow up later today. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2016 at 10:36am
Seeing risers or not wouldn't be a good indication, many RPods produced from the Goshen Indiana plant do not always have risers on them. Which could be misleading to use that as your visual clue. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2016 at 11:17am
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Thanks for the correction. My remark was meant to be teamed with the other information on manufacture date regarding the new axle, not independently thereof. What changes were made in the slide-out? Mine was manufactured in May, yet was sold to me as a 2016. It lacked the yellow flip foot and the undermount stainless steel sink. It has the 2016 color scheme. I did not know about slide-out changes. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2016 at 11:28am
Unless you own a 179 you have what's known as an above floor slidout. It's one track there on the floor that pulls the slide in and out. Along with the late 2015 Fall changes they changed all RPods over to the new slidout, which is an in wall system, it has 2 tracks on each side of the slide to pull it in and out. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2016 at 2:42pm
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Okay. I have the new slide-out as we do have a 179 with the 2 tracks on each side.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 8:26am
I apologize for bringing up an older post, but can you explain what a higher pitched axle means? I've Googled it and find nothing. Thx
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 9:00am
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Higher pitched axle means that the angle of the arm on the axle that holds the hub and brake assembly (and with it, the wheel and tire) is set so that the axle is higher up than that of the old axle. On mine (old axle), the angle is such that if you look at it from the side, the hubs are higher than the line of the axle. Mine has the riser blocks to help give more ground clearance. The newer axle is such that when you look at it from the side, the hubs are lower than the line of the axle. These give almost as much boost in height as the risers with the old axle. It is kind of like (looking from the door side) this: Old axle's arm \ New axle's arm /. See this link to Dexter's http://l.b5z.net/i/u/6149609/f/product_flyers/Torflex_11-06.pdf - Torflex for a picture. That will help. See the bottom where it has "Ride Height." Pitch angles are available from 45 degrees down to 22.5 degrees up, which is the angle of the arm in relationship to the axle. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2016 at 2:06pm
| Got it. Thanks for the explanation...... |