Dumb question-but I'm new so humor me
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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=7867
Printed Date: 22 Jun 2025 at 4:14pm
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Topic: Dumb question-but I'm new so humor me
Posted By: Graham&Rory
Subject: Dumb question-but I'm new so humor me
Date Posted: 02 May 2016 at 4:56pm
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When parking your Pod for an extended period of time (unused)-do you utilize the axle risers? I have Hood River edition. Or can the tongue jack handle the weight? Thanks as always for your input.
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Replies:
Posted By: codycountry
Date Posted: 02 May 2016 at 5:31pm
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I use them when unhooked so that the Wyoming wind doesn't blow my little rpod over! By the way those stabilizers are not intended to lift the rpod with--just crank them until they firmly touch to stabilize the trailer. You will bend the all thread shaft if you over do it and try to level or pick up the camper.
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Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 02 May 2016 at 5:48pm
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I think you mean the stabilizer jacks. It depends. I use them if I am going into the R-Pod to do work (moving the mattress for Winterizing the lines for example). But I usually won't if it's parked through the Winter in my back yard. I have some serious heavy duty rubber chocks, and the R-Pod CAN'T go anywhere. My stabilizer jacks would be over the lawn and I don't want to harm the lawn or get a lot of rust on the stabilizer jack pads. And over the Winter they would likely sink into the lawn a bit and not provide any stabilization anyway. Please, NEVER try to lift your tires off the ground by using the stabilizer jacks , ever, ever, ever. Not even to change a tire. They are NOT sturdy enough and will likely collapse trying to hold the R-Pod in the air. ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: Graham&Rory
Date Posted: 02 May 2016 at 6:46pm
| Thank you-yes I meant stabilizer jacks. Do you put a piece of wood or anything under them when in use? |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 02 May 2016 at 8:10pm
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Yes, at the campground absolutely. They will wiggle into the ground as you walk around, and then the Pod will be unsettling. I use small yellow plastic leveling pads for this purpose. The campgrounds I stay at don't have asphalt surfaces. After leveling the Pod side to side, and using the tongue jack for front to back leveling, I crank all the stabilizers down, each on a plastic pad. I use a clutched cordless drill with a Camco socket instead of the portable crankarm. Lazy I guess. After a few hours before the first night, I hit them all again with the portable drill. Stable though the weekend. ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 02 May 2016 at 8:42pm
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Well, leave it to me to be the odd man out. We have used our 177 for over 5 years now and have never used leveling pads under our stabilizers. I do use a piece of 6 x 6 WOL to go under the tongue jack since that is only a 2" or so pipe and would sink in the ground. Very rarely have we camped on blacktop or concrete. Never have had an issue with the stabilizers sinking deep in the soil, maybe 1 inch when we were in a wet area and had a tremendous rain storm. otherwise the pad seems large enough to span across the soil and stay on top w/o sinking. ------------- 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." |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 02 May 2016 at 9:18pm
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I use the tongue jack with a foot on it that I got at our camping store. I dont use the stabilizers in the yard between trips.
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 May 2016 at 9:25pm
I'll only add that there aren't any dumb questions here.  ------------- 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: David and Danette
Date Posted: 04 May 2016 at 3:05pm
------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 04 May 2016 at 4:47pm
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One possible reason for not using the stabilizers when stored for longer periods is the potential for the tires to lose a significant amount of air. If that were to happen, undo pressure would be placed on one or more of the stabilizers, which could result in a tweaked frame. If you park your Pod on your property, you can always check on it periodically. But if it's parked somewhere remote, you may not notice a flat tire until it's too late.
------------- 2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills." 
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 May 2016 at 9:14pm
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+1 ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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