Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: 2017.5 tire and wheel upgrade

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2017.5 tire and wheel upgrade

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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=9373
Printed Date: 28 Jun 2025 at 10:47am
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Topic: 2017.5 tire and wheel upgrade

Posted By: zappapod
Subject: 2017.5 tire and wheel upgrade
Date Posted: 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?

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2017.5 178 (Blue Bell)
2005 Tundra Double Cab
Outer Banks Bound

Replies:

Posted By: jato
Date 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.

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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: zappapod
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 9:13am

Discretion is always key. But, perhaps better equipment allows for better results when discretion fails.

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2017.5 178 (Blue Bell)
2005 Tundra Double Cab
Outer Banks Bound

Posted By: furpod
Date 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.

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Posted By: CharlieM
Date 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.

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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: zappapod
Date 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!

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2017.5 178 (Blue Bell)
2005 Tundra Double Cab
Outer Banks Bound

Posted By: Our pod
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2017 at 7:09pm

If you do upgrade, consider Load Range D.

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Life is good.

Posted By: finder9
Date 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.

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Jack
2017 Rpod 179
2015 Dodge Ram

Posted By: zappapod
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2017 at 8:30pm

thanks for the suggestions.

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2017.5 178 (Blue Bell)
2005 Tundra Double Cab
Outer Banks Bound

Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date 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

Posted By: zappapod
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2017 at 7:25am

Good suggestion. Thanks.

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2017.5 178 (Blue Bell)
2005 Tundra Double Cab
Outer Banks Bound