You may also want to check with Lippert or Dexter to see if you can buy a heavier duty axle that will fit your Pod.  FR, and probably most travel trailer builders, seem to build to the absolute minimum with practically no margin of error structurally or otherwise.  

We recently had an experience with FR putting in the lowest possible capacity leaf springs on our trailer.  The leaf spring failed on the road.  When I planned the repair, I inquired of Lippert whether stronger springs were available for that particular axle assembly.  They said I could get a 200 pound better weight rating for only a few buck more.  Instead of just fixing the broken spring with the same weight rating, I got two new springs that increase the spring capacity by 400 pounds.  The difference in doing one, as opposed to both involved about an hour of extra labor.  I considered it money well spent.

I was basing that cost on the Dexter #10 Torflex axles on our Escape which were replaced by Dexter under warranty. Sounds like Lippert axles are rebuildable where as Dexters aren't. FWIW, the bent axles on our Escape were totally our fault and Dexter still covered them. Long story short, We used to have to "shoe horn" our Escape into a tight spot where we lived. Those tight radius turns on concrete and asphalt took a toll on the  tandem axle spindles. 

We have the Escape 5.0 fifth wheel model. Our tow vehicle is a '22 Ford F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost. Couldn't be happier with the F150. Smooth, powerful and comfortable. I usually get 10-13mpg at 65mph in varied terrain and weather conditions.

I would love to find an axle for $400!  I called Lippert Components a couple of days ago and the man that I spoke to said $900 for the axle plus 1-2 hours for install time. He did mention that I could just get the axle "bar" for $350-ish. I asked for a guess for shipping costs and he said for example if they just shipped the axle bar it would probably cost $350.  If I decided to just do the axle bar he said that the labor time would be approximately 2 hours.

So it looks like you used to have an R-Pod and now you have an Escape?  May I ask what your tow vehicle is?

My initial response to all of this is to sell the R-Pod for fear that the axle might bend again and I would be right back in this $ situation again.  The more that I am thinking about this tonight I am wondering if I replace the axle if I could avoid the axle bending again if I just make sure to take it easy with my R-Pod as far as bad roads and really try to be aware of how much I am loading.

Again thanks for taking the time to reply!! 

One way to definitively know about the tires is to use a level. make sure the tires are properly inflated before doing this test. Place a level vertically on the tires so that it is touching at the top and bottom(12 and 6 clock positions). the level should show the bubble in the middle of the range.  Actually, this shows that the tires are plumb(90degrees to the flat ground) or how far out of plumb they are. 

 

somewhere in the past is a post using a stretched  string line from both ends of the axle which should show how much the axle is bent.  As I recall, there should be a slight(1/8"+/-) rise in the center. There also was several posts about using 2"x2" angle iron secured by U Bolts to reinforce  the axle and help it remain straight. Perhaps you can search for these  in the forum search function

Travel safe and often

Vann

I have been reading as much as I can on the message boards.  I had been discussing it with my travel partner who I follow on trips and sometimes she follows me.  She told me that from behind she can tell that the tires are not sitting straight vertically.  I stopped at America's Tire Store to ask if they can help and of course they can help with the tires but not the other issue. Then I stopped at an RV place that I have had repairs done before and he gave me the name of a tire and alignment place in Sacramento that they take all their RVs to.  I have an appointment Tuesday to take my R-Pod to for them to check out.  When I spoke to them on the phone he said that if it has a leaf spring axle they adjust it but if it is a torsion axle they can't.  Before I discovered that mine is a torsion axle they were going to charge $250 for an alignment but now they will do a diagnostic for $100.  

If any of you have had this experience and have suggestions or helpful information it would be much appreciated!!