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Topic ClosedSpring maintenance
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Spring maintenance
    Posted: 16 Jan 2014 at 7:22pm

Have your TV fully inspected, too.  Brakes, belts, fluids, hoses.  Keeping water in the pod's tank will give you a backup to refill the radiator, plus carry extra of the other fluids like oil, brake fluid, etc.  

For the pod, carry a torque wrench with you to re-check the lug nuts every morning.  Eventually they will seat and you won't have to check as often.  Inspect the tread wear and tire pressure at the same time.  Pressure should be at the max rating on the tire's sidewall.  Every time you stop, go back and feel the hubs.  If they are too warm to keep your hand on them they need to be repacked.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jan 2014 at 4:57pm
Originally posted by Pod People

we did an 11,000 mile,. 10 wek trip in Sept-Nov. One thing that I think really helped was to balance the Pod's tires-no shimmy or rattles.

Vann Evans

11,000 miles!! Wow! That's great.

The wheel balance tip is a really good one. I think I'll have that done and breaks inspected before we go. I think they were adjusted pretty tight when we first got the pod.

Thanks!

fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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Posts: 1068 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jan 2014 at 4:06pm
we did an 11,000 mile,. 10 wek trip in Sept-Nov. One thing that I think really helped was to balance the Pod's tires-no shimmy or rattles.

Vann Evans
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jan 2014 at 12:19pm
OK, I got a question.

Our 2014 178 has about 600 miles on it. We will probably put another 300 miles or so on it before embarking on an epic 7500 mi journey.

What, if anything, would you do or have done maintenance/inspection wise prior to leaving.

My TV will be thoroughly checked out and a brand new pair of sneakers added.

Thanks!

fred

P.S. Realized I should have added that the Pod will get a new set of 6 volt GC batteries before we go.
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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Joined: 26 Sep 2011
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Posts: 913 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jan 2014 at 11:39am
We have our bearings repacked at the end of each season. The last two years we put on about 5k miles, per year. I believe I did read something about repacking every 5-8K miles. The local dealer quoted $250. but I think he also included his last mortgage payment. Interestingly, I took it to Camping World where I am of the opinion, that they hate to part with whatever they are selling, unless you really, really, need it. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised to have them do it for $150. I'm sure If I invested the time I could find someone lower. However, my thinking is that they do more of these each year than most dealers do in a lifetime. Also someone with deep pockets if I have a bearing problem in the future. Hope that helps. Safe Travels.
Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund)
2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod)
2016 Lance 1685
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Posts: 231 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 2014 at 9:55pm
Does anyone know a ballpark for having the dealer do this? Just wondering if it's worth three hours.
2014 rpod 182G
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Joined: 19 Nov 2009
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 2014 at 9:03pm
It usually takes me 3 hours to repack the bearings and adjust the brakes on my r-pod.  That includes all the time fiddling around getting equipment together and finding jackstands from where I last hid them in the garage (plus at least one coffee break).  Repacking bearings is not difficult, but it is messy work.  I agree with kymooses: etrailer has some excellent videos and goes into great detail on repacking bearings and adjusting breaks; the 3500 pound axles are all about the same anyway, check out a few videos to get an idea of how much work is involved.

Anecdote: I did once have utility trailer bearings fail on my dirt bike trailer.  It was while I was towing on the highway at 60mph.  The driver-side bearing exploded, the trailer swayed violently back and forth; somehow, the wheel stayed (somewhat) on the axle until I managed to get everything stopped.  The bearings had been repacked 2.5 years before.  Ever since, I've been a bit paranoid and religiously inspect and repack bearings on all my trailers annually.
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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Posts: 556 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 2014 at 8:40pm
Most of us that fish and shrimp submerge our boat trailers in salt water 2 or 3 times a week use Bearing Buddies on our trailers.  Although these are excellent for maintaining low positive pressure in the hubs to prevent salt water entry, we still repack our bearings about once a year.  My last boat trailer came with oil-lubricated bearing, that eliminated the need for grease and repacking.

The Super-Lube system seems to fall somewhere in-between these two.  It seems to me that if used properly, it will reduce the frequency of repacking, but may not necessarily eliminate the need.  If the seals are in good condition, grease would not be able to contaminate the brakes unless the there is excessive free play in the hub assembly, caused by the spindle nut not properly tightened.  Again, I don't know anything about this system other than what I have read on the manufacturer's web site.

Bob
2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
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Posts: 214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 2014 at 7:47pm
Originally posted by Sleepless

This might be a good time to mention that R-Pods are equipped with Super-Lube hubs.  Although the web site for these claims that they eliminate the need for repacking the bearings because they replace the old grease with new (their claim, not mine), I question if this is factual. http://www.tiedown.com/pdf/c718.pdf

Any comments?

Bob

Bob, when I first got my R-Pod I watched a video which appeared to just shoot grease into the bearing via the nipple fitting. I did this until grease came out the front as demonstrated.  ... All seemed fine (I drove about 3,000 miles) until I noticed some braking variations ... When I openned the hub, it seems I must have been pumping grease into the wheel hub as the hub and curbside brakes were full of grease - it took 2 cans of brake cleaner spray and a roll of paper towels to clean.  I've since noticed another video that says to SPIN WHEEL when pumping ( as does the manual in your link above). OK I did it wrong.

However, I have since become very cautious about just pumping blindly and assuming the grease is going where it should and not coming out thru the seal .... Last spring I hand packed the bearings and I KNEW enough grease was in the right place. Gave me a lot of confidence heading out to parts unknown. I will repack them again this spring.
Bill & Bev
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Joined: 07 Jun 2013
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Posts: 556 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 2014 at 7:18pm
This might be a good time to mention that R-Pods are equipped with Super-Lube hubs.  Although the web site for these claims that they eliminate the need for repacking the bearings because they replace the old grease with new (their claim, not mine), I question if this is factual. http://www.tiedown.com/pdf/c718.pdf

Any comments?

Bob
2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
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