Axle Axle Risers or Drop Shank for e2 WDH

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   Still haven't gotten a reply from F.R. Don't think they liked my calling them out on their mis-information in regards to the so called new axle keeping the trailer at the same height as the risers.Don't even need a tape measure to see that it's not as high!
We'll wait on adding risers until after this season of camping with the new 179.
Raising the fenders appears to be the best option. Cable chains give the best clearance, and will do the least amount of damage if part of them breaks.

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SuJoPodders Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2013 Location: Janesville Ca. Online Status: Offline Posts: 16	Topic: Axle Axle Risers or Drop Shank for e2 WDH Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 2:52pm
	Still haven't gotten a reply from F.R. Don't think they liked my calling them out on their mis-information in regards to the so called new axle keeping the trailer at the same height as the risers. Don't even need a tape measure to see that it's not as high! We'll wait on adding risers until after this season of camping with the new 179. Raising the fenders appears to be the best option. Cable chains give the best clearance, and will do the least amount of damage if part of them breaks.

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 22 Feb 2016 at 8:24pm
	You could move the fenders up to improve clearance.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Craneman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2013 Location: Tokeland,wa Online Status: Offline Posts: 387	Posted: 22 Feb 2016 at 4:08pm
	Go to search, select topic and type in axel riser!!!!!! Very good post with pics Moe
	Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150

SuJoPodders Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2013 Location: Janesville Ca. Online Status: Offline Posts: 16	Posted: 22 Feb 2016 at 12:57pm
	Just traded in our 2013 177 for a 2016 179 and the first thing I noticed was the missing axle risers. Was told that they had been replaced mid year with the new axles. After an inquiry to Forest River, a rep told me. "Axle risers are not std anymore on Hood River. We went to a new torsion axle with a 20 degree lift to achieve the same height as before and a more stable ride mid 2016 model year." In the case of our new 179, I found this to be not true. Comparing the old 177, I found that the clearance on the 179 to be almost 4" less. I also had to drop my hitch almost 4" to attain a level attitude when towing. While I didn't take our 177 to any extreme locations, we do camp quite often at remote campgrounds at the end of some moderately rough roads. The higher clearance was welcomed on a few occasions. This, in itself, isn't a big concern. The more efficient use of space, and roomier layout of the 179 is a fair trade for the lower ride. We simply will exercise more care in where we take it. What is a concern however, is the lack of clearance at the fenders, especially the driver's side one that is lower due to the slideout. We sometimes have to drive through snow to get away from our home to destinations during the winter. When told at chain control checkpoints that I must have chains, I have to put them on. We carry chains all the time during the winter months, and have had to use them for short periods on several occasions. Can these new axles be adjusted? Should install the risers myself? And most importantly, will the risers affect handling that much? i think the handling issue may have been the real reason for dropping the risers.

podrunner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 May 2013 Location: Draper, UT Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 09 Feb 2016 at 6:42pm
	I purchased risers direct from Forest River a couple of months ago and paid $150 plus $25 shipping.
	2010 R Pod 151 2017 4runner 2006 Honda Metropolitan

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 08 Feb 2016 at 8:59pm
	I hope it all works out for you. Comparing the RV industry to anything in the automotive or housing industry is a mistake. It sort of seems alike, but it isn't.

Hinterlander Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2015 Location: Northwestern Mi Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Posted: 08 Feb 2016 at 8:53pm
	Lois Hern at Forest River quoted a price of $150, but she thought I had a Surveyor RV with tandem axles. That was about two weeks ago and I have not called her back. It could be that they charge more per piece for 2 than for the tandem set. We do occasionally get Temps in the 40's in March, which is comfortable for me. Makes more sense now to do it in the driveway. The $300 price is well above the average $95/hour an automotive dealership charges for trained technicians. These RV dealers starve when the business cycle drops, then try to make it all up on one job when conditions improve.

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 08 Feb 2016 at 6:38pm
	... and when they were the price was well above $75 (that was years ago).
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 08 Feb 2016 at 4:28pm
	How a repair place prices repairs and mods is VERY complex. But putting on a set of risers at a dealership is probably a 2 hour job in the book. $125 to $150 an hour is not a gouge. It's not like the only cost is that tech's 2 hours wages. Even the smallest job takes the same amount of getting the TT in and out of the bay, and lots of overhead. Taxes, insurance, retirement, all sorts of things come out of that $125-150 an hour.. All that said.. it's a dead nuts simple install. 8 bolts total and no special tools. Surely between now and April you will have 2-3 hours of warm weather.. As far $75 from FR, is that from a post on the web, or have you talked to FR recently about them? They were unavailable a couple of months ago..

Hinterlander Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2015 Location: Northwestern Mi Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Posted: 08 Feb 2016 at 4:06pm
	The risers themselves can be bought directly from Forest River for $75, plus shipping. I just received a note back from our local "dealer" (A&S RV in Auburn Hills, Michigan) and he wants $250 to $300 to install. Since I am not fond of working ourdoors on RV axles in temperatures below freezing, a reasonable cost for installation was part of my consideration. I have read about a dozen posts from owners that installed the risers themselves in 1.5 hours with no hoist or air tools. It's amazing to me how these dealers can alienate their customer base for so little cash.