Spring maintenance |
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Outbound
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767 |
Topic: Spring maintenance 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.
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Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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wingnut2312
Senior Member Joined: 25 Aug 2013 Location: MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 231 |
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.
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2014 rpod 182G
Ford Expedition |
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Camper Bob
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Location: Portland Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 913 |
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.
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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
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fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
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.
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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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Pod People
Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Location: Chapel Hill,NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 1078 |
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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fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Posted: 16 Jan 2014 at 4:57pm |
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
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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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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
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. |
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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