Vibe 6503

   Yesterday we went to look at the Vibes, the only dealer as far as I know that sells them in Florida. I liked the outside shape of the trailer very much but that is about as much as I liked over the r-pods. There was a little more room that allowed a dry bath but the ones I looked at the over all quality just did not seem to be as good as the r-pods. The most serious thing I noticed was the fabric on the exterior to protect the floor was barely attached to the wood floor. There was wood exposed where there was outside connections of wires. The fabric was hanging down from the floor in that when the trailer was being towed while it was raining the wood would get soaked and in time would rot. I am sure the dealer would of repaired the fabric some how if asked but it should of never been allowed to leave the factory that way. So when we got home I inspected our r-pod to see if the fabric was attached well to the floor, thankfully it was. I remember there were some r-pods a few years back where the corners were not sealed well with the fabric and there was recall on them. It was a nice trailer but for our use of a camper we prefer our r-pod. On the Lance owners forum it was mentioned by a Lance owner that the quality of the r-pods were good and as we have been looking around at different trailers I am appreciating more the quality of the r-pods.        David

i always felt the pod seemed a little large for a single axle.  if i understand correctly, my 177 weighs approx 2700+/-.  That being said, with gear, mods, and everything else; it appears it is pushing the limits as well on a 3500 pound axle.  hogone

Originally posted by David and Danette Originally posted by CharlieM Originally posted by David and Danette     I am sorry to say Forest River did not give enough thought about the cargo capacity of the Vibe 6503 and 6504 when first building them. The new Vibes that are now being built have a stronger axle I found out.   David  Dave, Not sure why you think FR is using a stronger axel now on the Vibes. Their web site numbers still point to a 3500# axel on the 6504s. Note that if you start with the shipping weight, subtract the tongue weight, and add 90% of propane, battery, and full load of fresh water, you are over the 3500# axel rating. And this assumes perfect 90/10% loading. The RPODS also use a 3500# axel, but they are lighter to start with. Another problem arises when you use a WDH. It's my firm beleif that a WDH is needed, particularly with 3500# rated 3.5L TVs. But the WDH transfers a portion of the tongue weight to the trailer axel. I've confirmed this on my loaded 172 on CAT scales. The scales say I'm slightly over the axel rating...And that's a 172. A 178 or 181/2 would be worse. I'm not dry docking my Pod, but I am looking at a dual axel trailer for an upgrade.

On the Forest River forum its said the new trailers have the up graded axle and that the manufacture web site has not been updated. I called Couchs rv nation and they confirmed this information in that the new trailers coming in have a stronger axle. I thought with the money I am saving in buying it I could replace the axle to a 5,200 lb. Forest River gave me the information regarding the axle replacement using the new axles that are being put on the new trailers. Still thinking it over the expense of a new axle and larger wheels 15" and how it would handle the size and it being a single axle.  

Originally posted by David and Danette     I am sorry to say Forest River did not give enough thought about the cargo capacity of the Vibe 6503 and 6504 when first building them. The new Vibes that are now being built have a stronger axle I found out.   David

Dave,

Not sure why you think FR is using a stronger axel now on the Vibes. Their web site numbers still point to a 3500# axel on the 6504s. Note that if you start with the shipping weight, subtract the tongue weight, and add 90% of propane, battery, and full load of fresh water, you are over the 3500# axel rating. And this assumes perfect 90/10% loading. The RPODS also use a 3500# axel, but they are lighter to start with.

Another problem arises when you use a WDH. It's my firm beleif that a WDH is needed, particularly with 3500# rated 3.5L TVs. But the WDH transfers a portion of the tongue weight to the trailer axel. I've confirmed this on my loaded 172 on CAT scales. The scales say I'm slightly over the axel rating...And that's a 172. A 178 or 181/2 would be worse. I'm not dry docking my Pod, but I am looking at a dual axel trailer for an upgrade.

  The average cargo weight of the r-pods  after options is close to a 1,000 lbs. The only way the Vibe would work is with a axle change. CharlieM you have a good point it may not handle that well am wandering how the 178 r-pods handle which are a similar size but weigh about 400lbs. less. I keep looking but keep coming back to the r-pod 171 we have. Our Flowerpod seems to be getting roots to difficult to relocate.   David and Danette