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crazycoyote View Drop Down
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Joined: 22 Jan 2017
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Posts: 49 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Axles
    Posted: 01 May 2020 at 12:15am
Does anyone know what size axles FR puts on there 95 or 96 Rpod models? 
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2020 at 6:10am
4400 lbs.  Here's how you can tell. Take the UVW and add the CCC to get max trailer weight. Then, subtract the minimum listed tongue weight (in the case of rpods there is only one listed tongue weight so use that).  DOT requires that the trailer mfs do it that way. 

Also count lug bolts. The 3500 lb rated axles on the smaller rpods have 5, the higher rated axles should have 6. Otherwise they are probably the same axle, just rated differently. 
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crazycoyote View Drop Down
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Posts: 49 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2020 at 9:35pm
SO, take the model 195, the hitch weight is 340 and the GVWR is4790, and with a 4400 lbs axle, my figures overload the axle, and I think the 196 is still more weight. Does that seem right?
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2020 at 7:32am
Originally posted by crazycoyote

SO, take the model 195, the hitch weight is 340 and the GVWR is4790, and with a 4400 lbs axle, my figures overload the axle, and I think the 196 is still more weight. Does that seem right?

Not sure where you got your numbers. The FR website has the 195 at a hitch weight of 362, an unloaded vehicle weight of 3587, and a cargo carrying capacity of 1175. 3587+1175= 4762 which is the GVW. Subtract the hitch weight and you get 4767-362=4400 for the axle. 

 https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/r-pod/RP-195/4588

Actually loading that trailer like that would be a terrible idea though as that would put the hitch weight at only 7.6% of trailer total weight. Its almost certainly going to sway big time. You want the hitch weight to be at least 10% of the trailer weight, preferably more like 12-13%. 

The DOT requires the mfgrs to state the GVW as the total of the lowest listed hitch weight and the axle capacity. The mfgrs are motivated to publish a low hitch weight because that is commonly the limiting factor on the tow vehicles. So you end up with this weird loading scenario.  

So actually weigh what you have ready to roll, you'll probably be surprised by how much higher your tongue weight really is.  And then adjust your load fore or aft accordingly if needed to keep everything well within your trailer and TV limits. And if you're going to get a 195 to be safe I'd recommend planning on needing a TV with a hitch weight rating of at least 600-700 lbs. 
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crazycoyote View Drop Down
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Posts: 49 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2020 at 10:32am
I think it's time for a dual axle setup on the Rpods, to close of weight on a single axle trailer.
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Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2020 at 3:11pm
Originally posted by crazycoyote

I think it's time for a dual axle setup on the Rpods, to close of weight on a single axle trailer.

Not without beefing up the frame first! The frame and axle are a very close match.
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2020 at 3:12pm
I think a single axle is OK, there are a lot of single axle trailers about the same weight as the 195.

The axle is mounted farther outboard on the wider frame of the 195/6 which is helpful. Also, you typically end up with more hitch weight than you're thinking you do, that 362 lb figure is unrealistic. More hitch weight means less weight on the axle for the same max trailer weight. A typical hitch weight on a well loaded 195 is probably going to be around 600 lbs, which puts the axle load at around 4000 for a trailer that is loaded around 150 lbs below max. That would give you a 13% hitch weight which is a good place to be. 

I'd definitely look into upgrading tires though....and no way I'd tow that thing with my Highlander Star
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