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Advise re: tires not sitting straight vertically
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sbeninga View Drop Down
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Posts: 30 		Post Options Post Options   Quote sbeninga Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Advise re: tires not sitting straight vertically
    Posted: 31 Jul 2024 at 9:23pm
Ok, I just found out this afternoon that my axle is bent.  I can do a full axle replacement (ouch$) but nothing guarantees that I won't be right back in this situation a month or a year from now.  I sure don't want to spend that much money again.  So I can either sell the R-Pod and disclose it or fix it and then sell it. I just feel that the 3,500 axle limit isn't as heavy duty as it needs to be.  Any thoughts on what I should expect for cost or any other things that I should think about are appreciated!!  I really appreciate you taking the time to reply!!
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gpokluda View Drop Down
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Posts: 330 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jul 2024 at 9:34pm
You can expect to pay about $400 for a new axle which includes new brakes. An additional $200 for installation plus tires if the ones you have are shot. So probably just under $1,000.

We put almost 60k miles on our Rpod 179 without bending an axle but we still were very careful not to overload the trailer. Hey are great campers but will need continual care and feeding. That’s the reason we went with a higher end camper.
Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650
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sbeninga View Drop Down
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Posts: 30 		Post Options Post Options   Quote sbeninga Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Aug 2024 at 3:28am
Originally posted by gpokluda

You can expect to pay about $400 for a new axle which includes new brakes. An additional $200 for installation plus tires if the ones you have are shot. So probably just under $1,000.

We put almost 60k miles on our Rpod 179 without bending an axle but we still were very careful not to overload the trailer. Hey are great campers but will need continual care and feeding. That’s the reason we went with a higher end camper.

I would love to find an axle for $400!  I called Lippert Components a couple of days ago and the man that I spoke to said $900 for the axle plus 1-2 hours for install time. He did mention that I could just get the axle "bar" for $350-ish. I asked for a guess for shipping costs and he said for example if they just shipped the axle bar it would probably cost $350.  If I decided to just do the axle bar he said that the labor time would be approximately 2 hours.

So it looks like you used to have an R-Pod and now you have an Escape?  May I ask what your tow vehicle is?

My initial response to all of this is to sell the R-Pod for fear that the axle might bend again and I would be right back in this $ situation again.  The more that I am thinking about this tonight I am wondering if I replace the axle if I could avoid the axle bending again if I just make sure to take it easy with my R-Pod as far as bad roads and really try to be aware of how much I am loading.

Again thanks for taking the time to reply!! 
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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3255 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Aug 2024 at 8:19am
I noticed a few months after picking up our 177 (that was March 2011) that the slide side tire was indeed not vertical but had the typical tow-in issue.  Others at the time told us it was typical for the slide side to show that so nothing was ever done to correct the issue.  It is now 13 + years later and now on my 3rd set of tires.  After 5 years and 20,000+ miles on each set, there is a bit more wear on the inside but nothing serious, they get replaced every 5-6 years anyway.  To me it is a cosmetic thing, even though I tend to be OCD, I just live with it as it doesn't affect the towing ability.
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'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
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gpokluda View Drop Down
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Posts: 330 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Aug 2024 at 8:38am
Originally posted by sbeninga


I would love to find an axle for $400!  I called Lippert Components a couple of days ago and the man that I spoke to said $900 for the axle plus 1-2 hours for install time. He did mention that I could just get the axle "bar" for $350-ish. I asked for a guess for shipping costs and he said for example if they just shipped the axle bar it would probably cost $350.  If I decided to just do the axle bar he said that the labor time would be approximately 2 hours.

So it looks like you used to have an R-Pod and now you have an Escape?  May I ask what your tow vehicle is?

My initial response to all of this is to sell the R-Pod for fear that the axle might bend again and I would be right back in this $ situation again.  The more that I am thinking about this tonight I am wondering if I replace the axle if I could avoid the axle bending again if I just make sure to take it easy with my R-Pod as far as bad roads and really try to be aware of how much I am loading.

Again thanks for taking the time to reply!! 

I was basing that cost on the Dexter #10 Torflex axles on our Escape which were replaced by Dexter under warranty. Sounds like Lippert axles are rebuildable where as Dexters aren't. FWIW, the bent axles on our Escape were totally our fault and Dexter still covered them. Long story short, We used to have to "shoe horn" our Escape into a tight spot where we lived. Those tight radius turns on concrete and asphalt took a toll on the  tandem axle spindles. 

We have the Escape 5.0 fifth wheel model. Our tow vehicle is a '22 Ford F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost. Couldn't be happier with the F150. Smooth, powerful and comfortable. I usually get 10-13mpg at 65mph in varied terrain and weather conditions.
Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2595 		Post Options Post Options   Quote lostagain Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Aug 2024 at 9:58am
A couple things to consider with an axle replacement:  It might be more economical if you can purchase from Lippert a replacement for the damaged axle bar, then do an axle reinforcement as has been discussed extensively on this forum several years ago.  There are plenty of details in those discussion on how to go about it.  

You may also want to check with Lippert or Dexter to see if you can buy a heavier duty axle that will fit your Pod.  FR, and probably most travel trailer builders, seem to build to the absolute minimum with practically no margin of error structurally or otherwise.  

We recently had an experience with FR putting in the lowest possible capacity leaf springs on our trailer.  The leaf spring failed on the road.  When I planned the repair, I inquired of Lippert whether stronger springs were available for that particular axle assembly.  They said I could get a 200 pound better weight rating for only a few buck more.  Instead of just fixing the broken spring with the same weight rating, I got two new springs that increase the spring capacity by 400 pounds.  The difference in doing one, as opposed to both involved about an hour of extra labor.  I considered it money well spent.


Edited by lostagain - 01 Aug 2024 at 10:07am
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2654 		Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Aug 2024 at 10:33am
The axle on the RP-179 is actually rated at 4000+ lbs, but is de-rated because wheels are about a foot out beyond the frame. In order to get the full load rating something has to be done to the axle to prevent it from being overloaded. Look around on this forum, as there are several "fixes" for this issue.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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