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Advise re: tires not sitting straight vertically
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sbeninga View Drop Down
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    Posted: 28 Jul 2024 at 4:48pm
I purchased a 2019 10th Anniversary R-Pod 190 back in October 2020.  It had two previous owners who barely used it.  I have taken it on a few 3 week trips as well as a 5-month trip 2 years ago.  Anyway, needless to say I need to get new tires.  The R-Pod is a Hood River edition and the original Westlake off-road tires are still on.  I have really bizarre wear on the tires where the tread will be high in one area and right next to it it will be really worn.  
I have been reading as much as I can on the message boards.  I had been discussing it with my travel partner who I follow on trips and sometimes she follows me.  She told me that from behind she can tell that the tires are not sitting straight vertically.  I stopped at America's Tire Store to ask if they can help and of course they can help with the tires but not the other issue. Then I stopped at an RV place that I have had repairs done before and he gave me the name of a tire and alignment place in Sacramento that they take all their RVs to.  I have an appointment Tuesday to take my R-Pod to for them to check out.  When I spoke to them on the phone he said that if it has a leaf spring axle they adjust it but if it is a torsion axle they can't.  Before I discovered that mine is a torsion axle they were going to charge $250 for an alignment but now they will do a diagnostic for $100.  
If any of you have had this experience and have suggestions or helpful information it would be much appreciated!!
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gpokluda View Drop Down
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Posts: 325 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2024 at 9:11am
Without seeing your rig all I can do is assume, but with some certainty, I can say you have a bent axle. I would take your trailer to a frame and axle shop. In some cases, they may be able to bend it and correct the issue, however most likely, you will have to have the axle replaced. 
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: 29 Jul 2024 at 2:13pm
Thanks so much for your reply!!  Do you know if this common with the R-Pods? 
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Posts: 325 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2024 at 2:33pm
It's common on torsion suspension axles (I had to replace both axles on my '23 tandem axle camper) and especially on campers like the Rpod where the axle significantly extends beyond the frame.
Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2649 		Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2024 at 10:27am
It's not an issue with the torsion axle. The issue is the way the axle is cantilevered out beyond the frame. One or two hard bounces (or potholes) can bend the axle. Search this forum for bent axle and you will find a number of solutions to the problem. The same problem would exist even if it had leaf springs.
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2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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Posts: 1078 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Pod People Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2024 at 10:41am
One way to definitively know about the tires is to use a level. make sure the tires are properly inflated before doing this test. Place a level vertically on the tires so that it is touching at the top and bottom(12 and 6 clock positions). the level should show the bubble in the middle of the range.  Actually, this shows that the tires are plumb(90degrees to the flat ground) or how far out of plumb they are. 
 
somewhere in the past is a post using a stretched  string line from both ends of the axle which should show how much the axle is bent.  As I recall, there should be a slight(1/8"+/-) rise in the center. There also was several posts about using 2"x2" angle iron secured by U Bolts to reinforce  the axle and help it remain straight. Perhaps you can search for these  in the forum search function

Travel safe and often
Vann

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
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Posts: 325 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2024 at 10:57am
Originally posted by GlueGuy

It's not an issue with the torsion axle. The issue is the way the axle is cantilevered out beyond the frame. One or two hard bounces (or potholes) can bend the axle. Search this forum for bent axle and you will find a number of solutions to the problem. The same problem would exist even if it had leaf springs.


Well, actually, it is a problem with torsion axles, especially with torsion axles used in tandem applications. Tight radius turns put strain on the spindle assembly and bend the spindles. The axle housing doesn’t actually bend. The only safe resolution is full axle replacement. On the Escape forum, even single axle trailers experience this, especially ones that go a lot of miles. Granted, Escape uses Dexter and not Lippert.
Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650
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Posts: 30 		Post Options Post Options   Quote sbeninga Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2024 at 11:07pm
Thank you so much for your reply gpokluda!!
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Posts: 30 		Post Options Post Options   Quote sbeninga Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2024 at 11:08pm
Thank you so much for your reply GlueGuy!!
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Posts: 30 		Post Options Post Options   Quote sbeninga Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2024 at 11:10pm
Thank you so much for your reply Vann!!
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