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jacks

Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: Forest River r-pod
Forum Name: Maintenance Issues, Tips and Tricks
Forum Description: Have you ever wondered how something works? Found a good way to do something? Discovered the hard way what NOT to do? Share them here.
URL: http://www.rpodNation.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3726
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 10:57am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.0 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: jacks
Posted By: ron_whitt
Subject: jacks
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2013 at 7:13am
Little late now, but just wondering if you put down your stablerizer jacks when storing your pod over winter. Our pod is in a hoop storage barn on a cement floor. I was told that with the frost heaving say one corner thereby putting pressure on the opposite end jack might twist frame of trailer. So I didn't put the jacks down just the front hitch to lever out trailer somewhat. But just wondering what everyone else did and for next winters storage..

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Ron & Shirley W
2007 FJ Cruiser
2012 177.. "EHHH" R Pod" its a canadian thing..



Replies:
Posted By: marc515
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2013 at 8:44am
I put ours down, but not to the point I do when we are camping, so there is enough flexability. I don't mind a little camper movement when I go in/out to check it over the winter.

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Best Regards,.....Marc & Joan
And....Tucker (our yellow lab)
2011 Heartland MPG-181
2011 Nissan Pathfinder
USMC 69-73
God Bless all our Men & Women in Uniform


Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2013 at 9:10am
Hey Ron,
 
I don't put the stabilizer jacks down when our rpod is in storage. To me it just seems like extra work to put them down and then have to put them back in when we're ready to go. Personally, I don't see any advantage to putting them down.
 
Same with the tongue jack. I raise it enough to unhitch and leave it there, at the correct height for hitching up next time.
 
I do use wheel chocks front and back of both trailer wheels as a precaution to keep the trailer from moving if someone should push against or it should move for some other reason.
 
-- Steve


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Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)


Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2013 at 2:03pm
Hi Ron,

We store our 177 in a horse barn (no horses anymore) on a dirt floor.  Our first year, 2011 I jacked up the axle and put cement blocks under to keep the tires off the dirt floor.  Last year I threw down a plastic tarp and backed the pod on top.  The tires now sit on the ground but not in contact with wet earth.  Not sure if I would be better off going the cement block route to keep the tires off the ground for 5-6 months in this colder Northern Michigan climate.  Any other experts with advice?  I'm listening.  Thanks for your imput!


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God's Pod

'11 model 177

'13 Ford Explorer

Jim & Diane by beautiful Torch Lake


Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2013 at 2:15pm
Jato - Since your rpod is in storage for such a long time and in such extreme temperatures, you might want to consider these:
 
http://www.amazon.com/Race-Ramps-RR-FS-Flatstopper-Pack/dp/B003ZAGJAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364152267&sr=8-1&keywords=flatstoppers - http://www.amazon.com/Race-Ramps-RR-FS-Flatstopper-Pack/dp/B003ZAGJAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364152267&sr=8-1&keywords=flatstoppers
 
They're pricey but since they come in a set of 4, you might be able to find someone to split a set with you.
 
I haven't used these myself but I do own other Race Ramp products and they are 1st Class.
 
-- Steve


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Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)


Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2013 at 2:33pm
Thanks for the link Steve, yes they are pricey and  even with these your tires are still taking the weight of the whole pod for many months at a time.  Maybe I'll go back to jacking the axle up with the cement blocks.

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God's Pod

'11 model 177

'13 Ford Explorer

Jim & Diane by beautiful Torch Lake


Posted By: dockguy
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2013 at 10:57am
I noticed that the axle on my rpod has a curve in it at the center of the axle rather than being straight is this how the axle should look ? I have a a 2011 rpod 171 and always wondered about this. There are no major seams or bends in the axle and it rides well. Does the axle have a bow in it to protect from hitting rocks, etc. ? Inalso have the axle riser kit when I bought the rpod I noticed this and thought this is how it should be...Should I be worried, etc.


Dockguy
2011 rpod 171 w/ 2005 Toyota tundra crew cab


Posted By: tsunami
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2013 at 2:17pm
WinkOnly jack the Pod on the vertical axle flanges welded adjacent to the hubs.  The round axle tube is not designed to have a jack apply a lift to it.  A flat jack head would touch the round axle on only a small area.  All of the weight of that side of the Pod would be concentrated on that very small area of axle. The axle flanges are welded up the side of the round axle tube spreading the weight around the axle tube.


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tsunami


Posted By: BillvonGA
Date Posted: 16 May 2013 at 10:57pm
Originally posted by tsunami tsunami wrote:

WinkOnly jack the Pod on the vertical axle flanges welded adjacent to the hubs.  The round axle tube is not designed to have a jack apply a lift to it.  A flat jack head would touch the round axle on only a small area.  All of the weight of that side of the Pod would be concentrated on that very small area of axle. The axle flanges are welded up the side of the round axle tube spreading the weight around the axle tube.
I saw your post and wondered if you meant:

A. Under the axle where the flanges are located

Or

B. actually under the flanges which protrudes from the top portion of the axle?

If B., do you use a wooden block across the flanges?  or something else?

Thanks .....


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Bill
2010 R-pod 176T (slide & tent)
2011 Tundra w/Tow Pkg



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