as all those before me...I'm new here

[Bill in Parker]

and thanks for the add. Just purchased a 2019 Hideout 178LHS. After reading some of the posts, I am realizing I got screwed on a PDI. As in they took my truck around back, fitted the equalizer hitch to it and the trailer, brought it back out front and said "enjoy!". So I have no clue how anything works and trying to find manuals specific to the 2019 178LHS? would be easier if I were looking for hens teeth. I'm not a rookie to RVing as about 20 years ago we had a 23ft Honey. But that was 20 years ago. So as the old saying goes...let the adventure begin!

[fjr vfr]

My Advise...YouTube. But first get the model number and brand of your wdh and check their web site for it's specs. Next find the gross weight, (ignore any dry weight crap) of your trailer and figure about 12% of that will be your hitch weight.
Once you've digested this info you need to do two things. Go to the nearest truck stop and drive up onto the CAT scale...it's $10 to get weighed. Make sure your axles are on different pads. You will have the trucks front and rear axles and the trailer axles. After you get weighed go back with just the truck empty. compare the number to find out how much weight is on each axle and how much tongue weight you have. Trust me it's a lot simpler than it sounds.
Lastly go to YouTube, there is a lot of info there.
Oh, you didn't say what your TV is so you'll also have to factor in it's capabilities as well.
Good luck

[Bill in Parker]

Originally Posted by fjr vfr

Oh, you didn't say what your TV is so you'll also have to factor in it's capabilities as well.
Good luck

thanks for the comeback. TV?...4 holes in the wall where a mount was...

[Max23]

TV= towing vehicle. Just making sure you have enough truck with proper weight capacity to be safe. That's what he was referring to.

[Bill in Parker]

Originally Posted by Bill in Parker

thanks for the comeback. TV?...4 holes in the wall where a mount was...

oops...sorry! TV - 05 F150 5.4 4WD heavy duty (old F250 equivalent). Tow cap 9300# so I should be well under the cap with the 178

[dutchmensport]

In 20 years, not much has really changed in the basic concept designs of any of the newer trailers. The exception is the technology for all the bells and whistles to keep up with a changing world of technology and the desire for that technology to be in the camper as well as homes, automobiles, and work.

Water is still water. Tanks should be sanitized every now and then. A black tank still is attached to the toilet. A grey tank is still attached to the sink and shower. Trailers are still powered by propane, AC electricity, and DC electricity. It's just the devices that use these have become more sophisticated and when they fail, are a lot more challenging for the back-yard handy-man to fix. The roof still need constant attention, should never be neglected. Tires should always be maintained. Brakes always checked and maintained. Some units still have the same conventional RV refrigerators (Gas/Electric/Battery), and some are now using all AC electric residential refrigerators. Televisions, television antennas, internet access, is now a constant demand, much more than 20 years ago. The trailer still need to be level side-to-side and front-to-back before using stablizer jacks or even self-leveling systems.

The basic concepts are still the same after 20 years. It's just the technology that operates these thing now that changed. With everything you do with your camper, always start with the basics. You learned that 20 years ago. If you do, you'll be just fine!

Congrats on your new camper. Enjoy and have fun!

[Bill in Parker]

fjr vfr - thanks for the YouTube heads-up. I found a video of a guy selling a 19 178LHS and in about 15 minutes learned what everything in/on the unit does.

[Oilfan97]

Welcome aboard.

Tow cap 9300# so I should be well under the cap with the 178

Towing capacity is rarely the first limit you'll reach. Usually, you'll get to the max cargo capacity before you reach the towing limit.

You'll want to know the tongue weight of the fully loaded trailer, then add in all the truck cargo, hitch, passengers etc. Compare that to the payload capacity of the truck.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by Oilfan97

Welcome aboard.




Towing capacity is rarely the first limit you'll reach. Usually, you'll get to the max cargo capacity before you reach the towing limit.

You'll want to know the tongue weight of the fully loaded trailer, then add in all the truck cargo, hitch, passengers etc. Compare that to the payload capacity of the truck.

The OP will be fine. Gross weight for that 21' camper is 4400 lbs so 572 lbs estimated for tongue plus hitch weight & passengers/cargo in the truck. Should be well south of 1000 lbs payload. He did mention it was a heavy duty 1/2 ton and equal to an F250. Now that, I am not sure about...

[spicercars]

Welcome from northern MN. Youtube might be your best luck.

[jxnbbl]

Welcome from NH

[Gary R.]

Hello Bill and welcome to the party!

Have fun and travel safe!