Brand new Hideout 178RB owner!

[DirkusMaximus]

My wife and I just signed papers on a 178RB, and we're taking delivery next Saturday after they prep it and I get a brake controller installed on my van. I'm an aircraft mechanic by trade, so I'm pretty handy with tools, and know my way around electronics and structural work. My wife is actually our Parts manager and while she's not as mechanically inclined, she's a smart cookie too. We plan on trying to use this trailer for yearly vacations to the Appalachian mountains in western NC, as well as several weekend trips throughout the year. I'm aiming for at least one weekend a month to get good value from our investment. I'm also a ham radio operator (KO4PCX) and will probably be adding antennas and things to the trailer.

What are the "MUST-HAVE" mods or add-ons other Hideout owners recommend doing right off the bat?

I plan on adding solar panels, high capacity batteries, a charge controller, and an inverter within the next few months. I was going to have the dealer install them but Holy Smokes, their labor rate was 2x what my shop charges for working on GA aircraft! How are other owners mounting the panels? Are there brackets already mounted on the roof as part of the "solar prep", or will I need to blast some mounting holes in it and re-seal over them?

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!

 

[sourdough]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new trailer. Lots of good folks with tons of knowledge here willing to help.

Some things you really need before making mods to the trailer are an EMS (electrical management system) to protect the trailer and what's in it. They are either portable or mounted inside. The other is a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) to monitor the pressures in the trailer tires. Trailer tire failures can be very expensive and/or dangerous.

What kind of van do you have? In addition to the 2 items above you will also need a good weight distribution hitch with sway control (not the add on friction bars).

 

[DirkusMaximus]

...Some things you really need before making mods to the trailer are an EMS [and] a TPMS...

Definitely already looking at the TPMS situation. Since the trailer already has prep for the Tire Linc system from Lippert, I'll probably just go that route. As for the EMS, I'll probably go with a portable one that plugs into the camp power , and then plug the trailer into that.

...What kind of van do you have? In addition to the 2 items above you will also need a good weight distribution hitch with sway control (not the add on friction bars).

It's an '06 Toyota Sienna. She's an "experienced" ol' girl, but she still runs like a top. It's rated for 3500 lbs of towing capacity, so I've got a little weight to work with from the trailer empty weight of 2990. I'll be adding an additional transmission oil cooler to supplement the stock one as well. It's got a Curt bolt-on Class 3 hitch on it that'll handle 5000lbs with 500lbs tongue weight when using a weight distribution hitch, so I've got a 100lb margin on the tongue weight. I've got a WD hitch with sway control inbound, as well as a proportional brake controller with all the wiring harnesses. I'm going to be Really Darn Busy modifying the van this week!

 

[sourdough]

Just some quick thoughts;

That trailer has a gvwr of 4400lbs. The unloaded weight means nothing since it doesn't even include a battery or LP. Typical tongue weights range 12-13% of the loaded weight. When first purchasing to get a safe idea you use the gvwr of the trailer - 4400lbs. At 13% that's 572lbs. which exceeds your hitch rating. The bad thing is that the LP and batteries sit right on the tongue so pretty much transfers directly to the hitch. Managing that tongue weight will be critical. Even more so since the hitch is a bolt on add on which can become loose.

If you load nothing but battery(s) and LP your tongue weight will exceed 400lbs. so it will be tight tight. All the mods you are wanting to do add weight to the trailer and will put you WAY over the rating of that hitch.

The truck itself (my sister and BIL had a Sienna) will be marginal at best. It has about 220lbs. of torque so trying to pull 4k lbs. will definitely make it want to scream. IIRC the gearing on their van was WAY tall which I assumed was for highway mileage but that will really hurt trying to pull a trailer. Every pound you add to the van is going to make that much more it has to try to pull....but it needs a lot - including LT tires, HD shocks, and, I would suspect a HD anti sway bar....to start.

Not trying to rain on your parade and I know you are excited but that truck isn't really meant to be a tow vehicle and you are planning on doing some traveling including the mountains....things need to be in tip top, like new condition to prevent a failure right off the bat. Keep in mind that is a single axle trailer. If you lose a tire on it and the vehicle isn't in shape to accept and control that sudden yank/pull the trailer will take you where it wants to.

 

[LadyCPA]

I plan on adding solar panels, high capacity batteries, a charge controller, and an inverter within the next few months. I was going to have the dealer install them but Holy Smokes, their labor rate was 2x what my shop charges for working on GA aircraft! How are other owners mounting the panels? Are there brackets already mounted on the roof as part of the "solar prep", or will I need to blast some mounting holes in it and re-seal over them?

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!

We tripled the solar on our Raptor, and we paid to have it done. Hubby is a great mechanic, but this was beyond us. We used Eco Ethic Solar out of Lexington NC. They were really awesome, and gave us a quote on multiple ways to accomplish our goals. So far the only time we need the solar is while the rig is in the driveway, LOL, but the boondocking is coming. For us, the cost was truly worth not having to figure it out alone.
There is a federal tax credit for adding solar as the camper generally qualifies as a second residence. SC also does a state tax credit, so 50% of our cost was covered by tax credits. I don't think NC has the same state credit.

Welcome to the group. These are a bunch of smart folks, I just am not one of them.

 

[DirkusMaximus]

…Not trying to rain on your parade and I know you are excited but that truck isn't really meant to be a tow vehicle and you are planning on doing some traveling including the mountains...

I’m definitely eyeing some bigger vehicle options before we go west with it. The first few trips will be here in flat-land near the coast. As for the tongue weight, the spec sheet lists it as 400, and the propane fill and the battery aren’t that heavy. I’m sure we’ll be under 500 for at least the first few adventures. I do appreciate the input though. Maybe I can show your post and convince the Chief Financial Officer / Better Half that I really need a new pickup!

Based on your input though, I’ll definitely be packing as light as possible, keeping the weight to the rear and off the tongue, and waiting on the add-ons until we have something with more gusto for towing.

 

[sourdough]

I’m definitely eyeing some bigger vehicle options before we go west with it. The first few trips will be here in flat-land near the coast. As for the tongue weight, the spec sheet lists it as 400, and the propane fill and the battery aren’t that heavy. I’m sure we’ll be under 500 for at least the first few adventures. I do appreciate the input though. Maybe I can show your post and convince the Chief Financial Officer / Better Half that I really need a new pickup!

Based on your input though, I’ll definitely be packing as light as possible, keeping the weight to the rear and off the tongue, and waiting on the add-ons until we have something with more gusto for towing.

Good. Make sure you upgrade those items on the van that need to be upgraded - OR, show my post to the CFO and explain that you REALLY do need that larger truck for the your, and her, safety. A failure on a single axle trailer can be handled by a HD truck; a marginal tow vehicle that is overloaded and has any subpar equipment will be either off the road or in the oncoming lane. Those things are THE most important aspects to consider for yourselves and others on the road.

 

[Roper46]

Welcome to the forum from south Georgia and congrats on your new Hideout.

 

[DirkusMaximus]

…show my post to the CFO and explain that you REALLY do need that larger truck for the your, and her, safety...

You’re a saint. Sat down with the boss, talked it over, and showed her your post. A hour of surfing FB marketplace later and Daddy’s getting a 4Runner for Father’s Day! �� Still need to add the brake controller and anti-sway hitch, but I already had those coming via Amazon for Monday anyway. Winning!

However, I now blame you for my future poor fuel economy. ��

 

[sourdough]

You’re a saint. Sat down with the boss, talked it over, and showed her your post. A hour of surfing FB marketplace later and Daddy’s getting a 4Runner for Father’s Day! �� Still need to add the brake controller and anti-sway hitch, but I already had those coming via Amazon for Monday anyway. Winning!

However, I now blame you for my future poor fuel economy. ��

Congrats and happy father's day! I've owned a 5th generation 4 Runner since they came out in 2010 (4 of them) all 4x4. Keep in mind that the 4runner receiver is rated at 5k/500lbs. (total trailer weight/tongue weight) and will have P rated tires.

 

[DirkusMaximus]

Congrats and happy father's day! I've owned a 5th generation 4 Runner since they came out in 2010 (4 of them) all 4x4. Keep in mind that the 4runner receiver is rated at 5k/500lbs. (total trailer weight/tongue weight) and will have P rated tires.

This one has some Big McHugelarge aftermarket hitch. I’ll check specs when I go to look over and (probably) buy it tomorrow, but I’m pretty sure it’s heavier than the stock ones, and I think the WD/Sway Damper bar may change the spec for the better a bit. We’ll see what it’s got tomorrow! As for the tires, it looks like it’s already got LT tires on it as well. As long as it isn’t leaking too many fluids, it sounds like a pretty good deal.

Edit: It's got a Draw-Tite Class III hitch, which is rated for 5000/500 straight, 6000/600 with a WD hitch.

 

[sourdough]

Good luck on the hunt.

 

[spicercars]

Welcome from northern MN.

 

[jxnbbl]

Welcome from NH

 

[GregPLV]

Another new 178 RB owner

I am very frustrated. The trailer did not come with a black tank flush.

I contacted Keystone and was told sometimes they have them sometimes not. It depends on ther scheduling.

I had to have one added. Now waiting to get my trailer back from the service group.

So at MY cost it will have one. Check yours before you take it out is my suggestion

 

[NH_Bulldog]

Sorry to hear you didn’t get a tank flush, but happy you are set now and congratulations on the new camper!

Not having a black tank flush wouldn’t be anything close to a deal-breaker for me. I had experienced more problems than benefits from it on my Passport and haven’t tried it on my Cougar. I think it provides a false sense of effectiveness.

 

[DirkusMaximus]

The Hideout definitely doesn’t come with one stock, or as a factory option. I was just going to get a long, angled garden sprayer nozzle with a “jet” setting and poke it down through the toilet.

 

[DirkusMaximus]

Brought it home today!

The “new-to-me” 2001 4Runner my wife and I just picked up did an admirable job toting the load. Handling and ride wise, I could hardly even tell I was towing anything. The only “tell” was that the truck was definitely working harder on hills. Temps stayed within a handful of degrees of normal though.

My only real complaint about the experience was that the guys at General RV accidentally left the battery and all the lights in the camper on while fixing a gripe I found during the pre-delivery walk-through and inspection, which pulled the battery down to almost zero volts. Crap happens, it’s charging back up now.

Well, that and the lunatics on I-95 near Richmond. How do people commute up there? It was like people were trying out to be extras for the next Mad Max movie. More than one got a little blast from the 4Runner’s freshly installed air horn!

Thanks for the welcome, all. I’ll have more questions soon!

 

[NH_Bulldog]

I would keep an eye on that battery if it is lead acid. They don’t like to get below a 50% state of charge before longevity is impacted.

 

[DirkusMaximus]

I would keep an eye on that battery if it is lead acid….

Thankfully I’ve got a charger that has a “de-sulfate” function for batteries that have been pulled too low. In any case, I’ll probably be replacing this battery with one of those heated lithium batteries when it does start to cause trouble.