New RP-178 Owner

Here ya go. It's technical name is "door bottle holder".

  that's funny!!

not sure, might be a do hicky

Welcome.  A few more comments.  First, Stoltzfus was willing to almost match Couch's when we bought from them in 2009.  However, after 2 service disasters in the last year or two and complete nonsense coming from the mouths of their lead service tech and their service manager, I recommend using someone else for any service work.  Maybe - maybe - any warranty work the first year (or two, if you bought the $150 one-year extension), but otherwise stay away.  I have a long post around here somewhere about my experiences.

Hi Don,
I second Leo's comment on spray foam. I first purchased stainless steel wool and inside and out stuffed as much around any openings as possible. Then I used the great stuff foam to seal under the carriage. A couple of comments:

"We purchased the trailer from Stoltzfus RV in Adamstown, PA. Simply, a good experience. Good price, good guidance, accommodating and professional. I would highly recommend them. Ask for Lee, he took good care of us".
- Good to hear you had a pleasant experience. When I was in the market, they wouldn't negotiate very much lower than the MSRP, so I ended up traveling from MD to OH and saved a lot of $.

"The initial inspection of the trailer I was a little disappointed by the craftsmanship.   While the design is well thought out there are a few rough edges and it is most likely not built with the highest quality components".
- Agree. YouTube the mfg plant video and watch how the Amish throw these things together. They must be paid by the number of TT's they assemble, and they can assemble in no time flat.
 
"We towed with a 2014 Mazda CX-9 from Pennsylvania to our home in Connecticut. I had been apprehensive about the ability of the car to handle this trailer but was assured by the Mazda dealers Service Manager it was capable. The car performed admirably on our drive home with the exception that our fuel economy dropped from 18 mpg to less than 11. We’ll have to do a few more trips and then see if any issues arise when we have the car serviced later this year".
- I get almost exactly the same mpg with my 2013 Pathfinder.

"I’m 6’3” and was not uncomfortable in the Queen bed. I’ll have to see if that changes when my wife joins me on that limited space. My son, also my size said sleeping on the dining table conversion was not that comfortable so we are considering buying a mattress top which we’ll use on the bed and then when necessary we’ll transfer for our guests use on the conversion bed".
- We also sacrificed having a queen size walk around bed in another model to have an easier towing trailer. 18 ft vs 22+

"Cooking area is crowded, but we’re used to camping on the fire and using a single Coleman propane cooker. I’m not sure what to use to compliment the cooker in the trailer, perhaps a small charcoal grill. We’ve still got the wire grates to use over the camp fire so might just continue with that. If I get something it must be small, lightweight and easy to transport without making a mess. Suggestions here are appreciated".
- We cook everything outside on a Coleman Triton Stove (the Mrs. hates the smell of food in the trailer).

"I don’t anticipate using the microwave/convection oven very often. We don’t even have a microwave at home and if it had been an option I would have taken the extra space vs. the oven".
- We are always boondocking and have appreciated the simpler things. Lots of recipes for campfire foil cooking:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/articles/50-things-to-grill-in-foil.html

"Air conditioner is LOUD. It was very humid on the trip and it made us more comfortable but it is loud. When the humidity dropped and it got cooler at night we opened the windows. In seconds, the roof vent fan did a fantastic job of drawing the cool air in and the hot air out. It’s much quieter than the AC so I’d anticipate we’ll only be using the AC only in extreme conditions".
- I equate the Dometic brand for RV's as Roper is to home appliances; Not top of the line.
Ours is also noisy and shakes the trailer. Used it once and could not get any sleep, and have not used again ever since.

"Hot water heater worked well, but we were not sure if we should turn it on and off or bring it to temp and then leave on. It seems to me since it was so quick it would best be used on demand. Also it did a good job of holding the water at a pretty decent temperature for a good deal of time".
- I believe the specs are 6 gl and 12 minutes to heat it up. Unless we're showering, we shut it off.

JD