6000 fantastic miles

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   We completed over 6000 miles with our 179 this summer. Made some mods along the way additional shelf in the top pantry cabinet
soft storage for the person sleeping against the front wall
dual batteries
kitchen wall racks for utensils and misc
all outlets replaced with outlets plus USB
Harbor Freight TV mount mod for tilting TV mount
A few things we learned along the way
White electrical outlets are easier to see than black ones
Stock trailer electrical outlets are awful (how are these allowed?)
1" deck screws work great in the walls (just add a little glue to the screw to keep it secure)
Always carry a scissors jack and some 2X4 scraps
The stock vinyl trim falls apart quickly but is easy to replace
A weight distribution hitch is a must (air bag suspension is next on our list)
Gino
2016 Rp179
2016 Nissan Frontier SV
2018 Triumph Bonneville

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gpokluda Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2018 Location: NM Online Status: Offline Posts: 276	Topic: 6000 fantastic miles Posted: 28 Aug 2019 at 8:52pm
	We completed over 6000 miles with our 179 this summer. Made some mods along the way additional shelf in the top pantry cabinet soft storage for the person sleeping against the front wall dual batteries kitchen wall racks for utensils and misc all outlets replaced with outlets plus USB Harbor Freight TV mount mod for tilting TV mount A few things we learned along the way White electrical outlets are easier to see than black ones Stock trailer electrical outlets are awful (how are these allowed?) 1" deck screws work great in the walls (just add a little glue to the screw to keep it secure) Always carry a scissors jack and some 2X4 scraps The stock vinyl trim falls apart quickly but is easy to replace A weight distribution hitch is a must (air bag suspension is next on our list) Gino 2016 Rp179 2016 Nissan Frontier SV 2018 Triumph Bonneville

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 5:04am
	Sounds like you've had a great summer and have learned a lot and have things dialed in. On the air bag suspension, it can be tricky to use that in combination with a wdh. The wdh works because the tension bars are applying a torque to the TV rotating the front axle down. If you set that up and then inflate a rear air suspension you are reducing the bar tension and moving more weight back to the TV rear axle from the front. Since the most important thing is to get the load on the front axle right while towing its generally best just the to use the wdh alone. As long as you have the tow vehicle axle loads well within specs it doesn't hurt anything to have a little rear axle squat, the TV was designed for that. If you do use the two together then I'd suggest setting the wdh bar tension after inflating the air bags, that way you know you have the front axle load right.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 10:00am
	An alternative to air springs is to install a set of SumoSprings instead. These are Urethane springs that don't need to be inflated, can't leak, and are available in three different grades depending on your needs. I installed a set of the blue ones (1,000 lb), but recently changed them for the black ones (1,500 lbs). Our 2010 Frontier's suspension was quite mushy before installing the SumoSprings. Now it s firmer, but not uncomfortable. I can hit a bump without bottoming out the suspension. In the Frontier, the SumoSprings replace the stock bump-stop. As long as you have a breaker bar, the correct deep socket, a torque wrench, and a good jack (a hydraulic floor jack works great), it is something you can install yourself. It does not take too long to do so.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 4:46pm
	+1 to OffGrid and SH, not an airbag fan. Depending upon TV, WDH may be good idea. I'm a Sumo fan to a point. WDH is single best option.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2630	Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 4:48pm
	+1. With a properly adjusted WDH, no suspension mods should be necessary (assuming the vehicle is good for the load).
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Linda&Gino Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 04 Jun 2017 Location: New Mexico Online Status: Offline Posts: 32	Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 8:16pm
	Thanks, OffGrid. The plan was to set the airbags first, then set the WDH but I just haven't been able to pul the trigger. I only need the airbags once in a while so it is hard to justify the cost. I don't have any handling issues. Thanks. I appreciate the info.

Linda&Gino Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 04 Jun 2017 Location: New Mexico Online Status: Offline Posts: 32	Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 8:29pm
	Thanks everyone for the feedback. Lots of food for thought.

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Posted: 29 Aug 2019 at 9:43pm
	Actually, the WDH by itself (Hensley Cub) did not seem to be adequate with our older Frontier. With the SumoSprings, it is much better.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Linda&Gino Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 04 Jun 2017 Location: New Mexico Online Status: Offline Posts: 32	Posted: 30 Aug 2019 at 5:19pm
	I believe that to be true most of the time, but not all of the time. I can see someone being able to get their WDH setup spot on every time they hitch up with the chain style WDHs. I have a Fastway with spring bars instead of chains. Since the adjustment requires the hanger bracket to be relocated by unbolting it and then bolting it back in its new position, it would be way easier to simply have suspension assist to trim up the difference. But you are right. If you carry a consistent load every time you hitch up and your TV's rear suspension isn't sacked out, a well adjusted WDH is all you really need.

Olddawgsrule Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 Sep 2017 Location: New Hampshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 1014	Posted: 31 Aug 2019 at 4:16pm
	Personally, I jumped in here to learn where you went? 6K is a good run and plenty to be seen where-ever! This curious mind wants to know where you went?
	Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander