r-Dome Revisited

the 'Dome itself.  It was pretty tricky the first time I tried to instal it due to the wire conduit covers that 

serve the running lights on the fender.  You have to yank the leading edge of the screen past them and

back into the 'c' channel on the forward side.

Then three slits are required-  one to accommodate the axel, and two for the entry steps.  Cut them just

deep enough for clearance and end up with a flap that goes behind the step and hangs back down with the

rest of the panel.

I don't know if you can see from the picture, but I installed a series of grommets along the bottom hem to

stake the panel down and make it more 'escape proof'.  That and good staking of the R-Dome keeps a good

dog good, but in no way results in a space where they can be left unsupervised.  They are very resourceful!

(It also is insufficient to keep the raccoon out at night.....   You still have to take your nightly stroll to the

dumpster.)

specifically for the 178.  If so, you should have no fitting problems, risers or not.

Our 'Dome was stitched up for a 'Pod without risers, I think, because when centered in the 'c' channel, it

hangs about 2" off the ground.  This is no problem since there is a very generous rain flap.  We just stake

it down with the elastic loops, and life is good.  We don't use the suction cups.

If a 177 dome is used on a 178, there may be more of a gap at ground level-  I don't know-  but the 

combination of 2" or so greater length and risers will definitely have some effect.  Probably not enough to

discourage you, since we feel that the benefits of the R-Dome are, as the saying goes, "priceless".

 

1. This works for some - grab the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand and move your hand left if you want the trailer to go left, right if you want the trailer to go right.  The steering wheel will turn the right and your TV will go right when you move your hand to the left - but the trailer will go left.  But you don't have to think about any of that which is why the trick works. 

 

2. Make very small turns on the steering wheel, the trailer will amplify everything you do. 

 

3. Sometimes you just need to pull forward a few feet to strighten things out and then start back again, instead of trying to make bigger and bigger corrections while you are still going backwards.

 

4. Never take your eyes off of your mirrors.  The second you do, you will jackknife.  Again, the trailer amplifys everything you do so it will go from a slight angle to a 90 degree angle with just a few feet of motion if you don't pay attention.

 

5. Always have your spotter stay near the camper's left or right rear corner, whichever side is the one you can see with your side mirror.  Never behind where you could run over them but far enough behind that they can see everything back there.  Backing campers are magnets for kids, dogs and picnic tables.  Yes, picnic tables will magically move while you are backing your camper!  My biggest rule for spotters - if they disappear from your side mirror you don't let your foot off of the break until they reappear in one of your side mirrors, no matter how much they keep yelling "c'mon back".

Dometic is not currently making one long enough at the Pod side so that a Pod with risers will have it fit perfectly....YET!

As others have said, with the current domes it will be affected by the campsite you are at.  I've had mine be close to okay, and I've had it be where the rain flaps don't even touch the ground at times. Good stakes and bungee cords fix that decently well.