Best Of
Re: Communication On the Road
We have a Garmin inReach Explorer that I picked up last year to use when I through hiked the Colorado Trail. It worked really well when I was in the backcountry to update people on my location and to arrange re-supply. I still use it now when I ski the backcountry, go backpacking and go off fishing in the mountains. We also carry it in the truck when traveling in case of emergency or if we break down we can at least communicate with family who can arrange a tow or other non-emergency help if needed. Luckily have never had to use it other than for normal updates on location or how things are going.
Re: For those towing or planning on towing with a Tesla. Some supercharger Tips.
Towhee said:300-400 wh/km works out very roughly to 480-500 wh/mile. This is what I experience on interstates and US hwys at 60 mph with my model Y pulling a 320 bd. If I charge to 300 miles indicated and plan to not discharge to zero this gives me about 100-120 miles of range. I camp at state parks here in Washington so range has not been a problem. Moseying along back roads at 35-40 mph is more like a 30 percent hit. Most parks here have both 50 and 35 camp outlets on the same pedestal which easily charges the Tesla overnight and providing power to the trailer. I also use a 35 camp splitter for those campsites that don't have 50 amp service.
This is hugely encouraging and I can only hope that the Model Y and the R1T are roughly similar in terms of power consumption. If that's the case, the larger Max battery pack on the Rivian (180kWh with a nominal range of 415 miles vs ~115kWh / 300 miles for the Tesla) could translate to an effective range of 140 - 165 miles when towing my 320BD.
While I don't need that kind of range all the time, having it makes longer trips viable.
Re: For those towing or planning on towing with a Tesla. Some supercharger Tips.
It's good to understand that aerodynamic drag is a function of velocity squared. So the drag increase from going 50 to 60 is 44%!d_v said:What is your typical wh/mi with the 400? What speed do you typically go for best efficiency (within reason). I realize slower is always better, but is 50 a significant difference from 60? What tires are you running on the 400? Have you considered low resistance ones?
Thank you,
David
Re: 2022 T@B 320 S AC Drain
@Sharon_is_SAM thanks for the information on the 2021 320 S models. I would interested to know if anyone with a 2021 320 S has had any issues because of the drain. It may be too soon to see any long-term problems though.
Re: adding locks on the diamond plate box
I used two cam locks from Industrial Lock and Hardware. At the same time I replaced all of the CH751 locks on the access doors with cam locks keyed alike to the locks on the front tub. I still only have one key to carry but it is not the same key that every other RVer (and potential bad guy) has.
I have heard over and over again the warning about the legality of locking the propane tub but after extensive research have never found anything definitive against it. All I have ever heard is the warning from everyone else that they heard from everyone else. RVIA and NFPA may have restrictions for manufacturers but not for owners.
Consider all the stores--Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, many grocery stores, and propane dealers themselves--that sell replacement 20 pound propane bottles. They are all locked up for the same reason we want to lock ours up--there are thieves out there!
By the time firefighters arrive (unless you light off in the FD parking lot) your TAB--or even a larger RV--will be fully involved and just about burned to the frame. The FD will just protect the exposures (anything nearby that might ignite) and not worry about your rig. As an ex-firefighter and Fire Marshall I can guarantee that no firefighter is going to get close enough to your burning rig to mess with the shutoff valves. There is simply no reason to do so. The propane tanks themselves are not going to explode. The pressure relief valves will vent when pressure builds up and the resultant release of propane will look like a blowtorch until the pressure has been relieved. This exciting event may happen several times until the tanks cool down enough to no longer vent. Check out U-tube vids of burning RV's.
NOW, having ranted about this you will have to do what you have to do. The internet is full of people like me who may just be flat out wrong and often are. I don't think I am but...!
I have heard over and over again the warning about the legality of locking the propane tub but after extensive research have never found anything definitive against it. All I have ever heard is the warning from everyone else that they heard from everyone else. RVIA and NFPA may have restrictions for manufacturers but not for owners.
Consider all the stores--Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, many grocery stores, and propane dealers themselves--that sell replacement 20 pound propane bottles. They are all locked up for the same reason we want to lock ours up--there are thieves out there!
By the time firefighters arrive (unless you light off in the FD parking lot) your TAB--or even a larger RV--will be fully involved and just about burned to the frame. The FD will just protect the exposures (anything nearby that might ignite) and not worry about your rig. As an ex-firefighter and Fire Marshall I can guarantee that no firefighter is going to get close enough to your burning rig to mess with the shutoff valves. There is simply no reason to do so. The propane tanks themselves are not going to explode. The pressure relief valves will vent when pressure builds up and the resultant release of propane will look like a blowtorch until the pressure has been relieved. This exciting event may happen several times until the tanks cool down enough to no longer vent. Check out U-tube vids of burning RV's.
NOW, having ranted about this you will have to do what you have to do. The internet is full of people like me who may just be flat out wrong and often are. I don't think I am but...!
Re: adding locks on the diamond plate box
Whilst adding a lock to the front tub has some benefits, locking access to a propane tank cut off valve may not be legal, depending on local regulations. Locking the box restricts access to the propane cut off valve in an emergency or fire situation, and could result in total loss of your trailer. If you get a galley fire, and need to fumble with a lock, the extra few minutes could make a difference. Something to think about before locking the tub…
For me, I lock the tank with a cable lock, and do not store anything of value, that I do not want to loose in the front box.
cheers
For me, I lock the tank with a cable lock, and do not store anything of value, that I do not want to loose in the front box.
cheers
Re: Backup/Observation Camera Idea
@rrcbov
I am using Delkin Devices Fat Gecko suction mounts for a variety of cameras. They seem to hold suction very well even in the hot Texas summers. Not really very pricey either. Check bhphotovideo.com. Search for Delkin Fat Gecko suction mounts.
Wyze has a window mount for their Wyze Cam V3 but it is a permanent mount (although I think you can take the camera out of the mount) and I'm not sure I would want to commit to something permanent while I am experimenting. The Wyze Cam V3 has a 1/4"x20 screw thread on the bottom and will attach to most camera mounting systems.
I am using Delkin Devices Fat Gecko suction mounts for a variety of cameras. They seem to hold suction very well even in the hot Texas summers. Not really very pricey either. Check bhphotovideo.com. Search for Delkin Fat Gecko suction mounts.
Wyze has a window mount for their Wyze Cam V3 but it is a permanent mount (although I think you can take the camera out of the mount) and I'm not sure I would want to commit to something permanent while I am experimenting. The Wyze Cam V3 has a 1/4"x20 screw thread on the bottom and will attach to most camera mounting systems.
Re: Jacking points on Tab 320 And 400
Nucamp needs to weld a 2" x 2" square of steel on the frame where the jack is intended to lift.
Re: New owner questions on plywood edge finishing and wet bath caulking
@BandB, although we have an older t@b, I think that raw edge should be finished. The area just above the toilet is an access area for the plumbing under the sink. If you caulk it closed, it will have to be cut open to get to that sink plumbing, so previous suggestions have been to leave it uncaulked. Yours is a brand new trailer and that unfinished cubby edge should be adressed as a warranty issue. Good luck.
Re: New owner questions on plywood edge finishing and wet bath caulking
The edge should have a clear coat seller/finish on it as the rest of the ply has.
The tear out on the top layer is a defect/damage that should be fixed/replaced, also, this does not seem to be Baltic Birch, at leas on the inside bits?
see circled area and red arrow below:
The tear out on the top layer is a defect/damage that should be fixed/replaced, also, this does not seem to be Baltic Birch, at leas on the inside bits?
see circled area and red arrow below:
There also seems to be an extra bit of regular ply behind the Baltic ply face, not sure what is up with that?