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Re: Looking for Info on Fittings for Black Tank-to-Vent Pipe Connection (2020 320 CS-S)
@incidentalmusic, I would not expect there to be any moisture in the vent tube. Even if there was some lingering/slight moisture, it would not have contributed to the break in the connection. Moisture would probably not even make it to that connection unless the tank was overfilled. Winterizing is not necessary for the holding tank, but giving it a good fill and flush occasionally (two or three fills/flush, depending on usage), and particularly at the end of your camping season, should be sufficient.
Your suspicion of frame flexing is a reasonable conclusion, but I would think it would take quite a bit of back and forth motion to cause it to break as it did. Although it does not seem like there would be that type of movement, it makes me wonder if the black tank is secured in place in any fashion. My guess is that it is just slides into position to align with the toilet drain. I have never seen photos of the CS-S black holding tank placement, but the below July 2018 factory photos show it in a 320 S model.
Your suspicion of frame flexing is a reasonable conclusion, but I would think it would take quite a bit of back and forth motion to cause it to break as it did. Although it does not seem like there would be that type of movement, it makes me wonder if the black tank is secured in place in any fashion. My guess is that it is just slides into position to align with the toilet drain. I have never seen photos of the CS-S black holding tank placement, but the below July 2018 factory photos show it in a 320 S model.
Re: 2021 tab 400 spare tire question
I just replaced all three tires on my 2021 T@B 400 with Goodyear Endurance ST 225/75R15. No issues.
Re: Dometic Ceiling Fan -Tastic 3300-3533, on 2018 320s, which fuse powers the fan?
nüCamp has had Fuse Panel Labeling Issues in the 2016-2019 years (at least) but do check to see if your WFCO Power Center has a Fuse Assignment table. In general TABs in that production period had the ceiling fan connected to Fuse #1.
The WFCO 'bad fuse indicator' should be on if the Fan Fuse is bad AND the Fan power switch is turned on to one of the three speed levels. But always check the fuse visually or ideally with an ohm meter.
Now, why do you believe the Fan is a model 3300-3533?
That model has an automatic opening lid . . .which is not the factory standard nüCamp installed.
For the typical 'manual' opening lid the 'lid open' switch can jam or fail.
With the lid open try to confirm the lid open switch is not jammed in the down position.
If both fuses are good and the lid open switch seems to be freely moving . . . next steps to troubleshoot will require accessing the fan internal wiring and usage of a voltage meter.
The WFCO 'bad fuse indicator' should be on if the Fan Fuse is bad AND the Fan power switch is turned on to one of the three speed levels. But always check the fuse visually or ideally with an ohm meter.
Now, why do you believe the Fan is a model 3300-3533?
That model has an automatic opening lid . . .which is not the factory standard nüCamp installed.
For the typical 'manual' opening lid the 'lid open' switch can jam or fail.
With the lid open try to confirm the lid open switch is not jammed in the down position.
If both fuses are good and the lid open switch seems to be freely moving . . . next steps to troubleshoot will require accessing the fan internal wiring and usage of a voltage meter.
CO2 concentration inside my Tab 320, measuring air quality. Changed the way I manage air flow inside
Out of curiosity I brought along CO2 sensor on my latest camping trip. I’m solo on this trip and was very surprised how quickly the cabin CO2 exceeds recommended level for an enclosed space. With no vents or windows open, the level goes from a comfortable 450ppm to well over 1400ppm in just a few minutes.
Using the sensor I’ve completely changed how I manage airflow inside. A combination of slightly open positions of the windows, adjusting the screen/shades and in/outflow of the roof air vent with respect to the outside temperatures and comfort inside the cabin.
If sometimes you feel groggy/fatigued after a nights sleep, it could be the CO2 levels while you were asleep. I have my sensor mounted on the cabinet just below the kitchen sink, I can easily glance at it and adjust accordingly. The sensors aren’t too expensive but are not cheap.
Using the sensor I’ve completely changed how I manage airflow inside. A combination of slightly open positions of the windows, adjusting the screen/shades and in/outflow of the roof air vent with respect to the outside temperatures and comfort inside the cabin.
If sometimes you feel groggy/fatigued after a nights sleep, it could be the CO2 levels while you were asleep. I have my sensor mounted on the cabinet just below the kitchen sink, I can easily glance at it and adjust accordingly. The sensors aren’t too expensive but are not cheap.
Re: Looking for Info on Fittings for Black Tank-to-Vent Pipe Connection (2020 320 CS-S)
Eureka!!! All fixed and ready for our fall color tour this coming week. Here's what happened (for anyone who's interested):
After cutting through the horizontal portion of the vent pipe toward the driver's side of the bathroom access panel, I pulled out the L-shaped leg and got a much clearer view of (and physical access to) the pipe-to-tank opening.
Once I looked at the broken end of the pipe, and having read an older post about repairing a broken grey water connection in a T@B 400 ( https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/14507/solved-and-fixed-please-help-plumbing-broke-on-shower-drain/p1 ), I realized that the ABS vent riser is (was) threaded into the black tank with a 1.5-inch NPT fitting.
Using a makeshift extractor, I was able to back out the broken-off threaded portion and replace it with a PVC fitting (a 1.5" DWV trap adaptor), the threaded portion is not NPT but mated just fine with the black tank threads (I applied some teflon pipe dope for added sealing and snugged the adaptor against the tank). The non-threaded end of the trap adaptor has an outside diameter very similar to the OD of the ABS pipe. Using a rubber union for 1.5" PVC pipe, I was able to join the new trap adaptor fitting to the vent pipe. A second 1.5" rubber union was used to join the horizontal portion of the vent pipe to the previously cut portion. (Side note: The use of rubber unions should allow for some flexure of the pipe, which can help to avert a similar fracturing episode of the tank-to-pipe fitting in the future.)
Now, it's important to note that this fix is what my dear old pappy used to call "field expedient," but it should do the trick since this is not a pressurized system (more like a "sloshing" system). And, though somewhat frustrating and bothersome, the problem was not insurmountable and I believe everything should function as originally intended for years to come -- plus, it certainly will be much, much (MUCH) better than if that detached vent pipe had gone unnoticed for a while longer.
I don't know when the vent riser broke off of the black tank, but since we rarely use the toilet it could have been a while ago (maybe the 25 miles of washboard road when visiting Badlands NP last year). With that in mind, it would be a good idea for T@B 320 owners to check that the vent pipe is firmly attached to the tank from time to time, just in case the same thing happens to someone else out there.
Related Costs
Materials: $20
Labor: Free, just me
Damage to psyche: Moderate, yet temporary
Having a properly functioning black tank and vent system: Priceless!!!
Happy trails, Everyone :-)
After cutting through the horizontal portion of the vent pipe toward the driver's side of the bathroom access panel, I pulled out the L-shaped leg and got a much clearer view of (and physical access to) the pipe-to-tank opening.
Once I looked at the broken end of the pipe, and having read an older post about repairing a broken grey water connection in a T@B 400 ( https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/14507/solved-and-fixed-please-help-plumbing-broke-on-shower-drain/p1 ), I realized that the ABS vent riser is (was) threaded into the black tank with a 1.5-inch NPT fitting.
Using a makeshift extractor, I was able to back out the broken-off threaded portion and replace it with a PVC fitting (a 1.5" DWV trap adaptor), the threaded portion is not NPT but mated just fine with the black tank threads (I applied some teflon pipe dope for added sealing and snugged the adaptor against the tank). The non-threaded end of the trap adaptor has an outside diameter very similar to the OD of the ABS pipe. Using a rubber union for 1.5" PVC pipe, I was able to join the new trap adaptor fitting to the vent pipe. A second 1.5" rubber union was used to join the horizontal portion of the vent pipe to the previously cut portion. (Side note: The use of rubber unions should allow for some flexure of the pipe, which can help to avert a similar fracturing episode of the tank-to-pipe fitting in the future.)
Now, it's important to note that this fix is what my dear old pappy used to call "field expedient," but it should do the trick since this is not a pressurized system (more like a "sloshing" system). And, though somewhat frustrating and bothersome, the problem was not insurmountable and I believe everything should function as originally intended for years to come -- plus, it certainly will be much, much (MUCH) better than if that detached vent pipe had gone unnoticed for a while longer.
I don't know when the vent riser broke off of the black tank, but since we rarely use the toilet it could have been a while ago (maybe the 25 miles of washboard road when visiting Badlands NP last year). With that in mind, it would be a good idea for T@B 320 owners to check that the vent pipe is firmly attached to the tank from time to time, just in case the same thing happens to someone else out there.
Related Costs
Materials: $20
Labor: Free, just me
Damage to psyche: Moderate, yet temporary
Having a properly functioning black tank and vent system: Priceless!!!
Happy trails, Everyone :-)
Re: Some thoughts on driving....
You are correct!! I don't know why I wrote 60. :-)Binghi said:Actually, the speed limit in California for vehicles towing trailers is 55 mph. But like Sammy Hagar, I can’t drive 55!elbolillo said:With our 2024 Sequoia and '23 Tab 400 we generally run at 65mph, unless we are in California, where the limit is 60mph. We do our best to keep as much to ourselves on the interstate. Although we regularly deal with people just sitting right on our tail.
Re: Solar panel
Getting the panels on the roof is pretty easy. Getting the wiring into the trailer will require some thought. Owners have done this in different ways. There are some great mods with solid panels attached to the cross bars of the rack, also. One of the best mods ever is linked in this thread on a tiltable panel attached to the Yakima rack, with tons of info on the roof construction.
Here is another on a 2017.
And another, with some really nice setups in other links.
Upgraded to Lithium 2021 Tab 400 Boondock
I thought I would post my experience with upgrading to a Lithium battery in our 2021 Tab 400 Boondock. I replaced the two Harris AGM batteries with one Li Time Lithium battery (230Wh) that isn't the smart one, but has the low temperature protection. Plenty of room and even had to use the foam from the box the new battery was shipped in to fill up space. I also installed the Victron 300 amp smart shunt when I installed the Lithium battery. I used the jumper that was needed for the Harris batteries to install the shunt. I updated the solar controller for lithium and things were good. The charge controller charged the batteries to ~85% and the onboard solar did the rest. I then decided to replace the charge controller to the autodetect charge controller. I originally ordered one from Amazon and that was a big mistake. Even though the description said new, the one I got was definitely used and very broken. I returned that and ordered one from Camping world (WFCO WF-8955-MBA-AD Auto-Detect Power Center Main Board Assembly, 55A Output). It was new and had the latest firmware. It even worked, even though I had to wait a bit as the solar usually kept the batteries charged. This coming weekend will be the first off shore power trip to see how well the new battery does. We were doing fine with the Harris batteries and it was just time to replace. The lithium battery was cheaper and has more power than AGM. Also, I don't keep the trailer plugged in at home now and the battery level is just fine. I know others were not as fortunate, and I did want to document a success when it happens. Happy Camping!
Some thoughts on driving....
So, we are 1100 miles into a 6-week 2500 mile trip. FL to northern VA so far. When we started, I decided to commit to drive only 60mph on the highway. Here's what happened....
* Trailer tire temps (TPMS) are lower
* GMC Canyon tow vehicle gets 17-19 mpg instead of 14-15
* Transmission temps down 5 degrees
* ......and OMG 🤯 what an EASY drive! Sitting in the far right lane, just relaxing! No white knuckle passing, weaving in and out, etc. It was very liberating. So far, in 1100 miles, I have passed TWO cars and slowed down 3 times for on-ramp vehicles.
This adds approximately 10min per hour travel time, but is well worth it -- for me....
* Trailer tire temps (TPMS) are lower
* GMC Canyon tow vehicle gets 17-19 mpg instead of 14-15
* Transmission temps down 5 degrees
* ......and OMG 🤯 what an EASY drive! Sitting in the far right lane, just relaxing! No white knuckle passing, weaving in and out, etc. It was very liberating. So far, in 1100 miles, I have passed TWO cars and slowed down 3 times for on-ramp vehicles.
This adds approximately 10min per hour travel time, but is well worth it -- for me....
Re: Tire blowout on 2021 tab 320S - here's what happened.
Glad you all are OK!. I just changed by 7 year old tires on my 400 and I'm glad I did.
