Best Of
Double-Hinged Seat Back Storage Access Mod
Well, I have wanted to do this for a long time, but the examples I had seen were either for a different seat hinge, or the method looked questionable to me or short on details. There have been at least a couple of discussions here..
Then I saw this video by an engineer, Mark, whose design looked pretty solid to me. It required welding, but I was willing to pay a shop to do that..
So, I just finished, and here is my result - easy access to that rear storage area - just grab under the middle of the seat back & pull up!..
The seat back raises up from the 40° position to as far as the cabinets above permit, which is enough to rotate our table underneath to hold it up. Our hinged wire shelves over the floor storage bins can still be raised, either before or after lifting the seat back.
Below is the sheet I printed & gave to a local welding shop showing the parts & how they were to be assembled.
I bought two 3-ft flat 3/16 x 1-1/4" steel bars at Lowes, plus two 3" hinges (~$25); and cut them with a hack saw to make two 15-1/2" plus two 7" long pieces, as specified in the video. I used a 1/4" drill bit for steel to make the 6 screw holes in the short pieces, lining up 3 of them with those in the hinges.
Here is the completed welding job with right & left hinge assemblies, which I spray-painted with a metallic silver rustoleum..
I think they did a great job - ready the same day and took 1-1/2 hrs, for which I paid $80 (more than I expected, but worth the cost IMO).
Here's a closer view of the nice welding job they did..
The only thing they could have done better was lining up the holes with those in the hinges, but close enough - only had to redrill a couple of them just to enlarge a bit.
I was all set to install them, but next was the only "gotcha" that I hadn't expected - the same hinges wouldn't fit back into the same space where they were previously mounted, because the new angle of approach was going to be 90 degrees to the old mounting and there was a wood ledge on the frame in the way, which needed to be removed. See the before & after below..
This became the most time consuming part, because I had to remove many staples from the entire side of the frame in order to retract the upholstery enough to cut the wood. See below..
Before & after trimming wood to leave a notch at the corner of the frame. I used a plunge-cut oscillating multitool to make cuts without damaging upholstery, but one could use a small hand saw, dremel tool, or chisel, and drill out the corner first.
Below shows how the fastened new hinge assembly fits into the newly notched corner of the passenger side seat back after the upholstery had been replaced..
I was also able to use the original screw holes to remount the hinges into the [email protected]
Below is the remounted new double hinge in action..
The seat back is only attached at the top. It works great, and is quite solid.
This view shows more what the view is like while actually using it. Easy access now - Hallelujah!
The last time that I looked everywhere else for something that I eventually found in here, it was because this was the last place that I wanted to even try to look. Now, there's nothing stopping me. 
Below are some of the special tools that were either necessary or handy to make the job easier..
Below are some of the special tools that were either necessary or handy to make the job easier..
The 3" wire wheel brush used on the electric drill was handy for cleaning up the steel bars prior to welding & painting. I forget if that screw-driver looking tool with a claw at the end has a name, but it's very handy for pulling up staples. (staple remover thingy?)
[Edit: Home depot calls it a "Tack Puller".]
I also gave a couple of taps with a hammer to each of the new 3/8" stainless staples after shooting them in. You may also need to have either a vice or pair of screw clamps & work bench to hold the steel bars while cutting, filing, & drilling. Cutting & drilling was easier than I expected, but you need a drill bit made for steel.
[Edit: Home depot calls it a "Tack Puller".]
I also gave a couple of taps with a hammer to each of the new 3/8" stainless staples after shooting them in. You may also need to have either a vice or pair of screw clamps & work bench to hold the steel bars while cutting, filing, & drilling. Cutting & drilling was easier than I expected, but you need a drill bit made for steel.
I recall reading Dale Helman's ratings of this project's difficulty three different times as either 3, 4, or 5 out of 5. If you're handy with tools, have the patience, and don't mind the cost or can weld it yourself, then I expect this mod will be well worth the effort. I just wish I could have done it sooner.
Long Long Quarantine
We live in Anacortes WA and have a second home (to be near two families with grandchildren) way out on Long Island, NY, 3030 Google miles away. We’re still avoiding airports, and have little confidence motels can find workers to sterilize the rooms they keep advertising about.
Our solution was to make the trip using a Tab as our traveling cocoon, and push across in [email protected] days. When we hatched the scheme in July and went shopping, new 400s we’re rare, with prices crowding $50K. We were lucky to find a lightly used 2018 that had been stored inside.
To prepare for the trip I replaced the four-year-old original tires, even though they showed no wear, with Goodyear Endurance rubber, including the spare, and mounted a Curt anti sway unit. I also had my local Schwab store pack the bearings and adjust the brakes.
After adjustment, I could barely feel any drag when squeezing the brake controller, So the tech redid the adjustment, setting it per spec all over again — and getting the same weak response. He then hooked it up to his own truck and was able to easily lock the brakes, indicating a truck/controller issue on my end.
My TV is a 2021 Ram 1500 with factory tow package. The trailer brake setup is quite precise, allowing you to select light trailer with electric brakes, heavy trailer with electric brakes (over 10,000 lbs), electric over hydraulic, etc. As the manual says “use the setting that works” I tried “heavy trailer with electric brakes” and it worked perfectly.
Our solution was to make the trip using a Tab as our traveling cocoon, and push across in [email protected] days. When we hatched the scheme in July and went shopping, new 400s we’re rare, with prices crowding $50K. We were lucky to find a lightly used 2018 that had been stored inside.
To prepare for the trip I replaced the four-year-old original tires, even though they showed no wear, with Goodyear Endurance rubber, including the spare, and mounted a Curt anti sway unit. I also had my local Schwab store pack the bearings and adjust the brakes.
After adjustment, I could barely feel any drag when squeezing the brake controller, So the tech redid the adjustment, setting it per spec all over again — and getting the same weak response. He then hooked it up to his own truck and was able to easily lock the brakes, indicating a truck/controller issue on my end.
My TV is a 2021 Ram 1500 with factory tow package. The trailer brake setup is quite precise, allowing you to select light trailer with electric brakes, heavy trailer with electric brakes (over 10,000 lbs), electric over hydraulic, etc. As the manual says “use the setting that works” I tried “heavy trailer with electric brakes” and it worked perfectly.
Schwab was quick, friendly, expert, and thinking — and stuck to their original quote.
I also removed the front pod, fitted it with a 1/4” plywood floor, and screwed it back to the frame. And cut a 3/4” piece to fit in the frame rectangle intended for a second propane bottle. A 5 gallon utility bucket fits nicely there and a few screws through the bottom into the plywood holds it in place but also allows it to be lifted out. The area is now secure for chocks, hitch wheel, hoses and other light gear.
As we have the small fridge (but roomy locker) I bought a dual compartment Dometic 75L AC/DC refrigerator/freezer chest to ride in the TV and eliminate the need to fresh food stops enroute. It’s powered by a 100ah Battleborn lithium and a 25 watt Victron charger.
I also removed the front pod, fitted it with a 1/4” plywood floor, and screwed it back to the frame. And cut a 3/4” piece to fit in the frame rectangle intended for a second propane bottle. A 5 gallon utility bucket fits nicely there and a few screws through the bottom into the plywood holds it in place but also allows it to be lifted out. The area is now secure for chocks, hitch wheel, hoses and other light gear.
As we have the small fridge (but roomy locker) I bought a dual compartment Dometic 75L AC/DC refrigerator/freezer chest to ride in the TV and eliminate the need to fresh food stops enroute. It’s powered by a 100ah Battleborn lithium and a 25 watt Victron charger.
Underway, it runs on the battery. On shore power at night, both the fridge and the charger get 120 volts through an extension cord from the trailer curbside 120v socket. It worked very well, maintaining set points of 40 degrees and 9 degrees despite some 90+ ambients.
Regards cooking beyond the two-burner, we thought about a mini microwave that many use, but instead chose the smallest Ninja air fryer, Model AF101 $89. Light, compact, kept it in a box in the TV. Fast for sizzling streaks, chicken, frozen or thawed fries, low smoke, easy non-stick cleanup.
With all this prep, you’re probably wondering what the surprise disasters were. Happily, none.
Regards cooking beyond the two-burner, we thought about a mini microwave that many use, but instead chose the smallest Ninja air fryer, Model AF101 $89. Light, compact, kept it in a box in the TV. Fast for sizzling streaks, chicken, frozen or thawed fries, low smoke, easy non-stick cleanup.
With all this prep, you’re probably wondering what the surprise disasters were. Happily, none.
The 400 trailed beautifully and all systems worked as intended. We kept noting the honest workmanship, quality hardware and thoughtful storage nooks. The Alde was fine for hot water and the Froli is really comfortable. The galley is tight, but works. The bathroom is roomier and more functional than the one on the 27 ft. Airstream we had previously.
The Tab also attracts plenty of lookers. Someone would stop and chat at almost every stop. It’s just a happy design.
The Ram 1500 is terrific. Truck of the year three years running and deserved. No problems and didn’t even realize it was pulling a trailer. Quiet, great ride. The factory tow package includes extra TPMS stems, which I installed in the Goodyears so they reported pressures and would alarm just like the truck tires.
Our route over nine days was I 90 from Seattle through Cour de Lane, Idaho, then Missoula, Bozeman and Billings, Montana; south into the northeast corner of Wyoming and across South Dakota. The three days across those western states were hot and hazy, with frequent smell from the western fires. Montana was completely brown but green gradually showed as we moved east through South Dakota.
Past Sioux Falls and into Wisconsin, the land was lush. At Madison, Wisconsin, I 90/94 turned south, paralleling Lake Michigan, still 80 miles further east. We said farewell to I 90 when it turned toward the Chicago traffic mess and continued south to pick up I 80, which rounds the bottom of the lake at Gary, Indiana.
We continued on I 80 across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to it’s termination at Fort Lee and the George Washington Bridge. We crossed the bridge on 9/11, tearing up at the gigantic American flag hanging from one of the towers.
From there it was onto the NYC parkway system and out to the grandkids in East Hampton. 3030 total miles, 9 days, 12.5 mpg average, heading back west about November 1st, love the Tab, thanks for sticking with me!
The Tab also attracts plenty of lookers. Someone would stop and chat at almost every stop. It’s just a happy design.
The Ram 1500 is terrific. Truck of the year three years running and deserved. No problems and didn’t even realize it was pulling a trailer. Quiet, great ride. The factory tow package includes extra TPMS stems, which I installed in the Goodyears so they reported pressures and would alarm just like the truck tires.
Our route over nine days was I 90 from Seattle through Cour de Lane, Idaho, then Missoula, Bozeman and Billings, Montana; south into the northeast corner of Wyoming and across South Dakota. The three days across those western states were hot and hazy, with frequent smell from the western fires. Montana was completely brown but green gradually showed as we moved east through South Dakota.
Past Sioux Falls and into Wisconsin, the land was lush. At Madison, Wisconsin, I 90/94 turned south, paralleling Lake Michigan, still 80 miles further east. We said farewell to I 90 when it turned toward the Chicago traffic mess and continued south to pick up I 80, which rounds the bottom of the lake at Gary, Indiana.
We continued on I 80 across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to it’s termination at Fort Lee and the George Washington Bridge. We crossed the bridge on 9/11, tearing up at the gigantic American flag hanging from one of the towers.
From there it was onto the NYC parkway system and out to the grandkids in East Hampton. 3030 total miles, 9 days, 12.5 mpg average, heading back west about November 1st, love the Tab, thanks for sticking with me!
Re: Post up some shots of your [email protected] set-up at the camp site! #3
Near the Arctic Circle in the Yukon.Midnight sun, June 2021.
Re: Post up some shots of your [email protected] set-up at the camp site! #3
First Night Ever!
2018, used. New to me this weekend.
Rogue Elk Park, Trail, OR.
2018, used. New to me this weekend.
Rogue Elk Park, Trail, OR.
Re: Uncomfortable Cushions on 2021 TaBs
I didn't try to match firmness - we don't sleep on the dinette since our 400 has a dedicated bed so I just wanted a firm cushion for sitting on at the table so my back isn't screaming the next day. I'm happy to say I just finished the cushion including gluing back the batting to match the original and am 100% satisfied with the results! My wife's side of the dinette is still the original soft cushions (for now) and shifting from one side to the other makes you realize the HUGE difference. Hers I sink down quite a bit but mine is nice and firm - firmer than original even.
The foam I used was "2745" which means it is 2.7lb/cubic foot density (considered high quality / high density), and 45 ILD "firmness" which is considered quite firm. 55 would be "extra firm" but the 45 is quite firm already. Make sure your foam place can tell you the density - it is critical! I calculated based on the weight of the removed nucamp cushion versus my new 2.7lb foam and found the foam that nucamp's supplier uses is only 1.2lb/foot density - that's borderline criminal for something as high end as the Tab line. Yes, it does make the trailer slightly heavier - my one small cushion weighs around 4 pounds versus nucamp's 2 pounds, but it will last forever and just feels so much better. Any reputable supplier will tell you that 1.2lb foam is not for anything but casual use - or for something like back cushions that don't get a lot of weight on them. Seating cushions should be at LEAST 1.5lbs and that's on the Chinese-import end of the quality spectrum. "Good" quality starts at 1.8, and Excellent starts at 2.5. You get what you pay for - these all get more expensive as they get denser - it's more material after all!
Good luck if you plan on going this route - some tips from my learnings: use an electric knife to cut your foam - it slices through like butter. If your cushion isn't perfectly rectangular, outline your cushion shape using your old one (take the foam out of the cushion first) with a sharpie and then carve out the same shape with the knife. If you don't have an electric knife, a serated bread knife would probably do as well. Also don't forget the batting (also called Dacron) - it gives your cushion a nice soft feel and rounds out the edges. It's easy to work with - just use fabric glue or spray adhesive and it dries pretty quickly. You can get foam with the batting preglued too which is what I did but you will need to peel some off where you don't need it (especially if your cushion isn't rectangular shape) and reattach it where you need it afterwards so that's an extra step - not hard to do though. Batting/Dacron in existing cushions is only on the top and fronts of the so I just repeated the same on my new foam and it looks good.
Here's a photo of the finished product - better than new!
The foam I used was "2745" which means it is 2.7lb/cubic foot density (considered high quality / high density), and 45 ILD "firmness" which is considered quite firm. 55 would be "extra firm" but the 45 is quite firm already. Make sure your foam place can tell you the density - it is critical! I calculated based on the weight of the removed nucamp cushion versus my new 2.7lb foam and found the foam that nucamp's supplier uses is only 1.2lb/foot density - that's borderline criminal for something as high end as the Tab line. Yes, it does make the trailer slightly heavier - my one small cushion weighs around 4 pounds versus nucamp's 2 pounds, but it will last forever and just feels so much better. Any reputable supplier will tell you that 1.2lb foam is not for anything but casual use - or for something like back cushions that don't get a lot of weight on them. Seating cushions should be at LEAST 1.5lbs and that's on the Chinese-import end of the quality spectrum. "Good" quality starts at 1.8, and Excellent starts at 2.5. You get what you pay for - these all get more expensive as they get denser - it's more material after all!
Good luck if you plan on going this route - some tips from my learnings: use an electric knife to cut your foam - it slices through like butter. If your cushion isn't perfectly rectangular, outline your cushion shape using your old one (take the foam out of the cushion first) with a sharpie and then carve out the same shape with the knife. If you don't have an electric knife, a serated bread knife would probably do as well. Also don't forget the batting (also called Dacron) - it gives your cushion a nice soft feel and rounds out the edges. It's easy to work with - just use fabric glue or spray adhesive and it dries pretty quickly. You can get foam with the batting preglued too which is what I did but you will need to peel some off where you don't need it (especially if your cushion isn't rectangular shape) and reattach it where you need it afterwards so that's an extra step - not hard to do though. Batting/Dacron in existing cushions is only on the top and fronts of the so I just repeated the same on my new foam and it looks good.
Here's a photo of the finished product - better than new!
Re: Post up some shots of your [email protected] set-up at the camp site! #3
Here's the new 400 on her shakedown cruise in Spruces Campground, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. Next weekend stop, Gros Ventre Campground at Grand Teton NP. Thinking of mounting bear spray next to the fire extinguisher...
Re: Post up some shots of your [email protected] set-up at the camp site! #3
Spent a wonderful week at Garland Bay (north of the village of Riondel) on Kootenay Lake BC…….the two camp sites were designed for tents or small vans/truck campers as there is no place to turn a truck and trailer around, however we backed or trailers up the hill on the narrow little trail for about 400 meters, and the end result was pure heaven
Re: Post up some shots of your [email protected] set-up at the camp site! #3
Camped at Disney's Fort Wilderness 9/6 to 9/10.
Had a nice spacious site
Had a nice spacious site
Re: Post up some shots of your [email protected] set-up at the camp site! #3
Great Sand Dunes National Park - Pinion Flats Campground, near Alamosa, CO
Re: Lithium battery install for new Tab 320 CS Boondock
I just don't understand why people are getting so wrapped around the axle over the converter thing. If you've got solar it's going to bring the battery up to a full charge as long as you've correctly programmed the controller.pthomas745 said:It is interesting that every time the charging capacity for the lithiums with the WFCO is listed...it gets lower and lower. First it was "only" 95 percent...then 90....this thread says 85........If the WFCO only does 95 percent of a 100 amp hour battery....you are spending several hundred dollars to replace the converter for...5 amp hours.
