Best Of
Re: Lessons from the ALCAN
Sounds like a great adventure! How did you find water/dump access?
Re: E-ZPass
The problem I was having was entering the tab trailer info as our trailer was not listed in the vehicle identity list. Right now I'm on 50 minute hold with E-ZPass.:(.
Re: Future Travel Plans for 2025
Yes at first we were thinking that. Then we thought we are not going to let it get the best of us and we still want to see more of our beautiful national parks. Hopefully heading south in the spring from NJ.
Re: Getting fresh water tank completely full?
It's a common problem that I suspect results from the relative location of the fill and vent connection on the shallow tank (photo below).
You do need to fill slowly, and raising the front (if possible) definitely helps. Another trick is to take a short length of stiff but flexible tubing, hold one end tightly over the external went, and blow hard in the other.
The biggest impediment to filling the FW tank is that the long skinny vent line tends to get plugged with water. I find if I clear that line before I start filling, things go a lot more smoothly.
Another possible impediment is that the vent tubing is soft and prone to kinking if it is not routed carefully. I had fewer issues after I a few modifications to mine to keep it fully open.
Re: PDF file for = = Spacing Question
I've noticed this as well, and I also find it equally annoying. Since I see it in lots of postings, I believe it is a function of the Vanilla system and not someone's particular device or settings.
I've been training myself to stop double spacing in the drafts of my comments. A single carriage return in the draft will result in a proper double space in the published comments (though not, oddly enough, in the preview that you can view before posting).
Tab 400 vs alternatives
My wife and I are looking to purchase a travel trailer prior to next summer. My tow vehicle is a Subaru Ascent (5000lb tow/ 500 lb tongue limit), which narrows the choices of potential choices. We went to the RV show in Hershey, PA a few weeks ago and we were quite impressed with the Nucamp Tab 400. The quality of construction appeared to be the best of any manufacturer. About the only travel trailer that seemed comparable was the Intech Sol Dawn. Are there any TAB 400 owners that have gone through this comparison? I'd like to hear the relative merits of the TAB 400 vs alternatives.
We are in our 60's, my wife is retired and I'll be retiring in four years. We don't need a large camper for the two of us, and we envision mostly 2-3 day excursions to the various campgrounds in Pennsylvania. One of the features that really sold us on the Tab 400 was the hidden bunks since we have young grandchildren (2yrs and 4 yrs old) and it seems plausible that we could take them on short camping trips with us.
Any thoughts from current TAB 400 owners would be appreciated. I did come across another interesting Travel Trailer, the Safari Condo Alto, but they are only sold in Canada (not a problem) and currently have a two year waiting list for purchase (a bit of a problem).
We are in our 60's, my wife is retired and I'll be retiring in four years. We don't need a large camper for the two of us, and we envision mostly 2-3 day excursions to the various campgrounds in Pennsylvania. One of the features that really sold us on the Tab 400 was the hidden bunks since we have young grandchildren (2yrs and 4 yrs old) and it seems plausible that we could take them on short camping trips with us.
Any thoughts from current TAB 400 owners would be appreciated. I did come across another interesting Travel Trailer, the Safari Condo Alto, but they are only sold in Canada (not a problem) and currently have a two year waiting list for purchase (a bit of a problem).
Re: Future Travel Plans for 2025
Is there something I don't know? I'm hoping to do a lot of camping next year. Health issues of family members really limited our ability to travel this year. Praying for a heathier 2025!
Re: Future Travel Plans for 2025
Yes, I've altered my travel plans considerably.
Re: Future Travel Plans for 2025
Not sure where you are going with this. I've had no reason to reconsider camping plans for next year and continue planning, my health is good, my camper is fit and ready to go and I am willing. Barring any health related issues I see no reason not to camp and explore.
2019 320s OEM Fantastic fan to MaxxAir installation - complete !
Decided instead of just updating our factory OEM 2019 320s fantastic fan , I choose to do a complete removal and install of a new MaxxAir 7500K (top of the line one) . The factory Fantastic fan was OK , but I grew tired of the manual opening , no remote control and no rain cover . Just decided to go with the MaxxAir .
This one ...........
Also used this self leveling Lap sealant , and butyl tape .......
First went about removing the Factory Fantastic Fan, and it was quite a job ! They really seal that thing in place . LOTS of butyl tape and lap sealant .
Was SHOCKED when I found out nuCamp uses NO screws in the fan at all !
Picture of the roof with the removed fan showing NO screws !!! (and some small scratches from removal, but I knew the new fan would cover it all . That thing was hard to remove!
PPG DX440 adhesive/wax remover makes short work out of getting all the old butyl tape and sealant off the roof with no harm to the aluminum roof skin or paint .
Next , was to set the new MaxxAir fan "frame" and carefully center it ........and drill 16 holes through the roof ..........GULP !
(notice the aluminum framing that surrounds the fan opening ........talk about nuCamp quality , wow ! All the holes/screws are directly through the roof, into the aluminum frame .
MaxxAir mounting frame installed, with some nice thick butyl tape underneath (you can kind of see it sticking out) .
Now to tape of the area for the self leveling Lap sealant to flow , and hopefully not make a mess . I Cut the old lap sealant away from the solar panel, so it "butted" up to it and sealed properly .
Now for some lap sealant .........grey to match the factory sealant . Finished and tape pulled . You have to work pretty fast with this lap sealant .........but not too fast . Definitely an art to getting this stuff to look "neat" !
Just about finished ...........wiring was simple . Just two wires - easy peasy . Had to trim the "beauty ring" next . Just an FYI , the measurements were exactly 2.5 inches .
Here are some finished pictures , inside and out . Also some pics showing the fan open and closed ..........
Main reason for the switch from the factory OEM Fantastic Fan to the MaxxAir was ........
Pros ........
1. Ability to leave the fan open in the rain
2. Remote control opening
3. The remote control itself for all the settings
4. Less power draw
5. Thermostat control if needed
6 . Liked the sleek look
7. Ability to leave the fan open when traveling when needed
8. Fan works as a ceiling fan when closed, to help keep heat/ac circulating
9. I am in the business , so to speak, and my cost was not that bad compared to the Fantastic fan upgrade route .
10. Remote control
10. REMOTE CONTROL !
10. REMOTE CONTROL !!!
And the minor cons ......
1. Partially blocks the solar panel when closed
2. Lid/Cover is not as "dark" as the factory Fantastic Fan
3. Manual open/close knob sticks down "slightly" more than the factory fan (might remove it) .
It works GREAT , and it was worth the cost and installation time.
Install was not easy , as you cant really work "on" the roof like most RV's . There was a LOT of climbing up ladders, from side to side to install . Total install time was about 3-4 hours , taking it slow .
In the end, it was worth it .........LOVE the new MaxxAIr !
Just the ability to let the fan run on hot days to keep the cabin from getting hot (and not worry about rain) is awesome !
Oh , and yes ...........I KNOW it very slightly blocks the solar panel when the fan is CLOSED . Not much of a concern for our camping style . When its open , the solar is totally unblocked . Also, we dont boondock too much , and almost always have shore power . If we need more solar, I can always add a portable unit , in addition to the factory solar .
This one ...........
Also used this self leveling Lap sealant , and butyl tape .......
First went about removing the Factory Fantastic Fan, and it was quite a job ! They really seal that thing in place . LOTS of butyl tape and lap sealant .
Was SHOCKED when I found out nuCamp uses NO screws in the fan at all !
Picture of the roof with the removed fan showing NO screws !!! (and some small scratches from removal, but I knew the new fan would cover it all . That thing was hard to remove!
PPG DX440 adhesive/wax remover makes short work out of getting all the old butyl tape and sealant off the roof with no harm to the aluminum roof skin or paint .
Next , was to set the new MaxxAir fan "frame" and carefully center it ........and drill 16 holes through the roof ..........GULP !
(notice the aluminum framing that surrounds the fan opening ........talk about nuCamp quality , wow ! All the holes/screws are directly through the roof, into the aluminum frame .
MaxxAir mounting frame installed, with some nice thick butyl tape underneath (you can kind of see it sticking out) .
Now to tape of the area for the self leveling Lap sealant to flow , and hopefully not make a mess . I Cut the old lap sealant away from the solar panel, so it "butted" up to it and sealed properly .
Now for some lap sealant .........grey to match the factory sealant . Finished and tape pulled . You have to work pretty fast with this lap sealant .........but not too fast . Definitely an art to getting this stuff to look "neat" !
Just about finished ...........wiring was simple . Just two wires - easy peasy . Had to trim the "beauty ring" next . Just an FYI , the measurements were exactly 2.5 inches .
Here are some finished pictures , inside and out . Also some pics showing the fan open and closed ..........
Main reason for the switch from the factory OEM Fantastic Fan to the MaxxAir was ........
Pros ........
1. Ability to leave the fan open in the rain
2. Remote control opening
3. The remote control itself for all the settings
4. Less power draw
5. Thermostat control if needed
6 . Liked the sleek look
7. Ability to leave the fan open when traveling when needed
8. Fan works as a ceiling fan when closed, to help keep heat/ac circulating
9. I am in the business , so to speak, and my cost was not that bad compared to the Fantastic fan upgrade route .
10. Remote control
10. REMOTE CONTROL !
10. REMOTE CONTROL !!!
And the minor cons ......
1. Partially blocks the solar panel when closed
2. Lid/Cover is not as "dark" as the factory Fantastic Fan
3. Manual open/close knob sticks down "slightly" more than the factory fan (might remove it) .
It works GREAT , and it was worth the cost and installation time.
Install was not easy , as you cant really work "on" the roof like most RV's . There was a LOT of climbing up ladders, from side to side to install . Total install time was about 3-4 hours , taking it slow .
In the end, it was worth it .........LOVE the new MaxxAIr !
Just the ability to let the fan run on hot days to keep the cabin from getting hot (and not worry about rain) is awesome !
Oh , and yes ...........I KNOW it very slightly blocks the solar panel when the fan is CLOSED . Not much of a concern for our camping style . When its open , the solar is totally unblocked . Also, we dont boondock too much , and almost always have shore power . If we need more solar, I can always add a portable unit , in addition to the factory solar .
