Best Of
New to trailers? Here are items you must have (IMHO)
New Teardropper? Things needed to get you started.
Must Have:
1. Water pressure regulator-maximum pressure to avoid T@B plumbing damage is 50 psi. Whether driveway or park camping, always use one of these
2. Surge protector-these vary in cost and function, the best check polarity, high and low voltage-always use one
3. Heavy gauge extension cord at least 1 25 footer to reach the power pole if camping with hookups
4. 50 Amp to 30 Amp adapter-some RV parks allow you to select the correct amp, others only offer 50 amp
5. Spare fuses, 10, 15, 20 amp
6. White water hose 25 feet or two for potable water hookups
7. Black or other color hose to rinse your black water tank at the dump station
8. Water filter unless you don't worry about campground water supplies
9. Leveling devices like Anderson blocks, BAL leveler or others. Even paved sites can be off level.
10. 2 small levels for front to back and side to side
11. Anti theft devices like wheel locks, coupler locks and others
12. Voltmeter
13. Tire pressure gauge
14. Tools including square drill bits #1 and 2. I think all of the screws in T@Bs are these.
15. Flashlight
16. Spare trailer keys
17. A tow vehicle capable of pulling AND stopping your trailer.
18. Wheel chocks!
19. Disposable gloves
20. Lug wrench for your trailer tires. Your tv lug wrench may not fit your trailer tires.
21. Electric brake controller (unless yours is an older model with surge brakes)
22. Drop hitch to line up the trailer ball for Level towing.
23. 7 pin receiver on tow vehicle is needed for all T@Bs. Includes a charging wire for the trailer battery
24. License plates, registration, insurance
18. Wheel chocks!
19. Disposable gloves
20. Lug wrench for your trailer tires. Your tv lug wrench may not fit your trailer tires.
21. Electric brake controller (unless yours is an older model with surge brakes)
22. Drop hitch to line up the trailer ball for Level towing.
23. 7 pin receiver on tow vehicle is needed for all T@Bs. Includes a charging wire for the trailer battery
24. License plates, registration, insurance
There are hundreds of check lists online and many on this forum. I can't even start on solar power, tv antennas, cell phone boosters, insurance, etc. Search on these items and you'll find many discussions.
25. First Aide Kit (at least a bandage or two!)
25. First Aide Kit (at least a bandage or two!)
I'm sure I've forgotten something really important, add them here please. This is not meant to be exhaustive, but limited to items new trailer owners may not be familiar with but really should have before driving out of the driveway.There are multiple threads about everything mentioned.
Re: Tab 400 - Weight-Distribution Hitch Not Recommended Due To C-Channel Construction
The 4-3/8 brackets that @JEB suggested just arrived and I’m going to install them. Will post what the configuration looks like to help close the loop. If by some good fortune the WD brings the tongue weight safely below 500# using the 600# equalizer then problem solved. Replacement gauge for Tongue scale due in shortly.
Finding exterior water leaks
Here are a couple of techniques I have used over the years for locating exterior water leaks. First close all windows. If you have a 3 way fridge use masking tape to seal outside vents. Also seal the AC vent including the roof vent. Once you’re trailer is as air tight as possible. Turn on the Fantastic fan to draw air in. Use a spray bottle with water and few drops of dish soap to spray anywhere outside where water might leak in. Another variation is to use a leaf blower or the exhaust side of a shop vac. For spot locations compressed air works well. Just spray soap and water solution and watch for bubbles.
Re: T@B 400 2019 Tongue Weight
I did experiment with my last trailer that had a dual propane set up. When I removed one full tank it only made a 15 lb TW change.
Re: ballpark weight of tab 320S (with refrigerator, stove, LP, battery)
Here's the response to my question from NUCAMP. "Great question, you are looking around 1985lbs with a full fresh tank" (for TAB 320S)
Re: Tab 400 - Weight-Distribution Hitch Not Recommended Due To C-Channel Construction
Thank you both for replying. The Explorer V6 3.5L TiVCT 4WD w Class III tow package allows a weight-carrying hitch up to 3500 lbs. From 3500 to the max allowable (5000) weight they recommend a weight-distribution hitch. Fords online towing guides don’t exactly sync up (pun intended) with the owners manual. Fords online tow guide leads you to believe that weight-carrying hitches have a tongue max around 200 but rises to 600 with a Weight-distribution hitch.
My dealer said weight distribution hitches aren’t recommended/allowed on the C channel style trailers.
Since the Tab 400 has a dry weight of approx 3000, I plan to buy one and tow with the standard weight-carrying hitch.
My dealer said weight distribution hitches aren’t recommended/allowed on the C channel style trailers.
Since the Tab 400 has a dry weight of approx 3000, I plan to buy one and tow with the standard weight-carrying hitch.
Re: Towing a 320 S with a Toyota Highlander
@forgalsus , if you do not already have blind spot mirrors on your tow vehicle mirrors, get some. l have always had them on my vehicles and they have saved my bacon a number of times when I had to make a quick decision to avoid a traffic hazard, inattentive drivers, or to safely change lanes in heavy or fast traffic. I use the round stick-on type (3" for my half ton Toyota Tundra and 2" for my Subaru Forester.) Mount them on the lower outside corner of both side mirrors for maximum field of view and to retain full visibility in the upper portion of your mirrors. It may take a short time to learn to use them with confidence (including no more having to look over your shoulder, although it doesn't hurt to do that too), but for towing they are a must in my opinion. Even if you have extended tow mirrors, you still should have blind spot mirrors. They are a quick and easy way to see what is next to you (i.e., in your blind spot) while driving. They are also very helpful for backing up. Having towed all size trailers for over 40 years, I would not be without them.
Re: Brain storm idea on wifi 4g boost
Agree. I could be wrong, but I thought the Wboost/Wilson boosters used a different type of coax.N7SHG_Ham said:That does terminate at the outside cable jack. What I don't know is if the coax type is the same or the connectors. You would have to make sure the coax on the booster is of the same impedance as the pre installed TV coax. Your idea may work if everything matches.
Re: surge protector?
@N7SHG_Ham , I recently ordered the Progressive Industries (PI) EMS-HW30C (hardwired Electric Management System) surge protector and it is on its way to my house now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UC6RSA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Although not "wireless," it is "remote" in the sense that it uses a data cable that looks like a standard phone line cable and can be located in a convenient location for monitoring the surge protector status. I do not know if the PI device has a load side protection, but I didn't say anything about that feature being on the Surge Guard. However, the PI EMS includes a bypass switch. This is a very nice feature, because in the event the EMS is "fried" by an electrical power event, you can bypass the EMS until you are able to obtain and replace the destroyed circuit board (i.e., the EMS has a modular design for easy repair without having to purchase an entirely new unit.) The bypass switch also avoids the need to manually re-connect the T@B power wires (i.e., you don't have to remove the wiring from the EMS to manually bypass it, which is apparently what you had to do before PI added a bypass switch.) [A side benefit of the bypass switch is that if you are powering your T@B with a portable inverter type generator, such as a Honda 2000i, this switch will allow you to bypass the EMS system when you get an "open ground" error, but you will still have the benefit of the surge protector.]
Out of curiosity, which Surge Guard model are you specifically referring to? If it is Model #35530 https://rvpower.southwire.com/products/hardwired-surge-protection/30a-hardwire-model-35530/ the remote monitor is sold separately and also uses a datacom connection.
The PI remote display automatically rotates through a limited amount of information, whereas you must manually scroll through 16 data items with the Surge Guard remote, using a small joystick, which is part of the monitor. I do not know enough about the Surge Guard to assess how helpful or necessary the additional available data may be.
I am familiar with Surge Guard, but I did not realize that they have a hardwired unit until I read your post. Although I am going to stick with the PI system, you have piqued my curiosity about the Surge Guard, so I plan to take a closer look at it. Thank you for making me aware of it. (Greg)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UC6RSA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Although not "wireless," it is "remote" in the sense that it uses a data cable that looks like a standard phone line cable and can be located in a convenient location for monitoring the surge protector status. I do not know if the PI device has a load side protection, but I didn't say anything about that feature being on the Surge Guard. However, the PI EMS includes a bypass switch. This is a very nice feature, because in the event the EMS is "fried" by an electrical power event, you can bypass the EMS until you are able to obtain and replace the destroyed circuit board (i.e., the EMS has a modular design for easy repair without having to purchase an entirely new unit.) The bypass switch also avoids the need to manually re-connect the T@B power wires (i.e., you don't have to remove the wiring from the EMS to manually bypass it, which is apparently what you had to do before PI added a bypass switch.) [A side benefit of the bypass switch is that if you are powering your T@B with a portable inverter type generator, such as a Honda 2000i, this switch will allow you to bypass the EMS system when you get an "open ground" error, but you will still have the benefit of the surge protector.]
Out of curiosity, which Surge Guard model are you specifically referring to? If it is Model #35530 https://rvpower.southwire.com/products/hardwired-surge-protection/30a-hardwire-model-35530/ the remote monitor is sold separately and also uses a datacom connection.
The PI remote display automatically rotates through a limited amount of information, whereas you must manually scroll through 16 data items with the Surge Guard remote, using a small joystick, which is part of the monitor. I do not know enough about the Surge Guard to assess how helpful or necessary the additional available data may be.
I am familiar with Surge Guard, but I did not realize that they have a hardwired unit until I read your post. Although I am going to stick with the PI system, you have piqued my curiosity about the Surge Guard, so I plan to take a closer look at it. Thank you for making me aware of it. (Greg)
Re: nüCamp revised — Purchasing from the Parts Department effective 1/1/2019