Best Of
Re: Driving Self Crazy What If'ing on Next Trailer & Tow Vehicle {long rambling}
Holy cow, Mutton Chops is going through the same process as I am.
I am still serious about the Escape 17B, but looking at one in the SW is a pain, so I gave up for now. Getting one to Arizona may be more of an adventure than I want to take on. It has its quirks too, but all trailers are compromises.
Casita is still in the running, but I have not looked at one yet. (Not easy here). I have heard that you need to do a fair amount of work on the interior to get them to NuCamp level of fit and comfort, especially the window covers. But they do have a great reputation and like NuCamp, incredible customer loyalty.
I wish NuCamp made the 360 more like the 320 with a 320 kitchen and front window. That would be sweet! The kitchen is a deal killer for me right now. So much potential with the larger trailer, but I see how they want to give the things the first time buyer wants, like a huge refrigerator and large, complicated, windows.
I don't like the idea of one gray/black tank combo. That rules out InTech and most of the Airstream trailers I would be comfortable with.
Two separate beds are a must for wife and I. That is one of the strengths of the 320 design. The Casita and Escape options mean we will use the dinette for a bed and the double bed for one person and storage.
Great thread. I hope it gets more input and maybe nudges NuCamp to offer a 360 size trailer has the 320 front end.
I am still serious about the Escape 17B, but looking at one in the SW is a pain, so I gave up for now. Getting one to Arizona may be more of an adventure than I want to take on. It has its quirks too, but all trailers are compromises.
Casita is still in the running, but I have not looked at one yet. (Not easy here). I have heard that you need to do a fair amount of work on the interior to get them to NuCamp level of fit and comfort, especially the window covers. But they do have a great reputation and like NuCamp, incredible customer loyalty.
I wish NuCamp made the 360 more like the 320 with a 320 kitchen and front window. That would be sweet! The kitchen is a deal killer for me right now. So much potential with the larger trailer, but I see how they want to give the things the first time buyer wants, like a huge refrigerator and large, complicated, windows.
I don't like the idea of one gray/black tank combo. That rules out InTech and most of the Airstream trailers I would be comfortable with.
Two separate beds are a must for wife and I. That is one of the strengths of the 320 design. The Casita and Escape options mean we will use the dinette for a bed and the double bed for one person and storage.
Great thread. I hope it gets more input and maybe nudges NuCamp to offer a 360 size trailer has the 320 front end.
Re: Another Wash/Wax Discussion
I wash the whole trailer with a turtle wax car wash, solar panel included. I use a micro fiber wash pad on an extension pole to wash the trailer. I do not use the car wash on the windows. I just spray them off with water. For the windows I use Meguiars Plastx products. They have a cleaner and cleaner/polish. I'll usually do our windows twice over a season of camping and it works great. After washing the trailer I'll follow up with some Turtle Wax Ice Spray Wax. It is so easy to apply vs. a paste wax and looks really good when finished. I'll usually do that twice a season as well.
Re: Quality Control
I inspect my 2018 'CS every year. All the fittings are very easy to see. Every other year, during the fluid change, I remove a few of the fittings to ensure there is no corrosion. There are probably more trailers without corrosion than with. People with problems are louder than people without.
Using the system for heat and changing the fluid every other year as directed appears to keep the system healthy. Age doesn't cause corrosion. Looking at the hose to radiator connections for bulging on a used trailer is a needed inspection.
Last winter we switched to the newer fluid. I recommend hiring someone with the Alde pump to flush the fluid. It not only makes sure you are completely flushed, but the flow rate is high so it removes any sediment accumulating in the system.
Each year of NuCamp production has different systems with advantages and disadvantages. If you are looking for a used trailer, research is valuable. The pre-2020 trailers don't have the complications or advantages of the cassette toilet or Nautilus water system. There are differences across the years, they come with good and bad points. Find what meets your needs. Unlike many other brands, old NuCamp trailers still have a lot of life left.
Using the system for heat and changing the fluid every other year as directed appears to keep the system healthy. Age doesn't cause corrosion. Looking at the hose to radiator connections for bulging on a used trailer is a needed inspection.
Last winter we switched to the newer fluid. I recommend hiring someone with the Alde pump to flush the fluid. It not only makes sure you are completely flushed, but the flow rate is high so it removes any sediment accumulating in the system.
Each year of NuCamp production has different systems with advantages and disadvantages. If you are looking for a used trailer, research is valuable. The pre-2020 trailers don't have the complications or advantages of the cassette toilet or Nautilus water system. There are differences across the years, they come with good and bad points. Find what meets your needs. Unlike many other brands, old NuCamp trailers still have a lot of life left.
Re: Driving Self Crazy What If'ing on Next Trailer & Tow Vehicle {long rambling}
Good read… I’m so ambivalent about keeping my 320, but if a buyer finds me, maybe. I seem to have aged out of camping. Despite myself, we have a camping trip planned early October with our nearly 7 year old grandson. We’ll see how that shakes out. Enjoy your boating!
Re: Driving Self Crazy What If'ing on Next Trailer & Tow Vehicle {long rambling}
The pre 2019 trailers had SeaLevel II tank sensors. I don't think any trailer comes fitted to an owner straight from the factory. An older '400 would be a good place to start a custom project trailer.
We must be in similar positions. My 'CS is a great camping trailer that has served us well for many years. My wife and I are looking for a more travel oriented trailer. For us, the '400 is a sideways move; less accessible storage and smaller galley than the 'CS but gain nice lavatory plus a dinette. Our Casita arrives mid-October.
We must be in similar positions. My 'CS is a great camping trailer that has served us well for many years. My wife and I are looking for a more travel oriented trailer. For us, the '400 is a sideways move; less accessible storage and smaller galley than the 'CS but gain nice lavatory plus a dinette. Our Casita arrives mid-October.
Re: Driving Self Crazy What If'ing on Next Trailer & Tow Vehicle {long rambling}
Interesting post. I've shopped all of the trailers you've listed above but haven't purchased yet. I'm 6' tall and I like standing without bumping my head, so Tab 320 is out. I plan on being on the road for extended amounts of time so I want some extra space. I won't be camping in snow or ice so I don't need a 4 seasons camper.
So it seemed like the Tab 400 was the right one. I went and looked at a Tab 400 and it seemed like a quality camper. The size felt just about right for someone doing extended boondocking.
The Casita looked promising, particularly for the price. Their factory is only an hour away so I drove there to see them in person. Compared to the Tab, the fit and finish are rough. The showroom models had misaligned cabinetry and buttons that did not work. The construction did not inspire any confidence in reliability. I'm sure some will say things like misaligned cabinetry, unfinished edges, etc. are no big deal. But for me, it was enough to say no thanks, I'll pay the premium for Nucamp.
So my search for a Tab 400 Boondock continues.
Re: Dog sets off CO2 detector
Our black lab was doing the same thing - laying against the detector and setting it off. It makes quite a racket!
I solved that by mounting a short piece of baltic birch plywood just below the detector with 2 screws from inside the bench storage area. I didn't know if this was going to be enough to prevent the detector from going off but it has been working good for a year now with no accidental discharges (except from the dog's rear end of course). Inobtrusive and I can easily get to the detector if need be. The black tape, complete with dog hair, is to cut down on the green light that is a bit too bright at night.
I solved that by mounting a short piece of baltic birch plywood just below the detector with 2 screws from inside the bench storage area. I didn't know if this was going to be enough to prevent the detector from going off but it has been working good for a year now with no accidental discharges (except from the dog's rear end of course). Inobtrusive and I can easily get to the detector if need be. The black tape, complete with dog hair, is to cut down on the green light that is a bit too bright at night.
Re: Water Leak from Rain
@Yoshi_TAB
I apologize....I was trying to word it properly so I didn't confuse the issue. The source of my leak was flush water because the seal on top of the cassette didn't seal properly against the flange on the bottom side of the toilet. The seal was not damaged. The root cause was that the cover plate on the sump below the cassette prevented the cassette from securely latching in place.
In your case, I'm guessing that the water is collecting in the same area and following a similar path...but the source is rainwater getting past the access door seal and/or bad caulking around the access door flange.
I apologize....I was trying to word it properly so I didn't confuse the issue. The source of my leak was flush water because the seal on top of the cassette didn't seal properly against the flange on the bottom side of the toilet. The seal was not damaged. The root cause was that the cover plate on the sump below the cassette prevented the cassette from securely latching in place.
In your case, I'm guessing that the water is collecting in the same area and following a similar path...but the source is rainwater getting past the access door seal and/or bad caulking around the access door flange.
Re: Alde Heating
Installed new board pump works fine no voltage when pump is off cont operation and works fine when on. Might look into repairing old board as spare. There are two relays K1 and K2 one of which might bad. Sincerely Tim