Best Of
Re: Do you really need an Inverter in your 320?
I asked myself this last year and the answer was no, we really didn't need it. But then the other side of me asked, why not? For around $400 (including wire and hardware) I put in a Renogy 2000W inverter. We rarely use it, but it has come in handy. Being retired, it was a fun project, but not a necessity.SLJ said:
Just ask yourself...
Do I really need 110 volt AC power and is the extra cost of a large inverter and effort really necessary for camping?
Some will disagree but you need to make your own decision depending on your use ands style of camping.
Re: Installing a new Jack
You could grind to a flat on the front plate. It would be quite a bit of grinding and if you needed to replace the jack on the road (I did once) you'd have to do it on a replacement also. The plate just makes it so any standard jack, bike rack, etc. fits with no modification.AnOldUR said:@SLJ Curious if you could have ground a flat on the round flange instead of purchasing the plate? That worked for the Ultimate Jack installation on our 320S with similar interference.
Re: CSS storage questions
1. I have a cheap flexible plastic tote for water hose and filters and such that I put in the sink for travel. I don't put anything on the counter except soft stuff like cushions and table cloths. I put folding chairs & tables inside on the floor of the camper for travel. Be wary of anything that could gouge the inside of the hatch when it's closed.
2. I haven't updated this in a while, but this checklist does have at least one item that's specific to the CS-S
Re: Do you really need an Inverter in your 320?
@SLJ Very well thought out post. We had an inverter in our '21 Tab 320 and in our '23 Tab 400 we also have an inverter. As you mentioned, a lot depends on your use and style of camping.
We put on about 15,000 miles on our '21 Tab 320 in a little over a year and have 18,000+ miles on our '23 Tab 400. Most of our trips have been 2-4 weeks, and during our trips, we work remotely. So, having an inverter has been essential for running our Starlink. There is a way to rewire the Starlink to work directly from 12v, but I haven't ventured down that route yet.
Along with the Starlink, we have a small espresso machine that we use. Granted, this isn't an absolute necessity. We also love our French press coffee, which wouldn't require the use of the inverter.
With our rooftop solar and a 220w suitcase panel, we can keep the batteries topped off quite nicely. We no longer lug a generator and gas can along on our trips either.
We never use the air conditioner. Although in a pinch, we could.
So, in a nutshell, for many use cases, an inverter is certainly not an absolute necessity. And they add to the complexity of the system. Many could get by without an inverter. For us, it is a necessity.
We put on about 15,000 miles on our '21 Tab 320 in a little over a year and have 18,000+ miles on our '23 Tab 400. Most of our trips have been 2-4 weeks, and during our trips, we work remotely. So, having an inverter has been essential for running our Starlink. There is a way to rewire the Starlink to work directly from 12v, but I haven't ventured down that route yet.
Along with the Starlink, we have a small espresso machine that we use. Granted, this isn't an absolute necessity. We also love our French press coffee, which wouldn't require the use of the inverter.
With our rooftop solar and a 220w suitcase panel, we can keep the batteries topped off quite nicely. We no longer lug a generator and gas can along on our trips either.
We never use the air conditioner. Although in a pinch, we could.
So, in a nutshell, for many use cases, an inverter is certainly not an absolute necessity. And they add to the complexity of the system. Many could get by without an inverter. For us, it is a necessity.
Re: Simple, Easy Meals - When camping food just won't do.
Jenn - I prefer simething a little more daring and less gooey than what I ate as a kid - And something other than hamburger or tuna - but whatever wirks fir ya :-)
Photomom - Those weren't three consecutive meals - shot over a month's time I suppose. The nice thing about those sausage (in addition to the flavor/style variety) is they're fully cooked, vacuum-packed, all-natural chicken sausage so last in the fridge/cooler for almost ever. The spaghetti one I made today.
Photomom - Those weren't three consecutive meals - shot over a month's time I suppose. The nice thing about those sausage (in addition to the flavor/style variety) is they're fully cooked, vacuum-packed, all-natural chicken sausage so last in the fridge/cooler for almost ever. The spaghetti one I made today.
Re: Advice about electric jack for my 2015 NuCamp T@b
Replaced my stock crank jack with Lippert electric one from Amazon, three bolts off, three bolts on, connect red wire to positive post, and really tighten down the negative post!
Re: CSS storage questions
Our camp suds and a pot scrubber travel in the sink. We have a piece of packing styrofoam that fits snuggly in the well of the galley that holds our large coffee thermos and fire extinguisher. Also, we have a butane burner that fits nicely in the well. Ditto on Marceline’s advice about stored items that can gouge the hatch. Even while in camp, be careful with items that extend beyond the hatch curve.
We travel with the bed made and carry the following under the bed: 2 camp chairs, 2 aluminum folding tables, tent poles x 2 sets, plastic rugs, sun shelter(s) We carry our large Brahma lock in a canvas bag on the floor in front of the shower. The PaHaQue tent lays on the bed and 2 portable 100 watt solar panels are sandwiched and secured with pillows under the comforter. We carry empty water jugs on the shower floor. Also, in winter, the shower holds quart containers of extra glycol and antifreeze.
The Brahma lock is good for adding tongue weight!
Not sure how much set up detail you need. When we arrive at the campsite:
1. Before parking the TaB, use a NCVT on the electric pedestal to make sure the ground is intact and to hopefully allow a change of campsite as necessary.
2. Park it, check side to side level requirement and add Anderson or blocks as needed before final position.
We travel with the bed made and carry the following under the bed: 2 camp chairs, 2 aluminum folding tables, tent poles x 2 sets, plastic rugs, sun shelter(s) We carry our large Brahma lock in a canvas bag on the floor in front of the shower. The PaHaQue tent lays on the bed and 2 portable 100 watt solar panels are sandwiched and secured with pillows under the comforter. We carry empty water jugs on the shower floor. Also, in winter, the shower holds quart containers of extra glycol and antifreeze.
The Brahma lock is good for adding tongue weight!
Not sure how much set up detail you need. When we arrive at the campsite:
1. Before parking the TaB, use a NCVT on the electric pedestal to make sure the ground is intact and to hopefully allow a change of campsite as necessary.
2. Park it, check side to side level requirement and add Anderson or blocks as needed before final position.
3. Chock first!
4. Add wheel or footplate, remove tongue pin and lift coupler latch, remove chains and break away cord.
5. Raise tongue to release hitch, pull TV away. Level front to back.
6. Position stabilizers.
7. Hook up surge protector and shorepower, then water.
8. Attach tent, lay rugs open chairs/tables.
9. Arrange camp kitchen and work table at galley and cover galley as needed.
10. Have an adult beverage - always in a coozie /koozie 😁
4. Add wheel or footplate, remove tongue pin and lift coupler latch, remove chains and break away cord.
5. Raise tongue to release hitch, pull TV away. Level front to back.
6. Position stabilizers.
7. Hook up surge protector and shorepower, then water.
8. Attach tent, lay rugs open chairs/tables.
9. Arrange camp kitchen and work table at galley and cover galley as needed.
10. Have an adult beverage - always in a coozie /koozie 😁
Re: CSS storage questions
We don't store anything on the galley counter top. Dish-washing items are stored in a small plastic basin that fits in the sink. There's a gap between the galley cabinets and bottom of the galley hatch opening where we'll store small and light-weight items such as an extension cord, fly swatter. marshmallow/hotdog skewers.
We store our "bag" chairs under the passenger bench but I don't think your newer model configuration can accommodate this usage.
If the trip is a single destination, we make up the bed upon arrival and tear it down prior to returning home. If we're on a multi-stop trip the bed stays made up. We have a Ikea Butler tray for taking a meal or snack if the weather forces us inside.
We store our "bag" chairs under the passenger bench but I don't think your newer model configuration can accommodate this usage.
If the trip is a single destination, we make up the bed upon arrival and tear it down prior to returning home. If we're on a multi-stop trip the bed stays made up. We have a Ikea Butler tray for taking a meal or snack if the weather forces us inside.
Re: Alde leaking as it heats.
Thanks much. I was able to order glycol directly from the nu_camp website. Pricing about the same. I’m 90 minutes from the factory and may drive there to avoid shipping when it’s time for a flush!
