Advice on buying a 2018 TAB 400

SgtYork

Hi all!

I'm looking at a 2018 TAB 400 STD at Camping World. It's 3 hours away so I need advice on what to ask about. And what should I be checking on the TAB to make sure it's ok. Systems check? Leaks  

Thanks, Earl

manyman297

There’s that floor recall on some 2018 models. If you do a quick search here you’ll see the months of production it affected.

Denny16

The 2018 TaB 400s built in Nov, Dec, 2017 and January 2018 had the floor recall. That said, not all units in the production run developed floor covering issues.  You can see the date of manufacturing on the driver’s side of the tongue on the trailer manufacturer’s Label (Vin number, weight rating and date of build are on this sticker)

Here is an except from the recall notice:
“ Overview:  This service bulletin describes a defective product that was used in the construction of the T@B 400 and 320. 

Products Affected: Green Core composite underlayment.
Units Affected:  This service bulletin is for units built from November 1st, 2017 to January 31st  2018”

If the trailer was built during this time frame, look for ripples along the floor in the front dinette area, and in floor between galley and washroom.  Use a flashlight to skim light over the floor down low and look for high and low areas.  This trailer as a special marine floor covering that is normally soft feeling when you walk on it.  But it should lay flat on the floor.  You can contact customer support at nüCamp and give them the Vin number to see if the floor was replaced under the recall.  

You can not tell replaced floor by looking at it.  Here is a shot of a floor being replaced, you can see the buckling circled in red.  Also yiu can see the 129VAC outlet leak (caused stain floor under Galley cabinet), check that this outlet is caulked from the outside and not water damage inside but the doorway.

This floor is in the process of being replaced.  Red circle shows buckling from the sub floor delaminating, and black arrow shows bunk under storage cover lifted up.
Water damage from the leak around the outside 120 outlet next to the door shows a circle where the cabinet should be.  To replace the floor, the lower cabinets are removed, old floor cut out and new Azdel floor and covering laid and resealed in place.  

Also look under the closet floor to see if it has excess amounts of dust in it, or rodent damage, as the plumbing goes through the floor.  I would make sure this hole is sealed as part of the purchase agreement.

These two hoses go through the floor into the top of the water tank, and there is about a 1/3 inch gap between the floor and the top of the tank, dirt, dust and mice can come in through.  This area is under the closet floor cover, along with the water pump and outside shower cut off valves.

Also do a general check of water system, A/C and Alde heater.  The fridge should cool down in 20-30 minutes, look under the rear bunk (top lifts up), to see  how clean it is, battery condition and wiring is still intact and everything in good kit.  Next from the outside look in both rear access doors, pax side is storage access to under the bunk and battery cutoff switch.  The 120VAC plug here is for the fridge.

Look at overall condition, and look under the trailer for damage, you should see a plastic cover over the tanks, and only see the frame and axle assembly.  Open doors, poke around and have fun.
cheers

SgtYork

Thanks for the information Denny16. Going tomorrow to look at it.

SgtYork

Follow up: Ended up buying a new 2021 400. Thanks for the advice.

dragonsdofly

@SgtYork, congratulations on your trailer!  When you get a few minutes, post a pic of your new "baby".