New Tab has arrived!

TomCanada

Tool delivery of our Tab 400 "Bruce" today and quite excited of course.  Towed home with the Q5 in 50-60kph (30-35mph) winds with no trouble.  Alde heating us up as outdoor temps hover around freezing - with a weekend of upgrades to keep us busy!

Fuel consumption wasn't bad either, ranging from 15-18mpg (13-16L/100km) compared to our usual 23mpg (10L/100km).  Speeds ranging from 80-100kph (50-60mph).

Also great news on tongue weight - with empty tanks and a tank of propane we are coming in at 320lbs

Quick question - where does everyone keep their 7-way cable (and brake disconnect line) when not in use?  It doesn't feel right leaving it out in potential rain and snow without some sort of protection. I'm surprised it didn't come with some sort of protective cover..

Also surprised we didn't get a foot for the jack but just a wheel - guess that's just how they come!

rhyno

We plan to get this for stowing the 7-way plug.

@rhyno - Photo too large and deleted - Moderator

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MFFC0IU/?coliid=I178QXO6K65T2L&colid=15VSL75GTW1KM&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Horigan

Doh!  ( 8(|)   Beat me to it!

This works pretty good.

https://www.amazon.com/HUSKY-TOWING-81497-Connector-Storage/dp/B01MFFC0IU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CE2JN2OIRETN&dchild=1&keywords=7+pin+connector+holder&qid=1614988896&sprefix=7-pin+connector+hol%2Caps%2C262&sr=8-1

rhyno

@Horigan - JINX! 

Sharon_is_SAM

You need to protect the end of the 7 pin to prevent water from collecting and creating a short.  Get a cover and keep it facing up.

TomCanada

I like those ideas - thanks! 

TomCanada

One other question - is this as far up as the privacy screen on the dinette window goes?  I can make it go a bit further but then it slides down to this level.  It's ok since the bunched up bug netting provides ample privacy but curious why it doesn't stay up higher.. do others have the same experience?

Mellow_Yellow

nice looking rig @TomCanada!

Katydid

My privacy shade doesn’t slide back down but does have  an 1/2” of the black screen showing when all the way up. I smiled when I saw your TV, I’m towing my 2021 400 BD with a white Q5. I’ve towed it from Boston to Florida-and got similar mpg driving 50-60 mph and have been happy with it as a tow vehicle.

dragonsdofly

@TomCanada, congratulations on your trailer!  Happy t@bbing!

85Redwood

Hang the 7 pin plug down without it touching the ground...in decades I've never had an issue nor have I heard of anyone having an issue...water flows off it.  

rhyno

TomCanada said:

One other question - is this as far up as the privacy screen on the dinette window goes?  I can make it go a bit further but then it slides down to this level.  It's ok since the bunched up bug netting provides ample privacy but curious why it doesn't stay up higher.. do others have the same experience?

Your screen may be bunched up too much...it should fold when stowed. Disconnect the shade from the screen and pull the shade down all the way. Then pull the screen down. When you push the screen back up, keep your fingers behind it to kind of gather up and fold the screen as you go. It should accordion-fold somewhat on its own but needs a little help at times. Once it is all way up, pull your shade up to meet the screen and then it should stay put. 

TomCanada

rhyno said:

TomCanada said:

One other question - is this as far up as the privacy screen on the dinette window goes?  I can make it go a bit further but then it slides down to this level.  It's ok since the bunched up bug netting provides ample privacy but curious why it doesn't stay up higher.. do others have the same experience?

Your screen may be bunched up too much...it should fold when stowed. Disconnect the shade from the screen and pull the shade down all the way. Then pull the screen down. When you push the screen back up, keep your fingers behind it to kind of gather up and fold the screen as you go. It should accordion-fold somewhat on its own but needs a little help at times. Once it is all way up, pull your shade up to meet the screen and then it should stay put. 

That helped!  The black screen was able to go almost all the way in which allowed the shade to go further up.  Once I lock the two together, the weight of the shade pulled the screen down somewhat but it's still better than originally:

rhyno

I think you can tighten the tensioner screws behind the corner covers. There is a post on the forum somewhere that talks about how to snug the shade up a bit. 

JeffroNC

I bought a cap for my 7 pin cable and left it hanging down. Water got in and corroded it since the battery + is always hot. After cleaning it and filling it with dielectric grease, no more problems with it hanging down in the air. Live and learn. :-)

rhyno

The more I think about this and looking at your pics, the more I'm thinking you should call your dealer if the screen cannot fold well enough to go fully up and stay there. That way if it is a warranty issue, you'll be covered. 

Verna

I have pointed my 7-pin plug down behind the tongue jack since my first teardrop in 2013. With my 3 T@B’s, there is enough slack in the cable behind the tongue Jack to slip the 7-pin between the frame and the cable to tuck it into there, pointing downward. It stays in place, it stays dry and I’ve never had corrosion or needed dielectric grease on the pins. I do wind the cable loosely around the tongue Jack to help it stay in place. 

My thinking has always been that it is too easy to trap moisture in the plug if it is pointing upwards, even with the rubber cover. It drains if pointing downward.

As always, YMMV....

4ncar

Yup,  coiled around jack, connector pointed down and gooped up with dialectic grease...