Possible 320S Purchase

CamperQue

I have been looking into purchasing a new 2022 TAB 320S. Nucamp seems to have great quality, however i wanted to ask about how owners like their camper, any issues with the Alde system, Air8 air conditioning or any other issues.
Thanks

[Deleted User]

Hi CamperQue! I have my third T@b on order so it's safe to say I love T@bs! I started with a 320 and had it for four seasons,  2019 400 for three seasons and only sold it to get a 2022 400 because of the lighter tongue weight. Once you have a T@b you would be hard pressed to ever see any other brand as good enough.  Maybe Airstream but I spent ALOT of time comparing them and the T@b easily won! I love the Alde. It's a very cozy and silent form of heat. I don't know what AC they use in the 320 but I know they  stopped using the Air8 in the 400s. 

SusanD

I had no experience with campers before buying my T@b 320.  It has been wonderful!  All of my issues are due to my inexperience and I'd be having the same problems with anything I bought.  It has been a massive learning curve.  I don't know how mechanical you are but I can say that nothing has been intuitive for me and there is no manual that covers all of the systems.  Thank god for this forum and google!  I've been really happy with the Alde.  I love my kitchen, the cassette toilet and the water system is great.  The Air8 works but I need to really try it out in some sunny place one day.  Just don't plan on sleeping on the cushions as they are.  I've come to understand that it's not an apartment on wheels. Power and water aren't infinite when you're boondocking but they are luxuries compared to camping in a tent.  And this is one heck of a beautifully designed camper.

Sharon_is_SAM

The 2022 models have upgraded cushions, so the “soft cushion” issue is hopefully resolved.  

The 2022 models have moved to the Transcore flooring - that should remedy the floor issues.

The Air8 has been successful in the 320 model.  There is now a sensor placed on the passenger side back wall that allows for better temperature control.  It has been reported to be quieter than the wall mounted units in older units.  

The issue with the Alde system is the steep learning curve.  The 2022 models will come with the new Rhomar glycol and it is too early to tell the impact of the glycol change.  There seem to be more Alde service centers coming about, so we should see more availability for service in the future.  Just about everybody loves the Alde - no blowing dry air and peacefully quiet.

NuCamp is creating a service training center to increase the number of RV techs and that is only a good thing!

Pretzel14

CamperQue, looks like you and I are relatively new to the NuCamp experience. Years ago we  raised the kids with an Apache pop-up hardside, which met our needs.  Now, after months of online research and Spring travel to dealers to look at mostly non-existant NuCamp  stock, I ordered in May and took delivery of my 2022 320s Boondock in mid September.  I had tried to purchase a used 2018 and then a 2019 320s that I found online, but before I could show up to hand over cash they had been gobbled up by eager local buyers who beat me to them.  I decided to order, and am glad I did wait.  I've taken it out 6 times, 2400+ miles, and the longest stay was 5 days so far.  I tow with a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.  I haven't had any quality issues so far, not one.  Before taking delivery, over the summer  I think I read almost every thread on this forum, and have used many of the experiences and suggestions to have fun personalizing my Boondock.  That's a work in progress.  It's obvious to me that NuCamp monitors the experiences and suggestions of its customers, industry standards as well as those in this forum, and incorporates them as appropriate in their new models.

I've used both the air conditioning and the Alde heat, with the recent several 26 degree nights posing no problem whatsoever.  Love the heat and air.  I've winterized, but water jugs keep me in cold weather operation.  Having used a  cassette toilet in my old Apache, when I found out that NuCamp now uses them instead of a black water tank,  that further convinced me to order.  SO much MORE convenient.    I did purchase a Thermarest self inflating mattress to fit over cushions, and it works great since I like a firmer sleep platform.  The only issue I've had is not with the trailer, but with the add-on ECHO brake controller that, once I read the thread(s) in this forum about its recommended settings, have all but eliminated those  problems.

Would I purchase my Boondock again?  Absolutely.  No hesitation.  Hope this helps.

CamperQue

Thanks for the all information. We have been looking for close to a year and came close several times on purchasing other brands. We never really looked at the teardrop style campers and came across the Nucamp and I was really impressed with the quality. We are definitely interested in the 320S model and have been doing as much research as possible. Just thought would ask actual owners for their thoughts and experiences.
Thanks again for the information.

VictoriaP

Sharon_is_SAM said:

The issue with the Alde system is the steep learning curve.  The 2022 models will come with the new Rhomar glycol and it is too early to tell the impact of the glycol change.  There seem to be more Alde service centers coming about, so we should see more availability for service in the future.  Just about everybody loves the Alde - no blowing dry air and peacefully quiet.

NuCamp is creating a service training center to increase the number of RV techs and that is only a good thing!

Counterpoint: the issue I personally have with the Alde is that right now, finding someone who can work on it aside from Airstream or NuCamp dealers is incredibly difficult in some areas of the country. Given that many RV dealers won’t work on rigs that were bought elsewhere, this can be a real problem. Sure, more service centers may come online eventually, and I’m very glad to see nüCamp trying to address the tech shortage, but for now, it’s not uncommon to see people struggling to get Alde maintenance done or timely repairs if something breaks.

The Alde is very quiet compared to a traditional RV furnace, and it’s effective. It’s absolutely terrific when it works. But it requires a flush and fill every two years that many buyers will have to have done by professionals due to the design and specialized pump required, replacement parts are not always easy to get (though that may be improving according to recent reports from people in direct contact with Truma/Alde) and because it isn’t an industry standard appliance, heaven forbid it fails on you while on the road. Unlike your typical Suburban/Atwood furnace design that hasn’t changed much in 30 years, your average mobile RV mechanic won’t know how to fix it and definitely won’t have parts for it. Unless they become a lot more common across the industry, I would not buy another rig with one as a result. A friend with a trailer from a rival manufacturer had a furnace stop working in the middle of nowhere, and the nearest mobile tech had it running again the same day with parts he routinely kept on hand…that’s not going to happen with the Alde. If something fails when I’m 1000 miles from home, I don’t want to have to seek out a possibly distant specialist to get it fixed.

Just my 2¢, and probably a minority opinion.

dragonsdofly

@CamperQue, I have answered your question to others who have asked the very same one before you. Buying our 2017 t@b Sofitel (320 equivalent) was the best decision we ever made to purchase anything, bar none. Our house, vehicles, anything. Through it, we gave our great nephews untold memories, discovered our love of the nomadic lifestyle, and certainly not least, gained the acquaintance of many forum members, who have become far afield community & family members. We put our deposit down on 12/01/15 and took delivery 05/14/16. Since we've had our little trailer, we've spent several hundred nights in it, traveled 45,000 miles, visited 38 states and enjoyed too many adventures to count. Even now, as we pack our large trailer (non nüCamp) for full timing, we will not part with our t@b. It is snugggled in our 40' suburban backyard covered and waiting for our return. Best, best, best of all time. -Jim & Denise

CamperQue

Thanks for the response, I am glad that so many enjoy their t@b. We will be looking at a 320s again this weekend. My wife is 5’4 and loves the 320s however I am 6’2 and want to confirm that I will have no issues with the size of of the camper. Looking forward of possibly being a part of the t@b community.

[Deleted User]

Have you looked at the 400?

VictoriaP

CamperQue said:

Thanks for the response, I am glad that so many enjoy their t@b. We will be looking at a 320s again this weekend. My wife is 5’4 and loves the 320s however I am 6’2 and want to confirm that I will have no issues with the size of of the camper. Looking forward of possibly being a part of the t@b community.

At 6’2”, I strongly recommend you lay down on the bed when you spend time in one on the lot, as well as mimic the actions of getting dressed and using the bathroom. We do have owners your height who love their 320, but we also have many who opted for the 400 instead so they can stand upright or closer to it. 

Pretzel14

I'll echo VictoriaP's recommendations.  Inside height was a serious consideration when I ordered my 320s Boondock, and luckily before ordering I was able to compare on a dealer's lot a 400 and 320s for head space, sleeping and toileting.   I am solo male traveler and I am right at the maximum comfort height and leg length for those  issues with the 320s, the 400 wasn't a problem for any of those issues.  One more factor that actually made my decision for me.  I already had and wanted to keep my Toyota Highlander Hybrid, so I looked at the car's towing limitations and the 320s was right at the upper limitations but the 400 exceeded both tongue weight and gross weight.  I've pulled trailers with under-powered vehicles for short distances and found there's a darn good safety reason for those vehicle limitations.  So, for me, all the above factors pointed to the 320s.  Am I happy? Extremely. 

CamperQue

Have not looked at a 400 as the local dealers do not have any available inventory but a few on order. I will be checking to see if can find one to compare. I plan to spend as much time as possible in a 320 and mimic the actions before making the final decision. 
Thanks for the advice

dragonsdofly

@CamperQue, if you truly would like to compare, and tbere are none at dealers within range, make your location known to forum members, and then a request to any nearby owners who would invite you to visit and check their 400 out. It's been done before and worked out well. Just a thought.

CrabTab

CamperQue said:

My wife is 5’4 and loves the 320s however I am 6’2 and want to confirm that I will have no issues with the size of the camper. 

We are the pretty much same heights as you. My spouse sleeps along the driver's side and fits well. I lay diagonally across the rest of the bed to fit. Make sure you go in the bathroom and shut the door. Visualize if you can do everything as you'd hope in there. That is my biggest 'challenge' in our 320.

CamperQue

Thanks for the feedback
We looked at the 320s again and spent a lot of time in it. I feel like there may be a few challenges but could live with them. Have not been able to spend anytime in a 400 however I may be leaning towards really considering it. Just trying to justify if the extra cost will be worth it.

ScottG

Much may depend on where, when, and how you camp--specifically, how much time do you see yourself spending inside the T@B? If you are going to stay in established campsites and use it exclusively for sleeping and storage, then being able to get comfy on the bed and occasionally shoehorn yourself into the bath will be the most important concerns. If you plan to cook, clean, eat, shower, watch TV, and generally live in there (especially two at a time) then more elbow room could become a priority very quickly.

[Deleted User]

CamperQue, I think one of the biggest factors I found with my 320 versus 400 (I've owned and loved both) is I use the two front seats in the 400 for sitting my "luggage." Even as a solo traveler I really love the three extra feet to put things in the 400. 

CamperQue

We were able to look at a 400 the other day and I really like the extra space and height, however it’s crazy but really like the 320S as well even with space limitations. We have not camped in several years and the decision will be on how we plan to use the camper. Just wish the pricing was not where they are now, dealers are offering a little discount but not where they used to be. Question is do you purchase now as heard more price increases in 2022 or hope that better deals will be available later.