Outside Exterior Rack for the 400

RCB

In drifting in the ether, I found this pic. It is of the European 400 model. It would limit how far you can open the rear window, but I’ve never opened mine more than a few inches. 

qhumberd

As a fellow 400 owner my only concern would be using that window if needed as an emergency exit. From the picture it seems like you would not be able to get around the rack, and in a true emergency that could be it for you.

Denny16

Yes, the rear window in US market is the emergency exit.  The EU model TaB400 rear window is electrically controlled and doesn’t open that far.  That rear rack is only for carrying light weight bulky gear.  Not sure I would want to install one, it also blocks the nice view out the rear Statgazer window.
 Cheers 

RCB

I do appreciate the exit function of the rear window; but how do you actually open it to crawl out ? It has two support stays. Even if the window comes out of the track at the top, it is held by the stays. So I guess you lay on your back in the berth and kick and hope  it open. Hardly an emergency exit !

VictoriaP

RCB said:

I do appreciate the exit function of the rear window; but how do you actually open it to crawl out ? It has two support stays. Even if the window comes out of the track at the top, it is held by the stays. So I guess you lay on your back in the berth and kick and hope  it open. Hardly an emergency exit !

Now you have me wondering about the “exit” windows on the 320 as well. I would think an emergency exit would have a quick release latch for the support struts, but I don’t remember seeing one…

Dutch061

The support strut mounts are plastic, pretty sure if you were in a hurry to get out that the plastic would fail pretty easily.

Brad

atlasb

I like being able to look through the rear window when driving.  That is a good view of what is behind me when traveling.

Denny16

Me too, the older TaBs rear window was a bit lower, making this easy to see out the back.
 Cheers 

RCB

The support struts on my 2019 - 400 are aluminum and would probably just bend and deform if abused. I found no instructions in the manual about this ‘exit’. Is it an RV Manufacturers requirement or more of a sales thing ?

Denny16

Having a second emergency exit is a code requirement, in addition being a good idea, in case of a galley fire, or other emergency where the main door may be blocked.
 Cheers 

TABNewbies

As Europeans we read the ultra small print on the USA window and annually perform emergency drills opening fully, diving through the space and exiting the rear window in case the 2m of space to the left was otherwise blocked to the door. After all the exit may be behind you. I trust all USA and Canadian(?) located 400 owners do the same?

Denny16

Practicing using the emergency exit is a grand idea @TABNewbies, everyone should at least practice this at least one time, if not annually.
 Cheers 

qhumberd

For those of us that are less than say "flexible" at diving out a window I would love a quick video on the use of the emergency exit in the 400. Anyone every done that?

Dutch061

@RCB, yes, the struts are aluminum but as I noted the mounts, and the ends of the struts are plastic. Pretty sure if I were in a hurry that I could get myself through and out.

Brad