We’re pondering on going up to a ‘22 400 Boondock from a 320 BD. The gotta haves are the Boondock package and the bigger refrigerator. We’re pretty simple travelers. Any other options we should put on our “list” of wants?
TIA.
2022 TAB 400 Boondock, 2019 Toyota Tacoma Sport 4x4
2018 TAB 320 Boondock (previous)
Odessa, Fl.
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We just moved up to a 400 from a 320. We compared a 2022 and 2023 side by side at a dealer. The 2023 better met our needs.
2018 T@B 320 Sold
Racing the Wind and Chasing the Sun
If we feel we need something bigger, I think the 400 would be a great upgrade - but my wife says it is a no-go because of one critical reason - the "wedge" bed. We setup our 320 with twin beds and it makes it really easy for us to both get in and out of the bed - and that is important as she is up a lot at night and I am an early riser. I even created custom matching cushions we use to make it look like it came from the factory with twin beds! So she has been suggesting a 23' Airstream with twin beds and both my towing nerves and budget are running scared...
@GatorEgg curious to your thoughts on making the bed change too.
Kevin
As far as after market options go I would install a victron smart shunt, if you get the 2022. I think it is either standard on all 2023's or maybe on just the 4 battery setup. It is invaluable for measuring your power consumptions and worth the money in my opinion. Also we upgraded the vent fan with a MaxxAir fan with 10 speeds and the remote. I think the model is the 7500k. So much better than the factory fan.
As far as the sleeping goes in the 400 it just depends on if you're okay sleeping east to west and having someone crawl over you or you crawling over someone. It's pretty much a given in most small trailers and we are good with it. I'm 6'2" and sleep on the outside and my smaller wife, 5'4" sleeps on the inside. She quickly got used to the ceiling slope and likes the cozy feel, especially with the heat register right there. If she has to get up for some reason it does not bother me for her to crawl over me. It's much more comfortable than being in our backpacking tent! Anyway we love the 400.
2018 Nissan Titan Pro 4X "Big Bird"
Leadville Colorado
Thoughts on 320 vs 400 beds and dinette/lounge seating. We originally ordered a new 400, but cancelled it and purchased our 320 because we felt these items in the 400 were a "no-go", more so than the tiny 320 bath. Try them again before you let go of your 320. And you may become unhappy with your Tacoma in front of the 400, been there too.
2022 Tab 320s Boondock/2021 Honda Ridgeline BE
Minnesota and Arizona
However, where we were primarily hoping to upgrade with the 320 is setting up and breaking down the bed! For long trips as well as quick overnighters - having a separate bed would be nice! But my wife keeps reminding me the time it takes to setup + breakdown the bed is 30 mins or less - and the time we sleep in peace is much longer. I guess I will just think like a pit crew and work this season to improve my setup and breakdown times!
@GatorEgg sorry to hijack your thread for a moment on 320 vs 400 beds, but good luck with your decision! nuCamp trailers are indeed like goldilocks - there is one that is just right for everyone. BTW - if I were to add options on a 400 that new lithium package would do it for us! Being able to use AC from time to time while at a Harvest Host or boondocking - sweet!
Kevin
I am trying to figure out using a lithium battery configuration to run an air conditioner while boondocking. A few hours and then, your battery bank is gone. How do you recharge them?
2022 Tab 320s Boondock/2021 Honda Ridgeline BE
Minnesota and Arizona
We looked at every brand possible for about 13Mos. before coming back to NuCamp. It is a towable size for my spouse to drive the TV and the quality of construction is hard to beat. Oh, and the cost compared to the 23' Caravel twin bed Airstream was also favorable. In the end it is about what is right for you. Enjoy contemplating what may be...
2018 T@B 320 Sold
Racing the Wind and Chasing the Sun
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2016 CSS 320
2022 Tab 400 Boondock
2016 Toyota 4Runner w Anderson WDH
The 320s (not the CSS 320) gives the campers the option of twin beds, north/south full bed, or east/west full bed if you somehow like that. Personally, I do not like east/west beds.
2022 Tab 320s Boondock/2021 Honda Ridgeline BE
Minnesota and Arizona
One thing we have found is the 2021 320 is made better than our new 2023 400, the sheathing on the roof of the 400 is loose from the purlins, (it was tight to the purlins on the 320) the front storage tub is low quality construction (really flimsy compared to the 320), the 320 BD has a aluminum guard rail on the back not on the 400, also the keder rail on the 320 is really nice design and heavier duty than the 400, Just a few things we have seen so far.
There are several things that I think are superior with the 400. The water pump works much better. I don't know if it is because it is a different model than the 320. But for us, it is definitely noticeable. We have to be careful not to use too much water when using the shower and the outdoor hose. The Nautilus on the '23 Tab 400 is much nicer than the '21 Tab 320. And as you mentioned the bed is a definite upgrade.
Ken / 2023 Tab 400 “La Bolita” (23,000+ miles) / 2024 Toyota Sequoia
2024 - 3 Trips - 35 nights - 9 National Parks, 3 National Forests
I think of it as an extra lithium battery with built-in inverter to back up our two 100ah Battle Born batteries. And as a home emergency power source when the power goes out (virtually every thunderstorm).
In use, I would turn the battery switch off, as they are both depleted, and i don't want it to expend it's power through the converter into the batteries. It can provide backup 120vac and 12vdc when needed. We have no inverter in our 320, so we can recharge our laptops, phones, watches, mifi directly when boondocking. If we decide it's not enough backup, we can purchase a companion unit that doubles its storage.
The basic idea is to provide backup power without installing additional batteries or unreliable solar in our present 320. Too often, if we decide to move on to another camper, installed equipment is lost investment. We can take the portable stuff with us to the next camper.
2022 Tab 320s Boondock/2021 Honda Ridgeline BE
Minnesota and Arizona
"Just Enough"
2018 TAB 320 Boondock (previous)
Odessa, Fl.