CSS storage questions

CWrob

Hello! My husband and I in December picked up our new 2024 Tab 320 CSS after many years of family camping with our son in a pop up camper. We’re used to creative storage. A few questions for CSS owners:
1.) Do you, or can you, use the galley kitchen countertop area to store items like camp chairs and roll-up tables while traveling? I was thinking if we protected the sink/stove/counter area with old sheets or blankets, then we could use the galley for storing some items. And/or do you lay those items on the bed while traveling? If you have any photos of your set for storage while traveling, I would appreciate it.
2.) Do you have any tips or check lists for order of set up in your CSS?
3.) Do you find it best to travel with the bed set up for sleeping, in terms of having less to do when arriving at camp?
Thank you for any answers or ideas for storage during travel and when set up.

Marceline

1. I have a cheap flexible plastic tote for water hose and filters and such that I put in the sink for travel. I don't put anything on the counter except soft stuff like cushions and table cloths. I put folding chairs & tables inside on the floor of the camper for travel. Be wary of anything that could gouge the inside of the hatch when it's closed.

2. I haven't updated this in a while, but this checklist does have at least one item that's specific to the CS-S

https://www.icloud.com/numbers/0nqJGbAUcmp_1WLdpJhfaQgQw#Shared_T@B_Checklist

Slackers

We don't store anything on the galley counter top. Dish-washing items are stored in a small plastic basin that fits in the sink. There's a gap between the galley cabinets and bottom of the galley hatch opening where we'll store small and light-weight items such as an extension cord, fly swatter. marshmallow/hotdog skewers.
We store our "bag" chairs under the passenger bench but I don't think your newer model configuration can accommodate this usage.
If the trip is a single destination, we make up the bed upon arrival and tear it down prior to returning home. If we're on a multi-stop trip the bed stays made up. We have a Ikea Butler tray for taking a meal or snack if the weather forces us inside.

Sharon_is_SAM

Our camp suds and a pot scrubber travel in the sink.  We have a piece of packing styrofoam that fits snuggly in the well of the galley that holds our large coffee thermos and fire extinguisher.  Also, we have a butane burner that fits nicely in the well.  Ditto on Marceline’s advice about stored items that can gouge the hatch.  Even while in camp, be careful with items that extend beyond the hatch curve.

We travel with the bed made and carry the following under the bed:  2 camp chairs, 2 aluminum folding tables, tent poles x 2 sets, plastic rugs, sun shelter(s)  We carry our large Brahma lock in a canvas bag on the floor in front of the shower.  The PaHaQue tent lays on the bed and 2 portable 100 watt solar panels are sandwiched and secured with pillows under the comforter.  We carry empty water jugs on the shower floor.  Also, in winter, the shower holds quart containers of extra glycol and antifreeze.  

The Brahma lock is good for adding tongue weight!

Not sure how much set up detail you need.  When we arrive at the campsite:

1.  Before parking the TaB, use a NCVT on the electric pedestal to make sure the ground is intact and to hopefully allow a change of campsite as necessary.

2.  Park it, check side to side level requirement and add Anderson or blocks as needed before final position.

3.  Chock first!

4.  Add wheel or footplate, remove tongue pin and lift coupler latch, remove chains and break away cord.

5.  Raise tongue to release hitch, pull TV away.  Level front to back.

6.  Position stabilizers.

7.  Hook up surge protector and shorepower, then water.

8.  Attach tent, lay rugs open chairs/tables.

9.  Arrange camp kitchen and work table at galley and cover galley as needed.

10.  Have an adult beverage - always in a coozie /koozie 😁

CWrob

Thank you all for the tips! Very helpful. 

StevenJ

Congrats on the new rig!  We just got a 2024 CS-S in December.  Looking forward to our first long trip up the Vermont for the eclipse (or to not see it as it's a terrible time to go weather wise).  I would say that storing anything in the galley on the counter isn't a great idea.  It could possible fall into the space on the front of the cabinets and get stuck on the handle latches.  We store our camping table in that space on the floor but it's pretty wedged in.  I just make sure it doesn't block the fridge/cooler vents.  
I am attaching the Set Up checklist that I am in the process of developing if you want other ideas.  Mine is a mist mash of several that I have seen and it is a work in progress.  I will say that getting the LevelMate Pro is about the best thing in the world and makes the initial leveling really easy.  

Mickerly

Welcome to the group. We have an '18CS-S. I think you will like your new trailer a lot.

Other than that we are very similar. You questions in order.
1. When the clam shell is closed, there is very little space on the counter. We don't leave anything there. If you did, it would be tossed around pretty good. The back of the trailer is on the end of the whip so to speak.
2. I have attached a checklist and expanded checklist for our trailer. We have a regular RV toilet rather than the cassette. You have a Nautilus water system where we have a collection of valves under the sink. And we have a refrigerator where you have an electric cooler. Because of the differences listed above, you will need to make changes, but this is a good start. I can't seem to attach the editable versions, but there is a lot of software these days that can manipulate PDF files. 
3. Like you, we travel with the bed down and stuff the space underneath very much the same. We do carry a 5gal jug of ice water in the shower. A rubber shower mat keeps the jug from scratching the floor. I did make a larger table for the Lagun mount. Now, both of us can eat comfortably outside. When we do bring the table inside, it is large enough to play a full size board game.

Things not asked:
We have an electric kettle. It stays inside in the winter and in the kitchen in the summer. The passthrough is for food mostly. That way we can reach snacks from the inside. Napkins, paper plates and cups are up there too. We have a Coleman sleeping bag opened up to lay on the bed. To make it look pretty we have a duvet cover from IKEA. A sheet and two small blankets are folded and stuffed in the shelf above the pass through cabinets. The Alde is very comfortable. You won't need more than two small blankets.

It is a perfect trailer for short stays except, there is no hanging space for coats in the winter.

MilesCamp

CWRob, I noticed no one mentioned their tow vehicle.  I don't know what you're towing with, but if it's a SUV or a Pickup I would think you would have plenty of room.  I tow with a pickup and this is my 7th TT, and I've never lacked space.

Miles

Mickerly

We tow with a Subaru Onyx XT. We can run out of space. It bothers me when we get to the "To do this, we have to move that..." mode.

CWrob

We have a Honda Pilot, and make good use of it when camping in the pop up. I’m hoping we won’t need to rely on it for storage quite as much now that we have the Tab. Im sure we’ll develop new packing habits in time. 

SaltwaterTab

We have a 2018 Tab 320 CS (without the shower). We have upgraded from a RAV4 to a Highlander. Both tow vehicles have sufficient room to store bulky items like camp chairs, a CLAM Quick-Set Venture 9 x 9 Foot Portable Pop Up Tent, a shower tent, warm coats, etc.

We put soft things like dish towels, wash clothes, and table clothes in the sink. Also fruits and vegi's like bananas, tomatoes, avocados nested in the soft stuff. We do not store anything on the counter.

Since we don't have a bathroom we travel with a custom portable toilet that rides in the camper. We move it to a shower tent when we arrive in camp. Because of this we always have the cabin configured as a settee. Making up the bed is super easy now that we have finetuned our bedroll. The first layer is a quilt with the good side down (that way the pretty side shows when it's rolled up). The next layer is a duvet stuffed with a two inch foam topper. After that are traditional sheets and a quilt (both my mom and best friend are quilters so I am the lucky recipient of their beautiful creations). Roll it up and secure with heavy duty velcro straps. The bedroll stays at the back of the camper until it's time to make up the bed. I did modify the backrest cushions by cutting them about 18" shorter (this time my sister helped with the sewing part)

StepheninDen

Back when we first got started in our TAB, we forgot to do enough small things (fortunately nothing ever got damaged as a result) that I made the below detailed checklist. I organized it by parts of the TAB. Some things may be specific to older models. I no longer need it but hopefully some of it can be helpful to new TABbers!

PRE-TRIP PREP
• Charge battery
• Check tire pressure
• Fill freshwater tank with water filter, Run hot water briefly to fill hot water tank.
• Check propane tanks

HITCH UP - KITCHEN CHECK
• Secure all loose kitchen items
• Store chairs and table in front box
• Turn off propane
• Lock kitchen hatch

HITCH UP - HOOK UPS CHECK
• Disconnect and store sewer hose, water hose and electric cord
• Check/Fill freshwater tank
• Check that battery switch is “On”

HITCH UP - CABIN CHECK
• Secure all loose cabin items
• Close and lock windows
• Close and lock roof fan
• Turn off heater - Turn off all lights
• Close front step
• Lock cabin door

HITCH UP - HITCH CHECK
• Raise stabilizers with crank
• Remove & store hitch lock
• Raise tongue with jack (stabilizers must be raised first!) - Position tow vehicle (TV) and lower tongue onto hitchball - Lock hitchball and insert hitchball pin - Fully retract jack
• Plug in brake controller and electric TV connector
• Attach safety chains
• Attach emergency brake cable
• Remove and store chocks and leveling blocks

HITCH UP - FINAL CHECK
• Check campsite
• Check trailer signal lights
• Double check hitch pin
• Lock storage box



UNHITCH - HITCH CHECK
• Unlock storage box
• If using campground power - Turn off post circuit breaker - Connect shore power surge protector & test power supply
• Level wheels R/L with leveling blocks - Put in chocks
• Unplug TV electric connector & store brake controller
• Unhook safety chains and emergency brake cable
• Remove hitchball pin and unlock hitchball - Raise tongue with jack - Move TV
• Level trailer Front/Back with jack
• Install hitch lock
• Lower stabilizers

UNHITCH - HOOKUPS CHECK
• Plug in electric cord
• Connect city water hose, pressure regulator & water filter

UNHITCH - KITCHEN CHECK
• Unlock hatch
• Turn on propane
• Turn on water pump
• Check water tank level

UNHITCH - CABIN CHECK
• Open windows - Unlock and open roof fan
• Turn on water heater/heater (turn dial to 0 before starting)
• Open front step