A newbie needs some quick opinions

Tahoediver

Hi all,

My wife and I are interested in buying a very nice 2023 Tab 400 as our first trailer. The one we've focused on has a couple of issues that seem quirky and we'd like some help.

First, the wall upholstery shows evidence of maybe the glue bleeding through. Little brown spots that look like rust but are more like stains. We actually saw this first on a "new" trailer at a dealer. The dealer (here in FL) didn't offer a good explanation on that and a few other items so we walked. It wasn't the right trailer for us anyway. Are these panels easy to replace if needed? Seems so but we figure some of you may have experience with this. 

Second, the fresh water tank was accidentally overfilled by the owner and excess water had collected beneath the tank and on top of the panel that covers it. Water was dropping through and that's how I saw it. We pulled the panel off, the water spilled out, and no additional water seemed to be leaking from the tank. So this seems like overflow, although it wasn't possible to determine exactly from where. Maybe the overflow valve is tucked away somewhere and is meant to flow onto/into the panel covering? 

These issues made us pause the purchase process since I'd rather not buy a problem that I don't understand how to fix. Otherwise, we really like this particular trailer but are stuck on this.

So, do you have experience with either of these issues? Would either stop you from buying? Thanks in advance for any help!

elbolillo

Excess water can accumulate on the chloroplast panel covering the bottom of the Tab 400. The panel does not provide a completely watertight seal, so water from traveling down the road can get in that area. The overflow valve does not drain into the area you mentioned. It is directly behind the rear tire on the driver's side of the trailer.

We also have seen a few spots on our 23' Tab 400 that appear to glue bleed through. It is only in one spot and isn't very prominent, so we haven't worried about it.

pthomas745

If the "overflow/vent" was blocked, the tank could have continued to fill until it cracked.  The tank, as it fills, expels the air from the tank through the "vent".  After the tank is full, water will "overflow" from the drain under the trailer.  If the air is not expelled from the tank because the vent was blocked, the fresh water tank simply expands. 

This thread has an example, with pictures of the vent under the trailer, and the plumbing that goes out of the top of the tank and travels to the "vent/overflow".  This issue with a "clogged vent" has happened to several owners.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/11129/dont-let-this-happen-to-you-blocked-fresh-water-tank-overflow-with-nautilus-system

I would trace out the lines here if you can find the overflow plumbing in the thread above.  I'm not sure if there is a way  to "accidentally" overfill the fresh water tank, unless there is something up with the vent.

You can test the vent for a block fairly easy: fill the tank...and feel down there where the blue "vent" is.  If air is coming out, the vent may not be blocked.  (Apparently, you won't "feel" much air until the late stages of filling the tank.).

Tahoediver

Thanks to both of you. Sure enough, mud dobbers had plugged the drain lines and I cleaned those out easily. They may have plugged the vent as well, but I'll double check. I think Elbolillo is on to something with how water got up inside the panel. After a couple of days without rain on the roads and a full tank, the tank was dry upon second inspection yesterday. I'll see about sealing that panel a little better or maybe adding a few more holes to help it drain better. We ended up buying the trailer.