Driving Self Crazy What If'ing on Next Trailer & Tow Vehicle {long rambling}

MuttonChops

Disclaimer:  Love my 320S, There is Nothing Wrong with my 320S.
                   Love my TV, There is Nothing Wrong with my tow vehicle.
                   But - - - -   the " I want " not " I need " bug is working overtime..
                   Might be a combination of age and interest to 'spend it' before the (money dumb) Children get it . . . .

As for TV, recently decided to delay buying a new one as the size/configuration I want is not available in the brands I enjoy.
This means I've shifted to investing in major maintenance service . . . . while hoping the Big3 wake-up . . . .
Of course I'm still 'researching' knowing its for education not purchasing.

Travel Trailers.
Really like the 360 layout except for . . . .
       Cassette toilet, at my age dumping a 50ish # portable tank every couple of days is a deal-killer
       Weird kitchen - - - I might be able to learn/adjust but with the non-black tank why . . . .
Airstream, Oliver, Bigfoot . . .
        Way too big for me plus the premium price  *Bigfoot name comes from its large footprint (width)
Cortes . . . .
        Interesting but too boat-like interior that is less than ideal (for me) layout
        I have a boat and enjoy it - - - don't need a trailer like it
Scamp . . . .
        Another interesting one. New rigs also have a non-wood floor
Escape 17B . . . .
        Another interesting one. However layout seems off a bit.
Casita . . . .
        Must admit that if buying today it would be a Casita.
        Which one just got more complicated as there is now a cozy 15-footer.
        I like Casita's for their basic systems approach . . . nothing fancy or cutting edge

Then there is a TAB 400 . . .
        It has a black tank!
        While a bit big for my uses many solo travelers love it.
        Would require imagination to re-locate the TeleV and improve dinette seating comfort, add storage to bed area.
        And for a 400 or even 360 . . . installing SeeLevel Tank Sensors is doable but a pain and Shame on nüCamp for using KIB

Of course only the 360 & 400 have an Alde System and I truly enjoy how it works. Most of my camping is shoulder season and the quiet even heat is ideal.  But that in itself is not enough for me to feel only nüCamp as my next purchase.

As the Subject says - - - - I'm Going Crazy Thinking About This - - - -
                                          So I'm going boating for a few nights

MadCityJack

Good read…   I’m so ambivalent about keeping my 320, but if a buyer finds me, maybe.  I seem to have aged out of camping.   Despite myself, we have a camping trip planned early October with our nearly 7 year old grandson.  We’ll see how that shakes out.   Enjoy your boating!

bayernfan

Interesting post.  I've shopped all of the trailers you've listed above but haven't purchased yet. I'm 6' tall and I like standing without bumping my head, so Tab 320 is out.  I plan on being on the road for extended amounts of time so I want some extra space.  I won't be camping in snow or ice so I don't need a 4 seasons camper.

So it seemed like the Tab 400 was the right one.  I went and looked at a Tab 400 and it seemed like a quality camper.  The size felt just about right for someone doing extended boondocking.  

The Casita looked promising, particularly for the price. Their factory is only an hour away so I drove there to see them in person.  Compared to the Tab, the fit and finish are rough.  The showroom models had misaligned cabinetry and buttons that did not work.  The construction did not inspire any confidence in reliability.  I'm sure some will say things like misaligned cabinetry, unfinished edges, etc. are no big deal.  But for me, it was enough to say no thanks, I'll pay the premium for Nucamp.

So my search for a Tab 400 Boondock continues.

Sharon_is_SAM

@MuttonChops - I know you can retrofit a compost toilet into a 320 or 400.  What about retrofitting a black tank?  NuCamp probably has some older model shower pans to fit the bathroom area.  Still leaves you with the KIB.

Mickerly

The pre 2019 trailers had SeaLevel II tank sensors. I don't think any trailer comes fitted to an owner straight from the factory. An older '400 would be a good place to start a custom project trailer.
We must be in similar positions. My 'CS is a great camping trailer that has served us well for many years. My wife and I are looking for a more travel oriented trailer. For us, the '400 is a sideways move; less accessible storage and smaller galley than the 'CS but gain nice lavatory plus a dinette. Our Casita arrives mid-October.

SLJ

Love the cassette. If you think it's too heavy when full then don't use so much water when flushing and just don't wait till it's full. Had a black tank for many years. So much quicker, cleaner, and easier, and so many dumping options with a cassette. I don't ever want to go back to a black tank.

K_C_915

Holy cow, Mutton Chops is going through the same process as I am.

I am still serious about the Escape 17B, but looking at one in the SW is a pain, so I gave up for now. Getting one to Arizona may be more of an adventure than I want to take on.  It has its quirks too, but all trailers are compromises.

Casita is still in the running, but I have not looked at one yet. (Not easy here).  I have heard that you need to do a fair amount of work on the interior to get them to NuCamp level of fit and comfort, especially the window covers.  But they do have a great reputation and like NuCamp, incredible customer loyalty.

I wish NuCamp made the 360 more like the 320 with a 320 kitchen and front window.  That would be sweet! The kitchen is a deal killer for me right now.  So much potential with the larger trailer, but I see how they want to give the things the first time buyer wants, like a huge refrigerator and large, complicated, windows.

I don't like the idea of one gray/black tank combo. That rules out InTech and most of the Airstream trailers I would be comfortable with.

Two separate beds are a must for wife and I.  That is one of the strengths of the 320 design.  The Casita and Escape options mean we will use the dinette for a bed and the double bed for one person and storage. 

Great thread. I hope it gets more input and maybe nudges NuCamp to offer a 360 size trailer has the 320 front end.

dsfdogs

@K_C_915 re the Escape 17B, have you looked at their website for owners that will show you theirs? Back in '22 I found one near me, submitted my request and connected with them. I even put a deposit down and then went to Chilliwack to see them in person. I loved the feel of the 17B, but it didn't solve enough of my pain points I had with my 320S (tiny kitchen, 3 way fridge, outside batteries, tiny bathroom), but the '23 400 did solve those issues. Their 19 in the showroom seemed HUGE compared to the 320 especially because it was lifted, but now it would be on my list if/when I move on from the 400.

K_C_915

@dsfdogs, Thanks sharing your Escape story.  I did find someone in Phoenix who shows his, but we could not connect this summer.  It would be a two hour drive for me to see it and I was starting to see some of the less desirable features you noted, especially the outside battery storage and tiny bathroom.  So I decided to hold off on Escape for now.  There may be an Escape 19 in my future if I decide to go with them.

The more I look around, the more I appreciate the design of the 320 for a small trailer.

Mickerly

If you like the 320, you may want to look at Cortez or Barefoot. Cortez is a start-up. Barefoot is a NuCamp product. Casita just released a 15ft trailer. I haven't seen it. The 17ft Casita has 5 floor plans. Many things have updated since 2021. Seeing an old Casita doesn't do justice to the newer models.

MuttonChops

It may well be approaching the point to Stop Trailer Daydreaming, find a new obsession.

Why?   Casita rigs have been very high on my next trailer list.
This past weekend I actually was in one (2021) and it was a mixed emotion event.

No question the Casita fiberglass construction is sound, clean, and while the interior cabins are basic they have a better than typical RV quality.  Plus Casita's use standard subsystems that are easy to repair/replace.  And gosh, the head room.  Yet, it felt so claustrophobic . . . perhaps the combination of all the overhead cabinets and window placement . . . my 320S feels more spacious (except for headroom).

It seems every trailer I enter my first reaction is how can this be adjusted to feel 320S like.  So maybe I should just stop daydreaming and continue enjoying the 320S.  Yes, I'd like more overall space but nüCamp seems set on cassette toilets (which don't work for me; i.e. 360**).

The original TAB design was near ideal and nüCamp's early year enhancements being positive . . . older window A/C, wet bath, Alde, older SeeLevel . . . I'm not so impressed with the last few years of enhancements.

Guess I need to up my maintenance schedule from the minimum functional to longer operating life level.

   Additional item. I was camping at a State Park with fairly large and well
   spaced sites. Yet, at 6AM I could hear several propane forced air furnaces
   roaring to life while my Alde circulation pump quietly spun letting me
   know the cabin would be comfy after a couple alarm snooze cycles.

     ** kitchen is an concern as well, while recent reviews note lower
         quality cabinet materials

K_C_915

The more I look around, the more I am impressed with how well NuCamp (and their predecessors) did with the available space in the 320.  Once you settle in, it does seem quite open and roomy.

With that said, to scratch my bigger trailer itch, I may look at a Casita soon.
@MuttonChops, thanks for your observations on it.  I can see it not seeming as open as the 320.

Disclaimer:  Love my 320S, There is Nothing Wrong with my 320S.