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Brand new T@B! What do we need to buy to get started?

one_lifeone_life Member Posts: 2
edited March 30 in Products and Accessories
We are picking up our 2024 T@B 320S in a week. We are first time RV owners - previous tent campers so we have all the camping gear. But it seems like we need quite a few accessories to get started with our trailer. Please help me with the list - this is what I came up with after meeting the "make ready" guy at our dealer: (and if you have specific suggestions on brands/models/where to source the following, that would be appreciated also. Looks like most items are available at Home Depot or Amazon)

Insect screen for Alde vent

25-50ft drinking water hose 

Propane hose 

Sewage hose

Fuse multi pack

Wheel chocks

Thank you!

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  • pthomas745pthomas745 Moderator Posts: 4,074
    edited March 30
    Welcome!  Camp first....(or, maybe practice in the driveway first)....buy later!  Tell us exactly what year your "new" trailer is?
    On your quick list there, the chocks and the sewer hose may be the only "I absolutely need these to get out on the very first day I own the trailer". 
    There are many threads about this sort of thing, and there are many thoughts.  Many things will be determined by how you like to camp.  I have a decent sized water hose, for example..but, since I rarely camp with "hookups" and mostly boondock, I rarely use it.  (Your mileage may vary!) PS: Put water pressure regulator on your list next to "hose".
    Are you familiar with the Victron app?  If your trailer has "installed solar" it is the App to use for battery and solar monitoring. Try to get a handle on exactly what battery setup your trailer has.  (You will be asked this!)
    So, if you have the luxury of a bit of time: camp in your driveway, and work things out.  You might be surprised how many of your tent camping items (and habits) transfer directly over to your trailer. 
    There are...many threads about this, and here is a quick search for "list of necessities".  If your trailer is "new", some of these items and comments may not be applicable to your year of trailer, so note the dates of the threads.  Lots of info!  Take your time, be patient, enjoy your new trailer! Ask questions!

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • NorthIsUpNorthIsUp Member Posts: 185
    Welcome. I never needed to replace a fuse (knock knock), but I do have some spares. Somewhere. Can't guide you on fuses, but someone will. You shouldn't need a propane hose. The TAB comes with one. Maybe the new Tabs come with a different model Alde, but my Alde 3020 didn't need a screen. Wait and see what it looks like when you get it. 

    What I did buy right away 6+ years ago and continue to maintain is:

    1. Sewage hose: Something similar to (good quality): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HPHR2M4 
    2. Water filter (CAMCO is a standard brand. Connect it to water hose): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006IX87S
    3. Wheel Chocks (The rope comes in handy): https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Wheel-Chock-Removal-Trailer/dp/B071KY2K37
    4. Levels (we went cheap and place them when needed on the frame): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EDSSDO I often forget about them and they like to get wet. Cheap to replace if lost. Walmart always has these. These are definitely needed. Walmart's item has two to the pack, so maybe a slightly better deal. 
    5. Sewage hose support (Keeps sewage hose lined up in a downward position): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BUU5WW
    6. RV Toilet Paper: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M2LCMQF
    7. Water hose. We started with regular water hoses and went to the much lighter and easier to manage flat hoses and never needed a longer one: (https://www.amazon.com/Camco-22577-Evoflex2-25-Drinking-Reinforced/dp/B09Z6X4RVV 
    8. 15amp Male to 30amp Female electrical adapter. Allows you to plug into standard household connector with you TAB electrical cable. A small indicator light lets you know when its working. Also helpful for using generators or many RV sites: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074ZP2CCC

    This should get you started. Maybe someone could suggest a sewer hose storage solution.
    Good luck. 
    Jean & Arnie  Nevada
    2019 T@B 400 BL
    2021 Toyota Sequoia 4WD

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  • one_lifeone_life Member Posts: 2
    Our new trailer is a 2024; I'll edit my post.

    pthomas, thanks so much for the link to previous threads. I have spent hours on this forum but didn't try to search on "necessities" which is a great keyword. I will peruse those threads for sure.
    And yes, we will camp at least one night in our driveway...then another in a park/campground within 30-60 minutes from home...then a weekend a bit farther, etc. 

    NorthIsUp, thanks for the very specific suggestions.  I've been adding items to my amazon "trailer" wishlist so you've given me some good options there.
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  • ckjsckjs Member Posts: 80
    …

    4. Levels (we went cheap and place them when needed on the frame): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EDSSDO I often forget about them and they like to get wet. Cheap to replace if lost. Walmart always has these. These are definitely needed. Walmart's item has two to the pack, so maybe a slightly better deal. 

    Many smartphones come with an app which includes a level.  On iOS it is called “Measure”. Android seems to have a Bubble Level app.
    Charles & Judy, Santa Cruz, CA
    2018 T@B 320 CS-S; Alde 3020; 4 cyl 2020 Subaru Outback Onyx XT
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  • elbolilloelbolillo Member Posts: 451
    one_life said:
    We are picking up our 2024 T@B 320S in a week. We are first time RV owners - previous tent campers so we have all the camping gear. But it seems like we need quite a few accessories to get started with our trailer. Please help me with the list - this is what I came up with after meeting the "make ready" guy at our dealer: (and if you have specific suggestions on brands/models/where to source the following, that would be appreciated also. Looks like most items are available at Home Depot or Amazon)

    Insect screen for Alde vent

    25-50ft drinking water hose 

    Propane hose 

    Sewage hose

    Fuse multi pack

    Wheel chocks

    Thank you!

    Insect screen? - Maybe we are in the minority but I don’t know what this would be useful for.
    Drinking water hose - we don’t drink the water from our fresh water tank. A 25’ hose is sufficing for filling the fresh water.
    propane hose? - not sure what this is
    Sewage hose - Yes
    Fuse multipack - Yes
    Chocks - Yes

    Don’t go wild purchasing anything. Take your time to figure out what is best for you and your specific circumstances.
    _____________________________________________________
    Ken / 2023 Tab 400 “La Bolita” (29,000+ miles) / 2024 Toyota Sequoia
    2025 - 1 Trip - 25 nights - 2 National Parks
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  • Bill&SuzeBill&Suze Member Posts: 94
    Welcome @one_life, perhaps you have in mind cooking/grilling outside with a Blackstone or other propane grille? For that, you would indeed need a propane hose to connect to the camper's quick connect gas port. Typical length is 12 feet and the cooking appliance needs to accommodate a low pressure supply which the camper provides. 

    We've been using a safety chain device to provide support for the chains so they don't hang way low https://www.fastwaytrailer.com/products/chain-up/. It's handy for also supporting the camper's emergency brake cable which also hung uncomfortably low on our T@B 400.

    I installed a number of standard clothing hooks in several places on open wall areas to hang raincoats, hats, jackets, the dog leash, dish towels, etc. You will think of a number of such add-ons as you develop your style of living in the new camper. 
    Enjoy!
    Susan & Bill, Yarmouth, Maine
    2024 T@B 400 Boondock Black Canyon
    2024 Kia EV9
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  • Gomers2Gomers2 Member Posts: 37
    edited March 31
    Depending on where you camp you might want to consider a coupler lock. We often leave the trailer at a campsite and head out in the tow vehicle for long periods. It's not true prevention, but it is deterrence. I don't think it's common that people have their trailers stolen but it's certainly a possibility unfortunately.
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  • SlackersSlackers Member Posts: 480
    I believe the Alde screen is used to keep mud daubers from nesting in the combo inlet/outlet vent on the side of the Tab.
    You probably want to do what's suggested above to camp a few times to figure out what you need for your type of camping.
    Also don't get carried away buying fancy accessories when simpler items will do. For example we bought a curved wedge leveler system when a home-made step ramp (made from left-over deck board scraps) works just fine.
    2019 Tab 320 CSS, 2019 Ranger TV, OH
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  • MarcelineMarceline Member Posts: 1,623
    Depending on where you're planning to camp you might want to get some leveling blocks.
    San Francisco Bay Area
    2013 CS-S us@gi
    2015 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab
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  • Gomers2Gomers2 Member Posts: 37
    Definitely agree with camping before you buy a bunch of junk, but yeah you need some basic leveling blocks ( we like the big Lego looking ones) and the 15a to 30a plug adapter. This little item is not necessary at all,  but I find it really useful and it works well, it was a gift from our dealer
    https://a.co/d/gUdy3cs
    Mopeka propane tank monitor 

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  • ColleenD2ColleenD2 Member Posts: 513
    Not sure what the locks are like these days but we love our RV door lock
    https://www.rvlock.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=1745881381&utm_content=72137220127&utm_term=lock%20for%20rv&gadid=392436796770&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD3HUOqNEZqK-eNh4kg_wP0p1Yn_A&gclid=Cj0KCQjwna6_BhCbARIsALId2Z3Eo1mN4AX9urHOFXq1V3qRVkgaD_wn8xdDKqaL08TvlcbKC8sJ36kaAthyEALw_wcB

    The best hitch lock on the market is from Proven. They haven't lost a camper yet. Best thing we ever bought I'd say.
    https://www.provenlocks.com/

    The Anderson Leveler is pure magic, you just drive on up until it's level and then chock it.
    https://andersenhitches.com/product/camper-leveler/

    We also use their stabilizers.
    https://andersenhitches.com/product/trailer-jack-block/

    We mostly stay at state parks so have never used our sewer hose. We have a fresh water hose with a water pressure regulator.

    Progressive Industries EMS, not just the surge protector, either built in or attach to the pole. This has saved our bacon over and over and over with these aging state parks.






    2019 Custom T@B 320 U Boondock Lite-ish
    Custom Colors & Custom Interior
    We've slept in 34 states, 2 countries & counting
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