What do you consider to be your "Most Valuable" trailer mod?

Mouseketab

Ratkity said:

TerryV6 said:

I haven't seen any comments about having an exterior door added to access stuff under the bench.  I know some people had it done at the previous gatherings by the company.  We rarely lift the back up inside, preferring leaving our twin beds set up .  I was thinking it could be used for quick access.  I saw some listed for 40 bucks but I'd have figure out how to get it installed.  

Mouseketab did that, but she has an older (maybe Dutchman) model. I might add a very well-loved and blue-mousie model! I think it accessed the area under the bed (no Alde if memory serves me right). 

Yes, I did. I was chicken. I took it to a local dealer and had them cut a hole in my T@B. and yes, no Alde.

TAB320CS_14141

Raschko

Bed slats and inside led bug zapper.

jgram2

 @TAB320CS_14141 That’s one beautiful table top! May I ask how you configure the T@B to sleep?

TAB320CS_14141

Table lies flat where slats used to go. Legs store in under bench storage.

Tundra57

For me on my Tab 400 it was stiffening the unadjustable Froli springs on my bed with help from Froli USA and adding a memory foam topper, the wireless backup camera and led reversing lamps.

VictoriaP

Adding the Purpleline trailer mover, no question. Second most useful was a grab bar in the wet bath, makes it so much easier to get in and out of the tiny bath on the 320.

BrianZ

The grab handle in the wet bath is definitely near the top of our list too, not only for getting in/out of the bathroom, but for getting up/down from sitting/standing position.

However, we also rely most on our bluetooth leveler, as well as Dale Helman's drill-drive bolt idea for the tongue jack, plus his leveling jacks (reinforced) that can lift a wheel off the ground if needed.  Downsizing our table is a big one too, as is the wire shelf across the back, & the fan speed control.  My list of mods has grown to 84 in the last 2.5 yrs, so there are many we depend on, and it's hard to choose just one or even a few to call most valuable.

And it can change too..  If we are boondocking, then having a solar panel, charge controller, battery monitor & a larger golf cart battery become most valuable.

The one that gives me the most simple pleasure (as opposed to valuable for making a task easier) is having an old fashioned bottle opener mounted on the inside door handle (with a trashcan mounted under it) for use both inside & out - always there for one-handed operation & no having to get out my Swiss Army knife.

Hoogie69

Sooo, I’ve searched the forums but haven’t seen anything regarding swapping out the bathroom door in a T@B 400 (a 2022, in my case) with an accordion style door.  We travel with our 81 lb. Australian Cobberdog and I’m looking to reduce the door incursion into the walking area in front of the stove/refrigerator.  He tends to settle down in the middle of the walkway making it a pain to move him to get into the head.  Has anyone done this? How did you do it and what door did you use?

YanniLazarus

Custom mahogany/ stainless steel rack: 

bubbazanetti

YanniLazarus said:

Custom mahogany/ stainless steel rack: 

I’d love to hear and learn more about this! Weight distribution etc. Attractive design! Looks almost nautical! 

AnOldUR

@YanniLazarus yours looks so much better than mine, but I agree, our rack is on the top of our most valuable mods.

YanniLazarus

bubbazanetti said:

YanniLazarus said:

Custom mahogany/ stainless steel rack: 

I’d love to hear and learn more about this! Weight distribution etc. Attractive design! Looks almost nautical! 

Definitely the hardest mod for me to date, but I do love it. I'd be happy to share my template and the details. Only the two outer mahogany rails bear on the roof - and spread the load evenly on 3 aluminum framing members. The other mahogany rails are just stiffeners.  I'd put two 6v agm batteries in the front tub and was looking for a way to reduce tongue weight. All the fasteners are hidden behind the speakers. 

bubbazanetti

I’m going to give it some thought, and very much appreciate your offer to assist. The reality is that my capenterFu is not amazing! 

BTW. AGM batteries are very heavy as you know. Lithium are much lighter but pricy. I just saw a review of this amazing 100ah. Excellent price - below $400 and some wonderful features.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40Jqb38qPcM

bergger

The first mod we did was just a few days before we actually got the trailer! I sold this to my wife as a trailer mod since it can be attached to the trailer! It's for safety and comfort!  She agreed.  But I'd have to say the most valuable real mod we have done to our 400 was the Victron Smart Shunt.  But the truck looks better than a smart shunt. 

Slackers

Moved the spare tire from underneath the rear of the trailer to the tongue jack.  The factory location resulted in it scraping our lawn when pulling out and backing into our side yard parking location.  It also put a bit more weight on the tongue for better towing behavior.

gande

We’ve made various modifications to our 2018 T@b400 but my wife thinks this is the one she considers most useful:

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/8297/improved-drawer-storage#latest 

Denny16

There have been several similar drawer mods described here.  Great mod @gande

fstop32

I've done a lot of work on my 2015 320 but if I had to pic a "best mod for livability/functionality" it would be ditching the stock table/bed platform and installing a Lagun mount with a custom hinged wings table top.  Since we found it easier to jockey for bathroom position by sleeping each to a side we no longer needed any platform to fill the middle.  The table top has all the maneuverability that comes with a Lagun mount.  With the hinged wings folded out we have a sizable dining table and if we want more bench room for tv watching we can fold the wings up which cuts the table size in half but leaves plenty of room for snacks and beverages.  At night we swing it around with the wings up and it becomes a very handy bedside table between our bunks.  This leaves the floor clear for trips to the head and leaves space in front of the kitchen for the 75lb GSD who appreciates not getting stepped on in the middle of the night 

Yoshi_TAB

Hi, 

This hinged rear seat mod has been around for a while, but I never have seen it on the newer TABs with the split rear seats. I'm sure its been done.  Reposting for those not aware.  

Allows for front and easier access to rear under seat storage.  Raise back support works in all positions.

I also did not weld the pieces as others have.  I used T-huts and short 1/2 inch flat head screws.  I  have not done it yet, but I plan to loc tite the screws.  If you look up the mod, the dimensions for the longer flat metal support is not correct (at least for my 2021).  Some of the other mods of the same kind also discuss the need to carve out some of the wood on the bottom of the seat.  I made no changes to the OEM hinge or seat.  Just bolted everything together and it works great.  The only tools I used was a hack saw to cut the flat metal bar to length and a drill for the holes.

Kevin_K

We have a memory foam mattress on our bed, but my wife was tired of having to use her head to keep the storage lid open to get stuff out of the area. So I put a 3/4 inch copper pipe over the strut to use as a brace. Just need to slide back over the body for the lid to go back down.

rfuss928

Kevin_K said:

We have a memory foam mattress on our bed, but my wife was tired of having to use her head to keep the storage lid open to get stuff out of the area. So I put a 3/4 inch copper pipe over the strut to use as a brace. Just need to slide back over the body for the lid to go back down.

I thought the strut was supposed to hold the lid open?

Kevin_K

Not when you have extra weight on it, or it fails.

Tabnero

replacement of the side seat cushion with a firmer higher quality foam. This took away the dip experience 

hammerstone

Replacing the factory table with the Lagun table.

vshumate

Yoshi_TAB said:

Hi, 

This hinged rear seat mod has been around for a while, but I never have seen it on the newer TABs with the split rear seats. I'm sure its been done.  Reposting for those not aware.  

Allows for front and easier access to rear under seat storage.  Raise back support works in all positions.

I also did not weld the pieces as others have.  I used T-huts and short 1/2 inch flat head screws.  I  have not done it yet, but I plan to loc tite the screws.  If you look up the mod, the dimensions for the longer flat metal support is not correct (at least for my 2021).  Some of the other mods of the same kind also discuss the need to carve out some of the wood on the bottom of the seat.  I made no changes to the OEM hinge or seat.  Just bolted everything together and it works great.  The only tools I used was a hack saw to cut the flat metal bar to length and a drill for the holes.

Is it necessary to use metal piece?  Couldn't say hard plastic be used?  In my mind there is not much pressure put on those metal pieces in either position.  Thanks

sportcoupe

Yoshi_TAB said:

Hi, 

This hinged rear seat mod has been around for a while, but I never have seen it on the newer TABs with the split rear seats. I'm sure its been done.  Reposting for those not aware.  

Allows for front and easier access to rear under seat storage.  Raise back support works in all positions.

I also did not weld the pieces as others have.  I used T-huts and short 1/2 inch flat head screws.  I  have not done it yet, but I plan to loc tite the screws.  If you look up the mod, the dimensions for the longer flat metal support is not correct (at least for my 2021).  Some of the other mods of the same kind also discuss the need to carve out some of the wood on the bottom of the seat.  I made no changes to the OEM hinge or seat.  Just bolted everything together and it works great.  The only tools I used was a hack saw to cut the flat metal bar to length and a drill for the holes.

Where can I find more info on the TAB 320 rear seat hinge mod? I have the newer split seat (2023 TAB 320 BD).

AnOldUR

"Most valuable" should imply a monetary gain. All of my mods have cost me money. Some more than others.

DaveC

Hands down: Quattro Trailer Mover.  I am 78 years old and can park/store my 400 with no assistance. 

Binghi

“Most Valuable” if you’re talking heat gain: