New T@B (finally) here!

HR_Taly

Well, it's been a very long journey!  I'm taking on a solo two year project in the United States which will have me on an 7,000 mile trip each year, full-timing in my T@B 320 S, to various US states. 

I started planning this adventure when I heard about this opportunity over three years ago, and originally found the Safari Alto (made in Canada). I was on the wait list for an Alto for 18 months, then pushed it back a bit due to my plans, and then 4 months before I was due to pick it up stumbled across a youtube clip of the T@B.  I have no idea how my research didn't come up with these - I had originally discounted them three years ago because I thought they didn't have a shower and a toilet.  D'oh!

What was this, I wondered, from that video? WOW! A bit more research and the T@B (320 Max S) looked perfect.  It was a bit heavier than the Alto, but thousands cheaper and even smaller (that is actually a benefit for me!). Not to mention, made in the US so no hassle with importing in from Canada or issues trying to tax, title or insure it (all of these things have been done with Altos, but it's not overly easy).  Sight unseen, I called my dealer in Canada to discuss - he jumped all over the fact I might have been wavering on the purchase even after paying a large deposit and being on the wait list for so long.  His wife had wanted one with exactly my specification and so we ended up reaching a nice accommodation.

I endlessly researched T@B dealers to find one that would provide the best service and, in November, flew over to the US from Ireland to visit some and view a T@B in person.  I selected a dealer, we agreed on a price and an April delivery, and I flew back.

I'll not spend a lot of time about the dealer, but needless to say they kept pushing my delivery date from April to May (so I could get the new factory installed solar panel option which was available from 1 May 2017 on which was completely understandable).  But then it went from May... to June... to July, while I was in the US had to stay in hotels and Airbnbs.  When they said it was ready, I traveled nearly 1,000 miles round trip to collect it only to return empty handed as the solar hadn't been put on and none of my mods were done.  I ended up in a struggle between the dealer and the factory to have the solar and the two mods done that still weren't done.  Luckily, the following week things were (mostly) done (another long story!) and I made the trip again to collect it.

What can I say so far about the T@B itself after a few weeks?  Absolutely fantastic! Everything has worked perfectly to date.  Like many other new owners, I was a bit worried.  Would my fridge work?  Would my water be air locked?  Would my brake controller work? Would the hitch get stuck? I was reassured I'd have a support team of other owners here if any of that did happen, but was very happy that everything (touch wood!) seems to be working just fine! Woo!

So - Introducing TadT@B.  Named after Tad, my fat black cat I had for 14 years that had such a personality and was so loveable.  I miss him to this day, and thought maybe, with the names so similar (Tad and T@B), maybe this last minute-ish change of caravans had been meant to be.

2018 T@B 320 Max S

Factory Installed Options:

* Solar Package (150w roof mounted)

* MaxxAir Fan 6200K Fan (shipped to factory and installed on production line)

Dealer Installed Options:

* Victron BMV-700 Battery Monitor with Bluetooth dongle (ended up being installed at factory)

* Airhead Composting Toilet

Personal Installed Options:

* Dual 6v batteries 

* RV Lock Vi3 keyless lock

As soon as I get some better internet service, I'll post a bit more about the new factory installed option for solar panels and the solar controller they are using, the composting toilet, dual battery installation and keyless lock in separate threads for those that might be interested.

Many thanks to all the forum contributors over the years that have helped me make what I feel was a very good decision, and feel very comfortable making it!

jgram2

@HR_Taly Welcome! I believe the Badge Committee needs to consider creating a Perseverance and Determination Badge and award it to you! Here's hoping at least 1of your two 7000 mile trips takes you to Sugar Creek Ohio for the next nüCamp rally. You could meet many adventurous T@Bers, some of whom helped make your TaDT@B the wonderful home it is with their modifications and suggestions.

Sharon_is_SAM

Congratulations!  You must be their first composting toilet install, no?

rkj__

Your trailer has lots of cool options.  I'm sure you will enjoy it. 

It's impressive how much better these little T@bs get each model year.  My trailer is a 2016, and it seems like a ton has changed already on the 2018s.

BirdieJane

Ok must see the toilet install and solar. Welcome to Tabing, we are new since March, and are very happy!!!

2Cougs

@HR_Taly- welcome to you and T@dT@b!  Here is to many wonderful T@bventures!

jkjenn

Congrats and good luck! Your toilet will draw lots of intrigue, for sure.

jkjenn

Would also live to gear about
 Your keyless lock install.

Sharon_is_SAM

Curious where they installed your Victron shunt.

ericnliz

Welcome, and congrats! Many happy adventures await you, have fun!

Homebodyatheart

@HR_Taly Congratulations! You've worked hard and waited patiently a long time to make this happen! I look forward to stories and pics if you can. Also, let T@b folks know when you are traveling through each State so people can meet up with you along your way. Have great adventures and safe travels!

Haloo

HR_Taly, is there a reason you chose the Airhead over another brand of composting toilet (e.g. Nature's Head)?

HR_Taly

Hi @Haloo,

Yep, I went with the Airhead over their competitors for a number of reasons.  My situation may vary from yours, but maybe this will help:

(1) The size.  Airhead makes a "marine size" which is slightly smaller and can be installed flush against the wall.  In a wetbath the size of the T@B, every inch saved is a blessing! I do have to say the toilet fits great.

(2) Speaking of size... the liquids container in the Airhead can be removed without lifting the top of the toilet. It basically just slides out.  With the Nature's Head, you have to lift the top portion which means you need to leave space behind the toilet to allow for the lid to lift. 

(3) Speaking of that liquids container... the container for the Airhead is opaque, and you can't see through it (I can shine a flashlight at it to see how full it is though).  The Nature's head is translucent.  I like the fact people don't know what I'm carrying when I'm going to dump the liquids tank.  I'd feel in the Nature's Head it would be pretty obvious!

(4) The Airhead has rubber gaskets and seals around everything.  Since I also shower in my wetbath, I like the fact this helps keep everything dry (the compost especially!).  The Nature's Head doesn't have rubber gaskets and seals.

(5) The fan in the Airhead is in a housing that is near the end of the vent hose (where it goes outside), the Nature's Head is in a housing connected to the toilet.  Again, because I have a very small wetbath, I thought having the power run to the fan in a dry area would be better.

There's probably a few others but that's everything off the top of my head.  I didn't really consider the C-Head because it doesn't use a vent fan and I'm not really sure how effective that would be.  There's absolutely no odour from my toilet, and I'd say that has a good bit to do with that tiny fan (which also draws in air to help the compost). Every other system was just too big, or needed major electricity (I mostly boondock), or even more expensive (I can't remember the name, but I saw a system that works like a diaper genie/litter locker that was very neat... but those bags would get expensive and generate a huge amount of environmental trash!).

If there was a system you were thinking of, let me know as I've likely researched it and would be happy to share my thoughts!  

Haloo

Thanks!  Great response! I think we will go with the Airhead for all the reasons you mentioned. 

TabberJohn

Airhead install video and FAQs mentions: "Tank needs assisted venting 24 hours a day."
How does that work in a T@B? How many amps does the fan draw?

HR_Taly

The fan is a small fan - similar to what's in a desktop computer.  The draw is only .1A, so it's not a noticeable draw at all, really.  I have mine wired directly to the battery.  My parents live on their boat and they've got a small vent cap that has a little solar panel on it and use that to provide power to their fan (they also have a composting toilet on board).   

Librarydragon

Congratulations!

Haloo

HR_Taly said:

The fan is a small fan - similar to what's in a desktop computer.  The draw is only .1A, so it's not a noticeable draw at all, really.  I have mine wired directly to the battery.  My parents live on their boat and they've got a small vent cap that has a little solar panel on it and use that to provide power to their fan (they also have a composting toilet on board).   

I'm going to do the install myself. My dealer is reluctant to do it. Where did your dealer vent the Airhead to the outside?  Did they have to cut a new hole?

Hmmmm....mind giving me the name of your dealer?  Maybe they'd be willing to answer a question or two if I get stuck.

Are you getting used to managing the Airhead?

That's four questions and you probably haven't had coffee yet. Sorry about that. 

IrishCamper74

Very nice!
What is written around your celtic knot? 

HR_Taly

Haloo said:

I'm going to do the install myself. My dealer is reluctant to do it. Where did your dealer vent the Airhead to the outside?  Did they have to cut a new hole?

@Haloo - we routed the airhead vent to the black tank vent, which in my opinion has worked out very well.  It's easy to make sure the fan is still running as you can feel the air flow from the outside.  Here's a quick picture from the inside of the storage access behind the toilet in my 2018 T@B 320:



Hmmmm....mind giving me the name of your dealer?  Maybe they'd be willing to answer a question or two if I get stuck.

My dealer - after flights specifically to the US to find one that was comfortable with my modifications and having them sign off on everything 6 months in advance of delivery, jerked me around terribly costing me over two months of delay and thousands in hotel costs and lost work, not to mention trying to get me to drive off because "I had a functioning toilet"  (some of that is detailed above)- let's just say I don't think they'd answer any questions and I can't recommend them at all, it was horribly disappointing. Had I known I would have selected another dealer or just done the install myself. The service guy who finally did the install was great, though, I do have to say that.

Are you getting used to managing the Airhead?

It's no problem managing it, like I said I'm used to it as my parents have one, too. I have one because I boondock for extended periods of time in one location and simply needed a longer way to go between hooking up and driving around creation looking for a dump site since the black tank is so (relatively) small. I also solo, so I can go quite a while between dumping the liquid or the solid container. No odour, no bugs, no issues at all so far!   

That's four questions and you probably haven't had coffee yet. Sorry about that. 

No problem at all!  You are reminding me I really need to get on a separate post with a write up about it!

HR_Taly

IrishCamper74 said:

Very nice!
What is written around your celtic knot? 

Hi @IrishCamper74

It's the logo of our group in Ireland for a game we play called Ingress - it's sort of like a cross between geocaching and capture the flag and is played by millions worldwide. I've seen reports on T@Bs stolen and heard it really helps out if you have it personalised so on a lark I had the logo printed up and put it on.

There are two factions (the Resistance and the Enlightened) in the game and we play as the Resistance.  So we are Friotaíocht na hÉireann or the Irish Resistance. 

Haloo

@HR_Taly, thanks!  The venting part of the install was my biggest concern.  Your description and photo takes care of that.  I think I can pretty easily handle the install now.  I’ll be doing the install after picking it up from a dealer far from home.  So I’m lining up as much info as I can before we pick up the T@B.

My wife and I plan to do a lot of boon docking. The Airhead should help us stay out longer.

Interesting about personalizing the T@B to discourage theft.  Kind of makes sense.  Now I’ll have to consider how to make ours distinctive without going too far with it.  I’ve always liked to fly under the radar.

Thanks again!

IrishCamper74

Ingress sounds really fun! I'll have to look into that; my husband would also definitely be interested. We geocached a few years back, before the invention of smart phones (printed out coordinates on Map Quest & off we went!). I'd like to get back into it. 
Good to know about the personalized 'tag', something to add to my tab for sure.

Safe travels on your trip; sounds like a great adventure ahead. 






HR_Taly said:

IrishCamper74 said:

Very nice!
What is written around your celtic knot? 

Hi @IrishCamper74

It's the logo of our group in Ireland for a game we play called Ingress - it's sort of like a cross between geocaching and capture the flag and is played by millions worldwide. I've seen reports on T@Bs stolen and heard it really helps out if you have it personalised so on a lark I had the logo printed up and put it on.

There are two factions (the Resistance and the Enlightened) in the game and we play as the Resistance.  So we are Friotaíocht na hÉireann or the Irish Resistance. 

2Cougs

@HR_Taly- Love your graphic!  We agree that personalizing them is partly for insurance so they can be identified if stolen... and partly just because it is fun!