2008 T@b: To Buy or Not to Buy

imacfrog

Considering buying a 2008 loaded T@b in very good condition but I have a concern about the availability of finding parts for it. Can anybody offer me any guidance on this issue. Thanks for your time and efforts.

rfuss928

RV parts are generally universal and interchangeable.  Brakes and bearings are unique to other 2004 - 2009 T@Bs and available from a few US suppliers.  NuCamp stocks many parts for the earlier T@Bs
Parts will not be a problem.

dragonsdofly

@imacfrog, the t@b you are looking at was manufactured by Dutchman, not by the current producer, NuCamp. However I seem to recall something about NuCamp acquiring inventory from Dutchman when the rights were purchased. Please contact Elsie @NuCamp as she would know if certain replacement parts are available, and if not, may have a list of sources from the previous manufacturer. Check the categories column to the left of your screen for contact numbers. Good luck on your parts quest, and much success in the venture of t@b ownership. Welcome to the forum.

Gavin

I recently purchased a 2008 and had no problem. NU Camp had anything I needed. You'll love the simplicity of the Dutchman! Go for it!

ChanW

Also, keep in mind that the Tab Yahoo group tends to have many more pre-LittleGuy Tab owners in the discussions, so you might ask over there. They are at:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/tabtrailers/conversations/messages

TABaker

2018 will be my 9th season with my Dutchmen T@B, and I love her more every day.

irvingj

We had a 2004 and loved it (since sold). Just be sure to check the floor to ensure that it's solid. The DM T@Bs had an unfortunate history of the floor becoming spongy, most likely due to water intrusion. It is fixable --quite a few different methods have been used-- but is rather involved. OTOH, we really loved its simplicity, and it is quite a bit lighter than newer models, so easier to tow; I used a 2005 VW TDI wagon.

BigBlue

We have a 2007 T@B and couldn't be happier - we love the simplicity and functional space (ours has a lot of countertop space).

Catspaw

New guy here.
I was looking at some T@B with a couple of used ones on the lot, a 2009, Dutchman manufacture, U model. 
I've been researching, and have some questions that I didn't know to ask before I started researching.

Does this model have the Kerbal channels for awnings and such? 

Is a 3 way fridge standard? I didn't think to ask, just assumed it was. 

The dealer claimed the 320U model was no longer being made. True or not? 

The U model looked to be exactly what we want, nothing fancy. 

He was asking 10,900 for it which seems a little bit high for me, after looking at whats out there. But it is "dealer price". 

Thanks!

Catspaw

Addendum, it's advertised as a 2008 model year, not 2009. He was remembering off the top of his head. The plate says June 2007. 

imacfrog

So we bought the 2008 and could not be more excited to take it on an adventure. Thanks for all your feedback.

jgram2

Congratulations @imacfrog! And we can't wait for the photos!

Do you have any answers for @Catspaw? Like the 3way fridge or awning channels? Do you even have it home yet?

irvingj

Our 2004 (might have been a 2005 "model year") had the three-way Nor-Cold. I do believe that was standard.

That price does sound high; I asked $6000 for ours (sold for $5500, IIRC), which I believe was about par, maybe a tad lower than I could have gotten for it. Ours also had the Cool Cat heat pump, a propane furnace, and a small microwave. Ours was not equipped wit the Keeder (sp?) rails, but apparently some were.

.... If you get the impression I still miss it...you're right!  imacfrog, congratulations! Yer gonna love it!

Catspaw

I found an option for large pictures on the dealer site. It has a norcold 3 way fridge, and a cool cat heat pump. 
We're gonna go over sometime today for a peek in the window inspection. 
Now that I've done some research, I have a better idea of what to look for.