CoolCat AC on a TAB T16 2007

photoalex

Hello,
I bought 2 days ago a new T@B Dutchmen T16 2007 never used before. It was stored in a heated garage for 11 years. 

I was surprised that there's no cover included for the CoolCat AC when we're on the road. Is it normal ? Has anyone had bad experience with water infiltration or made some modification to protect their unit. 

Also, I'm new to owning a trailer. Feel free to give me any advice for my T@B 2007.

Thank you! 

rfuss928

Many folks with the DM T@Bs made covers for the AC opening.  The enclosure should be weather tight without any additional cover but, like you, many felt wind blown rain and spray from other vehicles was a potential problem.

There are several suggestions and examples in the files and photos of the Yahoo T@B forum.  A very good resource for the DM T@Bs in general.

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/tabtrailers/info

Congratulations - what a wonderful find!

Have fun!

Bob

photoalex

rfuss928 It's a great idea. I'll probably end up making one this fall in plexi-glass.

Sharon_is_SAM

Wow, lucky you!  Take some pictures and share, please.  You will find more info on Dutchman Tabs in the Yahoo group, but you still came to a great place to learn about the Tab.  Take a look through the categories on the left of the page (if you are on a tablet or phone, turn it sideways to locate the Category column).  Make use of the Search box at the top.  The list of hits that come up also include pictures.  Another method of searching for info is:

site:tab-rv.vanillaforums.com  

So if searching for Dutchman tabs:   Dutchman:tab-rv.vanillaforums.com

Welcome and good luck!

Mouseketab

I have a 2007 Dutchmen Clamshell and like many others, I made a plexiglass cover for my CoolCat vent also. Just make sure to take it off before cranking up the CoolCat!!

I also saw someone that made a cover that was on a hinge on the top with a latch to hold it up, and they somehow wired it so that CoolCat would not come on unless the cover was flipped up.

Mouseketab

A couple of other newbie tips for a Dutchmen.

Never, ever, ever, drive with the brake handle up.

You need to replace the tires right away. Even though never used they are 11 years old. They are low profile car tires.

Get a bungee cord and loop it around the center post and hook it to the jockey wheel for travel.

Get a standard automotive grease gun and add grease to the surge brake mechanism. It's been sitting for 11 years. The grease gun "nipples" are under the tongue.

Lower the table for travel.

Keep the shades and screens open for travel. The little tabs that hold them closed are fragile and can fly up and break on the road.

Get a water pressure reducer for your fresh water hose (if you have a city water connection)

Mouseketab

For your entrance step, get an aluminum "Safety Step" www.safetystep.net. It is the most lightweight stable step around.  

Many of us use a BAL tire leveler for leveling side to side.

Also NuCamp keeps in stock for us Dutchmen owners the following parts unique to our frames:

Sealed bearings, brakes, jockey wheel parts, door handle parts, corner steady parts (stabilizers).

Another thing you might want to get is a set of shocks.   You need the green ones.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AL-KO-shock-absorbers-OCTAGON-green/312189737954?epid=1050151315&hash=item48aff55be2:g:5ZsAAOSwrTVbSzfQ&_sacat=0&_nkw=Al-Ko+Green+Shocks&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313

dragonsdofly

@Mouseketab, wow, Carol, that list is great!

Sharon_is_SAM

Carol - our designated Dutchman Pro!  We don’t need no Yahoo group!

photoalex

@Mouseketab Thank you Carol for all this information. It's very much appreciated.
I already changed the propane tank, the battery, the smoke and Carbon monoxide detector and I only owned it for 4 days. 

I'll certainly make a cover this Fall for my CoolCat AC but I'll just leave it like that for now to enjoy the T@B this summer.  I don't have direct water entrance right now, it's one of the options I'm looking to add this Fall. Since my water tank is down the cabinet, I'm also trying to find a way to be able to fill the tank without having to empty my closet to remove the tank each time. It's only 5 gallons... 

My T@B came with a sound system which sounds terrible. I'm debating if I should just replace the speakers that are under the back of the storage compartment with better ones, or reposition them above the cabinet lights, however with smaller speakers. 

Finally, I'll need to add new silicone around some parts of the T@B. Do you know what brand and where I could find the exact same color as I have right now (gray). 

Last question, how many "nipples" are under the tongue for greasing the surge brakes? I located two of them, am I correct? 

Thank you again for your help,

Mouseketab

Yes, two nipples

As far as the sound system. My T@B came with an undermount TV hooked into the speakers and 12V. That did sound terrible. I replaced the undermount TV with a newer undermount TV (digital), and seperated it from the speakers and 12V. It just plugs into 110. I then installed a car stereo (AM/FM/XM/CD) in the space above the closet using the speaker wires, 12V and antenna connection. It sounds a bit better and the TV even on it's own small speakers sounds 100% better. Replacing the speakers is and has been on my list, but it hasn't been a really high priority.

I can imagine the 5 gallon tank is a pain under the closet. I have a clamshell so the tank is in a kitchen cabinet. My T@B is a very late 2007, so it does have a city water connection.

Sorry, I can't advise on the silicone. My trailer is white, so I've used clear or white silicone for any resealing.

rfuss928

One of the best modifications I made early on was replacing the removable 5 gallon jug with a permanent 11 gallon tank and outside fill port.   MIne is in a CS but I have seen posts of the same done to inside kitchen models.

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/tabtrailers/photos/albums/2028945377

Have fun!

Bob