New Tab 400 BDL owners

jameskuzman · August 2020

Our first tow vehicle for our 400 was a Volkswagen Atlas with the V6 and factory tow package, rated to pull 5,000 pounds with a 500-pound tongue weight. The payload was within a couple of hundred pounds of maximum with the 400 attached, but we travel light and were within all of the rated specs. Power-wise, it pulled well. We never experienced sway or got blown around by passing trucks.

The biggest issue at first was rear sag which was just enough to affect headlight alignment. I was going to remedy that with some airbags (which, for the record lift the back end but do not have any effect on weight distribution nor do they stretch any towing maximums). Before I got them installed, we towed in some heavy rains one day and while off-the-line traction was just fine, the steering felt dodgy in the rain - like there wasn't enough weight on the steer axle. It was not a comfortable feeling.

Since the VW cannot accept a weight-distribution hitch, we ultimately decided to move up to a 1/2 ton truck that I spec'ed out specifically for towing. It's a night-and-day difference, and it sets us up for the future if we ever decide we want a larger camper.

The Atlas as a wonderful daily driver. It was well-appointed, very comfortable, had a useable third row of seats for actual adults, and with the seats folded down had a massive cargo area. It just didn't inspire enough confidence with the 400 in wet conditions.

This experience taught me two things: First, just because the math works doesn't ensure a safe, comfortable towing experience. Second, I should have just bought the truck in the first place; I would have saved me money.

Denny16 · August 2020

A TV like the VW Atlas is grand for a smaller TaB320 type trailer, but on the edge for larger units like the TaB400. As you discovered it is more than on paper specifications, it is how the overall performance works out on the road.

Having the TV rear end drop to the point it takes the TV out of level is not good, as you discovered, this reduces the steering ability of the TV with too much weight on the rear axle compared to the front axle. This is why in addition to total cargo weight a vehicle can have, you have the rear and front axle rating, which also needs to be considered when selecting a TV.
cheers.

TresK3 · August 2020

We finally decided on a 2017 Dodge Durango with only 25K miles on it. It's AWD and has the "Tow Package IV" which rates it at 6200 lbs (620 lbs tongue weight). We'll see how it works in practice. The shorter wheel base should be helpful in my back driveway.

Deb55 · August 2020

So about this T@B 450--imaginary, or really in the works?

DougH · August 2020

@Deb55 ; Imaginary for now. But we can hope. Many of us with 320s like some of the comforts of the 400s, but why not a few feet longer. Some styling from the Avia, but half ton pickup or large SUV towable. Bigger tanks, better insulation, larger battery bank, more solar, DC compressor fridge, and super reliable with a great warranty. Under $45k? There's a few threads on the forum with everybody's wish lists.

dsfdogs · August 2021

TresK3 said:

We finally decided on a 2017 Dodge Durango with only 25K miles on it. It's AWD and has the "Tow Package IV" which rates it at 6200 lbs (620 lbs tongue weight). We'll see how it works in practice. The shorter wheel base should be helpful in my back driveway.

@TresK3 now that it's been a year since purchasing the Durango, how do you like it? Thanks!

Denny16 · August 2021

DougH said:

@Deb55 ; Imaginary for now. But we can hope. Many of us with 320s like some of the comforts of the 400s, but why not a few feet longer. Some styling from the Avia, but half ton pickup or large SUV towable. Bigger tanks, better insulation, larger battery bank, more solar, DC compressor fridge, and super reliable with a great warranty. Under $45k? There's a few threads on the forum with everybody's wish lists.

Doug, we didn’t quite get a larger TaB450, but got several of our upgrades in the new 2022 TaB400. Whilst it is the same size, and didn’t get bigger tanks or a cassette toilet option, it did get a new better insulated one piece non-laminated, no plywood industrial type floor, lithium ready battery charger and option for 200-amps of lithium batteries, new compressor fridge, and can be towed by 1/2-ton truck and larger SUVs, as well as some mid size trucks.
cheers

jkuang · August 2021

Anyone looked at Nissan Pathfinder for towing? It has 6000lb of towing capacity.

RFraer · August 2021

jkuang said:

Anyone looked at Nissan Pathfinder for towing? It has 6000lb of towing capacity.

This type vehicle will do fine for towing the 400 in most conditions but it depends on how you are going to use your camper? I f you generally camp within a 10 hour drive of your home, don’t tow in the mountains much and are willing to wait out high wind warnings it will probable be fine. If you drive for multiple days in a row, tow in the mountains or find yourself towing in high winds you will probably miss having more power and a longer wheel base.

dlb · September 2021

There is tow capacity, then there is power. If the tow capacity is solved by vehicle specs so much the better. Then comes power. What can the engine do for you…. Where do you tow, flat land low elevation, hills, mountains, elevations over 4-5,000 feet? That is where power comes in… HP, torque, turbos…. All are important. Turbos help for smaller engines at elevation, boost is your friend. You want enough power to get out of the way, accelerate when needed under load, maintain speed on an incline. This is HP and Torque. When is maximum torque, this is pulling power. You want it at lower RPM, grunt to get and keep moving. Max HP at high RPMs is not what you are looking for. Higher HP where your torque is at lower RPM’s is your friend….

Electric is max torque at the start. Pulling power…. Since it is not available with range yet, turbos help the equation.

Now that you are moving…. Think brakes. What is the stopping distance of your vehicle….? Can you stop when you have to? Upgraded brakes can keep your loved ones here on earth.

TresK3 · September 2021

@dsfdogs We really like the Durango/Tab 400 combination. Took it down south last Christmas for 3 weeks and out west this summer for 7 (8800 miles on that trip, but not all of it towing); a number of shorter excursions in between.

The Durango tows the trailer well. It matches well to the Tab in length, meaning that it's relatively easy to back and turn. Seems to have plenty of power in the mountains, if you don't go too fast. Very comfortable ride. Thinking about adding an anti-sway bar before next summer, but we've done a lot of towing without it.

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