MODEL YEAR CHANGES

Tampakayaker · February 2021

I've seen posts when model year changes occur, but do mods happen in between?

We purchased a used 2016 T@B 320. It was supposed to be a 2017 per the owner, but when we went to transfer the title it said 2016 so they knocked off another $500 from the price.

The plate on the frame show it is a Pleasant Valley Teardrop manufactured 11/2015

I had located a sheet that showed changes made by year, and it seems like ours has some from 2015, early 2016, late 2016 and even 2017?

Late 2015

Norcold 3-way frig model 3163??? HAVE 3 WAY NOT SURE OF MODEL

Fresh water tank of 11 gallons replaced previous inside 5 gallon tank HAVE

Gray tank of 19 gallons replaced previous 11 gallon tank NOT SURE

Factory warranty provision of passenger side vent, fan and manual switch to remove excess heat from the Norcold frig. HAVE

Early 2016 HAVE ALL OF THESE

100% Azdel Backers

Clamp on/screw-free Fantastic Fans

3D Logos

Corrugated underbelly protectant & insulation

No fabric on window valances

Seat panel finger inserts for easy opening

Upgraded cushion foam density

Overhead cabinet doors hinged on top

Late 2016

Shade/screen reversal - Shades pull up and screens pull down HAVE

Alde display now digital - replaced sliders HAVE

SeeLevel battery and tank monitors HAVE

Announced expanded recall of T@B 320 S 1/1/13 through 8/31/16 builds regarding rubber LPG hose laying on frig fins ?

Lagun table and bed slats standard NO LAGUN, BUT HAVE SLATS

When did they add the pull out steps??? HAVE PULL OUT STEP

Early 2017 Models

Battery disconnect switch?? HAVE

Black tank 8 gallons NOT SURE

Standard with build - Norcold 3-way frigs vented through passenger side wall with automatic fan. MANUAL SWITCH

Bed rails and slats with cleats to secure the slats NO CLEATS

Lagun pedestal and table - interior NO

Struts to support the cabinet doors NO

Different faucet in the galley sink ?

Looking at other peoples pictures of those years I see some features on ours and some not on ours.

We have the vent for the 3 way fridge next to our door and a switch for the cooling fan.

We have two round vents under the front window. I've seen pictures of 1 and none.

We have the bed rails and the bed slats (not sure if they were factory or previous owner mod).

We don't have the Laguan table.

Our ALDE reservoir is under the back shelf/headboard (easy to see and fill) and not in the upper cabinet area. I've seen people say they use that headboard area for storage but ours has a radiator in it and wiring.

Our fridge doesn't have a freezer.

I'm not complaining we love our T@B, but just interested how we got such a mixture of changes.... unless the sheet with the changes is really inaccurate.

Sharon_is_SAM · February 2021

You have an old list. The last time I updated this attached list was in 8/2019. Since your TaB was made in 11/2015, you have a late 2016 model except no Lagun.

Early 2015 Models

All LED interior lighting and oval LED porch light

Power cord w/ built in LED light

New style Lexan windows, shades and screens

Sink in S model wetbath removed

Black tank of 6 gallons with vent pipe inside shower area (tank under shower floor)

Radial tires

Norcold 3-way frig model 3163

Wood-look vinyl flooring

Late 2015 Models

Fresh water tank of 11 gallons replaced previous inside 5 gallon tank

Gray tank of 19 gallons replaced previous 11 gallon tank

Factory warranty provision of passenger side vent, fan and manual switch to remove excess heat from the Norcold frig.

Early 2016 Models

100% Azdel Backers

Clamp on/screw-free Fantastic Fans

3D Logos

Corrugated underbelly protectant & insulation

No fabric on window valances

Seat panel finger inserts for easy opening

Upgraded cushion foam density

Overhead cabinet doors hinged on top

Late 2016 Models

Shade/screen reversal - Shades pull up and screens pull down

Factory installed battery cut-off switch

Alde display now digital - replaced sliders

SeeLevel battery and tank monitors

Announced expanded recall of T@B 320 S 1/1/13 through 8/31/16 builds regarding rubber LPG hose laying on frig fins

Lagun table and bed slats standard

ScottG · February 2021

Tampakayaker said:

I've seen posts when model year changes occur, but do mods happen in between?
...

Yes (as indicated by the details of Sharon's list). Particularly in the earlier years, nuCamp (then Pleasant Valley Trailers) would implement changes on the fly, without particular regard for model year. Ergo, model year was not always a good indicator of the features of any particular trailer.

Mellow_Yellow · February 2021

One item caught my eye: Announced expanded recall of T@B 320 S 1/1/13 through 8/31/16 builds regarding rubber LPG hose laying on frig fins

Is there an easy way for me to tell if this has been done on my 2014 or if the LPG hose is still in contact with the fridge? What would I do to address it?

ScottG · February 2021

Look here for the summary documents. A link to the original discussion is also provided if you want to peruse various owner solutions. My 2015 was one of the affected units but the fix was pretty easy.

Tampakayaker · February 2021

Sharon_is_SAM said:

You have an old list. The last time I updated this attached list was in 8/2019. Since your TaB was made in 11/2015, you have a late 2016 model except no Lagun.

Early 2015 Models
All LED interior lighting and oval LED porch light
Power cord w/ built in LED light
New style Lexan windows, shades and screens
Sink in S model wetbath removed
Black tank of 6 gallons with vent pipe inside shower area (tank under shower floor)
Radial tires
Norcold 3-way frig model 3163
Wood-look vinyl flooring
Late 2015 Models
Fresh water tank of 11 gallons replaced previous inside 5 gallon tank
Gray tank of 19 gallons replaced previous 11 gallon tank
Factory warranty provision of passenger side vent, fan and manual switch to remove excess heat from the Norcold frig.
Early 2016 Models
100% Azdel Backers
Clamp on/screw-free Fantastic Fans
3D Logos
Corrugated underbelly protectant & insulation
No fabric on window valances
Seat panel finger inserts for easy opening
Upgraded cushion foam density
Overhead cabinet doors hinged on top
Late 2016 Models
Shade/screen reversal - Shades pull up and screens pull down
Factory installed battery cut-off switch
Alde display now digital - replaced sliders
SeeLevel battery and tank monitors
Announced expanded recall of T@B 320 S 1/1/13 through 8/31/16 builds regarding rubber LPG hose laying on frig fins
Lagun table and bed slats standard

Thanks, that list make more sense.

When/what models have the storage in the headboard area, or were they owner mods? I've read about people losing things down there?

And isn't the ALDE tank off to the side of the upper cabinets in some models or am I mistaken?

Mellow_Yellow · February 2021

Looks like I have a "late 2014" 320 S - has the Alde and the vent under the fridge

Is there a way to confirm electric vs. surge brakes? Assuming electric?

Tampakayaker · February 2021

Mellow_Yellow said:

Looks like I have a "late 2014" 320 S - has the Alde and the vent under the fridge
Is there a way to confirm electric vs. surge brakes? Assuming electric?

Electric has a wire cable that has a pin on one end that goes into a box attached to the tongue frame, and a loop at the other end that you attach to your tow vehicle.

ScottG · February 2021

I don't think any of the Pleasant Valley T@Bs had surge brakes, just the older models made by Dutchman. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong!)

Regardless, the surge brake equipped frames looked very different--silver with a big obvious spring-piston thing on the tongue (see below). Black frames with the cable and pin Tampakayaker described will have electric brakes.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/nd/geq0vfa598nm.jpg

However--now that I have said that--the image below is from a for sale ad for a 2012 that claims to have surge brakes. It's definitely a different coupler but I'm not completely convinced about the brakes. Anybody know for sure?

Image: https://image.recreationalvehiclemarket.com/vehicle-2012-Used-TAB-U-FLOOR-PLAN-T-B-SURGE-BRAKES-Travel-Trailer-in-Florida-FL-116584392-56925d6b89bd11fd0a74b51c.jpg

Sharon_is_SAM · February 2021

I thought @Verna had surge brakes on her 2014?

Sharon_is_SAM · February 2021

@Tampakayaker https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/10140/alde-glycol-expansion-tank-locations-for-the-tab-320-clamshell-and-400-models

Some owners put a layer of enamel coated wire shelving inside the headboard storage.

Denny16 · February 2021

Scott, the bottom photo could be a surge brake, one way to tell, is to see of the coupler head slides back and forth, and look on the underside, you can see the hydro cylinder, or if enclosed a hydraulic hose running back to the axle.
cheers

Mellow_Yellow · February 2021

Thanks @ScottG - My 2014 definitely has the black coupler with the cable and pin setup you show below.

Verna · February 2021

@Mellow_Yellow (@Sharon_is_SAM), yes, you have surge brakes, a wonderful invention! Check your brake fluid every once in a while, and have them checked. A utility trailer business always checked mine whenever I had them service my wheel bearings. As I recall, the surge brakes use #5 brake oil.

You do not need a brake controller with the surge brakes, by the way. I know I wrote in some posts about then. Do a search for surge brakes and read up on them. Interesting.

Verna · February 2021

ScottG said:

I don't think any of the Pleasant Valley T@Bs had surge brakes, just the older models made by Dutchman. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong!)

Regardless, the surge brake equipped frames looked very different--silver with a big obvious spring-piston thing on the tongue (see below). Black frames with the cable and pin Tampakayaker described will have electric brakes.

However--now that I have said that--the image below is from a for sale ad for a 2012 that claims to have surge brakes. It's definitely a different coupler but I'm not completely convinced about the brakes. Anybody know for sure?

Scott, the lower photo shows the surge brakes on my 2014. The first photo shows the earlier surge brakes from the DM/Thor T@B frames.

Sharon_is_SAM · February 2021

@Mellow_Yellow - do you have a brake controller? @Verna - does she need one?

Verna · February 2021

@Mellow_Yellow does NOT need a brake controller.

Mellow_Yellow · February 2021

@Sharon_is_SAM - that is a very interesting question. I purchased a wireless brake controller, but the RV dealer told me I didn't need it because the trailer has surge brakes. My coupler does look like the black one shown in @ScottG's photo and @Verna's comment above.

Sharon_is_SAM · February 2021

Well, your dealer was right😀

Mellow_Yellow · February 2021

Thanks @Verna and @Sharon_is_SAM! You guys are the best

It is on my list to get the surge brakes and wheel bearings serviced. At least my T@B was neglected and under-used, vs. neglected and over-used!

ScottG · February 2021

Ok good then. This is why I generally refrain from commenting on things I know nothing about. :-)

However, since we are on the topic, I have the impression that the silver Dutchman frames had mechanical surge brakes, but that the earliest PV T@Bs (like @Verna's and, it appears, @Mellow_Yellow's) had frames with hydraulic surge brakes (thus the requirement for brake fluid).

Do I have this correct?

Verna · February 2021

@ScottG, I’m not sure with the difference because I have never delved into the DM/Thor brand of surge brakes. I just always thought the 2014 surge brakes were neat and so easy to maintain.

Denny16 · February 2021

The DM AK-Lo frame TaBs had hydraulic surge brakes, too, and a mechanical hand brake. The rubber boot covers the cylinder plunger. This is an European design. Verna’s 2014 was a US style surge hydraulic brake, a different design.

All surge brakes are a hydraulic/mechanical design. The term surge indicates the forward movement from a TV stopping causes the trailer to surge forward, pushing the hitch back, moving a piston attached to the hitch in a hydraulic cylinder and pushing fluid to the brakes. Very efficient and effective brakes. Rental companies normally use surge brakes in the larger utility trailers they rent out, as a TV brake controller is not required. They are also common in boat trailers, no electrical components to get wet.
cheers

Mellow_Yellow · March 2021

Attaching this very cool! T@B brochure that came along with my pristine "new to me" 2014 T@B 320 S. Seems that 2014 was a banner year for the T@B - introduction of the "wet bath" and the Alde, among other features.
@Sharon_is_SAM - I haven't seen anything like this posted in "manuals". Feel free to add it. I also have a higher res 6MB version if you prefer.

Sharon_is_SAM · March 2021

@Mellow_Yellow - thanks! A little piece of history.

MODEL YEAR CHANGES

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