Strategies for sleeping as a couple in a Tab 400

bdunning · December 2022

In a separate post I just made, I mentioned that my wife and I have downsized from a fifth wheel to a Tab 400. Probably the biggest hurdle for us doing this was the bed configuration in the 400 which makes it challenging for the person sleeping on the far side of the bed to get out of bed in the night without waking up the other person. Frankly we have been used to sleeping in our fifth wheel in a queen bed that can be accessed from either side of the bed so we know this will be a huge adjustment.

I just wondered what others on this forum have done regarding making sleeping arrangements work with the small bed in the 400 that can only be accessed from the middle of one. Sure we could sleep in separate beds but that is not our preference.

Thoughts?

bergger · December 2022

We sleep in a full size bed at our house so the bed in the 400 is actually a bit larger than our home bed. So it works well for us. However if my wife needs to get up in the middle of the night, which is generally very rare, and has to climb over me, she sleeps on the inside, I wake up. Not much I can do about that and it's no big deal for me as I'm generally a light sleeper and it's just part of having a bed configured like that. I suppose I could have a few extra cocktails before bed but then I would have to deal with the headache in the morning. I'll just continue to wake up then fall back asleep.

Binghi · December 2022

With a side-to-side bed like the 400’s, one of you has to be the midnight crawler. In our case, that would be me. I’m 6‘4“ tall and have figured out how to get over my wife in the middle of the night without disturbing her or our dog too much. Requires long legs and arms, and a specific sequence of moves. Plus, I’m not claustrophobic and don’t mind sleeping in the rear-end wedge of our Tab.

lino · December 2022

We have a 320 but issue is the same basically

We just adapt, try to disturb each other as little as possible

And then both of us go back to sleep 😴

AnOldUR · December 2022

We're in a 320S, but sleep with a permanently setup side-to-side arrangement, so not that much different than you 400 people. Like @bergger, I'm a light sleeper and get up often during the night. My wife on the other hand sleeps well through most nights. If she does need to get out, my light sleeping has me wake up as soon as she moves so I just sit up and let her go by. Probably not all that common of a situation, but it works for us.

NorthIsUp · December 2022

We love the sleeping arrangement of the 400. Not a problem at all for us. There's a sense of closeness when that shuffling occurs.

justdoit70 · December 2022

We both love our 21 400 boondock SOLO I sleep in the back with out making a queen bed and wife sleeps up front on the dinette that is kept in bed mode she is 5’5. This arrangement gives floor space and easy to maneuver around works great for us. I am up at least twice a night.Sad that nu camp quit making this model .We shopped since 2014 looking for a configuration like the SOLO 2021 got it done. Loving it.

Ed &Cathy
Poconos, Pa

2016 Tacoma 4x4 sport 2021 t@b 400 Solo Boondock

Jay_and_Kat · December 2022

We managed it through this past season with the wife sleeping on the "inside" of the bed and me at the back where the roof curves down. She's usually the one who has to get up in the middle of the night, so it worked out.

Except in the morning when I'm the one who gets up first and would have to (try) crawling over her without waking her. Although she could usually get back to sleep afterwards. The biggest nuisance in the mornings for me like that is, I couldn't put my water on to boil to make coffee without disturbing her (and we'd not set up our outside camp stove.)

bdunning · December 2022

Thanks everyone for your thoughts about this. It is helpful to consider the options but time will tell what we end up doing. If anyone else has any ideas I would appreciate hearing the. Thanks.

Denny16 · December 2022

Jay! I got a small induction cooktop designed for camping, and put it on a small table outside by the 120VAC outside plug on the 400. Add one folding camping chair, and I boil the water in less than a couple of minutes for making coffee. For the short time it takes to heat the water, not a big power user either, and the inverter handles the load (to use the inverter, on an older TaB400, ykumwill need to split the outlets into two circuits, the top one for shore power original connection snd run a cable from the existing inverter outlet at the foot of the bed, or run a second cable from the inverter).
Cheers

AnOldUR · December 2022

kottum · December 2022

Running wires from two different electric power sources into the same electrical box? Is that safe even though the receptacle is split? Is that safe? Is it legal by electrical code?

Doug

kottum · December 2022

The Tab 400 (and many others) bed arrangement is a bugger to say the least. We have had this arrangement several times, never liked it.

Also do not like the short seating of the dinette. I don't know how you could lounge comfortably there in the evening. We had this in our Airstream and we ripped out the dinette and put in recliners, with a same table between; I don't think that is at all possible with the Tab.

We ended up solving both problems by getting a Tab 320s Boondock instead. We set up the bed in the twin configuration and lift the ratcheting backrests for lounging. Really comfortable for two campers and our little dog. But I still hate the tiny, tiny bathroom. If it wasn't for that bathroom, it would be our perfect traveling camper.

bdunning · December 2022

I appreciate all the comments so far. Does anyone else have any thoughts?

Denny16 · December 2022

Doug, the two circuits are both 120VAC, just from separate sources. As long as the box is large enough to pull both cables into, and with the receptacle split and both sources are fuse or circuit breaker protected, it old not be an issue. Travel trailers do not conform to most electrical codes to start with (nor are they required to), with their 120 VAC wiring setups, and exposed surface wire pulls.
Cheers

kottum · December 2022

Denny16, a power source from shore power and another power source from an inverter, then wired into the same electrical box is a safety issue and an electrical accident waiting to happen. Even though the receptacle is modified to split the two different power sources.

Yes they are both 120VAC, but they are not in phase with one another, a receptacle in disguise. Who would expect this if not aware of it?

If someone who is not aware of this modification was to work on this receptacle, or a device plugged into it, then shuts off one power source, he probably would not know the other side of the receptacle is still hot. Dangerous.

I am familiar with residential electrical codes but have no expertise in travel trailer electrical requirements. I do have 30 years experience as an aircraft electrician; aircraft are not required to follow residential electrical codes either. But as an electrician of any type, I can't imagine modifying an electrical system so that it may be a hazard to the user or technician who services it.

Isn't it better to put in another electrical box, one for shore power and a new one for inverter power, and take the extra measure of labeling each. Not that hard to do, you're running another circuit anyway, just a matter of cutting in another box.

Doug

AnOldUR · December 2022

Sharon_is_SAM · December 2022

Can we get back to discussing sleeping arrangements?

DenisP · December 2022

My wife and I have slept over 190 nights in our 400 since July 2018. My size (6' 5"+) makes a challenge to sleep in any camper. One of the first "Travels with Delaney" You Tube gave a great suggestion which was if either person need to get up during the night, both of you should get up. This has worked well for us. Would I prefer a walk around bed, yes but I am not willing to trade the size and efficiency of the wet bath or the spacious galley and dinette for different sleeping arrangements. This works for us but your results may vary.

Binghi · December 2022

My wife would never agree to that arrangement. Crawl over I must. 😎

CruiserCamperChris · December 2022

I have thought about adding a grab bar or a thick rope above the bed where the window ends on the 400. I sleep on the aft side of the bed. If I could just grab on to something I know I could more easily hoist myself over my sleeping wife. But i dont know how to securely attach something like this because it would have to hold almost my entire body weight of 200 lbs. Thoughts?

HowieDewing · June 2024

justdoit70 said:

We both love our 21 400 boondock SOLO I sleep in the back with out making a queen bed and wife sleeps up front on the dinette that is kept in bed mode she is 5’5. This arrangement gives floor space and easy to maneuver around works great for us. I am up at least twice a night.Sad that nu camp quit making this model .We shopped since 2014 looking for a configuration like the SOLO 2021 got it done. Loving it.

Ed &Cathy
Poconos, Pa

2016 Tacoma 4x4 sport 2021 t@b 400 Solo Boondock

We have been doing the same thing since we bought ours in 2021 solo, this works for us too.

GatorEgg · June 2024

We’ve been sleeping like this in our sailboat for decades. You get used to it.

annbythebay · May 4

We are still getting used to our 2024 400 (and camping in general) but decided to sacrifice the bunk & dinette for an extra sleeping space as we both get up multiple times a night to use the bathroom. We got a 30” wide 6” thick foam mattress with a webbed airflow product underneath. It is a comfortable bed now for me 5’10” and my husband 6’1” has also slept comfortably on it. With some throw pillows it makes a comfortable couch/day bed. We miss being able to be close while sleeping but try to make up for this during times we are awake. A good night’s sleep is worth making compromises, including having a dining table inside.

Gomers2 · May 11

I realize this is not super helpful for OP, but it's one of the issues that kept us from buying the 400. With active days, somewhat different schedules, and different night time needs, we really like the split twin beds of the 360 (and prefer smaller trailer overall). It takes me about 30 seconds to convert the seating area into my bed, which can also set up like a recliner for reading. We spend a lot of time together on these trips, much of it in close quarters 😁 so we really value a good night's sleep. Not intended to begin a debate over which model is better, just to say some people focus on the kitchen, some on the bath, some on beds. (I was checking out pix of the airstream base camp with a walk around queen. Pretty sweet, but not for us just yet)

Strategies for sleeping as a couple in a Tab 400

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