Hello! My husband and I in December picked up our new 2024 Tab 320 CSS after many years of family camping with our son in a pop up camper. We’re used to creative storage. A few questions for CSS owners:
1.) Do you, or can you, use the galley kitchen countertop area to store items like camp chairs and roll-up tables while traveling? I was thinking if we protected the sink/stove/counter area with old sheets or blankets, then we could use the galley for storing some items. And/or do you lay those items on the bed while traveling? If you have any photos of your set for storage while traveling, I would appreciate it.
2.) Do you have any tips or check lists for order of set up in your CSS?
3.) Do you find it best to travel with the bed set up for sleeping, in terms of having less to do when arriving at camp?
Thank you for any answers or ideas for storage during travel and when set up.
0 ·
Comments
2013 CS-S us@gi
Battered but trusty 3.5l V6 Hyundai Santa Fe
2015 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab
We store our "bag" chairs under the passenger bench but I don't think your newer model configuration can accommodate this usage.
If the trip is a single destination, we make up the bed upon arrival and tear it down prior to returning home. If we're on a multi-stop trip the bed stays made up. We have a Ikea Butler tray for taking a meal or snack if the weather forces us inside.
We travel with the bed made and carry the following under the bed: 2 camp chairs, 2 aluminum folding tables, tent poles x 2 sets, plastic rugs, sun shelter(s) We carry our large Brahma lock in a canvas bag on the floor in front of the shower. The PaHaQue tent lays on the bed and 2 portable 100 watt solar panels are sandwiched and secured with pillows under the comforter. We carry empty water jugs on the shower floor. Also, in winter, the shower holds quart containers of extra glycol and antifreeze.
The Brahma lock is good for adding tongue weight!
Not sure how much set up detail you need. When we arrive at the campsite:
1. Before parking the TaB, use a NCVT on the electric pedestal to make sure the ground is intact and to hopefully allow a change of campsite as necessary.
2. Park it, check side to side level requirement and add Anderson or blocks as needed before final position.
4. Add wheel or footplate, remove tongue pin and lift coupler latch, remove chains and break away cord.
5. Raise tongue to release hitch, pull TV away. Level front to back.
6. Position stabilizers.
7. Hook up surge protector and shorepower, then water.
8. Attach tent, lay rugs open chairs/tables.
9. Arrange camp kitchen and work table at galley and cover galley as needed.
10. Have an adult beverage - always in a coozie /koozie 😁
I am attaching the Set Up checklist that I am in the process of developing if you want other ideas. Mine is a mist mash of several that I have seen and it is a work in progress. I will say that getting the LevelMate Pro is about the best thing in the world and makes the initial leveling really easy.
2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport "Lunar Taco"
Chapel Hill, NC
Other than that we are very similar. You questions in order.
1. When the clam shell is closed, there is very little space on the counter. We don't leave anything there. If you did, it would be tossed around pretty good. The back of the trailer is on the end of the whip so to speak.
2. I have attached a checklist and expanded checklist for our trailer. We have a regular RV toilet rather than the cassette. You have a Nautilus water system where we have a collection of valves under the sink. And we have a refrigerator where you have an electric cooler. Because of the differences listed above, you will need to make changes, but this is a good start. I can't seem to attach the editable versions, but there is a lot of software these days that can manipulate PDF files.
3. Like you, we travel with the bed down and stuff the space underneath very much the same. We do carry a 5gal jug of ice water in the shower. A rubber shower mat keeps the jug from scratching the floor. I did make a larger table for the Lagun mount. Now, both of us can eat comfortably outside. When we do bring the table inside, it is large enough to play a full size board game.
Things not asked:
We have an electric kettle. It stays inside in the winter and in the kitchen in the summer. The passthrough is for food mostly. That way we can reach snacks from the inside. Napkins, paper plates and cups are up there too. We have a Coleman sleeping bag opened up to lay on the bed. To make it look pretty we have a duvet cover from IKEA. A sheet and two small blankets are folded and stuffed in the shelf above the pass through cabinets. The Alde is very comfortable. You won't need more than two small blankets.
It is a perfect trailer for short stays except, there is no hanging space for coats in the winter.
"Just Enough"
2001 Dodge RAM 3500 Diesel
128 cf of storage
Washington State Apr-Oct
Oklahoma Oct-Apr
"Just Enough"