Radically Downsizing

ZoNiE · February 27

Hi Folks, New here. Been looking at small high quality towable. 360 CS is at the top of my list but it is close in price to Oliver, Casita, etc. BUT, the layout and the windows are ideal. We started with a Jayco popup, and after a very intense dust and rain storm in the desert we refer to that trip as "Mission to Mars" we went to a Class A Gasser. Not just a normal one, but a 26 foot 77 GMC Kingsley, AKA, EM50 from stripes. Then a 25 foot Skyline Nomad TT which I wish I never sold. I added 400 W of solar, onboard Honda water cooled RV generator, Inverter, and back cargo door to load in kayaks, Rockets, etc. Skyline was a good brand. They sent me the entire drawing package when I asked about info about the back wall and where the studs and wiring were. We then sold that and bought a 35' 1996 Safari Sahara diesel pusher. We totally remodeled that and added 1,200 W of solar. We used it for years, but then since it was too big to take deep into the forest, we sold it. Now RV-less, we are looking for "The One" to have until we die. The 360CS checks most of my boxes. Only things I really don't like are the small bowl cassette toilet, Low BTU AC unit (We desert camp in warm and hot weather) and all those cheap looking little plastic caps over the bolts on the cabinets, and they are everywhere. I get that this makes the cabinets more sturdy, but they look so cheap. I wonder if I can add or have the factory add a hatch in the wall that separates the kitchen from the inside of the coach? It only needs to be big enough for the Kayaks. Anyway, Glad to be here.

Yoshi_TAB · February 27

Hi, Do you mean large enough to slide a small kayak from the rear kitchen and into the interior of the TAB (or vice versa)?

Here is a picture of a 360CS during construction that might help. Up high, there are interior cabinets and low on the interior is the Alde on one side and Saphire AC on the other with the WFCO down the middle. I don't think the factory makes such mods..during man'f , but maybe after the purchase.

It might be possible in between the upper cabinets and the lower ones (with sliding door) behind the bed (i.e slide kayak onto the bed from outside). The exterior wall behind is the back splash for the kitchen. Don't know if any of this would hurt structurally.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/xg/h6f5l5hk37ez.jpg

andytabrv · February 27

You've identified the biggest challenge with these amazing campers and that is cargo space. A passthrough would definitely help, but knowing the structure of the aluminum framing would be critical and having an already-expired warranty would be a must before cutting anything. I have a T@b 400 and while I love the larger bathroom and toilet, I do lust that outdoor kitchen of the 360-CS (and I like the split bed). I compromised by carrying lots of cargo in my SUV including fold-up Oru kayaks, and a pull out kitchen. But, that's a compromise that means packing my SUV (2022 Nissan Pathfinder) before I leave which takes extra time.

I've been rolling over in my head how I'd carry stronger-kayaks (the fold-out Oru kayaks are only good for still water), bikes, and the pull-out kitchen that takes up a good chunk of space in my Pathfinder. I'd rather not have the bikes on the top of the Pathfinder or in a rack on the front of the trailer as they're so exposed and get so dirty. So, in my mind, I'm carrying one bike in the trailer (two is just too cumbersome to get in/out), one bike in the back of the Pathfinder, and two kayaks on top of the Pathfinder. Kayaks are aerodynamic enough that putting them on the topof the Pathfinder shouldn't (in theory) affect the drive as much.

Anyway, I'd be curious what you settle on for your solution.

SLJ · March 1

Use to put a 14' kayak through the back window of our motorhome. Problem was if blocked use of almost everything without taking it out first. I'd find a different way of carrying the kayak. Our boats go on the roof of the truck when towing.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/kz/p1xvr3c96hhp.jpg

tphaggerty · March 3

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/nu/meqa7sf787on.jpeg

Inflatable kayaks for the win! We recently purchased two sea Eagle EZLite 10 kayaks for our travels in place of hard old town loon kayaks. These kayaks are drop stitched, so they can be inflated much higher/harder than the old rubber tire style of blow up boats. With an electric pump, we can be on the water in about 15 minutes. They are every bit as usable as the loons. They fold up nicely, though the package is not tiny by any means. They are primarily flat water boats, but can certainly be used in class one/two type water. And they are not cheap, but so far we feel they have been worth it. We now take the kayaks with us on pretty much every trip we do whereas before we never took the Loons on our long cross-country trips.

The only issue we've had is that the skegs they come with are too big by far. I basically have cut them in half and they now work great in shallow water. Highly recommended!

AnOldUR · March 3

Agree with @tphaggert. We tow our 320 with a two door Jeep Wrangler. An inflatable was the only way to go. We got a good deal on a Grabner Holiday two seater at an RV show. Glides through the water about as close as you can get to a hard shell. Adds a lot to what we can carry, so we only load it up if we're sure to use it.

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

Categories

Radically Downsizing

Comments