Another T@B 400 ready for adventure

Justin_in_Seattle · September 2017

It's been many months since ordering, but our new Tab 400 has finally arrived! We took delivery on Wednesday afternoon, 9/20/17, at Apache Camping Center in Everett, WA.

This is our first RV and we're still climbing the learning curve, but folks here in the forum have already been super helpful and very welcoming, even before we got our trailer (thank you!).

We love that the 400 has enough space for two adults plus a 10-year-old, but still tows easily.

Here are a few photos of our new 400. NuCamp really offers some nice color options. Ours has the white exterior option with blue trim and green fabric interior. It's completely stock with the exception of the exterior graphics delete (we'll eventually put some of our own graphics on). Our tow vehicle is a 2016 BMW X1.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/d8/dy6swp06j0pk.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/it/2tcmg9mazjo4.jpg

We're looking forward to becoming part of the T@B family, and the many adventures to come.

Roamey · September 2017

Great looking tandem!

rkj__ · September 2017

Interesting.

I was curious of the tow rating on the X1. Hard to find good information, but two sources are reporting a 900 lb tow rating.

https://www.thestar.com/autos/2015/11/27/review-2016-bmw-x1-shares-sporty-pedigree.html

http://www.wheels.ca/car-reviews/95024/

What's up with that?

TabberJohn · September 2017

http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/07/22/new-bmw-x1-towing-a-2000-kg-boat/

Key issue is what is tongue weight limit?
It is unclear if a factory tow package is available for the US market.

rkj__ · September 2017

TabberJohn said:

http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/07/22/new-bmw-x1-towing-a-2000-kg-boat/
Key issue is what is tongue weight limit?

The photos in that article appear to be from Europe, based on the license plates.

Right or wrong, vehicles in Canada and USA often get very different tow ratings than in other parts of the world.

In the comments on that article, one responder mentions that "in the USA, the vehicle is not rated for towing," which is weird, since it clearly has more than a little towing capability.

atlasb · September 2017

Congratulations on you new 400! We have the Silver and Blue. We carry the info packet with us and it has been really valuable to answer our many questions. A lot of great advice here also. Enjoy!

Ratkity · September 2017

Congrats!! Nice looking combo you have going there!!

Homebodyatheart · September 2017

Congratulations @Justin_in_Seattle! That's a very nice set up, and I'm glad it was worth the wait! Also, I'm hosting the second annual Washington State East meets West gathering May 17-20, 2018 at Lincoln Rock State Park. The main activity will be in C Loop, but I think it is all booked. There may be openings in B Loop, and sites 57 & 58 are part of our group. There are also spaces in A Loop, (sites 19 and 22 are also with us) the tent sites which is a nice area, but it will be dry camping, no hook ups, but they have nice restrooms and shared water spigots. Here's a link for the park: https://washington.goingtocamp.com/lincolnrockstatepark
More info is here on the forum:
http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/5506/washington-state-east-meets-west-second-annual-gathering-may-17-20-2018/p1

It's a great way to meet other T@bbers from all over Washington State, and we'd love to have you join us! Happy journeys to you and your family!

jason330i · September 2017

At first look, the BMW X1 doesn’t look like a large enough tow vehicle. But it can have a tow rating above 4000 lbs in Europe. If compatible, maybe you should look into a weight distribution hitch with sway control?

Justin_in_Seattle · September 2017

Thanks everyone for the well-wishes and comments, much appreciated.

rkj__ said:

Interesting.

I was curious of the tow rating on the X1. Hard to find good information, but two sources are reporting a 900 lb tow rating.

https://www.thestar.com/autos/2015/11/27/review-2016-bmw-x1-shares-sporty-pedigree.html

http://www.wheels.ca/car-reviews/95024/

What's up with that?

Not sure what's up with that, other than the article is simply wrong about the tow rating.

Actually, BMW does not specify a tow rating for the X1 in the USA. In Europe I think it's rated at 2,000 Kg if I recall correctly, or about 4,400 lb.

The Draw-Tite 76018 hitch is made specifically for the current BMW X1, and has a rating of 675/4,500 lb (TW/GTW).

Even though the limit would be 4,500 lb, we're trying to keep it conservative by limiting our trailer to 3,500 lb. It was a key reason we choose the T@b 400.

TabberJohn said:

http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/07/22/new-bmw-x1-towing-a-2000-kg-boat/
Key issue is what is tongue weight limit?
It is unclear if a factory tow package is available for the US market.

Our local dealer looked into it, and unfortunately BMW does not offer the factory tow package in the USA. They can't even order the parts from Europe.

The dealer wasn't sure why, but suspected legal liability issues. Basically it's the same reason why coffee cups have warning labels in the USA.

jason330i said:

At first look, the BMW X1 doesn’t look like a large enough tow vehicle. But it can have a tow rating above 4000 lbs in Europe. If compatible, maybe you should look into a weight distribution hitch with sway control?

Thanks for the suggestion. We were thinking the same regarding weight distribution & sway control. Some of the mountain passes here get mighty windy!

Currently we're considering this Anderson "No Sway" hitch. Supposedly it addresses some of the concerns with WD hitches, such as noise and problems with sway bars when backing up.

Has anyone here tried one of those?

Justin_in_Seattle · September 2017

Homebodyatheart said:

Congratulations @Justin_in_Seattle! That's a very nice set up, and I'm glad it was worth the wait! Also, I'm hosting the second annual Washington State East meets West gathering May 17-20, 2018 at Lincoln Rock State Park.

Thanks for the heads-up! That sounds fun. I'll run it past the family Social Director

to check whether we can attend.

jason330i · September 2017

Thanks for the suggestion. We were thinking the same regarding weight distribution & sway control. Some of the mountain passes here get mighty windy!

Currently we're considering this Anderson "No Sway" hitch. Supposedly it addresses some of the concerns with WD hitches, such as noise and problems with sway bars when backing up.

Has anyone here tried one of those?

I have heard good things about Anderson. The only downside being it is limited on how much weight it can distribute. So if your tongue weight is extra heavy, might go with another.

i have a Fastway E2 which i’m pretty happy with. Also heard the equalizer and blue ox are good.

Another T@B 400 ready for adventure

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