Another T@B 400 ready for adventure

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.



We're looking forward to becoming part of the T@B family, and the many adventures to come.
2018 nuCamp T@B 400  +  2016 BMW X1 tow vehicle

Comments

  • Roamey
    Roamey Posts: 239
    Great looking tandem!
       T@B trip wherever
    New surprises everyday
       See beautiful world
  • rkj__
    rkj__ Posts: 641
    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?


    2016 T@b 320 CS-S - 2018 GMC Sierra - St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
  • TabberJohn
    TabberJohn Posts: 588
    edited 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.

    2015 T@B Max S (White/Silver) -> 2014 Ford Escape 2.0L (turbo, AWD, factory tow)
  • rkj__
    rkj__ Posts: 641
    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. 
    2016 T@b 320 CS-S - 2018 GMC Sierra - St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
  • atlasb
    atlasb Posts: 584
    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!
    2018 T@B 400, 2017 Nissan Titan Crew cab
  • Ratkity
    Ratkity Posts: 3,770
    Congrats!! Nice looking combo you have going there!!
    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
  • 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! 
    2017 T@B 320 Max S silver and cherry red, L@dybug ("Bug" aka my esc@pe pod), TV 2015 Toyota Highlander aka Big Red
  • 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?

    2017 T@b 320 S

    2017 Kia Sorento SXL AWD

  • Justin_in_Seattle
    Justin_in_Seattle Posts: 47
    edited 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?
    2018 nuCamp T@B 400  +  2016 BMW X1 tow vehicle
  • Justin_in_Seattle
    Justin_in_Seattle Posts: 47
    edited 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. 
    Thanks for the heads-up! That sounds fun. I'll run it past the family Social Director ;) to check whether we can attend. :)
    2018 nuCamp T@B 400  +  2016 BMW X1 tow vehicle
  • 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.

    2017 T@b 320 S

    2017 Kia Sorento SXL AWD