T@B Trailer

I saw one of these trailers at a dealership today. It was one of those “holy shit, look at that” moments. Wow.

Comments

Lora's picture
Lora on October 13, 2005 - 18:20 Permalink

Hi Evelyn,
We’re heading out this weekend, finally! I’ll let you know how it goes. I am a little nervous that our fun clamshell won’t be so charming if I’m trying to make coffee during when it’s 40 degrees outside. On the other hand, this is a big step up from the backpacking style camping we’ve always done:-)
I haven’t heard about seals on the clamshell being an issue, but I’ll post if I hear anything.
Lora

Lora's picture
Lora on October 13, 2005 - 18:36 Permalink

Evelyn — Forgot your other question!
Front seat — we have a 90 pound spinone italiano who’s made himself comfy there (http://homepage.mac.com/lorak/…. Wouldn’t work very well for an older child, but I think up to about kindergarten age should be no problem. If you get a T16, you can also get the tent room, and make a place for the kids and pets to sleep out there.
It’s a bummer that there’s no awning/tent for the clamshell. That would make it a lot easier.

John McWilliams's picture
John McWilliams on October 15, 2005 - 00:16 Permalink

I believe many of you folks relly are off base in rating the T@b as overpriced. You are beyond any shadow of doubt purchasing the most well built travel trailer on the market.There are more positive quality standard features on the T@B than there is room here to discuss. They are in my opinion ,in the same quality range for what they are as the Mercedes is in the auto market.Did I mention they’re bear resistant?

Lora's picture
Lora on October 17, 2005 - 21:27 Permalink

FIRST TRIP IN 06 CLAMSHELL WAS A BLAST!
We had a great time, and so easy to set up. We were having cocktails listening to music behind the clamshell before our companions had un-hitched their 23’ Dutchman. It poored in the middle of the night, and we stayed warm and dry. It was a little cool in the morning, getting the coffee going and such outside. But, the pass-through cabinet works as a great way to be served breakfast in bed!

paul klopping's picture
paul klopping on October 27, 2005 - 04:32 Permalink

Just got out t@b from Ohio shipped it to Ca . Were are you keeping the spare tire ?
any ideas ?

Paul's picture
Paul on October 27, 2005 - 21:23 Permalink

I bought a vertical tire holder for about $25 at a dept store which mounts on the front hitch frame then added a tire cover. Looks fine however adds a little weight to the tongue.

Paul's picture
Paul on October 27, 2005 - 21:46 Permalink

We just finished our second season with our T@B, original with yellow trim. I towed it throughout the Adirondacks with a 4 cyl Nissan truck with no problem. It’s perfect for the two of us and with our dome or “potty tent” set up outside, we have all we need. It’s a solid, well insulated, light weight trailer with radial independent suspended wheels, (no sway bar required) three way fridg, efficient thermostat controlled furnace, queen size bed, electric pump water system and sink with a two burner stove, surge brakes, (no break hookup required) variable speed/reversable ceiling fan, covered tank and battery, awning, blackout shades, need I go on? This rig is well worth the cost for what you get. Mine was about $9000 which is about $3000 more than a similar tent trailer with none of the German engineered quality. I hope to use this trailer for a long time. The only thing I added was a yellow bug light outside, a tire rack (more storage inside), and a 12v plug inside for accessories.

Audrey's picture
Audrey on November 1, 2005 - 20:23 Permalink

HI
I’ve only seen the TaB on the web. I’d love to see one in person. Any suggestions of where to see in So. Cal ? Once I see it — if I still love it I think I’d travel to pick one up at a good price.

Scott's picture
Scott on November 3, 2005 - 01:47 Permalink

For Audrey,
Try California RV Sales in Fontana (909.434.2522).
I’m looking forward to the delivery my T@B. I’d enjoy hearing from T@B owners about their experiences
after their first trip. In other words, does the infatuation hold up over time?

Becky's picture
Becky on November 4, 2005 - 19:06 Permalink

To Scott,
We are still infatuated after 3 weekends and 1 week long trip. We store our T@B in the garage and it definately calls out to us each time we enter the garage. We would like to take an extended trip (a few months) in our T@B in a few years, when our situation allows (empty nest). We both love the simplicity of the T@B. It’s amazing how easily you can live with so little.

Scott's picture
Scott on November 5, 2005 - 03:04 Permalink

Becky,
Thanks for your post! I’m in week three of what is supposed to be a four to six week wait while
my tab is built and shipped. I’m chomping at the bit, scrutinizing maps every night and imagining
all the places I’ll go. I am more than ready.
By the way, others have noted the yahoo site for tab enthusiasts and it’s worth the effort to register
at yahoo and find it.
My best,
Scott

Leann's picture
Leann on December 17, 2005 - 06:00 Permalink

Hi all,
We’ve spent the evening reading all of these postings. About 4 hours ago we bought a T@B on ebay, a 2004 for $9500. It was a lot more than we intended to spend on a travel trailer, but once we saw it, nothing came close. After reading all of the positive comments, we were hooked and from what we’ve read, our price was not out of the ballpark. We will be driving from our home (Colorado) to northern California to pick it up sometime in January, then use it on the way home. We will be driving my 2000 Jeep Wrangler to get it (it’s yellow and will match our new yellow trimmed T@B). We both drive Jeep Wranglers. I (the wife) am trying to get as much information as possible so we know what to take with us. This weblog has been very helpful in that regard and I joined the yahoo group also. If you have any special thoughts for us as we get ready to take possession of it, please feel free to share.

Sheri's picture
Sheri on December 22, 2005 - 17:37 Permalink

We have an ‘05 T@B. First trip was to Talladega (from Cincinnati, OH)for the October Nextel Cup race. Not sure what got more attention — our new Hummer H3 or the T@B it was pulling! Show called Tailgating Across America interviewed/filmed hubby cooking breakfast the morning of the race! They sure are an eyecatcher!!!!!!

Al Shagena's picture
Al Shagena on December 28, 2005 - 05:29 Permalink

Got our 06 Tab 11-30-05. I love it. this weekend I installed aluminum diamond plate rock guard on the front. It came out sweet.The wife and I will be camping @ Woodsons Bridge on the Sacramento River, Ca. New Years Eve. week end.We will have a nice warm place to sleep after the noise, and party. HappyNewYearEveryOne!!!

Jerry's picture
Jerry on December 31, 2005 - 04:52 Permalink

From the t@b website it looks like there may be a new layout for the tabs. Does anyone know for sure, our local dealer doesn’t seem to have any salespeople who know anything about tabs, they are mostly interested in big motorhomes. Thanks!

eddie's picture
eddie on January 2, 2006 - 22:46 Permalink

How do T@Bs compare to Aliners? Anyone had experience? I have heard the Aliner tows more easely ,more spacious? thanks Eddie

Nancy DeVriendt's picture
Nancy DeVriendt on January 28, 2006 - 08:22 Permalink

My husband Art and I just purchased a new T@B down in Ohio. I am going to retire on March17, 2006 and we plan on doing a lot of traveling. Our first trip will be to the south someplace,then that will lead us to “ALASKA”. I would like to find a awning sooner or latter,we have purchased a few differant types of heaters since the “COOLCAT” heat pump wont work at temps under 40 degrees. Cant wait to get our baby out of the barn and head out !!!!!!!!

Nancy/Art DeVriendt

Mark J's picture
Mark J on February 1, 2006 - 01:10 Permalink

Wondering if there are any T@B owners here in Wyoming. Would like to see this unit in person. Was considering a Casita 13 but actually like the looks and weight of the T@B better. Would be a lot easier to tow behind the Jeep Liberty.

Thanks in advance …

beck1's picture
beck1 on February 1, 2006 - 04:17 Permalink

Searching for comments on the screen door for the T@B. Current price at a nearby dealer is $138.

paul's picture
paul on February 6, 2006 - 03:40 Permalink

Can anyone tell me how many t@b’s have been sold worldwide to date?

Sharon's picture
Sharon on February 9, 2006 - 02:09 Permalink

We are considering purchasing a 2006 T@B and wanted T@B owners to give us your opinion on what you like and don’t like about this RV. We like the L shaped unit because it appears to give you more storage but I’m wondering if the bed is large enough? Is the patio awning or add a room tent worth the price? Any advise you are willing to give is will be greatly appreciated.

Becky's picture
Becky on February 10, 2006 - 17:47 Permalink

Sharon,
We have the standard floor plan and have plenty of storage for two. Our T@B came with the awning and we use it every time. It comes in handy as a shade and also gives some privacy. Also, it’s nice if it’s raining and at night we put our chairs and wood under it to keep dry (we live in Oregon). My husband is tall and we needed the bigger bed. I know you won’t be sorry if you purchase a T@B. We’ve had a lot of fun in ours traveling and meeting people along the way who are curious and want a tour. We hope to take an extended trip in a few years when our last bird leaves the nest.

Irene's picture
Irene on February 11, 2006 - 05:00 Permalink

We are interested in buying a T@B. While the tab-rv website highlights the AluFiber skin, there is no mention that they also make fiberglass T@Bs and aluminum ones. Anybody has advice/tips regarding the pros and cons of each one.
Thanks

Stephanie's picture
Stephanie on February 15, 2006 - 23:48 Permalink

I bought my 2004 T@B on ebay in Sept and drove from CO to NY state in early Oct to get it. My cost was just $7400 so you can get good deals out there. I just love it! I was able to put them back in with drywall screws, but one of the screens tore. I can tow it easily with my 6-cyl Explorer and I feel safe traveling and camping alone. Thanks for posting all the group, I’m going to try them all. The only problem I had was the screen assemblies came loose from the walls during my trip home. Has anyone else had this problem?

Norman's picture
Norman on February 18, 2006 - 03:55 Permalink

I am in the market for a T@B trailer. If you would like to sell yours to me please respond to this posting.

Thanks!

Romie S. Brown Sr.'s picture
Romie S. Brown Sr. on February 19, 2006 - 19:37 Permalink

Norman,I have a 2005 T@B for sale,e-mail me—-Romie

Norman's picture
Norman on February 20, 2006 - 03:59 Permalink

Hi Ronnie, too late. I bought one today at a RV show. Thanks any way.

Joseph Millette's picture
Joseph Millette on February 20, 2006 - 21:39 Permalink

Hello, I am looking for a great deal in Fl. Tampa. My wife and I love camping but we are getting tired of the tent thing. We both have small vehicles but want to move up to a trailer. I have a small Toyota Tacoma and she has a Toyota Corola. I know that both of them can tow a T@B so we are going to start our search. We like the T-16 with the L kithen. Liveing in Fl. we will invest in the a/c unit. If anyone knows of a good dealer to go to email me at Toy_yoyo@hotmail.com

Thanks and Happy Camping
Joseph Millette

Bobbejay's picture
Bobbejay on February 26, 2006 - 01:58 Permalink

Hi. My husband is enamored with teardrop trailers. We looked at a T@B today here in Connecticut. There was only a U-shaped floorplan at the dealer. I liked what I saw but was wondering what experienced people thought was the best floorplan. Any advice?

John Williams's picture
John Williams on February 26, 2006 - 03:21 Permalink

What size generators are people using with the tab?
Small microwave, AC, etc.
Thanks,
sandy

Joe Herrington's picture
Joe Herrington on February 27, 2006 - 04:06 Permalink

We purchased a 2004 T@B with the “U” shaped floor plan for the queen size bed from a dealer in Mobile, Alabama for $10K with all the bells & whistles. The cool cat heat pump works great for air conditioning & heating. We are in our second year with many camping trips behind us with no problems encountered.
I have installed an under counter am/fm radio over the sink that works well and made a four shelf insert for the clothes closet to store odds and ends with a pull out top shelf that holds a 13” Sanyo color tv. I installed a tv connection box at the rear of the housing that covers the gas bottle & battery and ran the cable underneath the camper and up through the floor in the bottom of the closet and put a tv outlet plate in the closet. It works great. When you compare the pricing of the T@B with the built in quality of the camper, it is a decent price in my opinion. We sold a 28 foot Dutchmen and down sized and we have never regreted the T@B purchase.

Norman's picture
Norman on February 28, 2006 - 05:32 Permalink

Thanks for the notes, Joe. My new tab is missing a stereo so your input is very helpful. Does anyone want to get rid of the tent attachment? Before I buy a new one I thought I would ask if there was a ‘gently’ used one out there in cyber space.

DanStewart's picture
DanStewart on March 4, 2006 - 22:12 Permalink

I’m between Wilmington, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC.
We are looking to purchase a small micro trailer and the T@B looks like a winner. Now!! Who’s got the best deal or are there any used ones available??

Tim's picture
Tim on March 5, 2006 - 06:03 Permalink

Went today (in Wisconsin) to look at t@b—the dealer has 2 clams with Aluminum, newer ones no longer available in aluminum-just alu-fiber. Any opinions as to which is better? Thanks…wondering if it’d be fun to have the real aluminum so it could be buffed to high reflective…

Andi's picture
Andi on March 9, 2006 - 15:22 Permalink

Hi. I just bought a 2006 mellow yellow L kitchen in aluminum. I’m told not to mess with the finish on the Aluminum. JUST SOAP AND WATER. People who have had there T@B for some time have been satisfied with the finish maintained this way.
I do wonder which is “better”, alufiber or aluminum?

I have a new screen room, still unused, which I may need to sell. On my way from East to West coast so it might be lightly used by the time I got near your place!Let me know if you’re still interested.
relaxavk@aol.com

Tim Burns's picture
Tim Burns on March 10, 2006 - 18:04 Permalink

Andi,
We found a 2005 Aluminum— haven’t received it yet, but I would also be interested in what you might want for the screen room. Thanks for the info.

Tim's picture
Tim on March 14, 2006 - 23:32 Permalink

Hi.
We did it!!! Found a 2005 (new) Orange Krush Aluminum t-1 plan, with cool cat,LP furnace, power vent, aluminum wheels, lp fridge. Will pick up tomorrow.

Question is this: Dealer says the awning stinks, is a pain to put on, and is flimsy and does not work out. This doesn’t correlate with pics I see posted. Any comments? What should I offer him for one?

Thanks

Becky's picture
Becky on March 15, 2006 - 04:30 Permalink

Tim,
Our T@B came with the awning so I don’t know how much to offer. We think the awning is great. Provides shade, privacy, a dry area to store things at night. We practiced putting it together before our first trip out and worked out a good system for getting it together and up. My husband uses a lubricant in the track to make it easier. I think the awning is definately worth having.

Tim's picture
Tim on March 16, 2006 - 22:18 Permalink

Thanks Becky—just wondering—do you have the “flowered” style or the new gray? I understand the gray has changes that make it easier to install and is more durable in function.

~Tiger's picture
~Tiger on March 17, 2006 - 04:30 Permalink

We have been looking at teardrop style trailers as I think that is about all the weight my PT Cruiser could safely tow. Come late May, we will be making a roadtrip to the Grand Canyon (from Dallas, TX) and intend to camp in a little trailer (if we find an affordable one), otherwise, it will be a tent. And I don’t want to do the tent thing if at all possible. The PT Cruiser is supposed to have a maximum trailering capacity of 1,00LBS with a max tongue weight of 100LBS. 4 cyl 2.4 litre engine. Could she safely pull one of these T@Bs? Thru the mountains of Nothern NM and AZ? If yes, where can I find one in the Dallas area to take a closer look at? Thank you for any advice.

~Tiger

Becky's picture
Becky on March 17, 2006 - 05:07 Permalink

Tim,
We have the gray one.

chell's picture
chell on March 19, 2006 - 14:49 Permalink

Hi, I just found you guys this is a great place. Just wanted to let you know we have a 2005 T@b we are selling. It is the grey one and has all the fancy stuff. Let me know if anyone is interested.

laura's picture
laura on March 23, 2006 - 11:33 Permalink

Anyone dealt with Tiara RV Sales in Elkhart, IN — near the T@B factory? They’ve quoted me $11,200 on a custom ordered T16-Q layout with just about everything except the bike rack and cover. I’m located in California so I want to make sure I’m dealing with an upfront dealer before we get out there. The salesman said there were no additional fees but that price is so low compared to dealers we’ve talked to on the West Coast I can’t help but be skeptical.

- Laura

Becky's picture
Becky on March 24, 2006 - 05:33 Permalink

I am interested in all information regarding mini-vans pulling T@Bs. We are looking for a new vehicle and are wondering if a mini-van would do the trick. Any feedback on the kind of vehicle you use would be useful. Thanks.
Becky

laura's picture
laura on March 24, 2006 - 21:45 Permalink

I found these two sites with tow ratings. Before buying any car I’d double check but it should help you get an idea for what vehicals are rated for towing. Also, keep an eye on the year, I noticed that they can change dramatically over time.

http://www.trailerlife.com/tow…

On the second link, select a vehical then select tow ratings:
http://www.theautochannel.com/…

- Laura

clam_n_tide's picture
clam_n_tide on March 26, 2006 - 07:37 Permalink

We have a 2006 T@B, alufiber with cherry red. We are interested in hearing how the awning is working for people. Our dealer dissed the awning so that we didn’t get one but we keep seeing pictures with awnings and they look pretty good.

Stacey Bradley's picture
Stacey Bradley on March 27, 2006 - 04:07 Permalink

My hubby and I just ordered a 2006 T@B today- just didn’t nned all of the options that the local dealer had his stocked with. Even talked him into the sales special he was running for the ones on the lot. We went with the gray on white, queen bed layout, front window, 12v fridge, awning, screen door and cover. We figured for as little as we will need heat we can throw in a small space heater. Didn’t want the tent as I assume we’ll usually add the awning. It could be 6 weeks before it gets here but we haven’t a hitch yet anyway. See you all out there this summer!
Stacey

Christian's picture
Christian on March 28, 2006 - 22:07 Permalink

I am looking for a new or used jolt grey with white alufiber or grey T@B.
Any floorplan except the clamshell model.

Please e-mail me at:

mojavefoto@aol.com

Thank you,

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