T@B 400 Archives - Big Guy Tiny Trailer

A Bigger Camper for Big Guy Tiny Trailer

A Bigger Camper

Yes, we purchased a bigger camper after almost six years of teardrop travel. My blog is named Big Guy Tiny Trailer and we are clearly out of that category. So, I guess now the name only fits ironically. This post is about the why and what of this dramatic change for us.

Our nuCamp Teardrops

We have been proud owners of nuCamp RV products for the entire time of our camping history. Six years ago, we started with a 2017 T@G XL MAX and used it extensively for almost three years. It was a wonderful starter camper that we took all the way west to California and north to the Upper Peninsula. The camper performed flawlessly, but ultimately, we wanted a space to be comfortable inside when the weather is too hot, cold or wet.

Our bigger teardrop was a 2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite and it was exactly what we wanted. Though still rather small, it brought a bathroom, indoor kitchen, and indoor dining area to our camping experience. However, camping became more expensive because we couldn’t store the camper in our garage. Also, fuel economy decreased from around 17 mpg to 11. The most expensive change was an upgrade to our tow vehicle from an Acura MDX to a Ford Expedition. We like having surplus capacity when towing and the heavy tongue on our camper was an issue with the Acura.

The 400 was an excellent camper and the extra amenities were greatly appreciated. It provided wonderful times during the several trips we have taken in the last three years. We especially loved the indoor bathroom and kitchen. The Alde system was incredible with heat and hot water that was super quiet and comfortable. Most importantly, NüCamp quality continued in the 400.

A New Family Member

Late last year, we decided to get Sophie, our goldendoodle puppy. She is a sweetheart and a great little traveler. For instance, we have taken her on four camping trips in the last year and she was a real trooper. However, she weighs 35 pounds and will grow a bit more. Consequently, the space that she and her crate takes in our camper made it very cramped inside.

Our New Bigger Camper

After having adequate room, we weren’t happy in such limited space and so decided an upgrade was needed. We would have liked NüCamp as our brand for a bigger camper, but the Avia, nüCamp’s larger camper, is no longer in production. Quality was the most important factor in our search and we landed on the Lance for its perceived quality. I really hope that perception proves to be true!

We ordered a Lance 2075 in March from Bankston Motor Homes of Huntsville and took delivery in August. I highly recommend this dealership. We bought our 400 from them as well and have been pleased with their service.

The 2075 is a cool-looking 25’ travel trailer with some of the European styling we loved in our previous trailers. We specifically did not want a slide out because we didn’t want potential issues with it and are trying to keep it as simple as possible.

Our Lance 2075

We picked up this beauty in mid-August and have spent weeks getting it and our new tow vehicle ready for our next trip. The storage we have inside and outside is intoxicating.

Our bigger camper — Lance 2075 travel trailer

Some Interior Photos

We think the Lance 2075 is an attractive camper. The bedroom is perhaps it’s best feature. It has room for Sophie’s crate and there will be no more climbing over each other to get up. The bed is a full-sized queen and can use a residential mattress. It has windows all around and a skylight. Lots of ambiance, but I hope it doesn’t get too hot.

Bedroom in our bigger camper — Lance Bedroom

With Sophie’s crate in the bedroom, we can actually use the dining area again. We really missed having a place to eat, play games and relax.

The kitchen area is not really any larger than our 400, but the refrigerator is a little bigger and easier to access. The 2075 does have a small rear kitchen which might encourage more outdoor cooking.

Lastly, the bathroom is bigger and has a shower that should be a bit easier to use.

Bathroom in our bigger camper — A roomy bathroom

Déjà Vu on the Tow Vehicle

Our Expedition was within weight limits for the 2075, but we were not happy with how big trucks on the Interstate impacted us. With the 400, we had a lot of surplus capacity and we didn’t feel we had it with the Lance. We very much wanted that same comfortable feeling. So, a Ram 2500 diesel is our new tow vehicle.

A bigger vehicle for our bigger camper — Ram 2500 is our new tow vehicle

In Conclusion

Our two teardrop travel trailers were perfect for us as new campers who didn’t even know if we would like it. They gave us optimal flexibility in campsites and made travel relatively inexpensive. The quality of those campers was extraordinary. I wouldn’t trade a thing for our time in them, but we are ready for a little more room and comfort. If you would like to read more about our travels, check out our page, which is now ironically named Retirement and teardrop camping!

We take the new camper and truck on the road soon for a 2,500 mile trip. Hoping all goes well!

Happy camping!

How to Dewinterize the T@B 400

Ready to Dewinterize the T@B 400

So, you winterized your 400 and allowed it to rest during the cold weather. Perhaps, you read my post, Winterized our Camper Water System. Now, you are ready to get out there and go camping again. Fortunately, it is quite easy to dewinterize the T@B 400. For the water system, you basically just flush out the antifreeze.

Adding Water to the System

The 400 was thoroughly drained to winterize, but now is the time to add water back to the system. First, ensure the drain to the fresh water tank is closed. (It is located under the camper, near the wheel on the driver’s side.) Fill the fresh water tank about half full. The tank holds 30 gallons, so half filled is approximately 15 gallons. Do not leave the camper unattended while adding the water as damage can occur if it is overfilled.

It is best to flush the antifreeze using the water holding tank and pump because it enables the identification of leaks in the system. If the pump continues to run while faucets are closed, there is a leak somewhere.

Flushing the Antifreeze

Next, turn on the pump. Then, one at a time, turn on each water source and let it run till you can no longer see any pink antifreeze. Start with the cold water faucets in the kitchen and bathroom sinks, shower, and outside shower. Then flush the toilet until pink antifreeze is no longer visible. Lastly, turn on the hot water in kitchen sink, then bathroom sink, shower, and outside shower.

Once clear water flows through all water sources, you have flushed the antifreeze from your fresh water system. The antifreeze is now in the black and grey holding tanks and is ready to be dumped into a sewer or dump station. Do not allow it to drain into your lawn as it will kill plants.

Adjust the Bypass valve

The last step for the fresh water system is to adjust the bypass valve. It kept the antifreeze away from the hot water heater on Bypass. It needs to be set to normal to fill the hot water heater. Move the lever on the Bypass Valve from “Bypass” to “Normal”.

Other Steps to Prepare for Camping

The detailed steps above merely addresses preparing the water system for camping. Owners should also check tires, battery, propane tank, condition of safety chains, tightness of the hitch, proper seating of windows and doors, and condition of the camper exterior.

Additionally, wheel bearings should be lubricated once every year or at least every 10,000 miles. See our post, Wheel Bearing Maintenance-A Safety Necessity.

Lastly, NüCamp recommends owners to sanitize the fresh water system annually. A good time to do this is during dewinterization. A link to the nüCamp manual follows, T@B 400 Manual. The section on sanitation of the water system is on page 23.

We have Dewinterized the T@B 400

You are now ready to get out there camping in your T@B! Enjoy!

Year Three of Retirement, Still Loving It

Year Three of Retirement

Year three of retirement looked a lot like one and two. The time went by so quickly! It is a bit scary how easy it has been to adapt to a very relaxed lifestyle. I still love that we can basically sleep as much as we like. However, we do like getting up early to maximize sunshine. I can’t seem to get enough of that.

My husband and I are together 24/7 and most of the time it is fine, but sometimes we get on each other’s nerves. But, he is still my best friend and I can’t imagine doing this retirement thing with anyone besides him.

Family

It is good to be able to spend as much time as possible with family. Our grandchildren are in their teens and beyond now. We had another grandson graduate high school this year. Even our great grandchildren are no longer babies. The passage of time is so easily seen through our grandchildren and especially our great grandchildren.

Our son got married, so we have a new daughter. But, they moved out of the country this year. They are happy and we are happy for them, but hope we will continue to see them often. This year, they visited several times and we were very grateful.

Travel

Our favorite retirement pastime is traveling. This year we traveled by plane, train, coach, and camper. All were a blast! We know that our ability to travel can end abruptly at any time, so we cherish this time of mobility and exploration.

Camping in the 400

Most of our traveling time was in our T@B 400, which we had for the entire year. We took one fabulous 3,000-mile trip, Long Summer Trip 2019, with Friends Old and New , that included a üCamp Rally, five new states to add to our map, an island with wild horses, Shenandoah National Park, and the gorgeous Outer Banks.

Year Three of Retirement Big Camping Trip — Our Big Camping Trip

We attended our second üCamp and it was so much fun despite quite a bit of rain and muddy conditions. This rally left us even more impressed with nüCamp as an RV brand.

Winklepleck Grove Campground — Winklepleck Grove, the site of üCamp 19

The T@B 400 really increased our comfort while camping. It performed beautifully for our five week long trip and some smaller ones. We sold our T@G early in the year and it was sad to see it go, but we love the 400. No regrets whatsoever!

Third year of retirement camping — Comfortable in our 400

A highlight of our trip was seeing wild horses in our campsite at Assateague Island. It was so exciting to see them.

Wild horses at Assateague Island — Wild horses in our campsite

The Outer Banks were even more beautiful than anticipated. We were in a small campground in Rodanthe and were blessed to experience the most beautiful sunsets over the sound.

Many of our camping trips were with groups. We camped a couple of times with our friends from dancing and a couple of our camping trips were with the Southeastern T@Bs, T@Gs and Friends. We also attended the Tiny Christmas Campout for the third time.

Winter Getaway to Miami

Miami was our winter getaway for this third year of retirement and it was more fun than we could have imagined. We stayed at the Dream Hotel in Miami Beach, which was in a fabulous location. It was a couple of blocks from legendary Ocean Drive and the Beach. The weather was clear, warm, and sunny during our entire stay.

Tear three of retirement in Miami Beach — Beautiful Miami Beach

We tried to take in all the local sights of interest to us including Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Wynwood Walls, the Holocaust Memorial, Little Havana, and the Wolfsonian Museum. We also took a bus tour of the city and one to the Everglades for an airboat ride.

Lastly, Miami gave me one of my favorite short haircuts ever. I spent the rest of the year trying in vain to find someone local to replicate it.

The United Kingdom

This was our first trip to Europe since retirement and it did not disappoint. We booked a Collette tour through Alabama Public Television. Collette Tours has become our favorite guided tour company. This tour had two spectacular inclusions that are not always available, Highclere Castle (the Downton Abbey site) and the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland. Both were wonderful beyond words.

Military Tatoo — Military Tattoo in Edinburgh Scotland

I have wanted to visit the UK for many years and this was truly a dream vacation.

A Train Ride to NOLA

We traveled by train to New Orleans in May with our Viking Dance Group. It was our first time to travel by train in the United States. We loved being able to hang out with our Viking friends while visiting this historic city. It was quite lively because our hotel, the Saint Marie, is in the French Quarter.

Year Three of Retirement in Jackson Square — Jackson Square

Dancing

I am sad to say that our ballroom dancing has fallen by the wayside a bit. It declined over the years as my husband’s knee issues progressed and we have forgotten much of what we knew. I hope to revive it some in 2020.

Fortunately, we did attend some dances, including our Viking group’s Leadout. The theme this year was “Around the World in 40 Songs.” Everyone dressed to represent a country and ours was Scotland. My husband’s legs were the focus of much attention. He is a bold man!

Third year of retirement Viking 2019 Leadout — Viking 2019 Leadout

Year Three of Retirement Health Issues

This year was our healthiest one to date because I fought respiratory issues for three months the first year and my husband’s had knee issues and then pulmonary embolisms which made it quite challenging. In year two I was good, but knee replacement occurred for my husband and it was not easy.

While this year provided more mobility for my husband, I learned that bronchiectasis is the reason for my decades old respiratory issues. I started getting sick in late October and ended the year still trying to get over the repeated infections. However, I have high hope for a Kirklin Clinic specialist I am seeing in January.

Conclusion

This third year of retirement, 2019, was truly wonderful. It was not perfect or without its challenges, but it was wonderful to be able to live this year as we did and especially to be together. Time is passing though and nothing is guaranteed for tomorrow. As a plaque of mine says, “Dream as if you’ll live forever, Live as if you’ll die tomorrow.”

Three Years of Retirement — Anniversary Dinner

Florida Campgrounds, Three Highly-Rated Parks

Florida Campgrounds, Three Different Types

Florida campgrounds are incredible, especially in the spring before it gets too hot. Our trip began with in Jacksonville at Hanna Park Campground, which is a city park. Second was Salt Springs Recreation Area, which is a federal park and Hillsborough River State Park was last on our journey . Campers have rated all three of these Florida campgrounds highly and we found all to be uniquely beautiful. Each also offered very different ways for us to experience the surrounding area.

Hanna Park Campground

Hanna Park was one of the most beautiful Florida campgrounds we have visited. For all that the park offers, its nightly fee of $30 for full hookups was a bargain!

Enormous Live Oak trees enshrouded in Spanish Moss were everywhere. It is described on the website as a “coastal hammock” that is increasingly rare on the Atlantic coast. I felt we were in a tropical paradise while there.

We camped in site # 17 and loved it. The sites are fairly large and offer a degree of privacy.

Florida Campgrounds Hanna Park — Site # 17 Hanna Park Campground

The park is in Jacksonville, with all its attractions available to campers. This trip originated for us because of a desire to attend a concert at the Florida Theater and Hanna Park was a perfect home base. We were camping with friends who also attended the concert. It was a great evening! My only complaint is that the music was unnecessarily loud.

The campground includes a very large private beach right on the Atlantic. It was a reasonable walk from our campsite. We only walked on the beach, because it was too cool for us to get in the water. It was not the least bit crowded.

Beach access at Hanna Park — Beach Access at Hanna Park

Hanna Park had amenities that we did not have an opportunity to use. Bikes are available for rent and there are 15 miles of bicycle trails. There is also a freshwater lake.

Since we were camping with friends, we cooked in for most meals and played games (Mexican Train, Hand and Foot, Uno). We had a fabulous time.

The Negative

This Florida campground is amazing! It would be perfect except for the lack of cleanliness in the bathhouse. They were not the worst we have ever seen, but they certainly were a sharp contrast to the quality of everything else in the park. In fact, I used the shower in our T@B 400 while at Hanna because of this. As former T@G owners, we did not have that option nor did we have a toilet. It would have been a bigger issue with our previous camper.

Salt Springs Recreation Area

Salt Springs is in the heart of the Ocala Forest. The campground and facilities were immaculate and offered full hookups. Because we have a small grey water tank, this was very nice. With our Senior Pass, the nightly rate was only $23. 18, another bargain in Florida campgrounds. It was easier to keep our camper floor clean at Salt Springs because the site had asphalt. The campground also offers WiFi, though we were told it was sporadic. We happened to be near an access point and it wasn’t bad.

Salt Springs Site 17 — Salt Springs Site # 17

Our site had shade for part of the day, but when it did not, it was quite hot. We moved our rug and chairs around a lot to avoid direct sunlight.

The Springs were the main attraction and we really enjoyed them. We got into the water on two of our three days there. It gets its name from the potassium, magnesium and sodium salts in the water, which is a constant 74 degrees. The Springs provide a very clear, shallow pool that ranges from approximately 2 to 5 feet deep.

Salt Springs Florida Campgrounds — Chilling at the Springs

We also hiked the 1.5 mile Bear Swamp Trail, which was a treat for me because my husband’s knee replacement now allows him to be more active. It was an easy, shaded path with beautiful vegetation.

Our friends were with us at this campground too and we enjoyed cooking in and more games. We had lunch and one breakfast at a nearby restaurant, but the meals at the campground were much better.

The Negative

If there is a negative at this campground, for me, it would be that there is nothing of interest outside the campground. For some, this may be a big plus. We loved the Springs and time spent with our friends, but by ourselves we would miss nearby things to do after a couple of days.

Hillsborough River State Park

The third of our Florida Campgrounds was actually a repeat. We stayed at Hillsborough River in the fall of 2017. This is a link to our earlier post. Our son and his girlfriend are in Tampa, so we stay at this park when camping and visiting them. We had Site # 84, but it was quite sunny when we arrived, so we requested a change to 101. The site was quite large and shady. Sadly, no sewer though. It was a bargain as well at a nightly rate of $29.50.

The park has several hiking trails. We walked the Rapids Nature Trail, which runs alongside the river. It was an easy, shaded walk with magnificent views of the river. I so loved the “Prayer of the Woods” at the beginning of the trail in the photo below!

Florida Campgrounds Hillsborough River Prayer of the Woods — Prayer of the Woods

When we were at the campground before, the pool was closed. This time, it was open and we loved it! It was huge and a perfect temperature and not a bit crowded, though that will probably change once school is out for the summer.

Enormous Hillsborough River State Park Pool

The Negative

Hillsborough River State Park is wonderful, but we had terrible experiences with bugs. First, it was lovebug season and they were all over our SUV. We were told they like white vehicles and they certainly liked ours. The only way to get the massive numbers of dead ones off our vehicle was using dryer sheets. If you allow them to remain on your car, they are corrosive and can destroy your paint.

Secondly, I had a bad experience with chiggers. They bit my ankles and I had major bumps and itching. I think I also transferred some to my arms and legs for additional bites. I had no idea chiggers could be such a big deal! Hypochondriac that I am, I imagined much more serious possibilities for my bites until my son talked me down.

Ybor City

We also visited Ybor City, a fascinating neighborhood in Tampa that was founded on the cigar industry . On another trip, we had dinner at the wonderful Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City and wanted to eat there again.

I am so glad we also decided to check out the Ybor City Museum State Park. The neighborhood has a most interesting history. We toured the museum with Mitzi, a lovely docent from Venezuela who has lived in the U.S. for forty years. She provided a tour of a replica of the homes during the 1800s. She made the 1800s and early 1900s in Ybor City come alive for us. All this for just $4 each. I won’t spoil it for those who might want to visit, but encourage everyone to check it out. It was great!

Family Time

Of course, our favorite time in Tampa was visiting family. Our son and his girlfriend prepared a delicious steak and lobster dinner for us. The interesting thing about the lobsters is that they caught them. They are both experienced divers and our son has just become a certified Divemaster. We are very proud of their accomplishments.

Favorite Restaurants on Trip

Kafe Kokopelli in Dade City on the way to Tampa was awesome. Surprisingly, their Gator Bites with horseradish sauce was great. The best thing there, however, was the goat cheesecake with gingersnap crust. We also liked The Great Catch in Zephyrhills. Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 Salad and the White Chocolate Bread Pudding were also wonderful.

In Conclusion

This, our first camping trip of 2019, was everything we could have wanted. We were blessed by wonderful weather and soul-soothing closeness with nature. Our time with friends and family was priceless. This trip was retirement at its very best. Florida campgrounds rock!

Zamp Connector Added to our New Camper

Zamp Connector Needed

Our first camper, a T@G MAX, had a Zamp Solar connector. Because of this, we purchased a Zamp Solar Suitcase. We liked using it and expected our new camper to be wired for Zamp as well. However, our nüCamp T@B 400 is not wired for Zamp.

So, this became our first official modification on the 400. I wanted to use the solar suitcase, but was concerned about drilling a hole into our new camper. My husband convinced me that he could do it without creating any issues. He did a fantastic job and it works great! I am sharing his step-by-step instructions for any of you who might also want a Zamp connector.

Items Used

Zamp Connector with wire. We purchased the connector and 10’ of the wire for $23. You can get the connector cheaper with a very short wire, but we did not want to splice to add needed wire.
Painter’s Tape
A drill.
Drill bit for screws 1/8” Jobber Drill Bit.
Drill bit 1/4” for pilot hole.
Paddle bits: 7/8”, & 11/16”.
4 Phillips Head screws, #8 x 3”, type A point.
2 each 3/8” Lugs, 12 gauge.
Silicone, clear.

The Hole

To begin, he put painter’s tape on the drill spot to protect the finish and to mark it.

The hole in our new 400 was really three holes. Firstly, he drilled a 1/4” pilot hole approximately 3/8” deep to start the hole. Secondly, he drilled a 7/8” hole that was 1/8” deep. It is for the lip of the flange. Lastly, he drilled an 11/16” hole all the way through the camper wall. This is to accommodate the bulk of the connector.

Zamp Connector hole — Three-stage hole for Zamp

Attaching the Zamp Port

The Zamp connector fits perfectly into the hole and the four screws attach it securely to the wall of the camper. My husband marked the spot before drilling, drilled the holes, and tightened the screws. Next, he applied silicone around the connector to seal the area from water.

The above wire extends to a heavy duty distribution stud that can be accessed under the bed.

Connecting to the Batteries

Next, he connected the wire to the batteries. We have two six-volt AGM batteries and the Zamp connector can access them via a heavy duty distribution stud that came installed in the camper. You may be connecting to a single battery and not using the distribution studs.

Also, my husband cut approximately 4 feet of surplus wire. He then crimped and soldered the black and red wires. He also added shrink tube to the ends.

We were a little concerned about how to attach the wire to the battery posts because of everything we have heard about reverse polarity and the Zamp. So we contacted Zamp and they explained to us that the positive wire would be coming from the male lead on the port. For our cable, it was red, so we basically just attached the red cable to the positive post and the black to the negative post.

We asked the Zamp technician what would happen if we connected it wrong. He said that it would just show an error on the charge controller. That made us feel better.

Conclusion

Finally, we gave it a trial run in our driveway and it worked beautifully. So, we now have a Zamp port on our new camper just like we had on our first camper. My husband also ordered a Zamp decal. I would have been good without the decal, but love the port.

Our page, Camping Resources for New Teardrop Campers , has other posts related to how we solve our camping needs as new campers. So, you might want to check it out.

We can’t wait to take our camper with its new Zamp port on the road!

South Carolina Camping, First T@B 400 Trip

South Carolina Camping

South Carolina camping was our first opportunity to use our new T@B 400. My separate post, Shakedown Trip in New TAB 400 covers the performance of the 400 on the trip. We camped in two South Carolina State Parks, the first in Columbia, the State Capital and the second on the Atlantic. Our trip began early in December and the fall colors were so beautiful!

Sesquicentennial State Park

South Carolina camping began in Columbia. It was our very first campsite in the 400 and we arrived just before dark in the pouring rain. Stressful! Our set up went relatively well, but we were wet and cold when we were done. We had dinner at a nearby restaurant and were very happy to be warm and dry.

There were few campers at the campground. We chose Sesquicentennial because it is in Columbia, which we wanted to visit. Our site was close to the bathhouse and was nice for a state park, just a little too warm. Though our 400 has a shower, we did not use it on this trip. We will save it for boondocking.

Columbia Attractions

We had one full day to see the sights. The rain was off and on for our sightseeing and the temperature was in the 70s.

South Carolina State Museum

The four story museum has a variety of attractions, including a domed planetarium, a variety of exhibits, and a 4D interactive theater. It is the largest museum in the state and seemed a good way to spend a rainy afternoon. The museum offers an abundance of activities for children.

Many exhibits depicted early life in South Carolina like the one below. In 1936, less than 2.5% of the state’s farms had electricity. However, by late 1941, about 40% had acquired it and by 1959, 90% had public power through the efforts of the Rural Electrification Administration.

Another interesting exhibit was the Hupmobile below. I have never heard of one, but Detroit manufactured them from 1908 to 1941. The car below was purchased in Columbia. One interesting fact is that the Hupmobile appeared in front of U.S. Treasury on the 1920s-era $10 bill.

South Carolina State House

The State House was closed because we were visiting on a Sunday. However, we did walk the grounds, which displayed beautiful fall colors.

The architecture of the State House was pretty cool, but it was the grounds that most impressed me.

We had a fantastic meal at Pearlz Oyster Bar. I wanted to have a SC classic, Frogmore Stew, aka Low Country Boil. Pearlz did not disappoint—everything we had was amazing. It was our best meal in the state!

Our two nights in Sesquicentennial were comfortable. Our new camper and its Alde heater made it nice in the mornings to have breakfast inside. We did not spend very much time in the campground, but it was quiet and peaceful.

Edisto State Park

South Carolina camping was next at Edisto State Park. It was lovely, but more remote than I had imagined. There was torrential rain the night before we arrived resulting in large puddles of water throughout the campground. However, it was was lovely and well-maintained.

South Carolina camping at Edisto — The beach just beyond our campsite

Nearby Attractions

There is much to see along the South Carolina coast and we tried to do as much as possible on our one full day allocated for seeing the sights.

Angel Oak Tree

The Angel Oak is a giant live oak tree on John’s Island. It is estimated to be 400-500 years old. The tree is 66.5 feet tall and its longest branch is 187 feet long. I love trees, particularly live oaks, so this one was a must see. It was majestic! We later learned that there is some controversy regarding the tree and the cost of producing electricity in the area. I don’t know the specifics, but the tree is amazingly.

Morris Island Lighthouse

The lighthouse on Morris Island opened in 1876. It is on an island that is shrinking and the shoreline is at the base of the lighthouse. It is at great risk to be claimed by the sea and there are efforts to save it. Boats take tourists to the island, but they cannot enter the lighthouse. We viewed it from Folly Island via a beautiful walk along the beach.

Pralines in Charleston

We visited Charleston several years ago and loved it, but did not plan to spend time there on this trip. However, Folly Island was quite close to Charleston. So, we made a little side trip to pick up some pralines at Market Street Sweets. They were wonderful!

Lastly, Edisto also provided us with an amazing sunset.

We loved our South Carolina camping. It is a beautiful state with friendly people, great food, and lots to see and do. I’m glad we were able to spend several days there.

This trip ended in Pensacola at the Tiny Christmas Campout and was our last trip of 2018. For us, it was a great year for camping!

South Carolina Camping Update

We were unable to see everything we wanted on our first South Carolina Camping Trip, so we stopped at an area of interest while on our Long Summer Trip 2019. Kings Mountain was our last stop on that trip.

Kings Mountain State Park

We stayed for three nights at the State Park. The site we booked was terribly uneven and we exchanged it for one that was level, Site # 108.

South Carolina Camping at Kings Mountain — Site # 108

The park and the site were okay, but we had some terrible neighbors who were yelling and cursing late into the night. Not very pleasant!

While there, my husband’s back began hurting because he was away from his routine at the gym for almost five weeks. He spent a good bit of time on mats at the campsite doing back exercises. I am happy to say the exercises helped a lot!

Kings Mountain Military Park

We were there to visit Kings Mountain Military Park, which is next to the State Park. I am so glad we did because it provided some very interesting history that was new to us. A major battle during the revolutionary war was fought on the mountain.

England was trying to recruit loyalists in the South to aid in the battle to the North. England’s Major Patrick Ferguson had recruited an army of 1,000 loyalist militia and 100 red-coated Provincials. The Patriots had 900 riflemen and were led by Virginia Col William Campbell. The battle ensued on October 7, 1780 and the Patriot victory was said by Thomas Jefferson to be a turning point of the war. Ferguson died on the mountain and he was the only Englishman to fight in that battle.

The Park has a 1.5 mile trail on the battlefield. The trail was wide and was made of soft rubber. It had markers and monuments along the way. However, at times it was quite steep.

1880 Centennial Monument — Made it to the Top

My husband complained a lot, but made it to the top. I felt it was well worth the effort, but he was mostly glad it was over.

Kings Mountain Farm

The Farm was settled by a Scottish immigrant around 1765. He was considered to be a “yeoman farmer”, neither rich nor poor. There are several buildings on the property and a cotton gin. The government purchased the property in 1935 for what would become the state park. The Farm is very well-kept and we were told that events with people dressed in period clothing occurs occasionally. It is really lovely!

Carolinas Aviation Museum

Charlotte was very close, so we visited the Aviation Museum. My husband is a big fan of aircraft and I had to make up for the walk on the mountain. The museum has the actual airplane that Captain Sully landed on the Hudson, plus many others. The plane below was one of my husband’s favorites. He also did a great job in the flight simulator.

Lastly, we had lunch at a pretty cool restaurant, Cabo Fish Taco. I had tacos with grilled scallops—delicious!

So glad we got to revisit South Carolina!

Shakedown Trip in New TAB 400

T@B 400 Shakedown Trip

The shakedown trip in our new camper was planned several months earlier and we expected it to be on our T@G. However, we purchased the 400 sooner than expected and it was just prior to our rather long trip to South Carolina and Florida.

The T@B 400

We have always camped in the much smaller T@G, so the 400 was a quite different experience. If interested in our thoughts for making this change, check out Replacing Our Tiny Camper, A Big Step .

The trip of approximately 1,400 miles had been on the books for several months, but the timing of our T@B purchase just a few days before the trip meant that we would have a very long shakedown trip in the 400. Yikes!

The Good and Great

The bathroom and indoor kitchen were wonderful! It was pretty chilly in the early mornings and at nighttime because it was an early December trip. Not having to go into the cold for the bathhouse late at night was amazing. Preparing breakfast in a warm camper was pretty nice as well.

Speaking of warm, the Alde system did an excellent job of keeping both the water and the camper warm. It was comfortably warm and also very quiet.

Set up and takedown were also very easy. We do not need as much external camping gear as we needed with the T@G.

Both of us could easily stand in the camper and changing clothes was much easier.

The Not So Good

Our gas mileage was awful! I was expecting 12-13 mpg and we barely got 10 mpg. The new vehicle had only 4,000 miles on it when purchased and I have been told it should get better. I certainly hope so.

Our 400 is a Boondock Lite and is quite tall. We like the extra height, but it can’t be good for gas mileage.

We were prepared for the bed to not be as good as our T@G because it was a king and had doors on both sides. The 400 has a queen bed and access from only one side. There is also the curve in the back of the camper that impacts one side of the bed. My husband and I traded off sleeping in the back of the bed. It really was not as bad as I expected, but this part was still a downgrade from the T@G.

T@B Issues

We expected some minor issues with the camper, but I must say we did not find anything significant. Unfamiliar with the Alde, there was a learning curve, but it performed very well. The temperature it shows is not the same temperature of the actual room, but it is my understanding that it is an Alde thing.

Our biggest issue was the size (18 gallons) of the gray tank. The only thing that went into it was from dishes and hand washing because we took showers in the bathhouses, yet we had to dump gray water in the bathhouse a couple of times. (We do not have one of those pull around tanks yet.)

There was also one shade that had to be pulled down carefully or it would bunch at the bottom, particularly on one side. That side of the window has a bigger gap at the bottom than the other.

We will be following up with our dealer, Bankston RV, about the shade.

Overall, I am feeling good about T@B 400 quality and our choice of camper based on this trip!

Tow Vehicle Shakedown

It was a shakedown trip for the Ford Expedition, our tow vehicle, as well. We bought it just a couple of days after the camper and felt good about its towing capacity of 9,000 pounds and a 900 pound tongue weight. It is a V-6 with twin turbos and gets 24 mpg on the highway when not towing. However, I was very disappointed at its mpg while towing.

Our Misadventure

We enjoyed the Expedition on the trip except for the low mpg. It does have one annoying and potentially dangerous trait though. The hands free function on the tailgate operates if you kick your foot under it. It hit my husband in the head a couple of times as he was working around the hitch. We tried disabling it, but then it was totally manual and my husband did not like that.

As we were stopped at the dump station in the last campground before heading home, I noticed our 7 pin was not yet connected. In an attempt to protect my husband from the tailgate, I took the keys from him and tossed them in the console of the car. But then I decided to get out for a minute and all the doors immediately locked. I had locked all keys, wallets, and phones in the car and it was running!

There was a code to the door, but with the rush to get ready for the trip, neither of us had committed it to memory.

It was about 6:30 in the morning and most of the campground was sleeping, but we had one friend who we knew had been up earlier walking her dog. She rescued us! We used her phone to call for help and waited in her warm truck for roadside assistance.

Conclusion

Despite our misadventure, our shakedown trip was wonderful and we love our new camper and tow vehicle. (Needless to say, we both have memorized the code to our car door.)

Can’t wait to get out there again!

Camper Storage Checklist for nüCamp 400

Camper Storage, A First

Our new T@B 400 will be resting at a storage facility for the winter. This is a first for us because our T@G was always in our relatively warm basement. So, we will use this post as a camper storage checklist each year as we retire our camper for the winter.

Storage Checklist

1. Winterize the Fresh Water System

It is most important to ensure the camper’s fresh water system is adequately prepared for storage. If you reside in a climate that does not go below freezing, you can just drain all the water from the camper. If, however, temperatures will go below freezing, then additional steps are necessary. Additionally, we have a separate post for how we prepared our camper for freezing temperatures, Winterized our Camper Water System .

2. Have a Plan for Keeping the Battery Charged

Secondly, it is important to keep the battery charged. A charged battery can withstand sub-zero temperatures, but a drained one can be destroyed in temperatures below freezing. Therefore, it is important to keep a good charge on the battery. There several ways to address this: removal of the battery, providing a trickle charge, keeping it on shore power, or periodic charging of the battery.

Because we are storing our camper close to home, we will do periodic charging of the battery. We will store it with the battery kill switch off because it ensures there is nothing to draw energy. So, I have put reminders on my calendar to check the camper and battery every couple of weeks.

Periodic Power Monitoring

a) First, turn on the power at the battery kill switch and check the power level of the battery at the information panel.

b) If it needs a charge, connect to shore power to bring it up to a fully-charged level. Note: the power at the battery kill switch must be on to charge the battery.

c) When the battery has a full charge, disconnect the power and turn the battery kill switch back to off.

Note: when the camper is taken to storage, the battery should be fully charged.

3. Remove All Food From the Camper

It is very important to remove food from the camper because it attracts insects and wildlife. Also, be sure to remove all canned and bottled items because they could freeze and burst. Ensure that the microwave and stove are clean so there is not anything that would produce food odors.

4. Clean the Camper

Wash the exterior and clean all the inside surfaces. Vacuum the floor and remove any stains with soapy water. If the floor is damp from cleaning, leave the windows open to allow ventilation while it dries.

5. Remove linens and all fabrics

We removed all sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, etc. We also removed our cushions and mattresses because we have read that they can sometimes be ruined by wildlife. This may be overkill, but we don’t want to take any chances of them getting damaged.

We have a visor that we will also need to spray with Kiwi Camp Dry to have it ready to repel water and make it easier to clean in our next season of camping.

5. Turn off Everything

a) Turn off the refrigerator by turning the setting to zero. Leave the refrigerator door open and put an open box of baking soda inside.

b). Make sure all lights, Alde System, range burners, television, and DVD player are off. Also, ensure that both fan switches are off.

c) Turn off the propane at the valve.

d) Turn off all power to Camper by turning the kill switch to off. (Battery image on top of switch appears upside down.)

Camper storage checklist last item — Kill switch is off

6. Final Steps

a) Ensure that the Camper is stored in a level position and stabilizers are down.

b) Close and lock all windows. Also, close all of the shades.

c) Place the cover over the air conditioner vent.

e) Place rodent repellent in camper. We chose the one (see link next) below based on a recommendation on a Facebook group.

f) Place a moisture absorber in the camper because it will help to prevent corrosion, mold, and mildew. The product below was in stock at our local Walmart (link) in the RV section.

g) Vent the Fantastic Fan 1/4” because nüCamp recommends it in the Manual.

h) Remove trailer hitch from SUV and place in storage unit.

i) Close and lock storage unit.

Camper Storage is done!

Our Storage Environment

Our camper will be in an unheated storage unit, so we will not have to consider any type of cover for it. But, if it were outside and subject to UV rays and the elements, we would need a cover. However, it is my understanding that one should be aware of extra moisture it may cause in some climates.

I had a lot of angst about getting our camper installed in the very tight space we have, but my husband got it in with the first try. I was so impressed!

Camper is stored — Very little room to spare

So, we have tucked our new baby away for the winter and are at home planning our next adventures.

A Bigger Camper

Our nuCamp Teardrops

A New Family Member

Our New Bigger Camper

Some Interior Photos

Déjà Vu on the Tow Vehicle

In Conclusion

Happy camping!

Ready to Dewinterize the T@B 400

Adding Water to the System

Flushing the Antifreeze

Adjust the Bypass valve

Other Steps to Prepare for Camping

We have Dewinterized the T@B 400

Year Three of Retirement

Family

Travel

Camping in the 400

Winter Getaway to Miami

A Train Ride to NOLA

Year Three of Retirement Health Issues

Conclusion

Florida Campgrounds, Three Different Types

Hanna Park Campground

The Negative

Salt Springs Recreation Area

The Negative

Hillsborough River State Park

The Negative

Ybor City

Family Time

Favorite Restaurants on Trip

In Conclusion

Zamp Connector Needed

Items Used

The Hole

Attaching the Zamp Port

Connecting to the Batteries

Conclusion

South Carolina Camping

Sesquicentennial State Park

Columbia Attractions

South Carolina State Museum

South Carolina State House

Edisto State Park

Nearby Attractions

Angel Oak Tree

Morris Island Lighthouse

Pralines in Charleston

South Carolina Camping Update

Kings Mountain State Park

Kings Mountain Military Park

Kings Mountain Farm

Carolinas Aviation Museum

T@B 400 Shakedown Trip

The T@B 400

The Good and Great

The Not So Good

T@B Issues

Tow Vehicle Shakedown

Our Misadventure

Conclusion

Camper Storage, A First

Storage Checklist

1. Winterize the Fresh Water System

2. Have a Plan for Keeping the Battery Charged

Periodic Power Monitoring

3. Remove All Food From the Camper

4. Clean the Camper

5. Remove linens and all fabrics

5. Turn off Everything

6. Final Steps

Our Storage Environment

Hurry, hurry springtime!