The T@B is back! Dutchmen, the original manufacturers of the T@B, discontinued the production and support of the colorful, stylish little trailer in 2009, much to the chagrin of die-hard T@B owners and fans. One reason for this might have been because of the high cost of the various parts of the trailer that came from Europe. The rights to the popular trailer has now been acquired by Little Guy Worldwide, a company that makes teardrop trailers. Little Guy has partnered with Pleasant Valley Teardrop Trailers (the people who built my teardrop) to build the T@Bs. The Ohio-based company was also considering acquiring the T@B name and business at the same time as Little Guy, but instead decided to partner with Little Guy and their large fan-base.
The new 15-foot long T@B has the same smart and sassy design, options and details as the original, but is still in the initial floor plan phase. Little Guy has added some additional amenities such as an outdoor shower with a 2.5 gallon heated tank, a 3-way refrigerator that can run off 12 volt, 110 or propane and a detachable screen door. The trailer is about 1,500 pounds fully loaded, contains a sink and a 2-burner LP stove, a propane tank and battery attached to the front and has a 5 gallon fresh water tank. The interior has birch cabinetry, storage under and over the seating/Queen bed combo, a small closet, a Port-a-Potty, an LP furnace/CoolCat air conditioner and several upholstery designs.
Little Guy has also made an effort to redesign and correct issues that plagued the original T@B. The new trailer will have a better door handle, a heavier front door, solid aluminum instead of mesh wheel wells and they are using automotive adhesives to attach the trim to the roof. There will also be additional 110 and 12v outlets and the axle weight was increased to 3,500 pounds instead of the original’s 300 pounds. The expensive European parts will be produced in the U.S.
Other standard features include:
- Silver, Yellow, Red & White Exterior trim available
- Aluminum Framed Roof & Sidewalls
- Laminated Fiberglass Sidewalls with foam block insulation
- Alufiber Roof with R-12 cut insulation
- 14″ Alloy Rims
- E-Coated Microlite frame; Independent suspension
- Tongue jack with dolly wheel
- Two sets stabilizer jacks; Two sets grab handles
- Poly Plastic, duo pane bay windows w/roll-away screens/ shades
- 2-Way, 3-Speed Fantastic Fan ; Multiple 12v/110 outlets
- Spare tire and under mount bracket
- Premium vinyl flooring on Aluminum Framed Floor
- 5 Interior 12Volt light fixtures & External Porch Light
- “Easy-up” indoor/outdoor table, Table top 28″x31″
- 110V A/C to 12V D/C power converter
- Hydraulic Surge Brakes
- Pre-Installed Keder (Awning) Rail
- DVD/TV Player with AM/FM and Cable Coaxial Hookup
- 12v Norcold Compressor Refrigerator
- Redesigned, Industrial Strength Entry Door w/ Removable Screen
Optional features include:
- Norcold 3-Way Fridge that can be plugged into 12 volt or 110 or propane
- 15″ Monitor w/DVD/AMFM
- Side Portal Window
- Side Awning
- External shower
- 2.5 gallon Hot Water Heater
- 19 gallon gray water tank
The 2012 T@B is being sold at dealers around the country for around $16,000-$20,000. Only about 600 units will be built in 2012, but the company projects to build about 1,200 a year in their current facility in the next 18-24 months.
Photos courtesy of T@B/Little Guy
By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]
These are great little trailers and the next logical step up from a tent. There are some design details in these that could be applied in Tiny Houses. We love ours.
Are you sure that the original weight was 300 lb and it now weighs 3500 lb? That’s more than a ten X increase!
Oh, closer reading tells me that the weight is 1500lb. What is the difference between weight and axle weight.
It said the axle weight increased from 300 to 3500, not the trailer weight.
They need to bring over the European floor plans which make far more sense imo. In fact the original T@Bs were started in Germany by Tabbert. I guess Dutchman had to pay a royalty to produce the trailers under the T@B name which may be why they stopped making them. Who knows how big companies decide on things but it is nice to see them being produced again.
Here’s a link for one of the European ones:
http://squob.com/travel_trailers/tb-xl-the-burgher-king/
Pretty nice. I’d probably just get a minivan with stow-away seats though and use a backpacking stove for cooking. This would be better for longer trips though.
One of these would be handy http://www.walmart.com/ip/Matter-Of-Time-Privacy-Pop-Up-Tent-Enclosure/14860697
Interesting, however I do not, nor do I intend to get a larger vehicle (pick-up / SUV) in order to pull something like this… perhaps a scaled down version for my vehicle though. Looked at the link to the european variant… much prefer the style of that one over the US version.
Do you need a SUV to pull 1500 lbs? I thought most cars could tow that weight, but I honestly don’t know so I may be way off. The link provided was not to a standard European model–the originals had a floor plan just like the one above. I agree that linked floor plan was sweet, but it was also listed at $60k! and was 22′ not 15′ like these. It was not the standard issue T@B. It was a top of the line model, but a great example of what can be done in a tiny space.
Here’s a link to the European T@B http://www.tabme.de/modelle/tb/technische-daten.html –the standard version!
What I admire about these trailers are all the things inside! Very cool!
I love these lil trailers I almost bought one of the T@DAs in 08 but went with the smaller T@B cause it was cheaper and wish i went a little bigger.I would love if they came back with them aswell.
/Users/charlottemann/Desktop/AA152214_0002.JPG
Purchased an 2008 T@da, in the process of reading all instructions.So easy to tow with small truck as well as visibility to view rear.Interior is so cute and lots of light. More to come after first campout.
I really love these, but it sounds like in the discussion that the new weight is an issue. What I liked about them before was that my New Beetle could pull one, but it sounds like now that it couldn’t. Not only am I not going to change cars or buy another vehicle, but the price tag is a bit steep for me. For those of you who have the vehicles to pull one and the cash flow, I bet you’ll really enjoy having one of the new 2012s.
Thinking about selling mine–it looks like the gray one above. I live in Los Angeles. Tawanda is a 2010 with a flush (cassette) toilet. I pull it with a leased Subaru Outback 3.6. Just got back from Point Reyes National Seashore via Route 1 along the coast. Handles great! I’m going back to school and I need the money! I’m asking $12,000.
Please let me know if this unit is still available
Thanks,
Tom
Is your T@B still available?
The “castle” in the first photo with the silver T@B is Converse Hall at the University of Vermont!
We owned a red 2008 T@B and loved it! We sadly sold it when our family could not longer sleep comfortably on the bed and my husband got tired of setting up the attachable tent room.
We have a the new 2012. Tow it with our Subaru Outback. So far so good (couple of nights near to home) but the longer shakedown (to a much longer one next summer) trip is in a couple of weeks. We are not happy with the lack of any manual (even an old one!) and an awning that has been on order since mid-July. Not getting any response from headquarters…. Anyone else having this experience?
Same problems, with service, Cover need to be replace since I took delivery in june. Still waiting.
Cool Cat heat pump doesn’t work.
No response
Any suggestions to fix it?
There are two units: Cool Cat does not work unless plugged into an RV park service. The other unit does not work when the battery charge goes below 11 volts.
Hope that helps.
My husband has spent all day on the phone with the original manufacturers of most everything in the unit – as nothing seemed to work correctly or well or intuitively. (NEED MANUAL!). But he has learned a lot and we still plan to try a short trip tomorrow.
Is your Outback 4 or 6 cylinder ?
Haven’t even picked our T@B up yet so don’t have personal experience but we did download an 18 page manual from the T@B website that might be helpful. I wonder if there may be manuals online for any of the specific equipment too?
Haven’t tried ours yet but surely will now that you mention it BEFORE our trip north to the Maritimes in October…..!!
Will let you know…
We are back from a two day trip – trying to figure things out on the 2012 T@B without any manual. Lots of guessing, trial and error. We figured out most things, but not all – some surprises not advertised. If anyone has questions – reply here – we will try to help..
We are considering purchasing, but are confused and concerned about the statements about some parts of the T@b not working correctly and lack of manual information. Could you post some examples of what has gone wrong (or needed figuring out)with your 2012 unit? Thank you so much!
I am experiencing a lot of condensation at night and wonder how to keep warm if I have to leave the window open to cure the condensation problem.
Also, every time I tuen on the propane heater, the alarm goes off! Any idea about that?
Thank you.
Nancy
I understand that the CoolCat heater actually works only if the propane is turned on. The AC needs an electrical hook-up. Also, I understand that the coils sometime freeze up if the humidity is too high or if it is too cold outside…below 30. Anyone know?
Hi All! I Have The Silver And White 2012 T@b. Love It! But Sadly I Am Looking To Sell To Buy A Vintage Trailer Of Same Size. I Tow With A Honda Pilot. Has all The Bells And Whistles. I Have Recovered The Cushions wIth Bold maRimeko Fabric And Lots Of Ikea Storage Units. Included Is The Pah que tent And A Privacy Shelter wIth toilet And Go anywhere Waste Bags. $12,000. If Interested, Email Me At Pmkk2004@Hotmail.Com AndI Can Send Pictures. I Am In Minneapolis, Minn.
I have a. 2012 for sale $6500. Email for more information.
Where are you located Ralph?