After doing a post on teardrop and vintage trailers a few weeks back I thought I would do a post on the ultra-modern T@B. Since it was introduced a few years ago, the T@B trailer by Thor Industries has exploded as a popular alternative to a larger, heavier travel trailer.
The T@B is known for its European design, styling and lightweight construction. They are about 16 ft long and can be purchased for between $9,000 and $20,000. The full trailer stands at 7 ft 9 inches and the interior height is 5 ft 9 inches. It weighs under 2,000 lbs unloaded.
The T@B, which stands for Take America Back, also has all the amenities of a larger travel trailer (heating, air conditioning, fan, sink, refrigerator, stove and storage) but can be pulled with a smaller car and has no need for electronic brake control. The only thing the T@B does not have is a bathroom and shower. A port-a-potty can be installed. The Clamshell T@B even has a kitchen that opens up in the back, like the classic teardrop trailer.
The T@B also includes:
- Several floor plans
- Alufiber® construction
- Surge coupler attached to the hitch
- Seating area that becomes a 60 x 70 inch bed
- A covered area for a 20 lb. grill-style LP propane bottle and deep cycle RV battery
- A 5 gallon fresh water tank and on demand water pump
- A 25 amp power converter
- A marine grade amp with removable 20 foot power cord
- Smoke, propane, and carbon monoxide detectors
The T@B, because of its people friendly design and comfort, could be used for a temporary home or one that is more permanent. I came across several websites of people who live in or take extended trips in their T@Bs. I was specifically interested in the modifications they did to make the their T@B more comfortable and suited to their living needs.
Tabventures: Lynne takes extended trips with her dog, Millie
Chris Dunphy lived in his T@B for two years, before he upgraded to an Oliver
Mike and Trisha Kennedy travel in their T@B
Al’s T@B Mods: A list of T@B modifications
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How cool! They look just like the old ones from the 30’s and 40’s. I have a little portable propane – 120v A/C – 12v DC
refrigerator that would work great for anyone who has one of these. http://www.BensDiscountSupply.com
Neat, they remind me of the I-Camp which has a full bathroom but also manages to stay small.
http://www.urvusa.com/elite_floorplan.html
I want to move right in! After 27 months in our tiny flat Peace Corps Ukraine, we love the freedom and the coziness of a tiny, well appointed space. I am adding the T@B to my wish-list (Santa are you out there?).
Life is good…
“Ginn”
In Sunny Santa Fe
I have been impressed by the T@B trailers — having the opportunity to see them at the Pomona RV show the past couple of years. While a little small for my taste, they definitely seem to be both cute and high quality!
-Paul
SteadyFast
We own a 2008 T@b trailer, and we love it.. We have links on our bog to other owners blogs and info about the T@b
We have a T@B Clamshell. Love it. Small and works great for tailgating.
Love the galley setup. We love to cook so me gourmet it in our T@B.
Good luck with yours!
Chad
We love our 2005 T@B. They ARE solid. We have it stored and covered outside in winter– and it ha been rodent proof. Great product!
Stumbled across this website tonight. Was quite suprised to see a photo of my 1998 VW Beetle pulling our 2004 T@B. The photo was taken at the Schoharie boat launch in Montgomery County, NY the day that we bought our T@B. You can see the old ruins of the Erie Canal Aquaduct in the backgound.
Hello Luke,
I was interested in the fact that you towed your T@B with a little VW bug. I have the chance to purchase a T@B but I have a 2009 Nissan Rogue that has a towing capacity of 1000 lbs. I’m afraid the car is not up to the job of towing this little T@B. Do you know the towing capacity of your VW? Have you had any problems?
Thanks,
Gail
Gail, we have a2005 T@B and tow it with a VW Jetta, 4 cylinder.(same engine as the VW Bug) and only 115 horse power. No problems at all,a Ferrari it is not, but its certainly ok. Check your owners manual for max towing capacity, ours is limited to 2000lbs are u sure the Rogue is only rated to tow 1000lbs? I believe different states have their own laws regarding towing capacity, but a 4 cylinder Rogue has170 horsepower, more than enough!
Cheers, Bernard in B.C.
Weight restrictions are not state mandated, They are specific vehicle rated. My Mariner hybrid is rated for 1,500 lbs, and it towed ok, but trasnsmission was winding. It might have done ok without hybrid tranny, but I bought a land rover discovery to be totally safe, so as to be able to load it up and still climb rocks with it. 100 horsies will probably not quite cut it, unless you don’t care about ruining your VW
Towing capacity is vehicle specific and a function of many things besides engine size. Tires, frame and suspension, brakes, and transmission all factor into the vehicles tow capacity rating. You should not let people convince you that just because their 4 cylinder car towed a trailer that your 4 cylinder car can tow the same trailer. The Rogue has a stated 1000lb tow capacity. This is very low, and most likely a factor of the CVT style transmission. You would probably be putting the Transmission at risk of damage if you towed something above the 1000 lb capacity.
Don’t underestimate the weight of all the junk you put in the trailer when you head out too. Once you load up food and water and bits and bobs of gear, extra clothing and bedding and whatever the heck else it can really add up.
How were you able to pull it with your bug?
T@Bs are great! We just started carying them and we couldn’t be more excited! You and your blog readers might like this: “Put it on my T@B” Tee Shirt
The guy who said TAB’s don’t have aathroms was wrong!! Some th em do. We have a new TAB with toilet and shower!!
Would you believe we we called,ALCO the axle manufacturer for TAB with questions about paking the wheel bearings, they told us to call Germany and oh yeah good luck with that. SOOO.. What do we do about that? Jeff
Jeff,
I had the same problem and found the bearings at a speed shop in Grand Rapids Michigan.
As I am raeding this away from my house, I do not have the contact info with me.
If you have not resoled the issue, feel free to send me an e-mail and I’ll dig it up.
wristy19@gmail.com
The bearings can be bought at the T@B factory, EBay and other retailers that deal with bearings. It is SKF GRW120 and you can research it on the internet. I have read that it is a bearing used with Fiat, Yugo and another auto that I can’t remember at the moment.
I love these. Nice they get so many good reviews. The website right now says they’re expected back Fall 2011, which could be any day. I’ve subscribed to their email list for when they return.
T@B name was purchased by Little Guy they are releasing the new models that are available now. http://www.golittleguy.com for more info. I just bought a 2012 model and pick it up soon. I can’t wait!
Thank you for the post. I have watched T@B for several years. They are a great little trailer but hard to find now! I wanted one because I could park it in my little garage and pull it with my truck. Now I’m trying to get a self-contained RV to live in — small enough to park anywhere, I hope. Then I plan to build a semi-permanent tiny house on wheels. Your blog continues to inspire me over and over. Thanks!
POSTED 2012 T@B is AWESOME. SELLING MINE IN MINNESOTA. MINT serious MN inquiries only email holsquigg@mchsi.com
Has anyone installed bearing buddy on their T@B?
I have a 2001, and want to install one. Anyone else installed one? What size should I buy? Thanks
Does anyone have instructions for installing the awning on a T@B?
It’s easy, just slide the right zippers into the slots. You may need to open the end of the channel to allow it to slide in. Second place the floor on the ground, and face the zippers toward the channel zippers and get under and start zipping.
Next slide the poles (Push don’t pull, you will see why) in the color coded fabric channels. The bars will bend impressively, and hook on the lower tabs. Now just tighten and stake it down.
-Richard
Can anyone tell me what porta-potty goes in a 2006 Thor TAB. Purchased my trailer last nite and it did not have one. Thanking you in advance Pip
Does anyone know of a trailer like this a little larger .. I saw it the other day on 85 near San Jose .. it had the plastic corner trim like this but not all the way around .. maybe an older model .. but in perfect shape ..
Hello,
My wife and I are new to owning a T@B Trailer. We purchased a 2007 last night. I was wondering if anyone out there had reccomendations on websites or stores to purchase parts / awnings / tents, etc? Thank you in advance for any help…
Adam
Adam, you can visit the T@B owners club here: http://www.tabownersclub.com
I’ve always admired the T@b from the moment they hit the market, and have given serious consideration to having one once retired. However, having just finished watching the uTube ad, with a suggested price range of $16k tp$20K, I feel they are again doomed before they start. My daughter just bought a 27′ travel trailer for $10.9K used that has been in storage, sleeps 8, comes with EVERY amenity including full bath/shower (both inside and outside) and is big enoug to house two T@b’s inside! The market is flooded with these at the moment. Why would anyone pay up to $20K for a T@b? I won’t. Knightsix
Sorry, wanted to mention why would anyone pay twice as much for ‘half’ as much, with the market being flooded with so many (all sizes) travel trailers – new and used? My education is in Business and Management and for the life of me I can’t see this new company succeeding with a marketing plan that appears to be setting up for failure. Knighsix
I own a 2008, Q16. The T@B’s are retro cool! Sure you pay more, but you also get what you pay for. To each her own and my 2008 Q16 Orange Krush makes me smile every time I see it, use it, clean it, etc. I have a degree in Quality of Life.
I’m selling a 2008 Orange and White one. Hardly used. $12K
I don’t get how a small vehicle can tow a trailer that is over 1,000 pounds UNloaded. Our Hyundai Sonata (not a V6) says towing capacity PLUS weight inside combined cannot exceed 800 pounds. We wanted to get a pop-up, but can’t even do that because they all weigh too much with our famly’s combined weight and what we would need to pack for trips.
Hi, We have a T@B trailer – a version from 2007 and I was wondering about towing it with my 2003 Beetle (2.0 l). I read that you felt your beetle was up to the challenge, but I was wondering if it was a manual or automatic and if you could manage hills? What type of hitch did you buy and did you need any adjustment to fit the T@B?
Thanks,
Maya
I have a 2006 T@B Thor. I need a new front window. The curved window that can open. Can anybody help me?
We just bought a 2008 and have an Escape rated for 3500 lbs. I honestly wouldn’t tow it with anything less, and I certainly would recommend towing it with a VW Beetle. Looks like the happiest folks are the ones towing with a nice heavy dual cab truck. Be safe people.
i just went through the “wind strom” up here in WA and know I need a front window assembly 4 my 2008 T@B
Can u help ME…did u get a window and where?
thx, D
We just bought a 2015 Tab S Maxx and are towing it with my 2013 Chevy Cruze. They installed everything including electric brakes at the place where we purchased the camper..i love it…
How is the Chevrolet Cruze working towing the TAB? I am looking at buying TAB.
I purchased a used Tab at the end of Summer last year. It’s just my wife and I. We are leaving for our first great adventure in Florida this week! Question: the battery runs the fridge, lights and stereo but not the inside outlets, is there a way to get this to work from the battery?
hi – awesome article! just FYI, T@B is named after the founder Alfred Tabbert. it does not stand for Take America Back. 😉