Why We Bought a nüCamp Tab 320 CS-S

What this episode covers

After years of RV adventures—and owning everything from pop-ups to a 32-foot Grand Design Imagine—we've added a new, smaller rig to our camping lineup: a 2024 nüCamp Tab 320 CS-S. This teardrop trailer with a clamshell kitchen is already bringing a whole new level of flexibility and simplicity to our camping life. In this episode of The RV Atlas podcast, we talk through all the details behind this big (yet small) decision—why we wanted a second RV, what we were shopping for, how our dealership experiences shaped the purchase, and what we love about the T@b 320 CS-S. Why We Wanted a Smaller Second RV This purchase wasn’t about replacing our Grand Design Imagine 2800 BH "bunkhouse"—it was about complementing it. Our lives and travel needs have changed as our kids have gotten older, and a smaller RV fits the direction we're heading in. Solo trips: With both of us traveling for work, it’s increasingly important to have a towable that’s easy to manage solo. Our 32-foot Imagine is great for family trips, but overkill for a quick weekend or content shoot. Couples getaways: With our kids older and sometimes busy with school, jobs, or friends, we’re seeing more opportunities for just-the-two-of-us camping trips. This may be wishful thinking, but we’ll keep you posted. Smaller family trips: The new setup (including our rooftop tent) lets us bring one or two of the boys along without needing the big rig. Camp Griddlemore filming: Jeremy’s Blackstone cooking show needed a rig with an outdoor kitchen and good visuals. The Tab 320 CS-S is perfect for creating content in tight, beautiful spaces. More flexibility: We love state park camping and Harvest Hosts locations—places where our larger rig isn’t always ideal. The Search: What Small RVs We Considered As always, RV shopping starts with a long list of dreams and must-haves. We first looked at several teardrop models, including the Airstream Basecamp (which we’ve owned previously), inTech Luna, and various models from Escapod, Vistabule, and Pindrop Trailers. These were all contenders, especially the nüCamp Tag XL with the outdoor kitchen. But ultimately, we needed more than a bed on wheels. We wanted a small RV with: A quality outdoor kitchen An indoor bathroom Space to sit, work, and move around inside Storage and solar power The must-haves quickly narrowed the search to one standout model: the nüCamp Tab 320 CS-S. The CS-S version includes the clamshell kitchen (a must for cooking content) and a cassette toilet, all in a sleek, modern design from a company that has a great reputation for quality RVs. A Disappointing Dealership Experience We found a used 2022 Tab 320 CS-S nearby listed for around $19,000. It was exactly what we were looking for—until we arrived at the dealership. No systems demonstration: The RV wasn’t plugged in, and when we asked to power it up, the salesperson refused, saying we’d get a complete walkthrough “after” purchase--and we should trust them to fix anything that wasn’t working. Hidden fees: A surprise $1,500 “prep fee” popped up when we asked for an out-the-door price. As far as we could tell, it covered little more than filling the propane tank since this was a used RV. Bad vibes: Questions were met with irritation, and when we decided to walk away, the salesperson accused us of being standoffish. It was clear we weren’t getting a great deal or great service—so we left. Finding the Right Fit at Indian Valley Camping Center