The TAB 360 is a “boondocking beast.”
That’s how Jenn Grover described nuCamp’s latest model. Jenn has been traveling in the western United States since early July in a prototype of the TAB 360. This model is outfitted with both the Black Canyon Upgrade and the Lithium Upgrade — two powerful options available for most of nuCamp’s teardrop trailers. These upgrades, in her opinion, make the 360 a true “boondocking beast.”
Jenn left behind her beloved TAB 320, affectionately named Mattie Ross, to embark on several months of full-time travel in the TAB 360.
Her 320 rig is equipped with 200Ah of lithium battery capacity and 105 watts of solar power, plus she often travels with additional portable solar panels. With the upgrades, the TAB 360 boasts dual 190-watt solar panels and a 270Ah lithium battery bank with internal heating. The package also includes a 3,000-watt MultiPlus inverter/charger, which Jenn describes as a total “gamechanger.”
“The extra battery capacity creates less worry about running out of power, especially for your fridge, which means your brain is free to focus on the things you bought the camper for: relaxation, immersing yourself in nature, and exploring the beautiful landscapes we travel with our campers,” Jenn explained. “Who wants to worry about your battery when you are camping?”
What is the Black Canyon Upgrade?
The Black Canyon Upgrade, introduced for the 2024 model year, brings a new level of off-grid capability to nuCamp’s teardrop lineup. Available for all teardrops except the TAG SE, it’s perfect for those who enjoy camping off the beaten path.
For the TAB 360, the Black Canyon Upgrade includes dual 190-watt solar panels, holding tank heaters, and red underglow lights that add both style and functionality to your off-grid setup.
Unleashing the power of the Black Canyon
Jenn’s favorite feature of the Black Canyon Upgrade is the enhanced solar power. The long, curved panels align with the roof’s shape, capturing sunlight from various angles throughout the day.
As a remote worker, Jenn relies heavily on the extra solar power to keep her battery charged and her work running smoothly. During a three-week off-grid boondocking trip, she was impressed by how well the Black Canyon’s solar panels paired with the increased battery capacity from the Lithium Upgrade.
“The additional solar really makes a difference,” Jenn shared. “… Even when it is cloudy, I was impressed with the yield from those panels.”
Another unexpected highlight of the Black Canyon Upgrade for Jenn was the red underglow lights. Initially, she thought they were “gimmicky,” but after using them, she found the soft red glow helpful at night.
“When you need light at night, and you don’t want to blind your neighbors, they provide an attractive, helpful light source,” Jenn continued. “They really give it a neat look, too.”
The Black Canyon Upgrade also includes tank heaters, which Jenn hasn’t tested yet but is excited to try during her next cold-weather camping trip. However, it’s important to note that the Black Canyon Upgrade does not transform the TAB 360 into a four-season camper. Like all nuCamp teardrops, the 360 is still considered a three-season camper, even with these added features.
What is the Lithium Upgrade?
nuCamp introduced the Lithium Upgrade in 2023, which was created in partnership with Battle Born Batteries.
All of our teardrop trailers—except for the TAG SE—come equipped with a standard 100Ah lithium battery and a Bluetooth SmartShunt Battery Monitor, giving you real-time insight into your power usage via the Victron Connect App. For those looking to extend their off-grid capabilities, the Lithium Upgrade is available, offering enhanced battery capacity. Like the Black Canyon Upgrade, the Lithium Upgrade is available for all nuCamp teardrop trailers, with the exception of the TAG SE.
The battery bank capacity varies depending on the model, ensuring each trailer is tailored to your specific energy needs.
Maximizing Power and Peace of Mind
For Jenn, the standout feature of the Lithium Upgrade is the addition of the MultiPlus, which allows her to maximize her battery’s potential. The MultiPlus functions as both an inverter and a charger.
“I’ll be honest, I didn’t see the value of it until I started camping with it,” Jenn admitted. She added that her batteries charge faster and more efficiently with this upgrade.
When boondocking, Jenn switches the MultiPlus to converter mode only, turning off the inverter to conserve power. However, with the inverter on, she can charge her laptop, use her Starlink router, and even run the air conditioning temporarily without needing shore power.
“I start my workday well before the sun is up, which means the extra battery capacity made work worry-free until the solar kicked in,” Jenn said.
Her first experience using the AC off-grid was during a conference call. Jenn, who works remotely from the TAB 360, had checked out of her campground at noon but couldn’t check in to the next one until later. With a call scheduled at 1 p.m. and temperatures soaring to 90 degrees, Jenn pulled into a parking lot in Iowa, turned on the AC, and stayed cool while handling her business call—no shore power needed.
Another reason she loves the MultiPlus is its ability to kick in and run her air conditioning if the shore power cuts out while she’s away. This provides peace of mind, especially for pet owners like Jenn, who always travels with her dog Rocky. If she leaves him in the camper, she feels reassured knowing that if the power goes out, Rocky will stay cool and comfortable until she returns. Plus, the Victron Connect App allows her to monitor her power levels remotely, ensuring she’s always in control.
“The MultiPlus has a lot more to it than I first realized, and I’m still learning about it,” Jenn shared. “The power assist feature and the quick charging capability are really nice when you are traveling.”
Is it worth it?
Now that you’ve heard more about the Lithium Upgrade and the Black Canyon Upgrade, you may be wondering — is it worth it? Here’s what Jenn had to say:
“My answer has changed over time,” she remarked. “I used to think it was mostly for people who did a lot of boondocking or high-power users. But the more I spend time with the camper and see how it really creates less stress and worry and allows me to be freer to enjoy my camping experience. If people can do it, I would definitely recommend it if you really do any camping without shore power.”
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I’m curious why the 360 is not considered an all season trailer?