Our new Escape

[LBaranyai]

We headed out Wednesday morning to pick up our new Escape 17B. After the customary tour of our new trailer with "Super Dave", we
checked in with Reece and Tammy to handover the cheque and get some more questions answered. We headed over to Trademasters (a couple of blocks away) to pick up a motorcycle hitch for the back of our trailer. We were parked in their lot for less than 5 minutes when we experienced the same thing as many other owners have - someone approached us to ask us about the Escape. So we gave our first "tour" less than 10 minutes after picking up our trailer! Luckily Tammy had handed us a stack of referral cards so we were prepared.

Enclosed below is the first Official picture of our new Escape.

[gbaglo]

I love the chrome wheels. When did they add that to the option list?

baglo

[LBaranyai]

The "chrome wheels" are actually aluminum mags which were on the option list when I was deciding what I wanted -not sure how long they have offered them. I wanted something that looked a little nicer with our Tacoma's wheel and I think they fit the bill nicely. They're a bit lighter weight as well than the regular painted mags. After a discussion about tongue weight with Reece regarding the Suzuki 125 my husband wants to put on the back for hunting, Dave and I acted as car test dummies on the rear bumper. It was determined that we'd have to pack everything up front of the trailer to stabilize the tongue weight. Good thing we got the storage box up front - more space to pack some more weight on.

[hippo]

Your 17B looks great with the front box. It adds to the look of the trailer and I like the polished wheels.

[amirie]

Ahh--nice.. enjoy.. When is its first trip

Next time I am driving up to my aunts I will cruise down your street!!!

You didn't get the graphics on the front window cover Looks quite different without it...

[LBaranyai]

Yeah, I decided to go "naked" on the rock shield - on the off chance I might add my own graphic design at some point down the road.
I was hoping not to offend Tammy & Reece by requesting no emblem on the rock shield but they were fine with it. Now, after seeing it, I'm
glad I requested it because I really like the "clean" look of it.

I'm also very happy with my interior selections - the flooring, counter tops and trim. It provided another opportunity to release the designer in me. The color scheme is neutral and subtle- mostly beige, grey and black.

As for it's first trip, Hubby is planning to take the trailer on his upcoming hunting trip. It's just way too cold for my liking so I'll stay warm at home. Hopefully the snow holds off and I don't get a call saying he's stuck somewhere!

[rvomaha]

Handsome!

Also, I'm glad to know that Tammy gives new owners some referral cards. I was thinking I might have to make my own.

[escape artist]

Hi: LBaranyai...Ten min. must be some kind of record for giving a tour!!!
BTW I'd like a set of those wheels too. I guess I'll have to wait till its time for new tires and get them all mounted together. Nice looking rig...that must be the attraction that people notice. Welcome to the Escape family. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[ddevin]

Is that a solar panel I see? You are going to love watching your batteries re-bound each day, rain or shine! Enjoy your 17B! We absolutely love ours, even without the fancy wheels!

[gocamp]

Turned our great, thanks for sharing. I would opt for no front sticker too.

Did the frame have to be modified for motorcycle hitch for the back of our trailer? About how heavy motorcycle will be back there?

[LBaranyai]

In regards to the motorcycle, I ordered the trailer "bike rack ready" - Reinforced for 500 lbs.

The Suzuki weighs about 230 lbs and the motorcycle carrier itself is about 100 lbs. It comes with a ramp that slides out so you can roll the bike up onto it. Then the bike is secured to the rear bumper using straps. Seems to work fine for my hubby's Suzuki but it is a small
motorcycle. Don't think you could strap your Harley on the back!

We went for the dual batteries, dual propane tanks and solar panel plus the 2way hot water tank. When (and if) my hubby returns from hunting with the trailer, I'll post some interior pictures. I know I enjoy seeing pictures of other trailers - it's fun to see the choices people make. When we were getting our "tour", there was a large delivery of cushions and mattresses. Looks like many people are supplying their own fabrics and the fabrics are probably as varied as the owners. I think it's great that we have the option if we want to add some more personal input into the final product. I'm sure it's not something you can do with many other trailer manufacturers.

[LBaranyai]

Here's a couple of pictures showing the motorcycle and carrier on the back of our Escape.

[LBaranyai]

Some interior pictures ...

[escape artist]

Hi: LBaranyai... WOW!!! A very clean...bold... yet subtle statement. Works well with the S/S and chrome and the dark edges on the table/counter looks great. Well done!!! That's so personal and different. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[LBaranyai]

As you can see by the pictures, we are not afraid of drilling holes to add accessories. We added an acrylic mirror and towel ring to the
bathroom door as well as a mirror over the cook top to brighten up the area. A magazine holder and a couple of wall pouches to hold miscellaneous items like portable radios. My next project is shaping a poly cutting board to fit the recessed area of the stainless stove cover for more prep space.

[rbrandner]

Hi LBaranyal,
Thanks so much for sharing your decorating ideas. Your trailer looks lovely. We are currently in the process of deciding the options we want in our new 19' which will be built in the latter part of January. You and others who have posted ideas have been so helpful to us.
We really liked your choice of colours for the fabric and laminate. We were wondering what kind of fabric you chose.
Thanks,
Ron and Bonnie

[Jim Bennett]

Where did you get the magazine rack from? I had thought about making one or two to put by the bed and dinette, but if they can be bought for a decent price..........

[fudge_brownie]

Like Jim, I am very interested in your source for the magazine rack. I would also like to see a photo of the pouches that you have installed and a source for those.

[LBaranyai]

The wall pouches and magazine rack were from Camping World. They are often on sale but they're not expensive to start with.
The magazine rack was around $10.00 when I bought it - you can see it at:

www.campingworld.com/shopping/product/solid-wood-racks/4919

The magazine cover mounts with screws from the front - we put plastic screw covers over the heads so you don't see the silver screws.

They also have several small wood racks for condiments etc.

www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/oak-remote-holder/32499

These wall pouches come with adhesive strips to mount them but we chose to mount them through the cabinet using #6 wood screws instead. We tested the adhesive strips but felt they might lose their "holdability" over time. A right angle drill would have made the mounting a bit easier. My hubby masked the outside of the cabinet and marked the outside dimensions of the pouches then drilled the
holes through the cabinet face. Then I held the pouch in place while he inserted the drill bit from the back side of the cabinet, through the hole and drilled slightly to mark the backside of the wall pouch. Then I removed the wall pouch and he was able to see where exactly to make the pilot holes for the screws. Again I held the wall pouch up to the face of the cabinet (make sure you remove any masking tape that will be behind it) then he screwed it in place from inside the cabinet. They are super secure and no worries about them falling off in transit.

Remember - just because something comes with the screws, doesn't mean those screws will work in your situation. Check the screw size and depth - you may have to purchase new ones to avoid splitting wood or protruding too far out into the cabinet space (you can always use a small backer board inside to give the screws more material to mount into). I ordered my trailer with reinforced walls around the fridge because I knew it would be the likeliest place for mounting coat hooks, the TV and other accessories. I also ordered blocks in the wall above the cook top so I would have a way to safely mount a back splash panel. Hope the photos help.

[LBaranyai]

In case you didn't see it in my other post, a picture of the wall pouch for the TV remotes.