Escaping Texas

[Daubsy]

Hello,

First time poster and long time lurker here.

My wife and I just purchased a 2009 Escape 19' and will be making the drive up to Chilliwack this June to pick it up. We live in Austin, TX and are in our early 30's. I am self-employed and my wife is a TA with AISD, so we will be taking a looong summer vacation in our new (new to us) travel trailer!

I am a complete novice in RVing and towing. But like so many others, lots of diligent research is what ultimately led me to the Escape brand. I have never seen one in person, but I am confident that I made the right choice.

We are super excited to begin our travels! Until a month ago, the whole idea was really just a pipe dream. Cheers!

[gbaglo]

Don't know what AISD is, but sounds good.

[float5]

Welcome, you two. You will be very comfortable, I'm sure, in your 19'. Should be one great summer for you. I am supposing that is the Austin Independent School District. Or Asians and Indians from South Dixie.

[sjnuss]

Hello and welcome! There are quite a few Escapes in the Austin/San Antonio area. If you have not done so already look up "texasescapees" here on the forum. Brad and his wife live in Austin and have a 19. Ask away with questions, helpful answers will be plentiful.

Steve

P.S.- AISD = Austin Independent School District (most likely)

[cpaharley2008]

Welcome Sean,
You do not mention your tow vehicle. Being new to towing, that can make or break your first experience hooked up.

[Daubsy]

Originally Posted by sjnuss

Hello and welcome! There are quite a few Escapes in the Austin/San Antonio area. If you have not done so already look up "texasescapees" here on the forum. Brad and his wife live in Austin and have a 19. Ask away with questions, helpful answers will be plentiful.

Yes, im quite actually quite surprised about how many Escapes are in Central Texas. When I told friends and family members that I was driving up to Canada to get a travel trailer they all thought I was crazy! Good to know im not alone.

[Daubsy]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Welcome Sean,
You do not mention your tow vehicle. Being new to towing, that can make or break your first experience hooked up.

Thats because I don't have one yet! I just sold my 4 cylinder Tacoma PreRunner to help finance a new TV. I am looking intently at the 2015 Chevy Colorado and would love to hear everyone's thoughts. My biggest concern was size, fuel economy and towing capacity. This fits the bill, at a smaller bill than most full sizes.

[Mary F]

Originally Posted by Daubsy

Yes, im quite actually quite surprised about how many Escapes are in Central Texas. When I told friends and family members that I was driving up to Canada to get a travel trailer they all thought I was crazy! Good to know im not alone.

There will be another (21') in Travis County next October... our build date is Sept. 14, after which we are attending the Fall NOG (Oct 1-4). Not yet sure how long it will take us to get home afterward...

[Mary F]

And yes, most definitely, AISD = Austin Independent School District.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Mary F

Not yet sure how long it will take us to get home afterward...

You gotta love to be able to say that.
I am officially jealous.

[Daubsy]

Originally Posted by Mary F

There will be another (21') in Travis County next October... our build date is Sept. 14, after which we are attending the Fall NOG (Oct 1-4). Not yet sure how long it will take us to get home afterward...

Congrats Mary! I do envy those that got to do a build sheet on a brand new Escape!
We too are going to be taking our time on the return trip. In fact, we are open-minded to the possibility of not returning at all!

[Mary F]

I wouldn't blame you. Not 'til mid-September, anyway!

And, you can do your own build sheet another time. You're going at this the right way: save a few bucks buying "pre-owned" the first time, learn about how the systems work and what you're glad of/wish you had. Then when/if you ever want to buy new, you'll have a much easier time with your decisions. Or, you can modify your new-to-you 19 until it is just as you like (need) it to be.

It's all good!

[Loren & Cathy]

Originally Posted by Daubsy

Congrats Mary! I do envy those that got to do a build sheet on a brand new Escape!
We too are going to be taking our time on the return trip. In fact, we are open-minded to the possibility of not returning at all!

I sometimes don't know about doing the build sheet. There are so many choices to be made and options to be had that it is getting to be a pain. Plus our time is coming down so we are going to have to get this thing done in the next several weeks. The main hangup now is whether to get the u-shaped dinette or not. Everything else is pretty much settled. Loren

[hillary]

Congratulations! If you're heading south on I-5 initially and want a free night in a rural driveway/yard 10 minutes off the freeway (exit 107 in Olympia, which is not unlike Austin in terms of city vibe I've heard), PM me! My husband and I are some of the younger Escape owners like it looks like you will be, and he does tech support for our local school district.

[float5]

Originally Posted by Mary F

I wouldn't blame you. Not 'til mid-September, anyway!

And, you can do your own build sheet another time. You're going at this the right way: save a few bucks buying "pre-owned" the first time, learn about how the systems work and what you're glad of/wish you had. Then when/if you ever want to buy new, you'll have a much easier time with your decisions. Or, you can modify your new-to-you 19 until it is just as you like (need) it to be.

It's all good!

That is what we are doing. Now we pretty much know what we like. Don't know how we would have done this the first time except to get a bunch wrong!

[Grant & Kathy]

Originally Posted by Loren & Cathy

I sometimes don't know about doing the build sheet. There are so many choices to be made and options to be had that it is getting to be a pain. Plus our time is coming down so we are going to have to get this thing done in the next several weeks. The main hangup now is whether to get the u-shaped dinette or not. Everything else is pretty much settled. Loren

Loren,
Our build sheet was completely settled after our visit to Chillwack at the end of January. Completely settled except for the seeming endless changes and additions we have made since we returned home.

Our final build sheet is due 3 weeks from today, at least then we can stop thinking about make changes.

You wrote: "There are so many choices to be made and options to be had that it is getting to be a pain. " Since we are spending your money the solution seems obvious to me. Just order every option that is available, then you will know that you haven't forgotten anything.

Grant

[kstock11]

Some one once asked why people buy custom built bicycle frames and his reply was that there are very few times in life that we can get something that is one of a kind and only made for you. Escape is one of those times and although some may feel it is frustrating, I had the time of my life determining how our Escape was going to be built. We have no regrets with our decisions. They may not all be perfect for everyone, but the decisions were perfect for us! Enjoy all the time and effort put into the process and you will enjoy these decisions for many years to come!

[Mary F]

And the OP can evaluate the Mods threads here to pick up techniques for their own custom details. I suggest cpaharley2008's because he had a 19 before he bought Blackjack, and his mods are always well considered and well done.

[cpaharley2008]

Thank you, Mary....

[Daubsy]

I'm definitely a DIY guy so I will most likely be doing some mods. I love the work Chris R did on his 5.0TA. Top notch.