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Old 12-26-2014, 01:03 PM   #1
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Exterior Access Hatch

We have ordered a 17B, still debating as to whether or not to get an exterior access hatch. Are they a problem with leakage when you are driving in the rain? The opening seems awful small, how much can you actually get in there? And our concern is the ease of removing items stored there when there is such a small opening.
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Old 12-26-2014, 01:42 PM   #2
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I have a tool kit, Coleman stove, blocks, miscellaneous stuff, bungee cords, jack hand crank (just as a back-up), clamps, etc...all small stuff but it fits through the exterior hatch and surely beats fighting the dinette seats for access. No problem with leaks on mine. I wouldn't be without it (or else I just wouldn't store anything I needed very often under the dinette seat).
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Old 12-26-2014, 01:51 PM   #3
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We find it to be very useful. The opening is big enough to store the hose, awning crank, some tools, spare plumbing fittings, a small bucket, etc. Leakage has not been a problem.
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Old 12-26-2014, 01:59 PM   #4
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Hi: sunrisetrucker... Our 5.0TA might be slightly bigger but we wouldn't be with out it!!! We fit hose, mats, electrical cords, trailer lego's, wooden blocks, and stabilizer crank. Our 5.0 didn't have one. Alf
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Old 12-26-2014, 02:01 PM   #5
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6 Snaptite containers. CADAC grill, 3 outside awnings,squeegee, and toolbox. Well worth the small cost. Wouldn't be without it.
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Old 12-26-2014, 07:51 PM   #6
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Thank you all for your quick response. You have helped us in our decision to add the exterior access hatch.
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Old 12-26-2014, 08:44 PM   #7
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I think the decision to add an exterior hatch is model dependent.

I didn't get the rear hatch (doorside, rear) on Ten Forward. So far, I'm happy. I keep stuff in that rear dinette area that I don't access often. And, it's not a problem when I do. I just kinda like the sleek look of my trailer without those extra cut-outs right there on the "patio." YMMV
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Old 12-26-2014, 09:50 PM   #8
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We have no regrets going with the outside storage box instead of an exterior access hatch. We keep all the "outside" stuff in the box: leveler, chocks, hitch tools, camp chairs, door mat, hose, extension cord, etc. Also, I believe you could add an exterior hatch later if you don't have one.

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Old 12-26-2014, 10:03 PM   #9
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My exterior hatch is on the front passenger side ( the wrong place ). If I were to get the storage box, it would cover the hatch. And, it's relatively easy to lift the bench inside for access.
Were I to do it again, the exterior hatch would be on the side at the rear passenger side. We keep the rear dinette as a bed so getting anything out from under the bench isn't easy.
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Old 12-26-2014, 10:30 PM   #10
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I have front roadside and rear curbside hatches plus the front storage box. Makes for lots of easily accessible storage space. Very happy with our choices.
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Old 12-26-2014, 10:36 PM   #11
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Different choices depending on the trailer. My buddy has road-side front hatch on his 19. That would not be my choice for the 17. Compartment isn't as large and there is some sort of electrical box in there on the 17.
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Old 12-27-2014, 07:54 AM   #12
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Our exterior storage hatch sees way more use than any other storage area in our trailer. Given the large expanse under the queen bed of the 19, an easy access to a part of this is great.
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Old 12-27-2014, 09:51 AM   #13
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Hi SunriseTrucker

We didn't put in the hatch opening for the following reasons:
1. There is just the two of us. We don't have lots of "stuff." We have inside areas, the front box, and the truck bed for storage. If we didn't have the storage box we would want the exterior hatch.
2. The hatch would be one extra hole in the egg-shell.
3. And this was the selling point for us and perhaps will be something for you to consider, since I see you are in B.C. If we decide we want the hatch, it can be cut into the shell later by Escape at the same price as the option list. Since we are about an hour from Escape we didn't have to decide right away.

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Old 01-18-2015, 08:11 AM   #14
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For the rear hatch on the passenger side for the 5.0TA, how much more storage room do you get with the u-dinette vs. the regular dinette?
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Old 01-18-2015, 08:18 AM   #15
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We have the U dinette... From the rear outside hatch, you can only access the passengers side of the dinette, roughly 16x48. The 2 6V battery's are under the rear bench in the passengers side corner, they intrude a bit into the area. I also think the rear wheel well cuts in a bit to the front of it. If you need it I can go out and take a picture.

We manage to fit quite a bit in it including the Coleman stove and the bucket we use for the black tank. Of course you can't get the bucket out the hatch, the stove you can.
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Old 01-18-2015, 08:53 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woznick View Post
For the rear hatch on the passenger side for the 5.0TA, how much more storage room do you get with the u-dinette vs. the regular dinette?
Hi: woznick... Here's a pic of the hatch from the outside. We use it all the time. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 01-18-2015, 10:55 AM   #17
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Thanks for the replies. We
were thinking that if the u-dinette was purchased, you would get all the extra length of space under the rear bench to use for storage via the access hatch. If that's not the case, we probably would go with the regular dinette with the larger table. We play cards with other couples while vacationing, so the large dinette would be better.
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Old 01-18-2015, 12:11 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woznick View Post
We play cards with other couples while vacationing, so the large dinette would be better.
Dunno. The U-shaped dinette would allow 2 of the players to sit near the corners, which would prevent alot of "accidental" card snooping.
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Old 01-18-2015, 12:54 PM   #19
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I'd agree with you, the regular dinette would be better for 4 people. You do however gain some storage with the U of course, just need to lift the rear bench to get to it. It does house the batteries, converter/power dist panel, those would have to go under the side benches on the non U taking up much of that space.

Where are the batteries on a non U dinette on the 5.0TA or 21?
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Old 01-18-2015, 05:00 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woznick View Post
Thanks for the replies. We
were thinking that if the u-dinette was purchased, you would get all the extra length of space under the rear bench to use for storage via the access hatch. If that's not the case, we probably would go with the regular dinette with the larger table. We play cards with other couples while vacationing, so the large dinette would be better.
We have actually probably played cards with friends in bad weather, way more than we have eaten at our dinette. The larger table is perfect for this. I just can't see having a smaller table, no matter the draw of the U-shape. We use our large table WAY too much to give it up.
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