Would like to see a 17' in person

[Up2speed4]

Hi. My wife would like to see a 17' before we purchase. We live in the Santa Maria area of central California. We are retired so we can accommodate your schedule. Thanks in advance.

[Marry]

Originally Posted by Up2speed4

Hi. My wife would like to see a 17' before we purchase. We live in the Santa Maria area of central California. We are retired so we can accommodate your schedule. Thanks in advance.

The best way to get in contact with owner willing to show is to give ETI a call. ETI can provide you with names and phone #s of people in your area.

[yardsale]

Originally Posted by Marry

The best way to get in contact with owner willing to show is to give ETI a call. ETI can provide you with names and phone #s of people in your area.

View ours if you want a little road trip.

[Up2speed4]

I got responses from 19ft Owners (thank you santacruzer) but no 17ft referrals nearby have responded so I posted on the forum.

[Sandra L]

You may wish to check out the Oregon Gathering in Bandon from July 19-21. While there are many kinds of fiberglass rv's there, I will be in a 17B, and will be happy to show it off. I imagine there are others who have ones as well and there are tours (voluntary) on Saturday the 21st.

[Up2speed4]

Originally Posted by Sandra L

You may wish to check out the Oregon Gathering in Bandon from July 19-21. While there are many kinds of fiberglass rv's there, I will be in a 17B, and will be happy to show it off. I imagine there are others who have ones as well and there are tours (voluntary) on Saturday the 21st.

I will plan to attend. Thanks so much.

[Hilola]

You may want to pop into the fiberglass rally not to far from you at Lake Casitas in late October. We plan on visiting in hopes of seeing some Escape trailers as well. More info here:


http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...tas-84081.html

[Up2speed4]

Sandra L. May I ask you, is your 17B much smaller than a 19? I toured a 19 and it seemed huge.. I was hoping the 17 is a little lower in height as well as shorter. Hoping its nimble and easy to manuver and pull. Also thinking of permanent bed and just use the smaller dinette for meals. Do you feel its roomy enough for two vertically challenged seniors?

[Up2speed4]

Originally Posted by yardsale

View ours if you want a little road trip.

I wish. We try to get back there every Fall and stop for a great breakfast sandwich at the Woodstock Farmers Market.

[trlqwen]

To answer your question about a 17 B being roomy enough for 2 seniors... our answer is no, unless that is all you can afford or tow safely. We are seniors and have decades of rv-ing under our belts and we just sold our 17 B ( only bought it to use while our 21 ft. was being built), and picked up our new 21 ft. last week. Ours had the permanent bed option in the back. We both agreed it is just too tight. BTW we previously had a Escape 19 ft. so we have experience with that model too.

You need to call Escape Trailers and they will tell you someone in your area to contact that is happy to give you a tour- that is how it works.

Deb

[Dave & Penny Smith]

Up2Speed4:

My wife and I have owned a 17B since Aug. 2015. We spent much of our pre-trailer life backpacking. We find the 17B to be more than adequate for our vacationing needs (up to 3 week trips so far). We are relatively small (she is 5'1" and I'm 5'8"). Trailer camping is pretty deluxe compared to backpacking! We generally leave the rear dinette set up as a bed and eat at the small dinette.

Dave

[Up2speed4]

Originally Posted by Dave & Penny Smith

Up2Speed4:

My wife and I have owned a 17B since Aug. 2015. We spent much of our pre-trailer life backpacking. We find the 17B to be more than adequate for our vacationing needs (up to 3 week trips so far). We are relatively small (she is 5'1" and I'm 5'8"). Trailer camping is pretty deluxe compared to backpacking! We generally leave the rear dinette set up as a bed and eat at the small dinette.

Dave

Thanks Dave. We found we were using our 22 ft box trailer as a mobile motel room for sleep and a quick breakfast before we hit the hiking trails for the day. It seemed to be getting just too big and clumsy. Wife insists on a permanent mattress though. If small dinette seats two, its all we need. I’m 5’6”, she’s 5’2” so 17 sounds like a winner.

[Sandra L]

Originally Posted by Up2speed4

Sandra L. May I ask you, is your 17B much smaller than a 19? I toured a 19 and it seemed huge.. I was hoping the 17 is a little lower in height as well as shorter. Hoping its nimble and easy to manuver and pull. Also thinking of permanent bed and just use the smaller dinette for meals. Do you feel its roomy enough for two vertically challenged seniors?

I just saw your question....the 17B was towed with a 2005 Toyota Sienna, and until it was way past the 200000 mile mark, I had to remind myself the Escape was behind me, except for in the steep inclines, because it was not noticeable.
I used an equalizer hitch, and never had any sway issues, plus it was even more stable than my minivan alone when I was passed by humongous trucks.
I think you received good advice to tour ones near you, so you see what it is like. I primarily used it by myself....and with friends it did get a bit tight at times..but my daughter and son-in-law just love it. I also am a bit vertically challenged so it is great for me.

[Up2speed4]

Originally Posted by Sandra L

I just saw your question....the 17B was towed with a 2005 Toyota Sienna, and until it was way past the 200000 mile mark, I had to remind myself the Escape was behind me, except for in the steep inclines, because it was not noticeable.
I used an equalizer hitch, and never had any sway issues, plus it was even more stable than my minivan alone when I was passed by humongous trucks.
I think you received good advice to tour ones near you, so you see what it is like. I primarily used it by myself....and with friends it did get a bit tight at times..but my daughter and son-in-law just love it. I also am a bit vertically challenged so it is great for me.

Great to hear, thanks.

[gbaglo]

If I was starting over, I'd get the 19 instead of my 17B.
In the classic, the aisle is wider, making it easier to pass another. In my 17, I step into the area at the door, so my wife can pass.

The 19 has a four-person dinette at the front. We always end up in my buddy's 19 when doing dinner together, or when playing cards.

Of course, he's been looking at the 21.

[Up2speed4]

Originally Posted by trlqwen

To answer your question about a 17 B being roomy enough for 2 seniors... our answer is no, unless that is all you can afford or tow safely. We are seniors and have decades of rv-ing under our belts and we just sold our 17 B ( only bought it to use while our 21 ft. was being built), and picked up our new 21 ft. last week. Ours had the permanent bed option in the back. We both agreed it is just too tight. BTW we previously had a Escape 19 ft. so we have experience with that model too.

You need to call Escape Trailers and they will tell you someone in your area to contact that is happy to give you a tour- that is how it works.

Deb

Yes thank you. I called Escape but 17 owners in my area did not respond. I just sold my 3rd travel trailer, a 21 ft. Flagstaff box trailer, and like the smaller size of the 17. I like the light and nimble look and hoping to take it off road with my Jeep.

[bdornbush]

Originally Posted by Up2speed4

Yes thank you. I called Escape but 17 owners in my area did not respond.

You may have to expand your search. When I was looking for an Escape, I had to travel about 100 miles to Sacramento to see a 19 and 80 miles to San Jose to see a 17. Ask them for owners a little farther north. I know there is a 17 in Petaluma and San Jose and you can see my 19 in Santa Rosa. Closer than Chilliwack.

[yardsale]

Originally Posted by Up2speed4

Sandra L. May I ask you, is your 17B much smaller than a 19? I toured a 19 and it seemed huge.. I was hoping the 17 is a little lower in height as well as shorter. Hoping its nimble and easy to manuver and pull. Also thinking of permanent bed and just use the smaller dinette for meals. Do you feel its roomy enough for two vertically challenged seniors?

One thing the 17 requires the person sleeping in the "inside" position to do is climb over the other person to get out of bed at night. If that doesn't work for you you should consider the 21 and even that doesn't give you a bed with access from both sides. If getting into and out of bed is difficult for you, you might consider a Lance trailer that has smaller models with "north/south" beds.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Up2speed4

Sandra L. May I ask you, is your 17B much smaller than a 19? I toured a 19 and it seemed huge.. I was hoping the 17 is a little lower in height as well as shorter. Hoping its nimble and easy to manuver and pull. Also thinking of permanent bed and just use the smaller dinette for meals. Do you feel its roomy enough for two vertically challenged seniors?

Tim,
We have a 17A, in Ventura County, about 90 miles away. Instead of the bath, we got a permanent full bed w/8" mattress in the front. That leaves the dinette in the rear to seat four (like we did last week in the eastern Sierras when we got a day w/ 3" of rain). (We had ETI give us a cabinet under the bed that fits our porta-potty).

We tow with a Honda Pilot, and can turn around in the 50' street in front of our house. We can get into the very smallest of campgrounds. The 17B sounds like it could certainly suit your needs. I'm 5'10" and I just clear the A/C unit bottom at the ceiling.


I'll PM you, in case you want to drive down 101 and see.

[Doug2000]

We have had a 2007 17b for 3 years now, absolutely love it. Before my recent trip I was thinking about a bigger trailer, but when I got home I realized this is the best trailer for us. We just pulled it 6000 miles, towed really well and was great on gas. We pulled it over Loveland Pass Colorado, at 11,000 ft, spun it around in a crowded Vail coffee shop parking lot and campgrounds always have room for you. Sure it’s small, but the trade offs are worth it, really, we spend most of the time outside, we put up a large dining shelter if we’re going to be there a couple of days. Besides, bigger trailer means Cummins.