Modifications to Eggscape

[SMabey]

@Eggscape your marine hatch idea is brilliant. Did you do that yourself of get a boat fabricator to install for you? I would like to have at least one hatch accessible from the outside.

[Eggscape]

Yes I installed them myself...you can read more about it here in this link below which is post # 182 and how to install the locks if you want them in post # 208.
Just search “Marine Hatch” in Amazon.ca to find the size that best suits your requirements.
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post276370

[Eggscape]

The Short Story... I installed a Bear Spray Holder just inside the door of our Escape.

The Details... It is usually halfway through our hike in the back woods of British Columbia that we realize our bear spray is safe and sound in the cupboard back at camp. With another thread today on the forum dealing with a bear in camp, I thought it would be good to share our bear spray holder install.

I selected a spot beside the door near where we hang our keys so it catches our attention when we leave for a walk. It is also close at hand if something big goes crunch in the woods near camp.

I used the same inexpensive water bottle holder that I used in a previous post and screwed into the 2 x 4 that surrounds the door. Simple and handy.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

The Short Story... I installed a Bear Spray Holder just inside the door of our Escape.

The Details... It is usually halfway through our hike in the back woods of British Columbia that we realize our bear spray is safe and sound in the cupboard back at camp. With another thread today on the forum dealing with a bear in camp, I thought it would be good to share our bear spray holder install.

I selected a spot beside the door near where we hang our keys so it catches our attention when we leave for a walk. It is also close at hand if something big goes crunch in the woods near camp.

I used the same inexpensive water bottle holder that I used in a previous post and screwed into the 2 x 4 that surrounds the door. Simple and handy.

Ed nifty idea and very handy too ! Better then where we have ours in drawer under dinette Pat

[7th Heaven]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

The Short Story... I installed a Bear Spray Holder just inside the door of our Escape.

The Details... It is usually halfway through our hike in the back woods of British Columbia that we realize our bear spray is safe and sound in the cupboard back at camp. With another thread today on the forum dealing with a bear in camp, I thought it would be good to share our bear spray holder install.

I selected a spot beside the door near where we hang our keys so it catches our attention when we leave for a walk. It is also close at hand if something big goes crunch in the woods near camp.

I used the same inexpensive water bottle holder that I used in a previous post and screwed into the 2 x 4 that surrounds the door. Simple and handy.

Perfect!... I had just decided that I need to mount out bear spray in the door jam area and was just thinking about how to do it when I saw your post!!

[Eggscape]

Must be almost time for happy hour as when I first read your post quickly I thought it said beer spray. What a waste I thought. Good thing I was not reading it after happy hour....good luck on your mounting.

[sumac.rhus]

Just in case it could become an issue for anyone...

Mounting bear spray inside camper immediately reminded me of a friend who forgot to remove the bear spray from her car's glove compartment after returning from a cool northern clime. We were in late summer. It blew up - filled her car with bear spray, requiring quite an expensive detailing of her car. Am ot sure if our campers get as hot as an enclosed car...but sure would make me leary.

[Eggscape]

The Short Story...I installed a horizontal window blind vertically to provide privacy in our Escape.

The Details...Over 30 years ago when we had our small Boler, I installed a normal horizontal window blind vertically on the closet side as you entered. It could be stretched across the trailer and hooked on the counter in two places. One on the right hand side of the fridge...the other on the left side. It was mounted at a height that allowed the all important port-a-potty to slide underneath between the front and rear of the trailer for us and our daughter to use during the night. Noting this height will be important if you own a 17A.

Over 30 years later and we have opportunities to camp with our granddaughter and family. She loves to spend the nights sleeping up front in the dinette area. We are at the stage now that privacy is going to be nice for both parties.

I mounted the blind vertically on the front side of the doors 2 x 4 frame. It is at a height that clears the cupboard door on the end of the bench so it still opens. An old style box hook is used to make a simple but effective latch that can hook in 3 areas and used from both sides. The blind came with a hollow plastic stiffener along one end that was flimsy, so I replaced it with a piece of oak moulding allowing the latch to mount securely.

The blind, of course, has a spring inside that allows it to retract. Just the way the mechanism works, you must hold the flat pin on the one end with your fingers and preload/wind the spring while the blind is horizontal...before you lock it into the vertical position. This may take a few times of reseting to get just the right tension. Too much and it could be hard on the latch and loops...too little and it will not retract completely. After it is all set up, it works perfectly in the vertical position every time.

The blind pulls across into 3 positions, A, B and C. A is straight across right along the bed side. B spans at an angle towards the bathroom door allowing a person to stand up front, while C covers the door if you want a little privacy while it is open. On that note, this blind also allows for an instant privacy barrier if you want to change clothes and not have to close all the front blinds.

This is an inexpensive, lite weight and fast solution to make an effective room divider.

[Ron in BC]

Very versatile. Did you start out with the idea of screening off the dinette and have the design evolve to a multi-use situation?

Ron

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Very versatile. Did you start out with the idea of screening off the dinette and have the design evolve to a multi-use situation?

Ron

Yes and no...

As with our Boler I was planning on making it come across in two positions. One that affords the most space in the trailer...the other that allows for the person up front to stand up and change.

Bonus is the ability to cover the door. This is also great if you want to remove the vinyl frosting on the window, but still have privacy at night.

[Eggscape]

Here are a few more pictures.

The latch is based on a long screw that is held in place with 2 nuts and a 3rd locking nut to form the knob. This long screw also keeps the blind from unwinding when in the closed position.

The eyelets that the hook clips into are screwed into structure. On the right into the corner support and on the left into the bathroom door edge. Both are very small and could be remove with very little damage. The eyelet screwed into the bathroom door still allows the door to open over 45 degrees as seen in the last picture.

[howardleyton474@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by float5

That is a very impressive drawer! Wow! You have certainly been busy. No doubt you will enjoy your mods.

Eggscape :thanks for the tutorage , my wife and I are newbies to escape. Our trailer will be delivered in the beginning of March and we are going through the build process now. My first project will be to install the sliding bins. My question is what did you do to the other(right) side door? did you leave it as factory? Or did you do the same as the door on the left side under bed?

[howardleyton474@gmail.com]

my wife and I are newbies and we wanted to install the bins. My question is what did you do with the other side of the bin drawer. do you use that for any purpose?
We will be getting our escape 19 in March and we are going through the build process now.

[Eggscape]

I am sure you will enjoy your new 19 when it comes.

Unfortunately this bin article was poorly written and stretches over posts 14, 52, and 177.
Both doors are drawer fronts for the bins behind. You can fit 4 bins deep on each side. The set on the right needs to be moved a little to the left when pulling out to clear the bathroom.

If you or any others have questions...just ask.

[Eggscape]

I was just in the middle of planning one of my next modifications and the hook end of the sewer hose just broke away. I am glad was at home with empty tanks and not full of crap at a dump station with a bunch of trailers lined up behind me. Keep in mind my trailer is only a 2018.

I know a lot of you have replaced your hose with upgraded versions and I am sure a search of the forum would reveal many threads on the topic and instant recommendations. If nothing else you should carry a spare end with an eye on how good these hooks are attached.

I just wanted to let everyone know ASAP so you can check out the Black Friday sales for the backup part(s) you might want to consider.

[HABBERDABBER]

That's a high stress, break prone area. If the tang were well radius-ed, a bit less likely to happen. Component designers don't seem well versed in that basics. I've had stuff snap, and looked at the transition area under magnification. Sharp corners! A No-No. That is why I say, what I just said.


Plus.....Nothing is forever, and nothing lasts, even plastic.


Next replacement fitting, apply some silicone grease to the contact areas. It make a huge difference in slippery-ness and ease of use.

[Ron in BC]

I agree, it seems to be a universally cheaply made part. I have a couple of broken ones to attest to that. I now treat the part with kid gloves. After you're broken one you tend to be very careful how much force you use and how you apply it.

Considering how important it is, especially if you've cracked it without knowing and it lets loose in the middle of dumping.

If anyone finds a higher quality one, maybe metal, please post it.

Ron

[Eggscape]

If only I had applied pressure to get it on, it would have felt somewhat satisfying...but it just broke like it was not even there. An aluminum end would be nice but then you risk the nubs on the trailer end which are more different to replace. So you want something good on the end of the hose...but not to good.
And silicone grease.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

I know a lot of you have replaced your hose with upgraded versions and I am sure a search of the forum would reveal many threads on the topic and instant recommendations. If nothing else you should carry a spare end with an eye on how good these hooks are attached.

The better quality hoses have 4 prongs, much more plastic where the prong attaches and probably better plastic. Even if one breaks off you are still ok with three. So just pointing out there is some inherent insurance with a better hose without having to worry about carrying a spare hose end.

[HABBERDABBER]

Now, as I recall, mine is the 4 tang version.


If 2's good, 4's better, eh?