New Hatch for Escape 19 - Page 2

Eddys · 09-07-2010, 12:23 PM

Jim-
Great Job! I have been wishing for a larger hatch in that spot since we picked Houdini up. So great to see that it can be done. Rease and Tammy, take note - it would be a splendid option, or even better - make it standard... We just returned from a couple of weeks on the Maine coast. It's hard to travel with an Escape - I fill up with fuel and Jenny gives tours of the 19. Sound familiar? Thanks again Jim for the photos - I'll be getting on it soon for ours.
Ian

Jim Bennett · 09-07-2010, 02:07 PM

Thanks Ian. It really is not too tough, especially for a handy guy like yourself. I too think they should at least list it as an option.

reace · 09-08-2010, 03:51 AM

Nice alteration Jim...if you want to install the old hatch on the front driver side, let me know and I will send you a new decal.

One change we made on the 19' (probably right after yours

) is the awning is now 12'-3" and has been moved forward so the main door can be open without hitting the front awning arm. In doing so....it eliminates the opportunity to install a larger hatch on the rear.

Sorry all.....Reace

Jim Bennett · 09-08-2010, 06:04 AM

Sounds like a deal, Reace. I definitely will be doing that and will let you know.

I always just keep my awning arm in a vertical position, at least on the side by the door. This really only takes an extra minute to do, and makes it much easier to move around it as well. When the arm is angled back to the trailer, it acts as a barricade.

Harold Kroeker · 09-08-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reace

One change we made on the 19' (probably right after yours

) is the awning is now 12'-3" and has been moved forward so the main door can be open without hitting the front awning arm. In doing so....it eliminates the opportunity to install a larger hatch on the rear.

Sorry all.....Reace

While I can appretiate that the door now opens without hitting the awning arm, I am very disapponted that I can't have the larger hatch as well. I am hoping that Reece can figure out a way to combine the improved door operation and the large hatch before my trailer gets built.

Bruce Wray · 09-23-2010, 08:38 PM

Harold-

As owners of a 19, we find the door hitting the awning arm no big deal. Tammy supplied us with a couple of adhesive foam buttons to put on the outside of the door as a cushion, and we use a strap around the arm looped over over the interior door handle to hold it open when needed. Works fine.

So, if nothing else, you could specify your trailer with the big hatch and the awning in the "old" location. I, too, like that big hatch, but I'm too chicken to start cutting the Egg Nest's hide...for now.

Bruce

Harold Kroeker · 09-23-2010, 10:25 PM

Thanks for the suggestion Bruce. I am still hoping that I won't have to choose between the two options. A slightly longer awning should allow me to have both the larger hatch and the fully opening door. I haven't discussed this with Reece yet so there may be a reason why the next size up awning, they seem to go in 1 ft increments, can't be used.

Jim Bennett · 09-23-2010, 11:38 PM

Bruce, it really is a piece of cake to cut the hole. We just love the bigger size now that we have got to use it. Even though it is just twice the size in square inches, it feels like five times the size in use.

Harold, I think awnings come in 2' increments, and even more once they start getting bigger. Really, the arm by the door is no big deal to us, especially as we prefer the arms on the ground instead of back to the trailer when in use. Wind tends to have less effect on the trailer this way, and we stake it down with a couple galvanized spikes driven in at an angle. We find it way less obtrusive this way regardless of its position.

Bruce Wray · 09-24-2010, 11:46 AM

And, if I decide to cut the hole, I'd get to buy a new tool -- the Dremel, for cutting the top line. Jim, how did you stabilize the Dremel so that it cut straight?

Bruce

Jim Bennett · 09-24-2010, 02:09 PM

Bruce, I just cut it free hand. As long as it is close you are good, as the flange covering the cut-out is about 3/4".

FlaGman · 03-27-2017, 05:10 PM

Old thread, I know. Just wanted to say I ordered a hatch like Jim's from Vision Mfg as he did. It was about $185 shipped to me in Florida, so I am very happy with the price(way lower than any other I could find)

as well as the service.It took a couple months to get, but well worth the wait. I will update once I get it installed this weekend. Thanks, Jim, for doing the legwork!

Iowa Dave · 03-27-2017, 06:11 PM

That's a nice looking install you did. The pictures and write up were very explanatory.
Thanks for sharing with all of us. I had a bottom hinged hatch door on our fold down and it worked well for over 20 years.
Dave

Jim Bennett · 03-27-2017, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlaGman

Old thread, I know. Just wanted to say I ordered a hatch like Jim's from Vision Mfg as he did. It was about $185 shipped to me in Florida, so I am very happy with the price(way lower than any other I could find)

as well as the service.It took a couple months to get, but well worth the wait. I will update once I get it installed this weekend. Thanks, Jim, for doing the legwork!

No problem, Garland. Glad I could help.

You have one of the few 19's you can use it with, as Reace started moved the awning forward by 2010. I so loved that huge access, and really miss all that nice space so easy to access.

I wonder now with the new models and no arm whether a larger hatch could be used.

seawolf42 · 03-28-2017, 02:07 PM

With the larger door opening closer to the awning arm mount, would you recommend reinforcing material be applied to inside behind the arm mount? Or is that overkill?