Twin bed in 19 instead of queen bed?

Y is Me · 03-10-2018, 03:58 PM

Does anyone know if it would be possible to have a 19 built with a twin bed instead of the standard queen for the permanent bed? The queen bed is wasted space for me and I would be providing the mattress (an airbed with a pump, which would go in the space underneath). None of the appliances or tanks would have to be moved from their specified locations. I'm hoping the extra space could be used to push out the countertop and partition wall in the kitchen area and add a couple of drawers on the right side of the stove (I believe there's a tank in the lowest part, but that wouldn't have to be moved). I'd like to use the extra 20" generated on the other side of the refrigerator to put in a narrow cabinet, or even just some shelves.

Jim Bennett · 03-10-2018, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y is Me

Does anyone know if it would be possible to have a 19 built with a twin bed instead of the standard queen for the permanent bed? The queen bed is wasted space for me and I would be providing the mattress (an airbed with a pump, which would go in the space underneath). None of the appliances or tanks would have to be moved from their specified locations. I'm hoping the extra space could be used to push out the countertop and partition wall in the kitchen area and add a couple of drawers on the right side of the stove (I believe there's a tank in the lowest part, but that wouldn't have to be moved). I'd like to use the extra 20" generated on the other side of the refrigerator to put in a narrow cabinet, or even just some shelves.

Your plan is feasible. I would contact Escape though to see if they would do it. It would be a lot of customization from the standard layout, so I wouldn't be too hopeful, but only asking would let you know for certain.

Have you considered a reverse layout like some have done, swapping the bed and the dinette?

Y is Me · 03-10-2018, 04:11 PM

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that my idea is feasible since that modification would be perfect for me.

I'm still kicking around towing configuration and model ideas and I'm two years or more out from placing an order, so I don't know if Escape wants to deal with all of the questions I'm coming up with as I read through forum posts and get ideas.

**Donna D.** · 03-10-2018, 04:21 PM

Jim's right, there's several that have reversed the layout with the bed upfront and a big dinette in the back. That's what I'd do if I had a 19'. But I've got both

cpaharley2008 · 03-10-2018, 04:25 PM

In the past they have put in a twin in the front and rear dinette, if you wanted a twin in the rear then that is another story and ETI would be the best source of information.

Y is Me · 03-10-2018, 05:18 PM

Thanks for the suggestion of the swapped layout, the twin bed in the front would be fine, but the big U-shaped dinette is wasted space for me. I guess I'll bug ETI with this question as I get closer to the time when I can place an order, or perhaps at a rally or RV show.

cpaharley2008 · 03-10-2018, 05:43 PM

What about the 17' Escape with the smaller dinette and full bed?

**rbryan4** · 03-10-2018, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

What about the 17' Escape with the smaller dinette and full bed?

For a solo traveler, this is a good question. Smaller, lighter, and easier to tow. Personally, the one thing I would never ever give up on a 19 is the Queen bed, but then again, it's two of us.

**Donna D.** · 03-10-2018, 05:51 PM

As a solo traveler, the one thing I wouldn't want to give up is the big dinette. When the weather is awful, it's nice to have a big spot to spread out, look out the windows and relax. It's about a close to a living room as one can get in an all-molded towable.

Eggscape · 03-10-2018, 05:53 PM

“ I'm hoping the extra space could be used to push out the countertop and partition wall in the kitchen area and add a couple of drawers on the right side of the stove “

I believe the wall beside the stove is structural and is screwed into supports fiberglassed into the wall. I think this might have to stay. If you can work around that, then I think you would be fine. With the hatch in the bed your half way there in a diy job by just removing it.
I would slip in/over new cabinets on each side that could be removed for sale and returning the trailer back to the factory configuration.

Ron in BC · 03-10-2018, 05:57 PM

It would be pretty easy to do as a retrofit if ETI wouldn't do it. The bed framing comes apart easily. Two storage units could fit in that area, one at the end of the counter and one beside the fridge. Minor relocation of the pex piping required. The bulkhead could also be modified to permit a longer counter. Lots of ways to skin a cat.

Ron

Y is Me · 03-10-2018, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbryan4

For a solo traveler, this is a good question. Smaller, lighter, and easier to tow. Personally, the one thing I would never ever give up on a 19 is the Queen bed, but then again, it's two of us.

That extra 2 feet of space really does make a difference, especially since I'm looking to live full time in this, or near as dammit. I can make do with only a small space, but the 17 is just too claustrophobic, even for me.

**rbryan4** · 03-10-2018, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y is Me

That extra 2 feet of space really does make a difference, especially since I'm looking to live full time in this, or near as dammit. I can make do with only a small space, but the 17 is just too claustrophobic, even for me.

In that case, I'm thinking the best option is to just swap the bed and dinette locations. Escape has done this several times, so you're not asking for anything radical or that would affect the structural integrity. A nice full bed up front, and a nice large dinette in the rear. Make it a U-shape and you'll have under seat storage all the way around, and a nice lounge area as well. And, don't forget the quite large storage area under the front bed too. Drop a memory foam or latex mattress in the bed area and you'd have one fine setup. Many people prefer the rear dinette because at many campgrounds the view is better in the back. Changing the floor plan will cost you a bit extra, but it's well worth it if the layout works better for you.

Y is Me · 03-10-2018, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

As a solo traveler, the one thing I wouldn't want to give up is the big dinette. When the weather is awful, it's nice to have a big spot to spread out, look out the windows and relax. It's about a close to a living room as one can get in an all-molded towable.

The big dinette sounds great for putting your feet up and lounging, but I was actually planning to put in a small rolling office type chair for that purpose. I'm one of those people who loves a rocking chair and that is as close as I'll be able to get in anything but a Class A or huge trailer that I'd need a full ton truck to pull.

cpaharley2008 · 03-10-2018, 06:28 PM

Jon V. spent just about 75% of the year living out of his 17' Escape for close to 4 years before upgrading both tug and trailer to his new 21'Escape.

Y is Me · 03-10-2018, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eggscape

“ I'm hoping the extra space could be used to push out the countertop and partition wall in the kitchen area and add a couple of drawers on the right side of the stove “

I believe the wall beside the stove is structural and is screwed into supports fiberglassed into the wall. I think this might have to stay. If you can work around that, then I think you would be fine. With the hatch in the bed your half way there in a diy job by just removing it.
I would slip in/over new cabinets on each side that could be removed for sale and returning the trailer back to the factory configuration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

It would be pretty easy to do as a retrofit if ETI wouldn't do it. The bed framing comes apart easily. Two storage units could fit in that area, one at the end of the counter and one beside the fridge. Minor relocation of the pex piping required. The bulkhead could also be modified to permit a longer counter. Lots of ways to skin a cat.

Ron

Eggscape and Ron, that sounds like it will be the best option if ETI can't do it.

The only thing I'm worried about is the little bump underneath the bed that was shown in photos of the 2017 build.

Y is Me · 03-10-2018, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Jon V. spent just about 75% of the year living out of his 17' Escape for close to 4 years before upgrading both tug and trailer to his new 21'Escape.

That's nice, but I'm not Jon V.

gbaglo · 03-10-2018, 07:02 PM

I think reclining chairs have been discussed in the past and that the benches are part of the support structure.

Eggscape · 03-10-2018, 07:09 PM

I am afraid that the raised floor in the back of the 19, if that is what you refer to as bump, is there to stay. That is where the frame pops up.

Y is Me · 03-10-2018, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbryan4

In that case, I'm thinking the best option is to just swap the bed and dinette locations. Escape has done this several times, so you're not asking for anything radical or that would affect the structural integrity. A nice full bed up front, and a nice large dinette in the rear. Make it a U-shape and you'll have under seat storage all the way around, and a nice lounge area as well. And, don't forget the quite large storage area under the front bed too. Drop a memory foam or latex mattress in the bed area and you'd have one fine setup. Many people prefer the rear dinette because at many campgrounds the view is better in the back. Changing the floor plan will cost you a bit extra, but it's well worth it if the layout works better for you.

Actually, I had completely forgotten about the storage area under the front bed in a bed/dinette swap!

Hrmmm... Now that you mention it, I could have the larger dinette put in the back and keep the smaller dinette in the front. I think someone else mentioned the exterior access hatches to get to the spaces underneath the benches, so that would hopefully work for all 4. I could have ETI leave out the front table and table mount entirely so I could set up a board frame and thin sheet plywood across them for a bed frame for my airbed, which would leave the open area where the table would have been for easy access to plastic bin storage without having to kill my knees to get to it.

You guys are all great! Thank you for listening to me think out loud and give me ideas.

You may also like: