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Old 10-02-2017, 11:17 AM   #1
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Review of my new 17B

I picked up my new 17B on September 8th and have a few minor issues to report
1. The build sheet offered a Rhino sewer hose and on that basis I gave my old Rhino to the purchaser of my Bigfoot. What Escape provided instead was a Dominator hose, inferior in my opinion. The worst part is the one piece elbow attachment which will not fit in the storage tube and so must be stored in the front bin. Not only is that a major inconvenience, but it risks contamination where it should be avoided. The first time I found a CampingWorld I replaced it with the smaller, two piece Rhino elbow, which does fit in the sewer storage tube. Not expensive, but I really shouldn't have had to.
2. In my opinion, the best RV awnings ever are the A&E manual awnings standard on Bigfoots and older Escapes. They are extremely sturdy, plus with legs that can be anchored to the ground you can enclose them with available side panels for both privacy and wind and rain protection. When I found the new Escapes have an electric awning with no legs I decided to choose the manual Carefree awning, which is flimsy by comparison, but does have legs that can be used to create an enclosure. I already have two problems with the Carefree. First the cheesy, plastic levers on the legs have both broken off. Escape had Carefree send replacements, but a special tool is needed for the job that I don't have, Second, the awning has three guides which are supposed to guide it into its storage enclosure. But one of them is angled wrong and prevents complete closing without a lot of extra manipulation.
3. There is a leak in one of the PEX connections to the water supply lines under the kitchen sink. I don't have the PEX crimping tool, so till I figure out a permanent solution, I have a towel in place to absorb the drip.
Another disappointment is in the tilt windows. I really favour tilt windows but I'm very disappointed in how limited the openings are. I see no reason for that. It's just a matter of a block that prevents them opening as far as they should for better ventilation. The tilt windows on my previous Parkliner were far superior.

Still, there's a lot to like about my Escape and I don't regret my decision.
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Old 10-02-2017, 11:45 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WaltP View Post
2. In my opinion, the best RV awnings ever are the A&E manual awnings standard on Bigfoots and older Escapes. They are extremely sturdy, plus with legs that can be anchored to the ground you can enclose them with available side panels for both privacy and wind and rain protection. When I found the new Escapes have an electric awning with no legs I decided to choose the manual Carefree awning, which is flimsy by comparison, but does have legs that can be used to create an enclosure.
Walt: I could be wrong, but I don't think Escapes ever came with an A&E awning. They are similar in design, but the older trailers all have the Carefree Fiesta as far as I know. These are great awnings and still made. I know it is a new trailer and the new mold has a recess in the shell, but maybe with some creativity a retrofit would be possible? Best of luck with your new trailer.
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Old 10-02-2017, 11:52 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WaltP View Post
I picked up my new 17B on September 8th and have a few minor issues to report
1. The build sheet offered a Rhino sewer hose and on that basis I gave my old Rhino to the purchaser of my Bigfoot. What Escape provided instead was a Dominator hose, inferior in my opinion. The worst part is the one piece elbow attachment which will not fit in the storage tube and so must be stored in the front bin. Not only is that a major inconvenience, but it risks contamination where it should be avoided. The first time I found a CampingWorld I replaced it with the smaller, two piece Rhino elbow, which does fit in the sewer storage tube. Not expensive, but I really shouldn't have had to.
2. In my opinion, the best RV awnings ever are the A&E manual awnings standard on Bigfoots and older Escapes. They are extremely sturdy, plus with legs that can be anchored to the ground you can enclose them with available side panels for both privacy and wind and rain protection. When I found the new Escapes have an electric awning with no legs I decided to choose the manual Carefree awning, which is flimsy by comparison, but does have legs that can be used to create an enclosure. I already have two problems with the Carefree. First the cheesy, plastic levers on the legs have both broken off. Escape had Carefree send replacements, but a special tool is needed for the job that I don't have, Second, the awning has three guides which are supposed to guide it into its storage enclosure. But one of them is angled wrong and prevents complete closing without a lot of extra manipulation.
3. There is a leak in one of the PEX connections to the water supply lines under the kitchen sink. I don't have the PEX crimping tool, so till I figure out a permanent solution, I have a towel in place to absorb the drip.
Another disappointment is in the tilt windows. I really favour tilt windows but I'm very disappointed in how limited the openings are. I see no reason for that. It's just a matter of a block that prevents them opening as far as they should for better ventilation. The tilt windows on my previous Parkliner were far superior.

Still, there's a lot to like about my Escape and I don't regret my decision.
I have a couple of Rhino hoses and agree that they are well made and work well with the Escape trailers.

I too favor the older manually operated awnings with side arms. Not sure what I would do if I ever moved on to a new Escape 5.0TA.

Maybe you or someone else on the forum will be able to come up with a modification that allows the awning windows to open further.

It is unfortunate that you have a plumbing leak. However, Pex is super easy to work with. Many of the local building supply places (Lowes, Home Depot) will rent Pex crimping tools for about $10/day. Should be a simple matter for you to fix your leak.

Glad you love your Escape. Once these few initial wrinkles are ironed out, you will be able to enjoy it much more.
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Old 10-02-2017, 12:04 PM   #4
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Another vote for Escape to use the Rhino brand hose. As Walt stated, the Rhino hose fits in the round storage pipe supplied by Escape; the Dominator hose they supply (as an option) does not. I did the same & purchased a Rhino hose at the first opportunity.

I also had a small leak under the sink, but mine was fixed by tightening the hot water faucet fitting.

Overall, I couldn't be more pleased with my new 21!
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Old 10-02-2017, 12:06 PM   #5
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My 2008 has Carefree Fiesta awning.
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Old 10-02-2017, 12:24 PM   #6
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There are consumer fittings for Pex- they don't require any special tools. Same tubing, just sub in a different fitting. I used ones called SharkBite. Easy to use.
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Old 10-02-2017, 01:34 PM   #7
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I thought it meant that the sewer hose holder would hold a Rhino hose, not that a Rhino hose was included. These hoses are expensive and mine fits with the elbow inside and I latch the doors on the holder.
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Old 10-02-2017, 03:53 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
I thought it meant that the sewer hose holder would hold a Rhino hose, not that a Rhino hose was included. These hoses are expensive and mine fits with the elbow inside and I latch the doors on the holder.
Under "Accessories", Escape lists "Deluxe Sewer Tube Kit" for $50.00. While the current photo is of a Dominator hose, I could have sworn that when I ordered my trailer, it was listed as a Rhino hose. In any case, if you plan to use the Dominator hose, you will have to find a different location for the right angle fitting - it will not fit in the storage tube supplied with the trailer.

The Rhino house uses a different design for the right angle fitting, and when removed from the hose, fits (with the hose) in the standard storage tube.
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Old 10-02-2017, 03:57 PM   #9
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When I bought Ten Forward, all it said was "20’ Sewer Hose & Storage Compartment." I bought the Rhino at Wal-Mart and the brand new blue hose (and fittings) will go to the next owner of my Scamp.
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Old 10-02-2017, 04:01 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
When I bought Ten Forward, all it said was "20’ Sewer Hose & Storage Compartment." I bought the Rhino at Wal-Mart and the brand new blue hose (and fittings) will go to the next owner of my Scamp.
I just checked my build sheet: "Rhino Sewer Tube Kit" $80.00...

Again, I'm not complaining (well, maybe a little), just want to warn those considering ordering the accessory hose that it won't all fit.
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Old 10-02-2017, 04:31 PM   #11
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Funny story. Shortly after buying my Escape I purchased a Rhino hose and accessories and was very happy with it. About a year later I must have forgotten to latch the sewer hose storage pipe door before leaving the dump station, and lost my Rhino hose somewhere travelling down the highway. Stopped at a Canadian Tire store the next day and picked up another Rhino hose. They are not cheap! Was a really good lesson in checking to see that the sewer hose storage pipe latch is secure before leaving a campground!
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Old 10-02-2017, 05:08 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
When I bought Ten Forward, all it said was "20’ Sewer Hose & Storage Compartment." I bought the Rhino at Wal-Mart and the brand new blue hose (and fittings) will go to the next owner of my Scamp.
LOL, I just did the same thing. Bought a new Rhino setup for the Escape (Awesome sewer hose that fits totally in the tube, if one can get excited about that) and moved the one that came with the Escape to my project Scamp.
I even put the baggie of disposable gloves in the sewer tube so all the sewer items are now contained totally in the tube and no longer in a box in the back of the truck.
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Old 10-02-2017, 05:19 PM   #13
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Still, there's a lot to like about my Escape and I don't regret my decision.
Care to share these to complete the full review?
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Old 10-02-2017, 05:20 PM   #14
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For what it's worth, my 2014 19' has a CareFree awning. Works great.

Chuck
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Old 10-02-2017, 06:00 PM   #15
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I actually like the Dominator hose. We are almost never in a full hookup sitess, so the angle piece is just stored away for the very infrequent times we need it and the hose itself fits easily in our tube.

As Jim said above, I'd love to also know if there is anything you like about your new Escape as part of your review.
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Old 10-02-2017, 08:45 PM   #16
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For what it's worth, my 2014 19' has a CareFree awning. Works great.

Chuck
Yes, but it is the Carefree Fiesta. The new molds (which Walt has) use the Carefree Freedom WM awning. They are the same manufacturer, but the Freedom WM does not appear to be anywhere near as strong and well made as the Fiesta. Haven’t used the new one personally, but the support legs look pretty skimpy.

Old awning:
www.carefreeofcolorado.com/products/fiesta.html

New manual awning:
http://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/pr...all-mount.html
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