What would you change.....

[cpaharley2008]

about your Escape, now that you have used it for awhile. I read several posts where the owners of the 19' can not see out the front dinette window, it is too high or the dinette is too low. Other members with the 17' liked the a/c better on the side vs the roof. I'm just wondering what changes you wished you had made, knowing what you know now. Thanks

[gbaglo]

I have been trying to figure out the issue with the height of the windows on the 19. My buddy has the 19 and I don't recall having any problem seeing out when we were over for dinner. I can't imagine that it being two feet longer than my 17B would require that the windows be raised.

And, I'm 5'8" and getting shorter.

Maybe some of the 19 owners can put this to bed?

baglo

[robinwstebbins]

I think the windows on the 19' are great the way they are. I've been pleased with the options on our 19'.

One thing that caught my eye on this forum this last year is the A/C unit someone had installed that is supposed to work with a 2000KW generator, as it seems to be a problem with the standard A/C brand.

The option of water tank heaters and spray on insullation underneath has also been interesting to follow. We made it through the winter just fine with the standard exposed tanks, although when camping over New Years we seemed to luck out with a fairly warm spell. So for now it is not worth the extra weight, probably more difficulty in cleaning, and potential future maintenance item. But it seems to be something to consider depending on one's needs.

[hippo]

The smartest thing Reace built into every Escape is the low point drain.
Chuck

[gbaglo]

Actually, the only thing I would change is I would get the 19 instead of the 17B, but, the 19 wasn't in production at the time.

I've no intention of moving up. I'm just going to be content, with a sprinkle of envy.

baglo

[Sandra L]

Since I am short, when I went to view an Escape prior to purchase, I discovered that I could not easily see out the front window from the small dinette area, so I asked if the benches on that side could be made higher, and the answer was in the affirmative. I did not make the request as to the other side because I knew it was (for me) to be a permanent bed. At that, Reace offered to make that side into a permanent bed if I wished.

[Jim Bennett]

I would not do the raised axle, as there is plenty of clearance without it. I drive on some dirt trails too, and have never come close to bottoming anything out.

I too am looking at doing the insulation below, though not interested in the heating pads, as I am usually not hooked to the grid, ant the drain on the batteries would be too much.

I would not put in a hood fan, as we rarely cook inside, and if needed the fantastic fan would do the trick.

We have never used the outside shower either. One of the reasons we got it was to wash the dog off if needed, but it is mounted too high for the hose to reach near the ground.

Lisa and I purposely sat and checked out the view from our front windows, and neither of us had an issue with the height, and she is about 5'4"

[Mountain Mike]

We have a 19' model, and it has been great! Our options included extra insulation and dual pane widows, sure helps to keep us warm or cool, as the seasons dictate. The front storage box is excellent, as are the dual 6V batteries.We have the AC, but haven't used it much, the Maxx fan does a wonderful job of moving air through the unit.

If I was to order another trailer, I would delete the AC, and order the solar panels with the dual 6V batteries. Now there's no need to haul around a generator.

We'll have to see how things go in Osoyoos in a couple of weeks as I not a fan of the heat.

Hope to meet some of you folks at Osoyoos.

[gbaglo]

Osoyoos should be a high of 21.6 C and a low of 9 C, according to Weather Underground stats, as I recall.

baglo

[cpaharley2008]

Are the front and rear windows the same size? While looking at pictures on website the rear window appears to be closer to the belly band than the front window, which may indicate different sizes?

[JeffZ]

We got the high axle lift and it wasn't needed.. other than that we we're happy with all our options..

[Garand]

I would opt out of the factory cd/dvd system (TouchAudio) and, while we added an extra window over the sink, I wish I'd known to ask for that window to be an "openable" window.

I'm glad I got a single switch for all the outside lights, and wish I'd gotten a similar switch for the "bedroom" lights on the 5.0. In addition, I'd opt for the existing lights to be placed at the extreme head-end of the bed to act more as reading lights.

Dave

[Jim Bennett]

Dave, I added reading specific lights at the head of the bed for reading. These have a narrower beam, which is good if the other person is sleeping.

Adding the stereo is something I would not likely do as well in retrospect, and instead do something myself. We do use and enjoy it, but as technology improves, it will soon become dated.

[Garand]

Jim;
I'm looking at running a strip of LEDs (similar to those I put under the awning) on the trim strip across the head of the bed. I may opt for reading specific lights instead.

Dave

[Jim Bennett]

Dave, your bed would look like a party room if you did that. But hey, maybe it will help set a mood (I would buy the coloured ones).

[tao]

I would not get the window over the sink as little time is ever spent at the sink. I would not get the fan with the hood over the range, the trailer comes with a larger more efficient fan. These 2 things would reduce holes in the shell. I use the outside shower all of the time, would not be without it. Where I often camp the high lift axle is a must. I would not bother with the electric option with the hot water heater, I never camp where there is a place to plug in. I would not get the thermal package again as I do not believe it makes a noticable difference.

[Garand]

I'm still trying to get the disco ball to retract so we don't bump our heads.

[JCZ]

You guys are great! Incredable amount of info. on this forum. Now it's just a matter of trying to retain it.

[Hokie Escape]

Originally Posted by tao

I would not get the thermal package again as I do not believe it makes a noticable difference.

We had a previous trailer (Casita) without the thermal package...and it's a world of difference!
The outside shower is great for washing dishes outside.
Big thing I would do different is get a smaller A/C. The 13,500 is too large. We were in Evansville, IN over the 4th, temps in the 100's, near the Ohio River (nice humidity)...and you have to keep the unit on low...froze up one time : - ( Only thing I'd change!
I added full extension drawers for storage....if I was to get another one, I'd have them build them in.

[JCZ]

Originally Posted by HokieEscape

We had a previous trailer (Casita) without the thermal package...and it's a world of difference!
The outside shower is great for washing dishes outside.
Big thing I would do different is get a smaller A/C. The 13,500 is too large. We were in Evansville, IN over the 4th, temps in the 100's, near the Ohio River (nice humidity)...and you have to keep the unit on low...froze up one time : - ( Only thing I'd change!
I added full extension drawers for storage....if I was to get another one, I'd have them build them in.

There's a reason for that. Their is a number of things it could be. No experience in an RV but when a home unit is icing up it could be anything from low on refrigerant (often referred to as Freon, but that's just a brand name), too much refrigerant, dirty filter, dirty coils, reversing valve sticking on and on. How long was it running before it iced up? Was the door continueiously being opened and closed (coming and going)?

Also, home units come from the factory pre-charged with refrigerant now. But in a few cases, we've got them with to little or to much refrigerant......so it can happen on a new unit.

Hoakie, where did you add the full extension drawers in your 5.0? And you feel like additional drawers were really needed?