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Old 12-27-2008, 07:42 PM   #21
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Re: Wish List?


I guess I have to vote no.
Hey, wait, I can't vote yet.

baglo
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Old 12-30-2008, 11:02 PM   #22
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Re: Wish List?

Hi Folks - just checking the site to see what's up. I agree with the "outsiders". I think the outside instal will provide the easy access required to keep things clean and inside storage will be at a premium - at least I remember it as such in the old beast of a tent trailer we used for years.
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Old 12-31-2008, 08:06 PM   #23
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Re: Wish List?

Hi Folks
Thought I'd weigh in on the comments about larger onboard tanks. It seems to me that we should look back at the basic parameters that these trailers were/are developed around. Unless I've misunderstood something I believe they are primerily a light weight unit to enhance towing, manoverability and fuel efficiency. Having said this then I'd have to go with the smaller tanks - fluid of any description is heavey.
I come from a "tent trailer" history with no services on board. In the Escape I would think one would tend to use the services of the camp at hand and pit stops on the way. The onboard services would be used primarily at unserviced sites and even at that a well placed bush would do for some of us. So the prospect of full tanks is perhaps not so great.
Is this not also a trip management issue?
My bias is that I am really concerned about the weight and want to keep it down.
Happy New Year to all.
Keath
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Old 01-01-2009, 10:27 AM   #24
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Re: Wish List?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Keath
Hi Folks
Thought I'd weigh in on the comments about larger onboard tanks. It seems to me that we should look back at the basic parameters that these trailers were/are developed around. Unless I've misunderstood something I believe they are primerily a light weight unit to enhance towing, manoverability and fuel efficiency. Having said this then I'd have to go with the smaller tanks - fluid of any description is heavey.
I come from a "tent trailer" history with no services on board. In the Escape I would think one would tend to use the services of the camp at hand and pit stops on the way. The onboard services would be used primarily at unserviced sites and even at that a well placed bush would do for some of us. So the prospect of full tanks is perhaps not so great.
Is this not also a trip management issue?
My bias is that I am really concerned about the weight and want to keep it down.
Happy New Year to all.
Keath
You are missing the point, your reasoning is like saying "I don't want a larger fuel tank in my vehicle because it weighs more when full".
I have stayed in areas where no services are offered and using the outdoor facilities like a dog are not permitted, so larger tanks are required in those situations so a longer environmentally friendly stay can be achieved with comfort, whether it is a 17' or a 40' if it sleeps 4 humans you need moderate capacity for waste management, in unserviced locations.
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Old 01-01-2009, 07:14 PM   #25
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Re: Wish List?

We're with you Rob. We love to camp BECAUSE we can get away from the "serviced areas". Our biggest restictor is our fresh and grey water tanks (because we also like to crawl into bed clean). Our favorites are the National Forests (check out free info from www.forestcamping.com). Camping in long rows of other trailers, just so we can have elect/water/sewer just doen't get it in our house : - )
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Old 01-02-2009, 12:45 AM   #26
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Re: Wish List?

Hot topic....!

Without a response, I can see it quickly turning into a holding tank lynch mob!

Unlike some companies, we like to use our product and I will agree that our family of four will struggle with the holding tank sizes when camping off the grid. I have learned to pack a 5 gallon colapsable water tank so I can refill the water tank. I also have a bucket to drain off the grey water tank. The black tank has not yet been a problem as we all use it....but realize it is not easily drained, so we are resourceful. This will not be a good enough answer for all so, I will get into details.....

When designing the trailers, there are many areas of concern.

It starts with the frame construction. There are crossmembers in the frame to support the floor which the tank must fit between. This limits size. The tank can only be so deep in order to maintain road clearance which also limits size. The tank can only be so long to leave room for the inlet pipes. Then we add in features which you will appreciate while towing such as keeping the tank as tight a possible to the axle. Not only does this reduce the vulnerablilty of the tank from curbs and such, it also helps balance the weight. This tank placement is one of the factors in which we received a 4 star rating from the RV Consumer Group. Many if not most RV trailers will have the 4000ish gallon fresh water tank under the bed a the front of the trailer and the 3500ish gallon grey tank under the bathroom at the rear of the trailer (generalizing here). Looks great on the lot because you can be self contained for 3 months! You leave home with the trailer loaded for your trip and the front wheels of the truck in the air with all that hitch weight. When you come home...hitch is lighter but no the trailer is all over the place because the water is in the back...or at least until you hit the sani. Tongue and cheek obviously... but accurate. Escape owners do not worry about water transfer as both tanks strattle the axle.

Early models of the Escape had an 8 gallon black tank and a 14 gallon grey tank. New customers were quite happy with the new tank sizes of 14 gal black and 20.5 gal grey. I agree, another 5-10 gallons would be great, but at what cost? Everyone would still empty 50 gallons of water on a weekend trip if it was there and still say...why can't that Reace guy put in a larger tank?

I hear ya and I'm always looking for solutions.....I even fell asleep late one night on a creeper under a trailer while studying it for hours! ...(NO KIDDING )

Reace



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Old 01-02-2009, 07:44 AM   #27
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Re: Wish List?

Hi: Reace... No lynch mob here. I understand from a design stand point it comes down to a balancing act. Your caught in "The Goldie Locks" syndrome. I prefer a fine ballance and easier towability. If water weighs 10lbs an imp. gal then we just have to be responsible conserveters of water at all times!!!
Escape Artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 01-02-2009, 10:21 AM   #28
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Re: Wish List?

Hi Reace

I think most of us just thought if it was available as an option (and would fit of course,
I myself) would go for it, a little extra weight won't be any problem for my tow vehicle.
For myself the more important question was will any size fresh water tank fit
under the bed so as not to freeze.

PS:- Sorry, no frontier justice intended.....

Cheers
Doug & Eileen
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Old 01-02-2009, 11:35 AM   #29
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Re: Wish List?

Yep.. I totally agree.. I think "if" it's possible to maintain the design integrity and it is feasible to have larger tanks some would opt for it.. But all in all it's not a big "whoopie".. It's all part of the journey.. hey speaking of Journey I think they were the best rock band ever!! (just joking... it's really Led Zepplin...or maybe the Who.. hold it it's the Rolling Stones.. no .. it's.....)

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Old 01-02-2009, 11:56 AM   #30
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Re: Wish List?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffZ
Yep.. I totally agree.. I think "if" it's possible to maintain the design integrity and it is feasible to have larger tanks some would opt for it.. But all in all it's not a big "whoopie".. It's all part of the journey.. hey speaking of Journey I think they were the best rock band ever!! (just joking... it's really Led Zepplin...or maybe the Who.. hold it it's the Rolling Stones.. no .. it's.....)

Time for another poll......
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Old 01-02-2009, 12:32 PM   #31
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Re: Wish List?

"Hi: Reace... No lynch mob here."
For sure! Better engineering wins out every time, but since it IS a wish list, and you would like to know the reasons behind the wishes....
No need to rack your brain if it's a whimsical wish. Can't wait to drag our 5.0 back to the East Coast and show it off to the hundreds of new customers just waiting for a quality camper.
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Old 01-02-2009, 12:56 PM   #32
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Re: Wish List?

LOL!

Time for another poll .....You guys just enjoy tormenting the poor ol'guy. LOL,

Remember he needs his sleep, so if you can post the polls at intervals then he will get some sleep...at home, not on the creeper.

We're laughing along with you - He knows it is a wish list I think he feels bad because he can't provide larger tanks (at this time). But he is always listening and trying new ideas....

Happy New Year.

Tammy
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Old 01-02-2009, 02:58 PM   #33
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Re: Wish List?

A testimony to Rease's desire to have the best product, and the happiest customer family.
When we were deciding what to pull our new Escape 5.0 with, I really wanted to to use a Honda Ridgeline. Rease went to a Honda dealership, put a Ridgeline up on a lift, and checked out every possible way to make it work. It would not! But, he put in a lot of effort to be sure. It reassured me, that not only could I not use the Honda, but that the Escape was the camper for me, even if I do have to go 3,000 miles to get it!!!!!! Somethings are worth the effort! Thanks Rease for listening.
PS: I agree with Tammy, sleeping at home is a much better idea.
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Old 01-02-2009, 10:09 PM   #34
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Re: Wish List?

from wish to reality....

early in this post I "wished" for a fresh water tank inside so as to avoid the freezing situation when camping. And I want the battery to last longer when dry camping. so.......

I talked to Reace, and this is what we came up with:
* the rear table made into a permanent bed,
* 10-15 gallon secondary fresh water tank under the bed but situated above the floor (to avoid freezing) and plumbed straight into the original system,
* a hand pump installed by the sink (the pump is one of the biggest draws in my trailer - I can still use it or the hand pump),
* dual 6v batteries installed under the bed in a sealed box (the old battery will be installed as a secondary battery in my truck),
* the AC plug that feeds into the rear of the trailer will be removed and hardwired to a marine plug in its place (then the cable and plug will be rigged with the matching end and stored in my truck - I mostly dry camp when on the road),

This new set-up should give me 6 days on the battery with heavy furnace usage. After this it's solar and wind (small systems in combination - rigged to plug straight into the 7pin plug coming off the trailer).

woot! woot!

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Old 01-03-2009, 01:37 AM   #35
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Re: Wish List?

Quote:
Originally Posted by HokieEscape
A testimony to Rease's desire to have the best product, and the happiest customer family.
When we were deciding what to pull our new Escape 5.0 with, I really wanted to to use a Honda Ridgeline. Rease went to a Honda dealership, put a Ridgeline up on a lift, and checked out every possible way to make it work. It would not! But, he put in a lot of effort to be sure.
Wow that is terrific.
Experiences like this are the reason why we are going to purchase an Escape. Plus they are Canadian
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Old 01-03-2009, 11:49 AM   #36
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Re: Wish List?

Is the fresh water tank outside? In our Casita it was under the bed (dinette) so didn't freeze, although the gray tank was out, so it could be a problem. The gate would sometimes freeze, but a hair dryer took care of that.
If it is outside, some ideas on keeping it "unfrozen" in mild freezing temps. It's a plastic tank so I'm assuming "electical pipe tape" wouldn't work? Hmmmmm
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Old 01-11-2009, 03:24 PM   #37
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Re: Wish List?

Wish list? INteriorLED lights?
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Old 01-11-2009, 09:31 PM   #38
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Re: Wish List?

Nobody seemed to take note of Reace's recomendation to carry extra water in a small jug. Such a simple solution which I too carry. It's also needed when you need to add water to your built in tank and a hose spigot is not available.

Bigger black water tank? I don't even have one and it's never been a problem. I use a porta-potti and a "pee-jug". If your boondock camping peeing behind a bush should never be a problem. If your in a campground, no matter how primitive, there few, if any, that don't have at least a porta-john.

Winter camping is simple enough: drain and winterise all your tanks and keep that water jug inside. Carry a porta-potti also winterized.

I realise some larger familys have different needs and may I offer this: large families need large campers.

Ace

Ps to Reace. I have not fallen asleep under mine yet, but have gotten a stiff neck studying the bottom dreaming up a water tank rock shield and better ways to add floor insulation. Also dreaming up shock mounts.

I also would have liked LED lights as an option.


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Old 01-24-2009, 12:51 PM   #39
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12 volt accessories....

I was just sitting here looking at my 12volt cord for the cell phone
and thinking, I need somewhere to plug in 12 volt items.
I thing a plug around the dinning area (to plug in the portable DVD player)
,one near the cooking area and one on the other side of the cooking area wall
next to the bed if possible. This should array of cells, fans, chargers etc.
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Old 01-24-2009, 01:07 PM   #40
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Re: Wish List?

A few 12V plugs would be handy for sure. There is one listed as an option on the quote sheet, I would imagine a couple more could be added as well.
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