Another 5.0ta on order

[kvermeulen]

Hi All - well after some pondering we have decided to order the 5.0TA for delivery on Sept. 4/15.. Hmmmmmmm long time to wait, but lots of time to work on the build sheet.

Would appreciate any and all offers of info on mods etc. Have got quite a few so far, just looking to cover all the bases.

Thanks

[Jim Bennett]

Congrats to you and Diana, Ken. Lots of fun with the build sheet awaits you.

[Scuba55]

Congrats on your very good decision. We just picked up ours and love it. Two recommendations that come to mind are the LED awning lights with the hand held dimmer. Also, I highly recommend the bi-pod. The bi-pod gives one a sense of security regarding stability of the trailer when parked.

[padlin]

Originally Posted by Scuba55

Also, I highly recommend the bi-pod. The bi-pod gives one a sense of security regarding stability of the trailer when parked.

I've noticed no instability without a bipod, we do use an X-Bal chuck though.

[Scuba55]

Bob, I agree, its not unstable, the bi-pod provides a little insurance which never hurts.

[padlin]

Originally Posted by kvermeulen

Would appreciate any and all offers of info on mods etc. Have got quite a few so far, just looking to cover all the bases.

The unlisted options we got, at least I think they are unlisted.
Wintering T valve
Battery Monitor (customer supplied) cables installed
Delete range hood
Texas Fan (probably useless for these fridges)
Digital Thermostat
Additional 12v outlets, 1 inside, 1 outside
Hitch lock
Door for microwave cabinet
Prewire Solar and stereo
Double SS sink
U Dinette
Counter Extension next to sink
Switches at door for interior and exterior
Foot flush toilet
A few solid walls

Wish I had gotten opening loft windows as opposed to the double pane.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by kvermeulen

Hi All - well after some pondering we have decided to order the 5.0TA for delivery on Sept. 4/15.. Hmmmmmmm long time to wait, but lots of time to work on the build sheet.

Would appreciate any and all offers of info on mods etc. Have got quite a few so far, just looking to cover all the bases.

Thanks

Congratulations! You're going to love it. Ours is a 19, but most of the options we ordered are also applicable to the 5.0TA:

2 Burner Stainless Steel Stove and Range Hood
6.7CF Fridge (RMD8555 Dual Door)
1 additional 12V interior outlet (DS rear ovhd)
1 additional 120V outlet (cabinet face kitchen counter)
Reinforce wall 6 and wall 2
Additional set LED Brakelights
Additional opening window over sink
AC
Digital Thermostat
5 Aluminum Rims
Cabinet Door at end of Bench
Additional Drawer under wardrobe closet
Dual 6V Batteries
Ext. Propane Quick Connect
Extra Insulation and Thermal Windows
1500W Inverter w/transfer switch on all outlets
LED Interior Light Package
LED Exterior Light on D/P side - Amber
2 LED Captains lights head of bed
Interior Light switch on doorframe outside screen
Exterior light switches on oh cabinet end inside screen
Opening Window in Bathroom
Toilet Shut off Valve (under front dinette DS)
Foot Flush Toilet
Filled Propane Tanks
2 Shelves in wardrobe closet - evenly spaced
Stainless Sink and Chrome Faucet
Prewire for stereo - speaker wire to all 4 corners in OH cabinets
Storage Box
Surge Protector
Jack Power Amplified TV Antenna - Includes TV ready package
160W Solar Panel with Charge Controller
Custom Formica - Metal Sun
Custom Upholstery - Sunbrella Astoria Sunset - All sides - no vinyl
Install provided Wilson Trucker 3G/4G antenna on roof, install provided Wilson Sleek Power amplifier cradle in OH cabinet (ds front Dinette)
Install supplied Horst Probes in Black and Grey Tanks
Install Overhead Cabinet across front of trailer instead of shelf
4 12V Drops in OH Cabinets DS and PS Dinette and Bed area
Convert Bench to U-shaped Dinette
Raise Dinette Floor 4"
2 Counter Extension flip ups - Head of bed at standard depth, foot of bed at 6" deep
Pads on Stabilizer Jacks

[kvermeulen]

Thanks for the congrats and very much for the info...Now I have a few questions:

1. does the dimmer on led awning lites come as part of the package.
2. who supplies bi-pod and what is x-bal chuck.
3. can u provide info on battery monitor and source, relative cost etc.
4. why do you need a shut (almost miss spelled that) off valve for toilet.

I wonder if anyone has installed the large D shaped entry door handle?

thanks again
Ken and Diana

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by kvermeulen

Thanks for the congrats and very much for the info...Now I have a few questions:

1. does the dimmer on led awning lites come as part of the package.
2. who supplies bi-pod and what is x-bal chuck.
3. can u provide info on battery monitor and source, relative cost etc.
4. why do you need a shut (almost miss spelled that) off valve for toilet.

I wonder if anyone has installed the large D shaped entry door handle?

thanks again
Ken and Diana

Hi: kvermeulen... Can't comment on #1- #2 IMHO Bi-pod not necessary for stability when set up. Bal X Chock goes in between wheels for stability... again not necessary IMHO. #4 extra shut off for toilet is good only if you don't drain properly for winterizing, and have to change the flush valve on the toilet.
Reace is now using a different supplier for door lock/handle. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Scuba55]

The awning LED with remote and bi-pod are both options available from Escape.

[padlin]

Originally Posted by kvermeulen

2. what is x-bal chuck.
It's Bal-X, my bad. BAL - Innovative Products for the RV Industry

3. can u provide info on battery monitor and source, relative cost etc.
I went with the TM-2030-RV
TriMetric Model Descriptions, Present and Past | Bogart Engineering
Requires a shunt, a cable
ACCESSORIES | Bogart Engineering
And some wiring ability on your part. I buy my items from Bestconverter, very good service and the owner is very knowledgeable. See link for prices.
TriMetric Battery Monitor

4. why do you need a shut (almost miss spelled that) off valve for toilet.
Don't know that this is available for the 5.0TA.

There are other battery monitor units besides the Trimetric, but you'd have to research them.

[tractors1]

I disagree on the toilet shut off valve. The one in the toilet can fail, which leaves you flooded if you didn't shut off the pump when you left. Doesn't have to involve freezing.

If it fails and you are still in the trailer, you have hold down the toilet flush lever and manually turn the pump on/off if you want to run any water for the sink.

It's just a cheap safe way to isolate the toilet supply. I think it was $25.

[cpaharley2008]

Last I heard, ETI is not offering the awning LED strip, as far as anything else you can think of, ask them, they try to please. Also check out post #122 re alternate to Trimetric battery monitor, plug and play with your Iphone---

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...m-4904-13.html

[t-twnbob]

Congrats on the order. The production schedule of the 5.0TA is now October 1st and the 13th, it makes our August 4th date look not as bad! This is great news for ETI, but I can't help but wonder if at some point they may loose customers because the wait is just too long.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by t-twnbob

Congrats on the order. The production schedule of the 5.0TA is now October 1st and the 13th, it makes our August 4th date look not as bad! This is great news for ETI, but I can't help but wonder if at some point they may loose customers because the wait is just too long.

Hi: t-twnbob... Long wait times have been and continue to be perplexing. Which is better...rush the production of trailers or continue the slow, tried and true method, and lengthen the wait time. There's always someone who wants "Instant Gratification".
"Good things come to those who wait"!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by t-twnbob

..... I can't help but wonder if at some point they may loose customers because the wait is just too long.

Probably, but as long as they're producing enough trailers to be happy with their business model, they probably won't worry. It happens with all the manufacturers of all molded towables. Most certainly not out as far as ETIs delivery dates, but folks who want to purchase a Scamp or Casita don't seem to mind not being able to purchase "today."

[Vermilye]

I also have the Trimetric monitor (although the older 2025) and have been pleased with it. A much better indicator of your battery's state of charge than the lights on the built in panel or the GoPower % reading.

Since the toilet valve is more complicated than the rest of the valves in the water system, having a shut off can save the day if you have a failure.

[Scuba55]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Last I heard, ETI is not offering the awning LED strip, as far as anything else you can think of, ask them, they try to please. Also check out post #122 re alternate to Trimetric battery monitor, plug and play with your Iphone---

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...m-4904-13.html

My trailer was built in Dec., ETI actually suggested the anwing LED strip to me. So far as I know, its available.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Probably, but as long as they're producing enough trailers to be happy with their business model, they probably won't worry. It happens with all the manufacturers of all molded towables. Most certainly not out as far as ETIs delivery dates, but folks who want to purchase a Scamp or Casita don't seem to mind not being able to purchase "today."

Yep. Good things come to those who wait. We (well just 'I' actually) were pretty antsy waiting, but now that the build is here and almost complete, we are thinking "where did the time go?"

[PGDriver]

The LED lighting strip is still available from ETI, I was just discussing it with Crystal and she was kind enough to send me this picture.

Cheers
Doug