|
|
11-28-2023, 03:26 PM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: HiCamp Tear Drop
Posts: 90
|
Current Tear Drop Owner
My wife and I love our tear drop trailer. 42 nights so far in 2023. So many positives, easy to store, clean, tow, sleep great….but you are outside except for sleeping.
We are 90% convinced that a larger trailer is in our future, and if that’s the case why not do it now while in our early 60s and newly retired. Oh, and we’ve already eliminated all but Escape from what we’d purchase.
Joined the site to hear all of your experiences.
|
|
|
11-28-2023, 04:17 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Trailer: 2012 E19
Posts: 1,840
|
The closest I've ever come to that was camping in the back of a Windstar minivan for a few days one summer. Yuck, what a pain. Yeah, I love being able to stand up for dressing & undressing, to find stored items without scrounging through bins, to cook food & wash dishes indoors when the weather is disadvantageous, having an actual bathroom and a shower, etc.
__________________
Losing weight puts one at much greater risk of becoming thin.
|
|
|
11-28-2023, 05:56 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Madison area, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19 Chevy 2012 Express 3500 Van
Posts: 1,920
|
Every dog has its day
It's not for me to shed a teardrop over your teardrop, but I'd advise, do move on and forward.
I've experienced the gamat of camping, from sleeping as a Boy Scout, in a winter campout, in a discarded refrigerator corrugated shipping box (warm & comfy, by the way) to many years of tenting, and then a 16' Casita with a 105 lb Golden Retriever who took up all the floor space and then on to my Escape.
The clock is ticking down for all of us, and coffins don't have pockets, so move quick, move definitively, and experience & enjoy all you can.
You are wise to go with a fiberglass trailer choice, whatever brand it may be. Some are better than others. All hold up and serve pretty well.
YMMV
|
|
|
11-28-2023, 07:19 PM
|
#4
|
Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,526
|
being in our late 60s, having a flush toilet in the trailer is a must. and having our own clean hot shower inside is nearly as important. We liked our little Casita 16, but the bed was too small for both of us, the Escape 21C's almost queen bed is perfect. Everything else, like a fridge/freezer that actually works (the Casita fridge was ridiculously too small), and the gas oven are just icing. There has only been a few times we've had hookup power for the air conditioning when we really needed it, but boy were we glad to have it.
|
|
|
11-28-2023, 07:47 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Trailer: A lovely 2017 Escape 21C
Posts: 445
|
Hello and welcome to the community. Find a seat and enjoy the information, the conversation and the people here.
The questions that you have to ask are; what will my tow vehicle pull? What do I want in and from my Escape? Answer those and you will be very happy with what you get.
We went with the 21C as we didn't want to buy a new tow vehicle and we wanted this, our first trailer, to be our last. No two foot-itis for us.
__________________
Peace and safe journeys,
Steven M
|
|
|
11-28-2023, 09:29 PM
|
#6
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21C
Posts: 8
|
Hello, like you, we are in our 60's and newly retired. We have been looking at getting a smaller travel trailer with two axles and came across the Escape trailers. About a year ago, we ended up buying a 2010 Escape 19 that was listed for sale in this forum, and are more than happy with the purchase. The 19 model has dual axles, a true queen bed, large fridge, very usable washroom, and a very large dinette that converts to a twin sized 2nd sleeping area. You won't find that in a tear drop sized trailer, as we are very familiar with the T@B 400, Little Guy Max, etc.. We love our 19, and will never consider purchasing another trailer that isn't molded fiberglass.
|
|
|
11-28-2023, 09:34 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Trailer: 2020 Escape 17B "Voyager"
Posts: 2,769
|
I had a Trailswest Campster before my first Escape. It had a popup section in the middle where one could stand up straight (if over 5 feet tall) an the rest was shorter. Very light. So a step ahead of a teardrop unless you have the larger one you can stand up in. Going to an Escape 15 was a huge step up. Much more comfortable, more room, better built and insulated. Since you already know you like camping, just figure out what you are missing from the teardrop and decide how best to get it in an Escape. I have a 17b now which still fits in the garage (after I raised the door to 9 feet) and tows easily, but has lots of the comforts of home. But it isn't as spacious inside as a 19 or 21.
|
|
|
11-28-2023, 10:05 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,256
|
Trust your instincts! A neighbor recently sold their teardrop and brought home a new 21 NE (F2).
__________________
"We gotta get as far away as we can!"
- Russell Casse, Independence Day
|
|
|
11-28-2023, 11:39 PM
|
#9
|
Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,526
|
We're going on a 4 month road trip next year. anything smaller than the 21 would end up pretty claustrophobic.
|
|
|
11-28-2023, 11:50 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Overbrook, Kansas
Trailer: 2021 E19 (Padawan)
Posts: 2,237
|
We didn’t want 2 footitis either so jumped to the 19. It’s the biggest RV yet, and has plenty of room. We have spent as much as 5 months in smaller RV’s just fine. We never manage to really fill them up even in the winter. Just figure out what size you want and go make memories.
__________________
Randy & Barb
1998 C 2500 (Cruncher) and 2021 Ranger (Yoda)
|
|
|
11-29-2023, 12:02 AM
|
#11
|
Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,526
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by brroberts
We didn’t want 2 footitis either so jumped to the 19. It’s the biggest RV yet, and has plenty of room. We have spent as much as 5 months in smaller RV’s just fine. We never manage to really fill them up even in the winter. Just figure out what size you want and go make memories.
|
the 19 was very attractive but we didn't want to have to climb over each other to get out of bed in the middle of the night, so a longitudinal bed was a must. Short of a Bigfoot 25 with the rear queen option, and its must-have of a superduty class tow truck, the Escape 21 fit our bill to a T.
|
|
|
11-29-2023, 08:40 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Overbrook, Kansas
Trailer: 2021 E19 (Padawan)
Posts: 2,237
|
We looked at the 21C also, but didn’t like bigger, heavier, wider, trailer with a narrower bed. Except for our Bigfoot pickup camper, all of our RV’s have been crawl over. The few 54”, angled foot RV beds we have slept in, we didn’t like. A queen bed is pretty important to us, and so far, all of our RV’s but one, have had one. Everyone has different needs, so figure out what size you want and go make memories.
We almost bought a 17b. It was just a bit too small in every way at this point. Thirty years ago it would have been perfect. In fact, when we originally looked at ETI in 2011, the debate was between the 15b and the 17b.
We’ve even had great memories in a 18’ junk foam laminated Forest River, plus pickup campers, tents, and pickup camper shells. Buy an Escape; they strike a nice balance considering what’s available, and make a positive difference as you travel.
__________________
Randy & Barb
1998 C 2500 (Cruncher) and 2021 Ranger (Yoda)
|
|
|
11-29-2023, 09:33 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Lanesboro, MN, between Whalan and Fountain, Minnesota
Trailer: 2016 Bigfoot 25RQ - (2018 Escape 5.0 sold)
Posts: 2,255
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz
Short of a Bigfoot 25 with the rear queen option, and its must-have of a superduty class tow truck, the Escape 21 fit our bill to a T.
|
Perhaps you do, but not us. You don't have to have a "superduty class" truck to pull a 25RQ. The 25RQ is well within the specifications of our F150 Lariat, 6.5 box, 3.5 EB engine, and we have no problems either pulling or stopping.
Enjoy,
Perry
__________________
Those who know everything use pens. Intelligent people use pencils.
|
|
|
11-29-2023, 10:01 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Trailer: 2015 5.0TA, Toyota Tundra CrewMax
Posts: 902
|
I'm hearing preferences for queen size beds but no mention yet of a 5.0TA. If you have, or don't mind acquiring, a pickup then a 5.0TA is an excellent choice.
We chose it to a large extent for the full-size, no-crawl-over queen bed but also for it's shorter overall wheelbase behind the truck which makes the follow behind towing and backup maneuvering easier. We like to get off the beaten track a bit though.
To each their own. There is an Escape to fit many different needs.
__________________
Lyle
|
|
|
11-29-2023, 10:17 AM
|
#15
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: HiCamp Tear Drop
Posts: 90
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike G
The closest I've ever come to that was camping in the back of a Windstar minivan for a few days one summer. Yuck, what a pain. Yeah, I love being able to stand up for dressing & undressing, to find stored items without scrounging through bins, to cook food & wash dishes indoors when the weather is disadvantageous, having an actual bathroom and a shower, etc.
|
We have absolutely loved or teardrop, and it got me into doing yoga so I could continue to change inside. With that said my wife would love an inside bathroom and being able to be dry all the time.
|
|
|
11-29-2023, 10:20 AM
|
#16
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: HiCamp Tear Drop
Posts: 90
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER
It's not for me to shed a teardrop over your teardrop, but I'd advise, do move on and forward.
I've experienced the gamat of camping, from sleeping as a Boy Scout, in a winter campout, in a discarded refrigerator corrugated shipping box (warm & comfy, by the way) to many years of tenting, and then a 16' Casita with a 105 lb Golden Retriever who took up all the floor space and then on to my Escape.
The clock is ticking down for all of us, and coffins don't have pockets, so move quick, move definitively, and experience & enjoy all you can.
You are wise to go with a fiberglass trailer choice, whatever brand it may be. Some are better than others. All hold up and serve pretty well.
YMMV
|
The teardrop has been such a huge improvement over camping, I’m imagining the same leap with a larger trailer. It’s exciting.
|
|
|
11-29-2023, 10:25 AM
|
#17
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: HiCamp Tear Drop
Posts: 90
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz
being in our late 60s, having a flush toilet in the trailer is a must. and having our own clean hot shower inside is nearly as important. We liked our little Casita 16, but the bed was too small for both of us, the Escape 21C's almost queen bed is perfect. Everything else, like a fridge/freezer that actually works (the Casita fridge was ridiculously too small), and the gas oven are just icing. There has only been a few times we've had hookup power for the air conditioning when we really needed it, but boy were we glad to have it.
|
Is it true that the person who uses the toilet the most is responsible to empty it?
I honestly worry that a bigger trailer will get used less. Our teardrop is just so easy in all aspects that it gets used.
|
|
|
11-29-2023, 10:28 AM
|
#18
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: HiCamp Tear Drop
Posts: 90
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven M
Hello and welcome to the community. Find a seat and enjoy the information, the conversation and the people here.
The questions that you have to ask are; what will my tow vehicle pull? What do I want in and from my Escape? Answer those and you will be very happy with what you get.
We went with the 21C as we didn't want to buy a new tow vehicle and we wanted this, our first trailer, to be our last. No two foot-itis for us.
|
We replaced our 4Runner with a 2023 Tundra, so no issue towing.
What I expect we will get from an Escape 19 is the ability for longer trips, and a chance to bring our granddaughter camping. Both hugely beneficial.
|
|
|
11-29-2023, 10:31 AM
|
#19
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: HiCamp Tear Drop
Posts: 90
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue
Trust your instincts! A neighbor recently sold their teardrop and brought home a new 21 NE (F2).
|
My instincts? No way, my instincts say hunker down, don’t spend a dollar, you are retired, you have no income, arrrrrgh, worry, panic.
|
|
|
11-29-2023, 10:36 AM
|
#20
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: HiCamp Tear Drop
Posts: 90
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by brroberts
We didn’t want 2 footitis either so jumped to the 19. It’s the biggest RV yet, and has plenty of room. We have spent as much as 5 months in smaller RV’s just fine. We never manage to really fill them up even in the winter. Just figure out what size you want and go make memories.
|
The 19 seems the perfect option. It will feel huge to us, but small enough we won’t have other adults joining us. (That’s a joke. I just refuse to type lol). Also, it’s narrow enough to store in our driveway.
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|