Escape 21C or 21NE

[KathieF]

My wife and I are shopping for a new trailer and really like the Escape 21. Have any of you had any major problems with your Escape (leaking, cracking, things falling apart) and how was the company to work with in dealing with these issue? Thanks
Kathie

[tukwilma]

Hi! We've had our 21NE since April, and have just returned from our longest (2 1/2 weeks) trip. We had some pretty good rain storms this trip and kind of loved the secure feeling inside with the deluge outside! Certainly better than in our old tent trailer! Everything is working as expected. We've been out 31 nights total, and about 3500 miles or so.

I'm sure you'll see the ups and downs of the trailers in other conversations on this forum. But this forum and the Escape Trailer Facebook group are also terrific with suggestions, tips and tricks, and quick responses to the "help me" shouts.

As far as working with ETI - we were lucky enough to be in the decision/ordering process last fall, and got to go to the factory a couple of times before submitting our final build sheet. Everyone there was easy to work with and willing to answer all our questions. I'm a fan!

[75thRanger]

I've had mine for a year now and the only problem I had was the fridge. It quit working and Dometic replaced it under warranty. This was not an Escape problem but they paid for the trailer door being removed and replaced so the new fridge would fit. I was impressed with that!

I replaced the original floppy battery on/off switch with a sturdy rotary switch and they paid me for that too. I don't think they use that switch anymore. Good News!

I had to replace a access hatch that got dinged and Dustin had me a new one with all the necessary stuff to replace it on the way right away.

I'm pleased with the trailer and the company.

[Perry Butler]

This is our 15th camper (my 16th)! NONE are perfect! However our Scamp, Casita, Bigfoot, and now Escape are lightyears ahead of any stick and tin campers we've owned in the past.

Think of a camper as a child's playhouse, with Dometic (cheap) appliances, rolling, vibrating, and bouncing down the road. Donna D. once said it's a "Rolling Volcano". With fiberglass we don't have to worry about walls separating, so the strength is far superior!

The stove, water heater, ceiling fan, and furnace are outsourced to other companies and are at best cheap appliances. They are warranted by their respective manufacturers. Over the years we've installed numerous thermocouplers (sp?), igniters, furnace boards, etc, and cleaned out a few wasp nests/mud daubers.

ETI builds the frame, shell, cabinets, and interior structure. With our Scamp, Casita, Bigfoot or Escape we've never had a problem with the build.

Any opening will eventually leak from age or vibration. The Maxx Fan, bathroom fan, and escape opening over our bed are inspected by me at least twice a year. They will eventually leak and need resealing. I can do that myself, but others use RV repairpersons. Carry a tube of caulk for emergency repair, until you can have the leak sealed correctly.

Remember I'm talking about 5 decades of camping and 15 previous trailers, so keep that in perspective. Join RV Horror Stories on Facebook to see what can happen to stick and tin campers. Our worst camper was a 16' Airstream Bambi! We owned it for three months and couldn't sell it fast enough. Our friends have a 23' Airstream that they love, but take it in every fall for repairs. They say, "It's not can you afford an Airstream, but can you afford to own one"

Again, no camper is perfect. OTOH, our Escape is as close as we've come, lightyears ahead of any stick and tin we've owned.

Enjoy,

Perry

[Ron in BC]

I'm sure the regulars are tired of me saying our two Escapes, a 19 and a 21, have done everything from the Alaska Hwy. to Baja and Vancouver to Newfoundland.

The durability of the f.g. shell is outstanding and unaffected by miles of bad roads. Interior components, like cupboard doors might open etc. but that's typical of any RV on rough roads.

Your major consideration should be which layout to choose. They're quite different and each has their fans. We've had both but what we like doesn't necessarily mean it's suitable for you. So make a list of the pros and cons of each layout. There's no such thing as the perfect layout, each will have some minor compromise but both will help you make memories.

Ron

[Fox hunt]

no problems with my 2017 5.0 or my old 17. I really like the company that's why i bought a second . oh my bathroom window failed on my 5.0 they replaced it.