Hello!

[dmetz]

My hubby and I have been lurking and learning about Escapes for a while now. We are enjoying this forum very much. We started camping about 30 years ago in a Jayco pop-up camper. We pulled it over 35,000 miles over several summers. We were both teachers and had the luxury of being able to take our kids on long trips during the summer breaks. Our next camper was a 19' Scamp goose neck. It worked well for us, but I didn't like having to climb over each other to get in and out of the bed. We wanted more room. We then got a 25' Trail lite 5th wheel. We loved it, but it wasn't as easy to tow as our smaller, lighter campers. When we decided to go to Alaska, we wanted something smaller, so we bought a 1997 17' Casita. It was perfect for that trip, but we were back to climbing over each other getting in and out of the bed. We researched Escapes for quite some time and thought the 5.0 TA would be perfect for us. When we were in Alaska, my hubby kept checking the production schedule and the slots were filling up fast. We left Alaska a little sooner than planned and headed for Chilliwack. We got there at the end of July and placed our order. Our build sheet is due on April 26. We are really excited about getting our new camper at the end of this July. The time has passed more quickly than we anticipated. Thanks so much to all of you in this forum for the photos and the great information in your posts. It has helped us prepare our build sheet and I think we'll be happy with the results.
Lucy and Doug Metz

[tractors1]

Long trip home to Florida! Congrats on a wise choice.

[padlin]

Welcome, hope you'll love it like we do.

[dmetz]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Long trip home to Florida! Congrats on a wise choice.

Thanks, Charlie! We have a 1997 Casita SD. We are quite familiar with WidgetWorks, as well as Little House Customs.

[float5]

Welcome! You are some of the few who know all of the things you want /need on your build sheet with your previous extensive camping. May you have many more great travels in your Escape.

[C&G in FL]

Hi Lucy & Doug,
You are 4 exits north of me on I-75. Almost neighbors! You are going to love the 5.0TA!

[dmetz]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

Hi Lucy & Doug,
You are 4 exits north of me on I-75. Almost neighbors! You are going to love the 5.0TA!

Wow! Maybe we'll run into each other sometime.

[dmetz]

Our build sheet is due on Tuesday. We are so nervous and wondering what we've forgotten. We still need to clarify a couple of things and make at least one more change. Krista is going to think we've lost our minds. She has been so patient with us. When we placed our order in July, we worked with Crystal. We were concerned when she left, but Krista took over about half way through and she has been excellent. We'll be happy when we sign off on that ever-changing build sheet. Is it normal to be nervous?

[Rossue]

Hi Doug & Lucy- it's totally normal and the longer you have to do it seems to make second-guessing that more likely.

Didn't see your build sheet, however looking at ours am looking at the last items as they were the most recent changes and were made as I remembered to put them on. Toilet Shut Off Valve-best $25 option for us. LED Indicator Switch for Hot Water Heater- best $15 option(not sure what prices are today but still must be nominal). Lastly- and this was really an afterthought- the t-moulding color.

[rbryan4]

Welcome Lucy and Doug! The 5'er will be quite an upgrade from your Casita.

[dmetz]

I just added the toilet shut-off valve. Thanks.

[dmetz]

[QUOTE=Rossue;139523]Hi Doug & Lucy- it's totally normal and the longer you have to do it seems to make second-guessing that more likely.

Didn't see your build sheet, however looking at ours am looking at the last items as they were the most recent changes and were made as I remembered to put them on. Toilet Shut Off Valve-best $25 option for us. LED Indicator Switch for Hot Water Heater- best $15 option(not sure what prices are today but still must be nominal). Lastly- and this was really an afterthought- the t-moulding color.[/QUOTE

What is t-moulding color?

[Rossue]

It is the plastic bumper trim on the counter edges. You can get black, white, cream, brown or ?

[dmetz]

Originally Posted by Rossue

It is the plastic bumper trim on the counter edges. You can get black, white, cream, brown or ?

Oh! Ok. We are getting custom Formica with black trim.

[dmetz]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Hi Doug & Lucy- it's totally normal and the longer you have to do it seems to make second-guessing that more likely.

Didn't see your build sheet, however looking at ours am looking at the last items as they were the most recent changes and were made as I remembered to put them on. Toilet Shut Off Valve-best $25 option for us. LED Indicator Switch for Hot Water Heater- best $15 option(not sure what prices are today but still must be nominal). Lastly- and this was really an afterthought- the t-moulding color.

Here is my build sheet...
2-way hot water tank
no range hood
oven with 3 burner stove
stainless sink w/chrome faucet
3 extra 120 v outlets and 2 extra 12V/USB
12V drop in cabinet under microwave
dual 6V batteries
inverter 1500W, transfer switch and all outlets
surge protector
160W solar panel with charge controller
thermal windows and double insulation
non-thermal, opening windows in bedroom
opening bathroom window
2 extra LED captain's reading lamps
1 additional exterior LED light
2 additional switches for lights
MaxxFan upgrade 7000K with remote
LED awning light strip
11,000 BTU AC with digital thermostat and heat strip
wireless backup camera
aluminum rims
stereo/DVD player
TV, cable, satellite ready with Jack antenna
exterior access hatch
tall cabinet with 3 shelves instead of cabinet and countertop by the steps leading to the bedroom
removable power cord
no bathroom sink
exterior shower driver's side
propane quick connect with 12' hose and adapter
microwave
screen room
spray foam insulation
4 reinforced walls
custom formica and fabric
U-shaped dinette and 12" filler
full-length mirror on bathroom door
3 counter extensions
And we are going to add the toilet shut-off valve and the water heater indicator light.
Battleship gray

[Rossue]

Looks good but you forgot the Kitchen Sink....the spare one Seriously, you look loaded for boar I'm just kidding; it looks great!

[dmetz]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Looks good but you forgot the Kitchen Sink....the spare one Seriously, you look loaded for boar I'm just kidding; it looks great!

We figure this will be our last camper, so we're trying to get it exactly like we want it. That's what I love about Escape! The customizing is amazing!

[cpaharley2008]

Don't forget to get the spare in aluminum, in case of a flat you can use the damaged tire as a spare.

[dmetz]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Don't forget to get the spare in aluminum, in case of a flat you can use the damaged tire as a spare.

Thanks, Jim. We are getting 5 aluminum rims.

[dmetz]

We signed our build sheet today with one day to spare. I know Krista is happy to be rid of us. Hurry up July!