Hello Escape Members

[diannelgraham]

Originally Posted by Safety Dougo

Hello Escapees

My wife and I have been retired now coming up on two years. Last fall we put a deposit on a 5.0 and told we should expect it in July of 2024 but that still gave us an opportunity to maybe get one from the lot sooner. Well, as I'm sure others in this situation have been bumped up to newer dates - so were we - twice actually. Now we are due to pick up our 5.0 in August this year - WOOHOO! Soon we will be putting in our build sheet. Question: if you had a chance to order another Escape 5.0 would you make any changes to your build options? ie Awning - auto or manual, dinette, bench or U-shape, oven or no oven, sliding windows or awning type windows, extra outside access, colour scheme inside - wood / fabric / flooring, solar or more solar, lift kit, double step etc.

Would love to hear from you based on your experience. For all of you traveling right now - stay safe out there as weather is crazy in so many parts of North America.

Cheers
Doug & Roma

I had an oven in my 2017 19 foot and now also in my new 21C. I use it a lot...my downfall is homemade pizza

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by diannelgraham

I had an oven in my 2017 19 foot and now also in my new 21C. I use it a lot...my downfall is homemade pizza

I really score when I camp near Dave&Kathie. Kathie can really bake yummy goods in hers!

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I really score when I camp near Dave&Kathie. Kathie can really bake yummy goods in hers!

Kathie baked goods mornings convinced us to get the oven. Cinnamon is a powerful reason to get up in the morning!

[diannelgraham]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I really score when I camp near Dave&Kathie. Kathie can really bake yummy goods in hers!

Yes and next NOG rally I need to be beside them...

[brroberts]

Lots of good suggestions here. We got the combo micro / convection oven. We don’t use either much, but there are times we really want them. We do not have an inverter, so need shore power for that. We have a generator, but it gets used less than the oven just to charge batteries if it’s been both cloudy and cold for several days.

Manual awning is much more functional for us, but does make sliding windows more useful. I’ve thought about changing the DS dinette and the kitchen window to awning style since they seem to generate less condensate drip. We have the split rear awning window. I prefer the bath slider as I can pop the screen and use my waste water hose for a good black tank flush.

We too use the electric water heater anytime we have hookups.

A/C is the Coleman. On low it has almost the same noise level and cooling output as the Houghton. Low is all we ever need. By using low, you avoid much of the short cycling issue. We also have the heat strip. We use it anytime we have hookups into the mid teens F and it keeps us warm. The Coleman made the A/C one less thing I had to install.

We also had ETI install a slightly wider sink and like that change as well.

We have the double step and lift. I prefer the trailer higher, but that has pro’s and cons.

We like the warmth of wood, but a light bright interior, so we went maple with white formica.

Solar is a must to me, but if you always plug in you don’t need it.

Everyone has preferences. Only you can decide what’s right for you. I’m not sure if CPAHarley has it figured out yet.

[Safety Dougo]

Hi Mr. Roberts ….. you mentioned pros and cons to having the lift kit and wondering what are the cons are. If you would kindly let us know. The pro would be to have better clearance but not sure what the con would be.

Thanks
Doug

Originally Posted by brroberts

Lots of good suggestions here. We got the combo micro / convection oven. We don’t use either much, but there are times we really want them. We do not have an inverter, so need shore power for that. We have a generator, but it gets used less than the oven just to charge batteries if it’s been both cloudy and cold for several days.

Manual awning is much more functional for us, but does make sliding windows more useful. I’ve thought about changing the DS dinette and the kitchen window to awning style since they seem to generate less condensate drip. We have the split rear awning window. I prefer the bath slider as I can pop the screen and use my waste water hose for a good black tank flush.

We too use the electric water heater anytime we have hookups.

A/C is the Coleman. On low it has almost the same noise level and cooling output as the Houghton. Low is all we ever need. By using low, you avoid much of the short cycling issue. We also have the heat strip. We use it anytime we have hookups into the mid teens F and it keeps us warm. The Coleman made the A/C one less thing I had to install.

We also had ETI install a slightly wider sink and like that change as well.

We have the double step and lift. I prefer the trailer higher, but that has pro’s and cons.

We like the warmth of wood, but a light bright interior, so we went maple with white formica.

Solar is a must to me, but if you always plug in you don’t need it.

Everyone has preferences. Only you can decide what’s right for you. I’m not sure if CPAHarley has it figured out yet.

[brroberts]

More windage, more height, a tad less stable, possibly slightly reduced fuel mileage, double instead of one step, different tongue/hitch/ball height, etc. All the things that come with it being taller. None of that outweighed my desire for the lift, but, except for certain tow vehicle combinations, a lift is not required even though I prefer the extra ground clearance.

[Safety Dougo]

Geeze - you raised great points. I was thinking of a lift kit because first, we will have two e-bikes on the back of the trailer (don’t want to bottom out) and secondly, I was thinking of just having better clearance perhaps on rougher roads.

Thanks again for your education
Cheers
Doug