Lurking until I can purchase

felix2 · 04-16-2018, 08:22 PM

Hello, I've been reading through the forum for a while, trying to discover all the Escape faults and boogers, but really am impressed with how few there are, and how well Escape steps up and takes care of things. The new factory tour video is impressive (I'm familiar with manufacturing and know a good operation when I see one). We hope to run up to Chiliwack this summer to look over the floor models.

We currently have an '83 Burro (10' box), which I've fully restored, down to a new axle (one way to get out of regreasing your bearings!), new custom windows, cork flooring, new elec, gas, water pump, upholstry, et al, and it's been just great for our needs. It's simple, no grey/black tanks to deal with, not even trailer brakes.

As we get closer to retirement, though, we think stepping up from our 1,000# trailer to a 3400# 17B trailer is a good idea...maybe the 19, although I'd probably need a vehicle upgrade to tow a 19. We don't expect to 'full time', but will spend extended periods of up to 2 - 3 months in it once we retire.

Thanks for everyone's input, it's appreciated!

Fox hunt · 04-16-2018, 08:36 PM

Welcome many of us started out as lurkers too. Spend some time in both trailers and get a feel for both sizes I started with a 17 but never really looked at the bigger sizes before I bought it it was a great trailer but in the end I wanted something bigger.

Fox hunt · 04-16-2018, 08:38 PM

Those Burros are really cute love to see your refurbished trailer some day.

Jim Bennett · 04-16-2018, 08:45 PM

Welcome, Tony. You seem to be doing your homework well.

Marry · 04-16-2018, 09:20 PM

Exciting!!! Especially with retirement coming up!
Advice: Your current tow vehicle will not outlast the Escape. Pick the trailer you like most! (The bed in the 19 is permanent. Very nice when getting older....)

NCBill · 04-16-2018, 09:27 PM

" We don't expect to 'full time', but will spend extended periods of up to 2 - 3 months in it once we retire. "

This is the biggest change we saw between camping before retirement and after.

Before retirement, we rarely if ever took a trip over one week long, maybe two or three times in our entire working career. In fact, many of our trips we long weekends. So our camping space needs changed dramatically as we went from week long trips or less to month long trips.

Don't tie yourself to trailer size based on your current tow vehicle. Instead, get the trailer that best fits your needs, and then upgrade your tow vehicle as needed to pull it.

We had a Casita Liberty, and found it too small for our needs. So we upgraded to an Escape 19. Its working well.

float5 · 04-16-2018, 11:36 PM

When in Chilliwack, many of us can only suggest that you look closely at the 21' and maybe ? 5.0. A lot of folks here have gone from a 15', 17' or 19' to a 21' or 5.0. You may be glad to have something bigger with extended trips.

frank_a · 04-17-2018, 08:01 AM

I'm a lurker too, but we pretty much have made our decision. We have a 2012 15' Parkliner (with a 12' body) we will be selling in a year. You simply cannot beat fiberglass trailers!

Nothing wrong with lurking, that's some of what these forums are for!

Frank

h2owmn · 04-17-2018, 10:17 AM

So don't keep us in suspense, frank! What's your escape of choice?

MyronL · 04-17-2018, 10:25 AM

Ah, Burro memories. My first egg was an '81 that I found in New England, on eBay, horribly neglected, terrible shape. When I entered it I fell through the rotted floor. They are so rare back east, so that was a lucky, fun project and got me totally hooked on FB world.

frank_a · 04-17-2018, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h2owmn

So don't keep us in suspense, frank! What's your escape of choice?

5.0TA is our choice.

escape artist · 04-17-2018, 11:17 AM

Hi: felix2... If you're really "Lurky" you might be able to order soon. Don't wait to long as you waste valuable useit time!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

frank_a · 04-17-2018, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: felix2... If you're really "Lurky" you might be able to order soon. Don't wait to long as you waste valuable useit time!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Not in a hurry Alf. Older I get, the more patient I become.

We are cancelling other plans we generally have for that weekend to attend the Niagara Wine Escape 2018.

Frank

escape artist · 04-17-2018, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank_a

5.0TA is our choice.

Hi: frank_a...Ours too!!! Glad to have you over to Niagara Wine Escape. You'll see 'em all in one spot.
My favorite saying about patients is "I want patients... and I want it NOW"!!!

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

mcdonner · 04-17-2018, 12:17 PM

Frank, Looking forward to seeing you at the Niagara Wine Escape. We went last year for the first time and had an absolute fantastic time. Great people, conversation, campers, food and possibly a few adult beverages if so desired.

frank_a · 04-17-2018, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdonner

Frank, Looking forward to seeing you at the Niagara Wine Escape. We went last year for the first time and had an absolute fantastic time. Great people, conversation, campers, food and possibly a few adult beverages if so desired.

This may be it for a while, as we have another event that same weekend in Olcott NY. Not going this year specifically so we can look at a few 5.0TA's.

Frank

1Oldman · 04-17-2018, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by felix2

As we get closer to retirement, though, we think stepping up from our 1,000# trailer to a 3400# 17B trailer is a good idea...maybe the 19, although I'd probably need a vehicle upgrade to tow a 19. We don't expect to 'full time', but will spend extended periods of up to 2 - 3 months in it once we retire.

You sound like a talented person who can figure things out. I started with a 17' Casita SD but for retirement Martha and I wanted enough space to keep items in the camper closer by, rather than moving them back and forth between the TV and the cabin. Our decision was for the 21' to avoid the crawl over bed arrangement. Best wishes as you navigate your retirement.

frank_a · 04-17-2018, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Oldman

You sound like a talented person who can figure things out. I started with a 17' Casita SD but for retirement Martha and I wanted enough space to keep items in the camper closer by, rather than moving them back and forth between the TV and the cabin. Our decision was for the 21' to avoid the crawl over bed arrangement. Best wishes as you navigate your retirement.

I agree. We have a Parkliner (for sale next spring), and dislike two things about it. The crawl over bed thing (even if it is a queen size bed) and the dinette being in the middle of the trailer, such that the bed is in the back and the bathroom in the front. No. We want a bed at one end and dinette at the other end. I get up early. She doesn't. We have no complaints about storage space in the Parkliner. We've never filled it up! 5.0TA will be our next RV.

Frank

Mark James · 04-17-2018, 10:44 PM

Lurked for two years ourselves. Learned a lot. Nothing wrong with hanging out I say.

felix2 · 04-18-2018, 01:46 PM

Thanks, everyone. Since you asked...Burros ARE cute, aren't they?

I gutted it, replaced the overhead carpet with bamboo roller shades over reflectix, help in place with PVC lath strips screwed in place with stainless screws and cup washers.

Previous owner cut and drilled a lot of holes for speakers etc, so I made 1/8" wood panels to cover the sides of cabinets. Also made new tabletops and a new countertop, with aluminaum edging, and a fold-up counter extension as well. All new high density foam cushions, and cork flooring. LED lighting inside all cabinets.

I love modifying. I drew up some ideas for a custom layout but Escape said no, they don't want to deviate so much from the standard layouts. Sigh. Guess I'll need to do it myself.

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