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07-09-2016, 01:15 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Merritt, British Columbia
Trailer: 2017 escape 21
Posts: 19
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Some help
Hi
Rookie Trailer owner here.
Getting A 21 Escape in June 2017.
Wondering if a few experienced Escape owners out there could put me on the right path with a few options.
1-Should I get the Jack TV antenna (can you get free TV with this or is it another bill.
2-Do I need blue tooth in my tow vehicle for the wireless back up camera to work.
3-Should I up grade the max fan
4- E2 By Fastway equalizer hitch is this the way to go.
Thanks to the pros out there for any suggestions
Kenny G
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07-09-2016, 01:22 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken G
Hi
1-Should I get the Jack TV antenna (can you get free TV with this or is it another bill.
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Depends where you camp. At Harmon Lake you won't get anything, not even AM radio. Head south to urban areas and you get free over-the-air TV.
If you camp at "resort" style ( expensive ) RV parks, you will likely have cable anyway.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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07-09-2016, 02:03 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,225
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Responses in line
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken G
Hi
Rookie Trailer owner here.
Getting A 21 Escape in June 2017.
Wondering if a few experienced Escape owners out there could put me on the right path with a few options.
1-Should I get the Jack TV antenna (can you get free TV with this or is it another bill. It's an OTA antenna. Helps pull in distant stations.
2-Do I need blue tooth in my tow vehicle for the wireless back up camera to work. Don't have a backup camera on my trailer, so no opinion.
3-Should I up grade the max fan. Some like the remote. Our stock Maxx Fan works great. You can also get the smoked cover instead of white.
4- E2 By Fastway equalizer hitch is this the way to go. Pretty much all 'bar type' WDHs work using the same principle. The Fastway looks like a well built unit. Your choice.
Thanks to the pros out there for any suggestions
Kenny G
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__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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07-09-2016, 02:30 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA (Little Elsie) Extensively Personalized
Posts: 3,052
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Back up camera has a monitor in the tow vehicle. Runs on its own frequency. Does not require Bluetooth in vehicle.
__________________
What a long strange trip it’s been!
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07-09-2016, 05:13 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken G
4- E2 By Fastway equalizer hitch is this the way to go.
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This one has been thoroughly discussed. I suggest using the Google search of this forum for the word "Fastway"... it will find only a few topics which are not about the E2 (about other Fastway products), and will find every discussion in which any of us who understand that this hitch is by Fastway has posted.
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07-10-2016, 06:26 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Trailer: 21' Escape (June 2014)
Posts: 325
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We have the Jack antenna but wouldn't buy it again. We rarely watch TV while camping.
The regular fan works fine for us, but I can see a slight advantage to being able to operate it without leaving bed.
We have never experienced any problems towing with our Tundra without an equalizer hitch.
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07-10-2016, 09:10 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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1-Should I get the Jack TV antenna (can you get free TV with this or is it another bill. If you want to watch TV, then yes, get the antenna. Unlike most, In 2 years I've turned on the TV once.
3-Should I up grade the max fan If you feel the need for a remote in a 16 or 17' trailer, or you like the smoked cover, as opposed to white. I think someone said the smoked lets in more light, both night and day.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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07-10-2016, 10:00 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Having owned a 21 Escape, here is my perspective. I never used the Jack antenna as most cg have cable, so my next trailer will be tv ready, but no antenna upgrade. The MaxxFan upgrade to smoke lens and remote is nice, allows more natural light inside and you do not have to get out of bed to turn it on/off.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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07-10-2016, 10:14 AM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,310
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I don't have the smoke vent cover on my trailer. I suppose it would depend on where the vent is located in relation to the bed. If you're a darkroom sleeper, you may find too much light coming in at night. I find the escape hatch over the top of my bed with the standard cover is often too bright. What's with these campgrounds that have street lights every 15 feet?
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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07-10-2016, 10:24 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,225
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
What's with these campgrounds that have street lights every 15 feet?
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Amen to that Donna. Give me dark skies and a flashlight.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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07-10-2016, 10:27 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA (Little Elsie) Extensively Personalized
Posts: 3,052
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
Having owned a 21 Escape, here is my perspective. I never used the Jack antenna as most cg have cable, so my next trailer will be tv ready, but no antenna upgrade. The MaxxFan upgrade to smoke lens and remote is nice, allows more natural light inside and you do not have to get out of bed to turn it on/off.
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I would disagree that "most" campgrounds have cable. In my experience, most do not have cable, probably somewhere around one (1) in every five (5). But then, I don't watch TV that much. Wife is the TV watcher.
__________________
What a long strange trip it’s been!
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07-10-2016, 10:29 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,680
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
Amen to that Donna. Give me dark skies and a flashlight.
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Absolutely! Heck, with no ambient light from streetlights, moonlight and starlight is often enough to guide me. Fortunately this is most of the provincial and forestry campgrounds around here.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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07-10-2016, 10:43 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by C&G in FL
I would disagree that "most" campgrounds have cable. In my experience, most do not have cable, probably somewhere around one (1) in every five (5). But then, I don't watch TV that much. Wife is the TV watcher.
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Think it's got more to do with the type of campgrounds you frequent. Jim hits KOA's and the like, full service CG's.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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07-10-2016, 10:45 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett
Absolutely! Heck, with no ambient light from streetlights, moonlight and starlight is often enough to guide me. Fortunately this is most of the provincial and forestry campgrounds around here.
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You start traveling with the fifth wheel you'll need a cover for the escape hatch too. I frequently need them on the loft side windows too.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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07-10-2016, 11:33 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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The smoke lens is actually darker than the stock translucent lens which seems to attract any available light and brings it inside.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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07-10-2016, 12:18 PM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,310
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
The smoke lens is actually darker than the stock translucent lens which seems to attract any available light and brings it inside.
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Interesting you'd say that, consider you've said this:
"the smoke cover is cool because it lets a lot of light inside both in day and at night you can see the stars."
Here: http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f9...html#post16630
I can't see stars through my standard vent cover(s). And while the white may attract some light, I certainly can't see through it. I'm thinking about painting the underside with gray Fusion to further block the light.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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07-10-2016, 01:23 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Port Angeles, Washington
Trailer: 2014 19'
Posts: 534
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I have used ball covers for years. Keeps it dry and greased. Leave a rag somewhere and drape it over the cover to put it on/off.
I use white Teflon grease.
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07-10-2016, 02:09 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,210
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Klem
I have used ball covers for years. Keeps it dry and greased. Leave a rag somewhere and drape it over the cover to put it on/off.
I use white Teflon grease.
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Do the same Klem ! Pat
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07-10-2016, 02:15 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
Posts: 5,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
I don't have the smoke vent cover on my trailer. I suppose it would depend on where the vent is located in relation to the bed. If you're a darkroom sleeper, you may find too much light coming in at night. I find the escape hatch over the top of my bed with the standard cover is often too bright. What's with these campgrounds that have street lights every 15 feet?
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We sometimes find big street lamps that may be a problem in private campgrounds. Don't think of it and then find we are parked by one.
Out Maxx fan is too far forward of the head of the bed to see the stars or let in too much light at night.
__________________
Cathy. Floating Cloud
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.... "
Emerson
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07-10-2016, 02:34 PM
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#20
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,950
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
I don't have the smoke vent cover on my trailer. I suppose it would depend on where the vent is located in relation to the bed. If you're a darkroom sleeper, you may find too much light coming in at night. I find the escape hatch over the top of my bed with the standard cover is often too bright. What's with these campgrounds that have street lights every 15 feet?
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I saw a hatch cover over a bed that had a velcro strip on the inside molding like a picture frame. The lady had a mating flat piece of blackout cloth with velcro to put there if it was too bright. She could pull it back a bit for ventilation if needed and just rip it off if she needed to get out.
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
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