2020 23 foot Escape

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Carla Jean

Just wondering if you have pics of your dinette cushions, and more info? Did you change them all out? Are they wrapped with fiberfill to make them more comfortable? Better foam? It’s the only thing I want to change in our 21’.

I just went with cushions for the two bottom seat pieces that were meant as a seat cushion, and were slightly firmer. My butt does not bottom out now. No fibrefill, just the foam cushion. I had considered something a bit better yet, but opted to go with the foam for now, and we are quite happy.

[Doug2000]

Originally Posted by LeonW

I agree, Donna. I don’t find the dinette seats all that comfortable. Sometimes I think I would like a smaller 2 person dining area with swiveling chairs like some Casita models.

Many people have asked for captains chairs or loungers. Most people don’t realize that all the cabinets and benches are there to support the fibreglass shell. Structurally the wood walls for the fridge, bath,, wardrobe support the roof, they take the load. My Trilliums front corner which was the side the door was hinged off had no support. The floor sagged past the frame. The door no longer lined up.

I don’t see how Escape could make a walk around queen bed without adding a lot of structure within the fibreglass, wood ribs. What would work well is a separate twin on each side. Airstream makes a model like this.

[steve dunham]

There has been rumors of a 20 or 21 ft Casita for years .While it’s fun to speculate about a larger Casita or Escape , I am not sure the customer demand would justify the business investment .
Bigfoot already makes a larger FG trailer with a walk around bed so they are available .
We have no desire to buy a bigger Escape or Casita at this point in our lives especially if it’s just 2 or 4 ft more of the same old thing .

[citabria90]

Question:

Is a slide out technically feasible in a fiberglass trailer?

Chuck

[cpaharley2008]

I would think the extra weight would not make it feasible.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by citabria90

Question:

Is a slide out technically feasible in a fiberglass trailer?

Chuck

It would be the first Escape designated with something other numbers and the letters A B C or T.
It would be The Blasphemy 23. I predict
Iowa Dave

[gbaglo]

The Hymer has a slide-out roof.

[Jim Bennett]

I am sure it could be done, but by far the vast majority of purchasers of moulded fiberglass trailers do not want to slide out and the leaks and mechanical hassles that are known to go along with many of them. I know I certainly don't. [emoji6]

[akmacs]

We definitely eliminated RV’s with slides from our list long before we bought our escape. I’m not that concerned with a wet/dry bath either but a couple more feet of living space would appeal to us as we intend on spending 6-8 months a year as snow birds when we retire.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by citabria90

Is a slide out technically feasible in a fiberglass trailer?

Slide-outs add cost, weight, and complexity; although none of those is a technical conflict with moulded fiberglass construction, they are not a good fit with the moderately priced, reasonably lightweight, and relatively simple construction of typical moulded fiberglass travel trailers such as Escapes.

The big technical challenge is that the body is a self-supporting shell (not panels on a frame), so making huge holes in the shell for slide-outs is structurally problematic. On the other hand, it has been done, with the whole rear opening on moulded fiberglass cargo trailers, a big rear loading door on one Trillium ravel trailer variation (decades ago) and the current Happier Camper, and big fold-out beds in the "hybrid" (of travel trailer and tent trailer) Northern Lites (such as this 1996). A metal frame around the opening would likely be used.

Note that the same company now owns Northern Lite and Escape, but Northern Lite no longer makes that hybrid trailer (or any trailer... they only do slide-in truck campers).

So a slide-out is technically possible, but unlikely in an Escape.

[Eggscape]

I read a very interesting article on the many different interior surfaces offered by Northern Lite built right here in my home town of Kelowna, which is about 3 hours from the Escape factory. Maybe some of these modern interiors will show up in the Escapes instead of the same old photo oak or maple.

[cpaharley2008]

That is certainly a nice looking interior there.....like the mirror on the refer doors to expand the interior size look.

[Mike G]

That finish sort of looks more 'upscale,' but it doesn't look as warm and welcoming to me as the current wood finishes. YMMV of course.

[Jim Bennett]

I too prefer a warmer look than that, but having completed hundreds of interiors for others know there is a wide range of preferences.