Escape ordering: Future Proofing

[Kags1969]

I have a deposit in on a 21NE and I have been considering options. If I get everything I want I end up at 45K USD... so I am considering ordering a more austere trailer. My thought is to buy the options that are hard to add later.

Living in Texas, the AC is a must. The two outdoor showers (hard to add later) and LED awning light. Apart from that can you ask for wire drops for Solar and the other electrical upgrade paths?

This is my first full sized RV and am trying to balance options. For reference I rarely get the most blinged out vehicle because the added expense from the base just seems to pricey...

Constructive thoughts and conversation are welcome and appreciated. I understand this is all very personal, but experience shared is appreciated.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Kags1969

Apart from that can you ask for wire drops for Solar and the other electrical upgrade paths?

No sweat on adding electrical items later. There are paths front to back and up and down for running wires.

When the time comes just ask the forum.

Ron

[2Travelers]

Originally Posted by Kags1969

I have a deposit in on a 21NE and I have been considering options. If I get everything I want I end up at 45K USD... so I am considering ordering a more austere trailer. My thought is to buy the options that are hard to add later.

This is similar to our thinking when ordering our 19 and as you note much depends on your camping style and your comfort/ability working with the different systems, etc..

Some advice we got early on was that the base trailer comes well set up for camping on day one--nothing need be added. Several years in and I can see that there is a fair amount of truth to that and that was our starting point.

That said, here are a few items that might be in the category of difficult to add later that we included on our build:

1. Air conditioning. Here in VA that is often a must, and we wanted it in place right from the start.
2. Single panel solar w/twin 6-volt lead acid batteries. This has worked much better than I expected and has allowed us extended stays in sites w/o hook-ups. I understand that ordering solar-ready is an option but at one time is was said that the price of Escape's installation was in line to slightly better than what it would cost to add later (though I don't know if that is still the case).
3. 1500W inverter. It's pricey and would have been difficult for me to install, but we never use it. It draws too many precious amps and there are 12v options for many of the electronics we use, something I didn't appreciate when ordering.
4. TV/cable ready. We don't use it but it's difficult to run that cable and the next owner might like the option is we evere decided to sell. There are also other uses for that external 75 ohm connection than TV.
5. Front storage box. Very, very handy and is always used.

We also purchased a Honda generator but have yet to use it.

FWIW, that's my experience.

[Ooshkaboo]

Originally Posted by Kags1969

I have a deposit in on a 21NE and I have been considering options. If I get everything I want I end up at 45K USD... so I am considering ordering a more austere trailer. My thought is to buy the options that are hard to add later.

Living in Texas, the AC is a must. The two outdoor showers (hard to add later) and LED awning light. Apart from that can you ask for wire drops for Solar and the other electrical upgrade paths?

This is my first full sized RV and am trying to balance options. For reference I rarely get the most blinged out vehicle because the added expense from the base just seems to pricey...

Constructive thoughts and conversation are welcome and appreciated. I understand this is all very personal, but experience shared is appreciated.

I say order it with what you want, unless working on the camper is some type of hobby for you, much also depends on your capabilities.
You are already buying the definition of bling-Escape trailer. The few extra thousand you spend up front will be forgotten about before you know it.

[MVA]

A key consideration is your comfort level of making post-sales modifications. Some are comfortable with cabinet construction skills, so adding or modifying cabinets are easier for them. Others are comfortable with designing a solar, inverter, lithium battery system. Hence, take your skills under consideration in what you choose for options.

As a point of reference, we ordered a E19 with a front storage box, and kitchen and bath windows since they were difficult to add afterword. AC was added for convenience. We added solar, lithium battery, and upgraded the 12V electrical system afterword as we decided how we planned to use the trailer post-purchase.

Since this will be your first full sized trailer, consider how you will use the trailer and in what season.

2 cents

[Hawkeye Ed]

Originally Posted by Kags1969

I have a deposit in on a 21NE and I have been considering options. If I get everything I want I end up at 45K USD... so I am considering ordering a more austere trailer. My thought is to buy the options that are hard to add later.

Living in Texas, the AC is a must. The two outdoor showers (hard to add later) and LED awning light. Apart from that can you ask for wire drops for Solar and the other electrical upgrade paths?

This is my first full sized RV and am trying to balance options. For reference I rarely get the most blinged out vehicle because the added expense from the base just seems to pricey...

Constructive thoughts and conversation are welcome and appreciated. I understand this is all very personal, but experience shared is appreciated.

So much depends on your camping style and aftermarket custom addition enjoyment/ability.

You’re in Texas and require air conditioning. That means you’ll usually be hooked to shore power, either in a campground or powered by your own generator. Because you’ll have shore power available, you’ll have less need for an inverter, large battery bank or extensive solar panels.

Do you plan to cook inside or outside? Will you be inside the trailer mainly to sleep or will you be spending time at the dinette eating, reading and being sociable? If you’ll be inside a lot, you’ll want places to hook up 12 volt lights, fans, chargers and other necessities. If you have experience with RV wiring, you can do this yourself but several well-places wire drops will be better for most folks and save you lots of time.

You save money on a manual awning and white steel wheels. Outdoor showers are hard to add later so good to order if you’ll use them.

So think about how you’ll be camping, order the options you know you’ll use, order a “maybe” only if it’s not too expensive and hard to install, and don’t worry about resale value. You’ll be keeping your trailer a long time and it will keep its value if you take good care of it.

Ed

[Mike G]

When they let me know they're ready for a build sheet, I plan to order one that's lightly optioned, too. Besides A/C, 2 6V batts and solar panel, I think the important items (to me) are a removable power cord, exterior access hatch, toilet shutoff valve, bathroom window, storage box, and built-in microwave. The bath window stands out in my mind because I know ventilation is key at times, and I can leave the bath window open with the Maxx fan on low even when it's raining; the bathroom is made to get wet and to drain water.

[cpaharley2008]

I find any factory modification is easier to do than myself.......

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I find any factory modification is easier to do than myself.......

Same here. You or I are not exactly "Tim the Tool Man," are we?!

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Mike G

Same here. You or I are not exactly "Tim the Tool Man," are we?!

I find as I age, I will pay someone to do something I used to do myself, and then sleep in.....

[Doug2000]

Our 2020 E19 was a slim build, I can do whatever I need to do later. Really the only thing I wish we ordered was the solar pre wire and a few more USB outlets.