My Escape 5.0 Build

[kavm]

Thank you! Indeed - our lack of ability for any DIY modifications is a crucial part of our decision process. We will keep the foam and heat pads. In the worst case, we do not get much value out it. But, that’s OK for us.

[camp4528]

I think it would be helpful to the community (me) to post your finalized build sheet resulting from all these discussions. I know it marks a given point-in-time (shroud colours for Coleman A/C, etc) and your unique circumstances (Cx-supplied appliances, etc) but useful nonetheless.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts throughout your process.

Good luck!! Looking forward to the reports on the other side.

[Ooshkaboo]

I’m at the same stage as you are, many choices with some of them having quite a bit of impact.
Check out the spray foam thread, Dlakeman-and others-were very helpful with that decision for me, I wont be getting that on mine.
Everything from plumbing improvements to preventing frame rust, so much helpful information from the current owners is on there.

[kavm]

Originally Posted by kavm

Thank you! Indeed - our lack of ability for any DIY modifications is a crucial part of our decision process. We will keep the foam and heat pads. In the worst case, we do not get much value out it. But, that’s OK for us.

Of course! I have attached our final build. There is an understanding that it the Lithium battery max (2) is relaxed in time, ETI would approach us to offer a choice. I do not expect that to happen but did request it.

We signed the build off last week, ahead of schedule. We have been very happy with our experience with Escape thus far.

I have already moved on to buying the necessary items to outfit it. This being our first camping trailer, we are starting from scratch. I will post a different thread to get feedback on that list.

[camp4528]

Thank you for posting your final build sheet, kavm. I’m very excited for you.

I notice the a/c heating strip is still in the build sheet, but no a/c. I assume that’s just an oversight or is there function I’m not aware of?

Thanks!!

[kavm]

Good catch! Thanks a lot! I have emailed ETI. I am sure this item remained by mistake when we dropped the AC.

PS: @camp4528 - You just saved me $110! Many thanks! Hopefully our paths will cross somewhere when I can thank you in person!

[ksfisk]

What hitch are you going to use with your 2021 F150? I have a 2021 Ecoboost supercrew 5.5 bed. I am having trouble finding 5th wheel hitch rails for it. Do you have the 6.5 bed?

[Fox hunt]

I have a short bed (5'6")150 Ecoboost Supercrew cab. I use the Anderson connected to the turn over ball hitch works perfectly. No rails
2017 set up truck and 5.0

[kavm]

I am planning to use Andersen Ultimate with rails. I have a 6.5' bed but there are others with 5.5' bed that are using this hitch. Other hitches like Demco are an option too. I am choosing Andersen as well as rails as they are the lightest combination... Rails are not yet available for my 2021 F150 but I expect that to be resolved by the end of March.

[ksfisk]

Thanks for the response. I am pretty set on using the Anderson ultimate hitch, but I have been having problems finding rails for the 2021 F150. i'm glad to hear that they might start becoming available soon! Thanks.

[kavm]

I am in touch with B&W. They said end of March.... I was also in touch with Demco but that was a while back.

If you find out something, please let me know.

[ksfisk]

Trademasters told me that Demco had rails that would work with the Anderson ultimate hitch and the 2021 F150. I think it must be Part Number 8552028. I don't know if I am allowed to include a link in this forum or not, but it's on their website under RV towing/frame bracket kits. Along with the 6071 rail kit, possibly. I didn't ask trade masters about which parts, but they definitely said that Demco had rails that would work with the '21 F150 and the Anderson Ultimate. They also contacted Curt, but Curt had no timeline of when anything for the '21 would be available.

[kavm]

I would suggest calling Demco, if you wish to use them. I noticed that this part number also comes up on the Demco website when selecting the 2020 F150. That makes me suspicious. The reason is that I spoke with Demco in early January. They confirmed that they were working on the rails for 2021 F150. So, identical part number for both 2020 and 2021 rail hitch does not sound right.

All the best!

[ksfisk]

I agree, an identical part number does not seem likely. I will have to give them a call. Thank you for all of the very useful information you have provided. It is much appreciated.

[kavm]

Just a quick update that I should have made a month ago as this is a popular option...

Apparently, the splitting the rear (U-shaped) dinette bench seats is incompatible with lithium batteries, Lagan table and inverter. So, I had to make a choice - drop the split dinette seats or to drop Lagun table mount, lithium batteries and inverter. I made the sensible choice and dropped the split seats, cushions.

Since this option is often recommended - this is noteworthy.

[Greg A]

Originally Posted by kavm

Just a quick update that I should have made a month ago as this is a popular option...

Apparently, the splitting the rear (U-shaped) dinette bench seats is incompatible with lithium batteries, Lagan table and inverter. So, I had to make a choice - drop the split dinette seats or to drop Lagun table mount, lithium batteries and inverter. I made the sensible choice and dropped the split seats, cushions.

Since this option is often recommended - this is noteworthy.

Interesting, were you told this by ETI? I don’t have a 5.0, but I have a 19 with a Udinette, Lagun table, installing inverter and Lithium batteries. Splitting the opening bench top and cushion would have nothing to do with any of those installed items and would be very simple to do if I wanted to.
Does the 5.0 have some issue that putting in these items causes a problem splitting the bench top and cushion or did someone give you erroneous info? Maybe they just don’t want to do it. Definitely confusing.

[kavm]

Indeed - I was advised of some issue with this combination and asked to make a choice by ETI. They had accepted the customization at the time of signing the build, so this was something that came up some weeks into the manufacturing. It might have to with how ETI are installing Lagun table mount, Lithium batteries and inverter in the 2021 Escape 5.0. These (lithium batteries and Lagun table mount) are new options by ETI, so there could be differences between customization owners have done vs what ETI is doing.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by kavm

Just a quick update that I should have made a month ago as this is a popular option...

Apparently, the splitting the rear (U-shaped) dinette bench seats is incompatible with So, I had to make a choice - drop the split dinette seats or to drop Lagun table mount, lithium batteries and inverter. I made the sensible choice and dropped the split seats, cushions.

Since this option is often recommended - this is noteworthy.

We split the back seat cushions, not the back seat. There is no reason splitting the cushions would affect the lithium batteries, Lagun table and/or inverter. The rear bench remains the same, only the cushions change and none of the cushions are attached to the lithium batteries, Lagun table and/or inverter.

Enjoy,

Perry

[kavm]

The issue was with splitting the seats. Once we dropped that customization, we did not see much reason to split the seat cushions.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by kavm

The issue was with splitting the seats. Once we dropped that customization, we did not see much reason to split the seat cushions.

Why would you want to split the wooden rear seat of a u-shaped dinette?

Enjoy,

Perry