1st month in new 5.0 ... my thoughts

[Jesse]

Originally Posted by arniesea

Oh! and another trick to get a positive lock on the slider for travel. Get a T-bracket and position it centered on the underside of the tabletop in such a way that the center hole will receive the thumb screw when the table is centered. Attach the T-bracket via the remaining screw holes.

Then for travel, locate the center hole to receive the thumb screw, tighten down and travel worry free.

See picts. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself!)

I used a couple of small bench clamps slightly modified to lock the slider. You can lock it in any position. The clamps were $14.95 for a 2 pack on Amazon.com.

[Jesse]

Originally Posted by ritacasita

We’ve been on the road a month now in new 5.0. Trailer was shipped to us in early May. We have been camping in open states ... sadly ours is not. Currently roaming around TN. So here I’m sharing my thoughts on how we equipped our new camper, glad we did/didn’ts and our satisfaction with the unit.

Love the camper. Tracks perfectly behind truck. If worried about towing with Tundra ... don’t. We have Anderson gooseneck mount and it is awesome. Pin adapter points forward and we have plenty of turning clearance to this point but have not yet experienced complex curves, dips, or turns. High axle a must in my mind.

One problem with getting trailer delivered is you have little recourse on broken things. Things that could be fixed at factory are now essentially my problem and not theirs. Broken cabinet latch and defective bathroom faucet. Also, broken piezo ignition switch on oven cooktop. People in general at ETI do not answer their phones so trying to get action comes down to email. Broken oven has to be dealt with Dometic warranty dealer. Ours is Camping World and they suck. No returned calls there. So for our life with the camper we will be using butane lighter.

We bought every option except elec awning, inverter and 2nd solar pan. So far ok with those choices. Definitely with the awning because the manual one is so easy to put out and of course is reliable. Not sure about the inverter at least the one plug version where I could’ve had a cuppa coffee when boondocking. I have a box of tea bag coffee if that happens.

Things ETI could have done but we didn’t have them. We travel with 6 Apple devices and Bluetooth speaker many of which need charging at end of day. Single plug near entryway is a disaster. Will need to add USB charging ports in upper berth and rear table. Lower cabinet at entry badly needs shelves. All I can think of.

General observations and mostly aggravations ... many already addressed here in forum. Many ETI should address:
We have pedestal mount table which is awesome but table top still wobbles.
Many owners have modified top step to open. How hard could that be to do during build?
Love capt lights but yes they are too harsh. Will replace.
Why are holes not already there if you need to hand crank front levelers?
Cooktop cover scratches easily. Needs to be stainless.
Hydraulic cylinder on door is a PITA.
Need screen door handle. Will add.
Right rear window conflict with awning. Need smaller window or moved. Afraid will break.

The LED tape light outside is very cool. Unfortunately it really attracts bugs so we don’t use it up here in the mountains.

Love the frameless windows. Make sure you close when moving (and awning closing).

This posting not meant to have long retorts about what you did. Just my thoughts.

Happy camping and be safe.

Escape”d”

We didn’t like the cooktop cover so we replaced it with a glass one from Amazon.com. Looks better and doesn’t scratch easily.

[DanandDaphne]

Originally Posted by NEWYORKHILLBILLY

You would Think ETI would have checked things before shipping. I guess stuff can still happen. They where not willing to send you replacement parts?


When you change the captain lights . Take a look at these with USB ports. I have some coming today.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You don't need to change out the captain light fixtures.

All you need is new led bulbs with an MR-16 base and with a warm light spectrum 3000K to 2700K is what most people prefer. I would guess the ones that come in the lamps are 4000K. Something like this https://www.amazon.com/ALIDE-Replace...51&s=hi&sr=1-9
They also come in either flood or spot so you want to pay attention to that, for most locations flood is better.

[cpaharley2008]

Yes the spot lights are less expensive- $16 for 6 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XNPP9M7...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[Oldtimer]

Originally Posted by Jesse

We didn’t like the cooktop cover so we replaced it with a glass one from Amazon.com. Looks better and doesn’t scratch easily.

Any chance you have a link for this cover not finding on amazon but then they may not offer it anymore. Thanks

David

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Jesse

We didn’t like the cooktop cover so we replaced it with a glass one from Amazon.com. Looks better and doesn’t scratch easily.

We really like the wooden one than came with our Dickinson Caribbean range. Makes a good work surface, hot plate, serving tray and cutting board. I know this is not a standard Escape range, but I have seen some great wooden ones made by others.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Oldtimer

Any chance you have a link for this cover not finding on amazon but then they may not offer it anymore. Thanks

This looks like it...it's a Suburban product but supposedly fits the Atwood range
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...k_ql_qh_dp_hza

It appears that Atwood makes a similar product but much more expensive
https://www.boatandrvaccessories.com...CABEgKQ7PD_BwE

[Oldtimer]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

This looks like it...it's a Suburban product but supposedly fits the Atwood range
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...k_ql_qh_dp_hza

It appears that Atwood makes a similar product but much more expensive
https://www.boatandrvaccessories.com...CABEgKQ7PD_BwE

Tyvm should of had me reading glasses on. I was thinking it was a solid piece not hinged. Oh the joys of getting old

David

[Vermilye]

I replaced the metal folding cover on my Oven/Range with a Camco wooden cover. It has feet that "lock" to the grill that holds it in place when traveling. I like the additional counter space it provides.