21 Front Window option

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by angie

We’re finalizing our build sheet and did not opt for the additional front window with the rock shield. I was just wondering if anyone regretted not adding this option.

I have no iron in this fire but will offer an observation. I have a 15A (no longer made) with two additional windows. Several people who have toured my trailer have stated that mine seems bigger and brighter than their larger Escapes. I am so glad to have opted for the additional windows to allow more light into the interior.

But only you can decide if more light trumps an asymmetrical frontal appearance. I know it wouldn't bother me.

[Rossue]

Susan wanted it & I didn't having seen one at 2014 Rally which I attended solo. We had 30 days after that to turn in our build sheet and that topic was the only real sticking point between us. For me, being a function over form person I felt the window did little for outside view and was just another point to allow cold air to enter- over your head sleeping-and would be single pane.

Went back to the Wack 18 months later and reminded Susan that if she really wanted it still ETI could do it. Didn't happen.

The headboard is too low for many to sit up in bed to read and would have had it mounted higher had I known. Susan scrunches there against the headboard I made with no complaints, however I cannot do that and read in the dinette. Might be a future mod to fix that.

[Mike Lewis]

I don't have the front window in my 21 but wish I did. Granted, the offset window looks a little odd from the outside, but the trailer is a bit dark for me, especially at that end. It could use more natural light. Also, it would be nice to be able to keep an eye on my tow vehicle parked in front when camped.

[Eggscape]

I like to see in all directions as well.
With our last trailer I installed a large peep hole...the type you install in your front door...in the rear. It was located in the bathroom and the first O in Zoom. To light the area up at night all sides had some high output LED lights mounted on or near the roof.

[CADreamin]

We did not opt for the front window; however, we did get the optional window over the drawer stack at the foot of the bed. That window adds enough light for us. We use the shelf above the bed for many things (tissues, books, reading glasses, etc.) and would be lost without it.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

I like to see in all directions as well.
With our last trailer I installed a large peep hole...the type you install in your front door...in the rear.

And, what did you see?

[Donna D.]

Could someone with a front window 21' PLEASE sit in the rear dinette and take a photo of WHAT you can see out the front window. I keep reading where folks want to see out.. but what do you see? The sky? All the pics I've seen are of someone standing at the kitchen area. I know folks can knell on the bed and look out. AND light is always good, but....

[R:Escape]

re: headboard
Will complete this weekend and will post photos. Also using spare dinette material--it fits between the mattress platform and the shelf--approx 34"hx48"w. Also making a custom bedcover for neatness sake, but that won't get done until after christmas--have a new granddaughter on the way and my sewing machine is spitting sparks as it is!

[Bobbito]

As we prepared the build sheet for our E21, we had misgivings about doing without a window at the front. We worried about not being able to see when there were things happening in that direction. We live close to ETI and could easily have one installed now if we wanted, but we aren't willing to give up the pluses of the current configuration.

As much as we might like a front window, we really love the shelf over our pillows. It makes so much more of our night stuff accessible so we don't have to get up. (Lozenges, tissues, iPhones, eReaders, etc.) And really most of what we want to see is on the other three sides of our trailer, especially the vistas that are best viewed through the 3 windows at the dinette.
Our previous NASH trailer had only a small bathroom window at the back end and only one decent window on one side, so we frequently missed out on enjoying the great views that we currently get from our dinette.
Love our Escape!

Bob K

[Mary F]

Originally Posted by Jake930

How about posting a picture of that headboard please.

Mine's not the one you're referring to, but there are a couple of pics of it in the windows options panicking thread.

If I remember correctly, ours is a 2'x4' piece of 3/4" plywood, padded with "enhanced batting" and covered with velveteen upholstery fabric. It's bolted to the bed decking with several L-braces - the tricky part was climbing in and out of the hole to secure the bolts. We've been using it now for almost 3 years and it's worked great to keep us off the window when lounging in the bed.

[cpaharley2008]

We used to lounge sideways in our 2014 E21, sitting under the windows on the bed with these at our backs, here is a picture using them at the rear dinette also.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Could someone with a front window 21' PLEASE sit in the rear dinette and take a photo of WHAT you can see out the front window. I keep reading where folks want to see out.. but what do you see?

I think they are referring to lounging on the bed and seeing forward.

[Jim Bennett]

I would say with the front dinette in the 19 we more often had a broader view than we do with the 5.0TA as it seems we are often backed against trees or something obstructing the view. And while this forward view when in campgrounds is into the campground itself, you at least always have a view of some kind to watch things happening if you wish.

Though, in the places that do afford a view out the rear, it is almost always a superior view, and in a few cases downright picturesque.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I think they are referring to lounging on the bed and seeing forward.

I guess I was thinking about Chris' & Patricia's expectations of 'looking out.'

Originally Posted by Chris & Patricia

...... In addition, one of the spots we like to camp has the lake view at the front of the trailer, so there was no way we wanted to miss that.

[steve dunham]

We do not have the front window in our 21 and wish we did , not for the view but for the increased light level and the increased ventilation .
Even with utilizing the roof fan the bed area lacks sufficient air movement IMHO

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

We do not have the front window in our 21 and wish we did , not for the view but for the increased light level and the increased ventilation .
Even with utilizing the roof fan the bed area lacks sufficient air movement IMHO

The front window doesn't open and it's single-pane. But you do get extra light for $300.

[Chris & Patricia]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I would say with the front dinette in the 19 we more often had a broader view than we do with the 5.0TA as it seems we are often backed against trees or something obstructing the view. And while this forward view when in campgrounds is into the campground itself, you at least always have a view of some kind to watch things happening if you wish.

Though, in the places that do afford a view out the rear, it is almost always a superior view, and in a few cases downright picturesque.

Jim, you observations are right, generally the rearview is the superior view, but not always, and yes we wanted the extra light as well as the possibility of being able to look out forward, although not necessarily while lounging on the bed!

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

The front window doesn't open and it's single-pane. But you do get extra light for $300.

Without the ventilation it ain’t worth $ 300 to me . The only view out the front of my trailer would be the back of my truck , which I’ve seen thousands of times before

Thanks Donna

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

We used to lounge sideways in our 2014 E21, sitting under the windows on the bed with these at our backs, here is a picture using them at the rear dinette also.

I don’t have a picture of ours in use, but we keep our Dinette set up full time in the bed configuration. We use two of these wedge pillows to lounge in a 12” reclined position. It’s the most comfort we can find for relaxing indoors:

Brentwood Home Zuma Therapeutic Foam Bed Wedge Pillow, Made in California 12-inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DTZVO7Q..._a3SbCbC641HPR

[angie]

Thanks for all the responses! We opted to not have the front window installed but went with one over the two drawer counter at the end of the bed. More light, yay!