Back when I had my Casita and attending Oregon Gatherings many moons ago. I dreamed of owning an all fiberglass 5th wheel. Fast forward to today and that dream is closer to reality with a 2018 5.0TA and a 2018 GMC Canyon Duramax on order. I thought I would post this for those looking to place an order and what that process looked like for me.
Since I’ve owned a Casita before I pretty much knew what options I wanted and after a year of reading many threads on Escape Forum I was ready to make my order along with my list of customization requests
I’ve been watching the available production dates on ETI web site waiting for May 2018 to come up and that happened at end of September. I reached out to Tina at ETI and she sent me my first build sheet which listed all available options. I went though and marked everything I wanted and sent it back to her with my deposit and customization requests and we locked in May 2, 2018. She sent the build sheet back listing all the things I wanted along with the customizations that were approved.
Note when you get your build sheet back. You will notice the build sheet returned no longer lists any of the available options you did not select.
I went through the build sheet I received back line by line comparing to my spreadsheet I created and sent it back to Tina noting items that needed correcting, subtracted or added. For those that have already placed an order or going to make an order, make sure you verify the build sheet returned to you is actually yours and go line by line on every build sheet you receive and just don’t gloss over it. I had to make some sort of corrections on almost each one I received back and was sent someone else build sheet once. I found it helpful to have a separate list of everything I wanted so I could compare to each and every build sheet I received back.
In all fairness I had a pretty extensive list and why I drove to ETI a few weeks back. To not only transport and leave my sink, cook top, faucets, solar port, but also to go through my build sheet line by line with Tina and to see my Formica, Flooring and fabric samples in the demo unit. I ordered and paid for my flooring at Pioneer that day and as soon as I was back home I placed my fabric order with Sailrite and can say everything is sitting at ETI waiting to be installed including the flooring and fabric. ETI will order the Formica I picked out.
My Formica will be Matt black, flooring Armstrong Pemberton Grizzly Gray and cushions dressed in Sunbrella Milano Charcoal.
With regards to taking stuff across the border to leave with ETI, it is perfectly legal and you will not pay any taxes on personal items. Key word is personal items just like clothes etc. Just keep in mind whatever you tell the Canadian agent you are bringing into Canada to leave with ETI, the U.S agent will have that list on their computer screen when you return to the U.S.
One of many questions I asked Tina was how they keep from installing someone else custom flooring, Formica or Fabric into another owner’s trailer. She stated we download pictures and tape them to the side of trailer and the installer has to verify the item they are installing against the picture on the trailer. They tape the different segments of your build sheet on the sides which you will notice in build pictures posted on the forum.
Below is the final list I decided on, but have until February 2nd to make any changes. After that date any changes come with a cost of $200 cdn. Also included are items I currently plan on installing after I get home with my new 5.0TA.
My Options and Modifications
Microwave built in
Winterizing T-Valve
Exterior shower P/S
Battery delete install CX provide batteries
Inverter
Surge Protector
Removable Power Cord
LED Awning Light
Air Conditioner
Maxx Fan Upgrade
Wireless Bkup Camera
TV cable ready
Install CX provided TV mount
Extra Insulation & frame-less windows
Exterior Access hatch rear P/S
Exterior Propane Quick connect
Do not install leveling bubbles
Delete tires/wheels install CX provided
Stainless range hood
Toilet shut-off valve
Delete bath sink
Install CX provided bath faucet
Do not install TP holder give to CX at OR
Install CX provided shower head
Install CX provided kitchen sink
Install CX provided cook top
Install CX provided Kitchen Faucet
Install CX provided kitchen button caps
Install 2 counter extensions
Pre-wire for stereo and speakers
Move exterior P/S hatch below bodyline
Full height cabinet, add cabinet door to full height cabinet
Widen bottom interior step to 22”
Convert bench seat to U-Dinette
Modify U-Dinette adding 4 inches to depth of back bench seat
Modify cushions to match modified U-Dinette
4” thick back wall cushion
Cut standard dinette table top into 2 pieces with one piece 18” deep
Do not install table top or hardware
Install CX provided exterior TV coax
Four 12v drops, 3 interior and 1 exterior
Additional exterior LED light centered rear above belly band
Additional interior switch for exterior rear and D/S LED lights
2 additional LED captain lights
Install CX provided Solar Port
Custom Flooring
Custom Formica
Custom fabric, full wrap
Install 2nd TV ready
Install CX provided TV mount bracket
Graphics delete
2 filled propane bottle
Customer provided items;
Cook top Dickenson 2 burner
Sink 15” Executive zero radius
Kitchen faucet Ariel Flamingo
Bath shower head Fury Handheld
Bath faucet Dura Faucet
Wheels 15 x 6 Black Rock Intruder 910B
Tires ST215-75R-15 8 ply Maxxis M8008 trailer tires.
Batteries two 6v Crown 6CRV220 AGM, 220Ah
Aftermarket install
DryDek for bath floor
Furrion 12v / USB receptacles
100 watt Renogy suitcase portable solar panel
Bogart engineering SC2030 solar controller
Bogart engineering TM2030A monitor
Cabramo 12v marine fan
Lugan table mount
Custom cut King Starboard cooktop and sink inserts
Cheers!