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03-13-2017, 07:09 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Sumwarein, Tennessee
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19
Posts: 39
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Optional Exterior Hatch 19'
I spec'ed a hatch on the driver's side front on my build sheet. The trailer is entering production and Escape has asked (for the second time) if I really want this. I realize that there isn't much space under the dinette seat on that side. My interior plans include making the front a semi-permanent bed with gas struts so that the mattress can be lifted. My thinking is that it might be nice to have access to some of the equipment (converter, etc) that resides under the bench from outside. They've got me second guessing. What say you 19' owners who do or do not have this hatch?
Steve
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03-13-2017, 07:23 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
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A hatch isn't really going to give you the kind of access that will allow work to be done on that equipment, you'd still have to go in from the inside/top to do anything. There really isn't any storage gain in that location to warrant putting a potential leak point through the shell. You certainly can go ahead with it if you have some benefit in mind, but if it were me I wouldn't put one in this location.
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03-13-2017, 07:41 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg A
A hatch isn't really going to give you the kind of access that will allow work to be done on that equipment, you'd still have to go in from the inside/top to do anything.
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Agreed. Our 2010 has one in that location and it is of minimal benefit. Any real work on the electrical etc. must be done with access via the hinged dinette bench seat. Additionally, not too much can be stored in there anyway because of the converter, partial black tank and seat bracing take up much of the space anyway.
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03-13-2017, 07:42 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,344
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Another possibility: Add the hatch later once you have the trailer, and can determine that it is necessary. Jim Bennett posted a mod that is similar to a new installation (where he changed to a larger hatch size).
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...-19-a-812.html
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03-13-2017, 08:53 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,234
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We have three hatches on our 2010. The one on the drivers side front corner I use for my stinky slinky plastic box for fittings, my plastic box with my pressure regulator and my water hoses. Right front is my tools and stuff I use every time I set up. I use it the most. Right rear is access to my bag chairs and one piece of leveling wood. They set behind and to the side of the plastic boxes under the bed. Since We have three hatches I have learned to use three to my camping style. You can do without the left front one for certain, there's not that much storage there or get it added later. I have a plastic box fetish and I can't be trusted with a credit card in the container store.
Dave
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03-13-2017, 09:05 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,634
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I have a hatch at that location in my 19'. There is not much room there and would be difficult to access the electrical stuff from the hatch. I use it to store a few tools, grease, wd40, and a few other items that are only used occasionally. If the hatch wasn't there, that space would be otherwise a bit challenging to access from the inside.
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad
"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
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03-13-2017, 09:17 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
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I say don't do it. You gain nothing. Storage there is minimal because the black tank protrudes into it. Any work on the WFCO terminal, or adding an inverter, surge protector, etc, is done far easier from the inside.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
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03-13-2017, 09:23 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL
I say don't do it. You gain nothing. Storage there is minimal because the black tank protrudes into it. Any work on the WFCO terminal, or adding an inverter, surge protector, etc, is done far easier from the inside.
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Warning: to those label adverse folks, don't look at the photo
Gotta agree with you Myron. The black tank takes up half the storage space. The only remaining space is to the right of this photo. If I want something in that locker lifting the seat provides all the access needed.
Ron
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03-13-2017, 10:47 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Sumwarein, Tennessee
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19
Posts: 39
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You've talked me out of it. Thanks for the input.
Steve
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