Recommend best options - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Me | General Topics > General Escape
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 09-15-2020, 11:41 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Langley, British Columbia
Trailer: 2021 Escape 17B
Posts: 1
Recommend best options

Hi there,
I’m new to this Escape thing.. I am just in the process of picking out my options. My new Escape will be ready spring of 2021.
Before I finalize the deal and sign off on the build, I am just wanting to check what options you might want to recommend...
what is a must?
Is there anything you spent money on that you regret, or find you don’t use?
Thanks for any tips!
Kdsmith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 12:16 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
escape artist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kdsmith View Post
Hi there,
I’m new to this Escape thing.. I am just in the process of picking out my options. My new Escape will be ready spring of 2021.
Before I finalize the deal and sign off on the build, I am just wanting to check what options you might want to recommend...
what is a must?
Is there anything you spent money on that you regret, or find you don’t use?
Thanks for any tips!
Hi: Kdsmith... I'd recommend a hitch aid. Usually comes with a wedding ring attached. Works wonderful until you realize she's swatting at flies!!! We use our dual fuel water heater all the time while plugged in. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
escape artist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 12:19 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
I'm out of the loop, with my 12-year-old 17B, but I'd get 12V outlets anywhere you might conceivably want one. Each side at each end and outside under the awning.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 12:28 PM   #4
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: C, North Carolina
Trailer: 2020 21' Escape
Posts: 73
One month into our new 21 and here's what I'm glad we added:
- outdoor shower on both sides
- external zamp solar connector
- solar on roof
- air conditioner
- front storage box


I surely thought I'd use the propane quick connect but now I do not think I'll ever use it. Finding a grill to work on it is next to impossible.
AndNeitherDoI is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 02:56 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
Mark down all the options, then decide which you know you'll never want and delete them.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 03:09 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: North of Danbury, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2018 Escape 21C
Posts: 3,033
It would help if you stated where , when and how you plan on camping
IE; If you normally camp with hookups then an inverter may not be a good choice
If you mostly boon dock camp , then solar would be a good choice
steve dunham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 04:11 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndNeitherDoI View Post
I surely thought I'd use the propane quick connect but now I do not think I'll ever use it. Finding a grill to work on it is next to impossible.
Most people who use the low-pressure propane quick-connect don't find a grill which is already set up to work with it - they use it for a stove, or a firepit, or a grill which they have easily converted to work with it.
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 05:21 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
escape artist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndNeitherDoI View Post
One month into our new 21 and here's what I'm glad we added:
- outdoor shower on both sides
- external zamp solar connector
- solar on roof
- air conditioner
- front storage box


I surely thought I'd use the propane quick connect but now I do not think I'll ever use it. Finding a grill to work on it is next to impossible.
Hi: AndNeitherDoI... The propane coming out of the trailer is regulated by the trailer regulator. If your appliance has another regulator as an on/off and flame control then your gas supply is doubly regulated and hardly no flame results!!!
Propane out of the bottle is around 125 psi. Propane from the quick connect is around 1/2 psi. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
escape artist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 06:30 PM   #9
Member
 
canakiwi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Grand Forks, British Columbia
Trailer: 2018 Escape 21 & 2014 RAM EcoDiesel
Posts: 81
Extra insulation is a real plus, warmer floors and protection from freezing, but the heating pads are a water of money. We mainly boondock so cant use the heating pads but have found that even at -10C (14F) we have not had any problem with freezing water lines etc. So don't get the heating pads.
__________________
Kevin & Sharon
canakiwi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 06:42 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,126
I suggest looking at existing threads like these...you will notice some trends in the highly recommended options.

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...ons-14902.html
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...9-a-10011.html
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...9-a-16065.html
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...ons-11198.html
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 08:47 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
C&G in FL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA (Little Elsie) Extensively Personalized
Posts: 2,960
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndNeitherDoI View Post
One month into our new 21 and here's what I'm glad we added:
- outdoor shower on both sides
- external zamp solar connector
- solar on roof
- air conditioner
- front storage box


I surely thought I'd use the propane quick connect but now I do not think I'll ever use it. Finding a grill to work on it is next to impossible.
The Weber Q is easy to convert by removing its regulator and adding a brass fitting(s) that are (available at Lowe’s or most hardware stores. And an inverter is nice even if you rarely camp off grid (and if have a microwave) because when towing to a new location, If you choose to stop at a rest area for lunch, you can easily heat food items.
__________________
What a long strange trip it’s been!
C&G in FL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 09:12 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,126
Quote:
Originally Posted by C&G in FL View Post
The Weber Q is easy to convert by removing its regulator and adding a brass fitting(s) that are (available at Lowe’s or most hardware stores.
There are also kits available
https://www.amazon.com/M-B-Sturgis-I...06XHJ6RKY?th=1
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 09:19 PM   #13
Site Team
 
John in Santa Cruz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,122
Our E21 came very well equipped (we bought it almost new 2nd hand).

We *really* like the gas oven/range, we never use the microwave, we really like the 4 captains lights, one in each corner, SINCE I changed them out to less bright warmer white LEDs... as many extra windows as they'll put in there, in our case, the one over the kitchen is wonderful. I do NOT like the front window over the bed in the 21 beccause it means you don't get the shelf across the front for your phone, book, glasses, etc.

stripper pole is a very handy feature, especially for my short wife who has a bad knee. front storage box is extremely useful for all those trailer things (lego blocks, leveling ramps, hammer and spike and nail puller for pitching an extra awning, sewer gloves, crank for levelers, etc etc).

rooftop solar is very important to us. so is dual golf cart batts.
John in Santa Cruz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 09:38 PM   #14
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: C, North Carolina
Trailer: 2020 21' Escape
Posts: 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by escape artist View Post
Hi: AndNeitherDoI... The propane coming out of the trailer is regulated by the trailer regulator. If your appliance has another regulator as an on/off and flame control then your gas supply is doubly regulated and hardly no flame results!!!
Propane out of the bottle is around 125 psi. Propane from the quick connect is around 1/2 psi. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
Thanks! Perhaps if I had done more before the build sheet, I wouldn't have added it.
AndNeitherDoI is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2020, 10:32 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Trailer: 2020 Escape 17B "Voyager"
Posts: 2,661
I started with a small trailer (13 foot) then an Escape 15A, and now have a 17b almost ready to be delivered. So I based options on what I'd been missing.

AC- similar climate to yours, but when you need it it is miserable not to have it, and not having it limits travel.
Outdoor shower: rinse off the dog, do the dishes, rinse off from the beach- lots of uses
USB/12V outlets. I added two more, not outdoors, though, as I didn't see the need
storage hatch- I like to leave the bed up so wanted easier access to under bench storage
NO storage box. Didn't have one, didn't miss it. I have other plans for the space it would take.
backup camera- I love the one on my truck so figured I'd love having one
grab bar inside the trailer- I always hang on to one getting out (when I'm not carrying my old dog) and it's awkward grabbing the outside one
solar and 2 batteries: I want to be able to boondock more than two days with the furnace running
bigger fridge and microwave (iffy on the latter but I think if I have it I'll use it)

It wasn't too hard to make decisions because the 17b is basically a 15A with a bathroom added. But my suggestion is to go through an imagined day and think about what you'd use and what you wouldn't miss.
Bobbie54 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2020, 12:37 AM   #16
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,344
Storage box: we consider it a must have for 2 reasons.

1.) All the stuff that is dirt-laden or wet goes in there. E.G.: hoses, water pressure regulator, water filter, angle fittings., chocks, leveling pads, shovel,..
2.) The box protects the front of the trailer on the road. We hit an alligator (truck tire tread) and it cracked our storage box corner. If it had been the trailer, we would have had a significant hole.
dfandrews is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2020, 03:32 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
Doug2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London, Ontario
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19
Posts: 1,117
Ours was a slim build.

Happy with...
AC
Outdoor Shower, actually used for dishes and feet
Kitchen window and bathroom window
Awning light strip
The front storage box

Wish we had of added...
A few more 12V USB chargers
Solar prewire with a controller for a external port. If we don't have services, we camp under the trees, rooftop is useless to us.
__________________
Had 2 Escapes, 17b, 19, went back to a pop up that fit in the garage. 2018 Coachman Clipper RBST HW AFrame
Doug2000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2020, 08:01 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
You may not get it right the first time, it took us 4 times. Between model upgrades and new options, we were constantly upgrading. Selling your old relatively new Escape is easy as they hold their value and once the border opens the trip to Chilliwack is worth the time to get your new Escape.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2020, 08:22 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: North of Danbury, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2018 Escape 21C
Posts: 3,033
We have numerous options on our Escape and I could live without every single one of them except AIRCONDITIONING
steve dunham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2020, 08:44 AM   #20
Senior Member
 
Perry Butler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Lanesboro, MN, between Whalan and Fountain, Minnesota
Trailer: 2016 Bigfoot 25RQ - (2018 Escape 5.0 sold)
Posts: 2,154
Quote:
Originally Posted by steve dunham View Post
We have numerous options on our Escape and I could live without every single one of them except AIRCONDITIONING
And we wish we had not chosen the AC and put in a skylight instead. TETO!

Enjoy,

Perry
__________________
Those who know everything use pens. Intelligent people use pencils.
Perry Butler is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
best options, new to the community

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:10 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.