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Old 07-22-2019, 04:24 PM   #21
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25RQ. The FB apparently has a huge ballast added for stability, and the layout looks like it would make it challenging to add the custom electrical improvements I want.
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Old 07-22-2019, 04:59 PM   #22
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Too bad they come with the RV mini queen bed.
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Old 07-22-2019, 06:24 PM   #23
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Yeah, the stubby bed's not ideal. It's full-width though, and there's space at the foot. So, I'll probably either stick my feet off the end as needed or replace the supporting plywood with a longer piece and sacrifice some walk-around space to get full-length.
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Old 07-22-2019, 06:36 PM   #24
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Originally Posted by Defenestrator View Post
After a year of full-timing in an Escape 19, we're upsizing to a Bigfoot 25 soon. I definitely don't regret the Escape - it's the right size for the original plan of a 1-year trip. Now that it's become multi-year though, it's just a bit too cramped for two people. The Bigfoot's pretty big jump, but it was the only way to get an increase in storage space plus a dry bath and walk-around queen bed in a molded fiberglass trailer. The extra insulation is a nice bonus, though I'd prefer 12VDC tank heaters in addition to the ducted furnace.
You're are doing where our plans are heading. We go FT/PT in 2 years with bases in the White Mtns of AZ and near the Pensacola FL area. Originally wanted the Big Foot 25 RQ, but Exchange rate and tow vehicle issues moved us to the Escape 19. Interesting to hear your feedback after a year on the road, we may find the same thing 1-2 years down the road, but maybe having the bases to get out of the trailer for a few weeks will help with those issues.
Thanks for posting up your experience...
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Old 07-23-2019, 12:01 AM   #25
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pretty much everyone I've seen hauling a larger bigfoot around has been using a 250/2500 class or heavier HD truck, usually a diesel. several have told me they started with a 150/1500 but found it just wasn't adequate, numbers notwithstanding.
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Old 07-23-2019, 12:27 AM   #26
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I'm going with a 1500, but with the 6.2 and Max Trailering, so one of the ones that blurs the 1500/2500 lines a bit. I'll let you know in a few months how it goes.

In the meantime, it's hilarious overkill for the Escape
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Old 07-23-2019, 01:57 AM   #27
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In the meantime, it's hilarious overkill for the Escape

If you carry this to the logical conclusion, you'll buy a house, and take transit.
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Old 07-23-2019, 02:06 AM   #28
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Transit? Nah, I'll just pick up a used Caterpillar 797F and bring the house with me.
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Old 07-23-2019, 06:40 AM   #29
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After a year of full-timing in an Escape 19, we're upsizing to a Bigfoot 25 soon. I definitely don't regret the Escape - it's the right size for the original plan of a 1-year trip. Now that it's become multi-year though, it's just a bit too cramped for two people. The Bigfoot's pretty big jump, but it was the only way to get an increase in storage space plus a dry bath and walk-around queen bed in a molded fiberglass trailer. The extra insulation is a nice bonus, though I'd prefer 12VDC tank heaters in addition to the ducted furnace.

I don't regret the E19, though. We covered a lot of ground, and doing that in something the size of the Bigfoot would have been more difficult and expensive. Being able to fit the trailer and tow vehicle entirely within two parking spots is super convenient, as is being able to get the whole setup through basically any space that's big enough for a 1-ton pickup or large van.
~~~
Thank you for your input, Defenestrator.

I too forsee perhaps a two step move to trailer ownership.
An initial stage of a smaller but highly mobile model, and later a larger unit and more sedentary lifestyle, but with the ability still, to move it as I wish.

I have always been fascinated with the Tiny House lifestyle but I figure why build one, when they are already in existence in the form of a travel trailer, particularly the multi-season, better insulated varieties.

Herb
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Old 07-23-2019, 08:26 AM   #30
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One way to increase the interior space of a trailer without increasing it’s length is the use of slideouts . We recently viewed a new 5th wheel with 4 slideouts and were amazed how much space was gained and by the spacious feeling . I realize there are leak issues with slide outs
Maybe someday there will be a FG trailer with these types of features that allow them to compete in the main stream trailer market
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Old 07-23-2019, 08:50 AM   #31
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I went from a sheet of plastic as a lean to, to various backpacking tents, a Coleman tent trailer, to a Terry 24' bunk model stick built, to an Escape 19, to my current 5.0TA.

While a part of me would like something a bit bigger, I do not want more width or more weight, so will happily stick with what we have for our future travels.

My favourite though is still our small tents as it is more about where we end up with them deep in the backcountry than the living space they provide.
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Old 07-27-2019, 12:07 PM   #32
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You want downsizing? Doesn't get much farther down than this... seen new, in my neighbor's yard recently. The factory will add AC, a ClimateRight 5,000 BTU (not propane) for on the tongue, comes with a hose. You drill a 5 inch hole in the front. If they ever add slide-outs to this they'll probably be manual crank style.

For short trips, no doubt. He told me he was really up-sizing... (from a tent).
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Old 07-28-2019, 11:23 AM   #33
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upsizing or downsizing

Jim, thank you for your comments

:: In deciding what size trailer might be good for me, I want to consider both
traveling with something easier to tow, but also large enough for some sedentary periods
where the trailer would serve as my own ready-made version of a "tiny house".
:: Like you, I started out with a back-packing tent in the woods, and then later
moved to dome tents that I could stand up in. At some point I decided I'd only
go camping again if the place had toilets and showers available,
and I packed plenty of camping pads for a more comfortable sleep.
:: Now, I wish for the nicety of a self contained unit, with the comforts of home,
which if the weather turns foul, I can be dry and safely off the ground.
:: Considering your current trailer, for an Escape, I thought the 5.0TA was pretty large,
and I honestly don't know if the 21 offers more usable space.
-Herb

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett View Post
I went from a sheet of plastic as a lean to, to various backpacking tents, a Coleman tent trailer, to a Terry 24' bunk model stick built, to an Escape 19, to my current 5.0TA.

While a part of me would like something a bit bigger, I do not want more width or more weight, so will happily stick with what we have for our future travels.

My favourite though is still our small tents as it is more about where we end up with them deep in the backcountry than the living space they provide.
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Old 07-28-2019, 11:37 AM   #34
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Originally Posted by MyronL View Post
You want downsizing? Doesn't get much farther down than this... seen new, in my neighbor's yard recently. The factory will add AC, a ClimateRight 5,000 BTU (not propane) for on the tongue, comes with a hose. You drill a 5 inch hole in the front. If they ever add slide-outs to this they'll probably be manual crank style.

For short trips, no doubt. He told me he was really up-sizing... (from a tent).
Myron, thank you.

:: I have seen those, and read about them also.
It makes for nice, minimalist trailer camping in some
more inaccessible places.
:: I think for full timing, or for more prolonged stays
in any location, the tininess might get old.
:: Perhaps some better options if one spends just a
little bit more money.

Herb
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Old 07-28-2019, 12:48 PM   #35
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:: Considering your current trailer, for an Escape, I thought the 5.0TA was pretty large,
and I honestly don't know if the 21 offers more usable space.
-Herb

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Certainly a discussion that has no right or wrong answer. It all comes down to the person(s) using the trailer and sometimes after some use your own opinion might shift.

We're going from a 19 to a 21. I've always said that I'd love to have a 21 with a 19 interior. My wife doesn't share my opinion. We're pretty familar with both and there are little things, like the location of the bathroom door and a multitude of other differences, some of varying importance to different folks.

In the end someone has make the decision. And with all the helpful but varied comments from the forum there's more to sort through. Good luck on your decision.

Ron
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Old 07-28-2019, 01:02 PM   #36
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:: Considering your current trailer, for an Escape, I thought the 5.0TA was pretty large,
and I honestly don't know if the 21 offers more usable space.
-Herb
For an Escape, our 5.0TA is quite large, and to use we consider it very much a luxury way of camping. The Escape 21 is fairly voluminous too.
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Certainly a discussion that has no right or wrong answer. It all comes down to the person(s) using the trailer and sometimes after some use your own opinion might shift.
Ron
This is so true.

There is no way any one trailer is better than another. Better for individual purchasers sure, as we all have different ways of wanting to do things affected by our different ways of wanting to go camping. Even if another's decision is not the same as ours, it most definitely is not different.

Bottom line, if you buy any Escape and go make some wonderful memories with it, you have made a right decision.
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Old 07-28-2019, 02:01 PM   #37
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When Escape comes out with a 23 or 25 we will see 21s lose their luster.
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Old 07-28-2019, 02:43 PM   #38
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Arrow Fading fast?

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When Escape comes out with a 23 or 25 we will see 21s lose their luster.
I have it on good authority that they will be renaming the 21 and selling it with the proper tow
vehicle. She will officially be known as the Highlander Express and affectionately called the
“Geezer Delight”
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Old 07-28-2019, 02:54 PM   #39
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I have it on good authority that they will be renaming the 21 and selling it with the proper tow

vehicle. She will officially be known as the Highlander Express and affectionately called the

“Geezer Delight”

Iowa Dave
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Old 07-29-2019, 09:56 AM   #40
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I have always been fascinated with the Tiny House lifestyle but I figure why build one, when they are already in existence in the form of a travel trailer, particularly the multi-season, better insulated varieties.
I am coming to a similar conclusion after selling my modest size two-bedroom house and moving to a rental 170 square foot tiny house. I'm thinking a well organized & built Escape 21 will be better than my current poorly designed 170 square foot tiny house.
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