Upsizing or Downsizing

[Herb-in-FL]

In trying to determine an ideal size for me,
I wonder if there is a tendency to always trade up in size
for people who have owned several Escapes over the years.

I am speaking of trailers bought both new and those bought used.

I have a feeling it is not as common, to see people move down
to a smaller size in an Escape, once they have owned a large one.

The insight of others is appreciated.

Herb

[Donna D.]

A few have gone down in size, most have gone up. You'll never accurately be able to make a good decision based on someone else's experience. What are YOUR requirements for a trailer? E.g, how many people, pets, beds needed, etc.


What's your tow vehicle and what are the towing specs?

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Herb-in-FL

....I have a feeling it is not as common, to see people move down to a smaller size in an Escape, once they have owned a large one....Herb

Herb,
I think that is an accurate observation. We've been on the Forum over 4 years, and have frequently seen application of the term "2 foot-itus", but with 2 or 3 exceptions, it's always been to the larger size.


In our case, we thought a lot about how we camp, what we do when camping, and what the future may require with the next-generation of family. We picked a 17 (it also just fits beside our driveway), and are satisfied that it met our criteria.


P.S. on the chance that it may be helpful, here's our posting of reasoning behind our choices, and a 1 year later analysis:

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f7...ater-8933.html

[Herb-in-FL]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Herb,
I think that is an accurate observation. We've been on the Forum over 4 years, and have frequently seen application of the term "2 foot-itus", but with 2 or 3 exceptions, it's always been to the larger size.


In our case, we thought a lot about how we camp, what we do when camping, and what the future may require with the next-generation of family. We picked a 17 (it also just fits beside our driveway), and are satisfied that it met our criteria.


P.S. on the chance that it may be helpful, here's our posting of reasoning behind our choices, and a 1 year later analysis:

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f7...ater-8933.html

Don and Teresa

Thank you for your response and the "one-year later" perspective.

Herb

[Viajante]

The 15B is a really good floor plan and size for camping. But I have thought about upsizing the frame. Building a new frame that would have a bit of a back deck, front deck, and even a wider footprint. Bike storage, a place for a mini split A/C, equipment for longer boondocking stints. Better suspension. This could also apply to a 17.

[flew]

Hi there,
We have actually gone up and down although not always in an Escape trailer.
Our initial trailer was a new 2004 Escape 17B with bunk beds for two little girls. As they grew up, we sold the 17B and purchased a 27 ft 5th wheel, Triple E Topaz. After 4 years, we sold that trailer and left the camping scene for a while. We have now purchased a 2018 Escape 5.0 TA.

17 to 27 and back to 21.

Cheers
Fred

[Rossue]

Our first Escape was a like new pre-owned 17B; was not aware of the 17A. We quickly got 2'-itis(actually 4) and ordered a 21 as we liked the rear dinette on the 17B yet didn't want to have to convert to a bed daily. With the way we camp I wonder had the first trailer been a 17A would we have really wa nted the 21.

[JStelly]

I think your feeling is correct. I’ve been on the forum for 5 years and my gut is more people move up in size.

In our case we were in a 19 and are moving to a 5.0 after 4 years experience. The key for us was the experience gained in 4 years really solidified our requirements. We looked long and hard at other manufacturers and sizes (we actually wanted to go smaller) and the 5.0 was the best for us in terms of what was most important.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Viajante

....a place for a mini split A/C

Music to my ears!

[Dave Walter]

In 2013, we purchased our 19' before the 21' had become available. Although the larger size of the 21' would have been welcome, the floor plan of the 21' does not work for me. However, we are considering a move to the 5.0 in a few years when I retire and have more opportunity for travel. In the meantime, 2 years ago we purchased a 15B and currently have two Escapes! Upsizing or downsizing? I guess we are just confused.

[Hollybee]

WE are basically happy Casita 17' owners, but grand children have begun to arive in [seemingly] bunches..our little Casita was dandy for us two, but not so much for 3 or 4. Ergo, we are upsizing. Yesterday we placed our preliminary "build-order" for a 2020 Escape 21...wh we will pick up in April 2020. After this last road trip to a family reunion in NC next week, with a side trip to Norfolk Navy base [to see our son b4 he deploys again we expect him to 'make Chief' this cruise]..we're putting our excellent condition Casita on the market. It has all the bells wnd whistles Casita offered...solar, cable, TV, AC, Hi lift, HD batt etc , ....except no room for the new grand-kids.

[padlin]

Originally Posted by Dave Walter

In 2013, we purchased our 19' before the 21' had become available. Although the larger size of the 21' would have been welcome, the floor plan of the 21' does not work for me. However, we are considering a move to the 5.0 in a few years when I retire and have more opportunity for travel. In the meantime, 2 years ago we purchased a 15B and currently have two Escapes! Upsizing or downsizing? I guess we are just confused.

I'd love to get a 15 to go with the 5.0TA, Deb not so much.

[Fox hunt]

I went from a 17B to a 5.0 wanted more space and i like hooking up the 5.0 better then my bumper pull. I also like the feel of towing the double axle 5.0 better. but i think the roundy 17 is really cute...

[Herb-in-FL]

Thank you Donna.

My current situation and approach, is to identify the size trailer I most favor.
Keep searching for a nice pre-owned one (hopefully in my area)
and then select a tow vehicle that is most appropriate for the trailer.

That is my current plan, since I am not locked into a particular tow vehicle at present.

Herb

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Herb-in-FL

Thank you Donna.

My current situation and approach, is to identify the size trailer I most favor.
Keep searching for a nice pre-owned one (hopefully in my area)
and then select a tow vehicle that is most appropriate for the trailer.

That is my current plan, since I am not locked into a particular tow vehicle at present.

Herb

Lucky you, truly. Lots of people are restricted in size of a trailer due to the limit of their current tow vehicle, and don't want to change that. Good luck!

[Hollybee]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Lucky you, truly. Lots of people are restricted in size of a trailer due to the limit of their current tow vehicle, and don't want to change that. Good luck!

WE have 'toured' several E-21s in various campgrounds lately..every one had the same story as we do: upsized to their 21' and still towed it easily with same TV...'midsize' v-6 trucks, full size V6 trucks, even one guy towed easily behind a Toyota 4-Runner.
WE decided to keep our V6 Frontier dbl cab, long bed as our TV..and ordered our new E-21 two days ago...and went thru the Build List yesterday w Linda at ETI.... Should be good to go. One last trip in our 17' Casita next week..and then she goes on the market. The Cassy is a good TT but the grand kids are coming in waves and we needed more space ;-)

[DavidGlen]

Originally Posted by Herb-in-FL

My current situation and approach, is to identify the size trailer I most favor.

Yours is a good approach. In our case, our search has been iterative - we have learned from our first trailers (2 different floor plan Casitas) and then our Escape 19.

We are downsizing from the E19 (with a bathroom) to a 17A (no bath, but a portable toilet that we will store under the permanent bed).

The great advantage of the E19 for us is the ability to sleep cross-wise more comfortably than in a Casita - the Escape is wider. And we found, ironically, that the way that we camp, we used the Escape bathroom primarily for a hamper and storage. Hence the move to the 17A. I was discussing this with my husband the other day, and we concluded that we could not have moved directly from the Casita (at 17 ft.) to the Escape 17A, because it took us 1.5 years of not fully utilizing the E19 bathroom to move to the 17A.

In addition, we have never fired up a water heater in any trailer that we have owned. We always heat small quantities of water on the stove and use campground showers. And this has been for trips as long as 30 to 54 days so far.

In addition, the shorter length is an advantage. The 17A can be turned around more easily in our driveway, and we look forward to the 500 or so pounds of less weight when towing. We use a Trailer Valet to turn around our trailer, and the Escape 19 has required considerably more wrestling than either 17 Casita.

17A's are pretty rare, so we are ordering one new from ETI. It will be completed in early October 2019. We are getting the features we want... and we can't resist the idea of shiny new gel coat.

If you would like to see Escapes of various sizes, contact Escape sales. They can put you in touch with owners who may live nearby. In addition, attend an Escape rally if you are near one. We planned a vacation to one rally before we had a trailer, and we have learned vast amounts by attending rallies.

Best of luck in your search,

David
Pittsburgh, PA

[CADreamin]

Purchased the 19' because of our tow vehicle (2004 Tundra). When we decided that we probably needed a little more room, we ordered the 5.0 and went out and purchased a new 2018 Tundra (had crunched all the numbers prior). When push came to shove, we were uncomfortable with the payload rating of the Tundra in hauling the 5.0 and changed to a 21'. We would have been happy with the 5.0 but we're also very happy with our 21'.

[Defenestrator]

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.

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Defenestrator

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.

Which Bigfoot floor plan did you choose. ? We have looked at the 25 RQ but right now it’s just a dream . It’s amazing what a few more inches of width can do to improve the layout but
that additional width does not come without its issues .

Good Luck with your new trailer