4 Season Escape 19

[Traildad]

The one thing I really wished my Escape 19 had was indoor seating comfort. When using it during the warm season you normally sit in a camp chair outside around the campfire. The dinette works for a quick meal if you don’t have an outdoor table. However, if you want to stay inside because of rain, cold temperatures, wind or mosquito swarms, the bench seat with no back support just doesn’t cut it. We can squeeze two camp chairs into the trailer but it is not convenient when you need to move around. So I’ve been working on designing a modification that would allow us to use our trailer comfortably in all seasons.

[Traildad]

We decided to remove the table and the floor mount and the cushions. Then we got two plastic patio chairs and cut the rear legs off so they could be placed on top of the seat benches. Because the seat benches are taller than the rear chair legs I had to add 3 inches to the floor between the benches. Then we needed a table. We have been using two TV trays but wanted something that wouldn’t be in the way when not in use so we thought a Lagun table. We decided to make our own Lagun system from copper pipe and the TV trays. Then to top it off we added a hanging shelf to give us a place to set our iPads etc. I’m pretty happy with the results so far. We are a little cramped for foot space but there isn’t any way to fix that. The only permanent change that was made was two screw hole to support each Lagun table leg. The chairs are so much more comfortable than anything we’ve tried up to now. We have a big trip coming soon and we’ll be able to give them a good test drive.

[brroberts]

I agree the dinette is not great for long periods of time. A few card or board games and then it is time to shift. The pool noodle mod helps, but still is not great. We lounge on the bed for indoor reading or movies. The picture is an unmade bed during storage, but shows the idea.

Barb and I have been lounging here since 7:30 this morning reading and praying. It’s comfy and relaxing. Of course, we are not just on the stock mattress either. We have a Froli under the mattress, and a firm 2” latex mattress topper on it. We usually put our pillow behind the pillow chair to space it further from the blinds.I’ve also cut down the backstabbers to shorten them, just as I did in the dinette.

[occer]

Traildad,
You cut the back legs off! Nice thinking outside the box

Brroberts; that is kind of what we do, place foam to the back side of the back cushions to give them a slant. It takes a a little experimenting to get it just right but once figured out , works good.

[iamunique127]

That lawn chair set up looks kozy.

We have 4 pillows for the bed in the 5.0TA and use one of them each as back supports for sitting at the dinette.

On rainy or cold days when we are going to be inside a lot we make the dinette into a flat surface to lounge on. Those back pillows of brroberts look handy.

[George Johnson]

Nice problem solution. However, we solved the "back support" problem to our satisfaction by simply placing a piece of 4" diameter pvc pipe behind the vertical cushion of the Escape factory setup. That made an amazing difference in comfort for negligible cost. Works well for us!

[Ooshkaboo]

This has been working out, definitely something is needed in that area.

[iamunique127]

Originally Posted by George Johnson

Nice problem solution. However, we solved the "back support" problem to our satisfaction by simply placing a piece of 4" diameter pvc pipe behind the vertical cushion of the Escape factory setup. That made an amazing difference in comfort for negligible cost. Works well for us!

I think someone else alluded to something like that and it sounds like a good idea. I'm going to try a pool noodle.

[Vermilye]

In my 17B I replaced the front cushions with a pair of West Marine High Backed Chairs. Worked well since I never used the front as a bed. Since I travel solo, in my 21C I replaced the rear cushion on the kitchen side with a High Backed chair. Very comfortable, although getting rid of the cushion makes it difficult to make up a rear bed.

[Jeremy Kessenich]

Found an Adjustable Reclining Ergonomic Floor Game Chair, didn't know if it would be helpful.

[Traildad]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Kessenich

Found an Adjustable Reclining Ergonomic Floor Game Chair, didn't know if it would be helpful.

I tried one of those type of chairs. I think because it was designed for sitting on the floor it dint feel comfortable with it setting up on the bench and my legs hanging down like a conventional chair.

[CarinaPDX]

Has anyone tried using captain's chairs on top of the existing seats (without cushions, of course)? The seats could be bolted down directly to the existing cabinet work, or a slim swivel could be used, and then a false floor added to support the feet. I have lived aboard a sailboat for the last three decades and the lack of a good seat is driving me nuts. So as I have looked at campers that has become a high priority. I am most interested in the E19 so fit in there is of most interest.

The WM high backed chairs linked to above also might serve, and would be easier to install and use.

[Mike G]

I am shocked to discover that there is a West Marine in my metro! Perhaps I shall go and sample their high backed chair.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Mike G

I am shocked to discover that there is a West Marine in my metro! Perhaps I shall go and sample their high backed chair.

I'm shocked also that you have one in your city.

They came to Vancouver, a major marine center if there was ever one, many years ago. In the end another well established marine outfit won out and West Marine quietly left town.

Ron

[Suregrip391]

Originally Posted by CarinaPDX

Has anyone tried using captain's chairs on top of the existing seats (without cushions, of course)? The seats could be bolted down directly to the existing cabinet work, or a slim swivel could be used, and then a false floor added to support the feet. I have lived aboard a sailboat for the last three decades and the lack of a good seat is driving me nuts. So as I have looked at campers that has become a high priority. I am most interested in the E19 so fit in there is of most interest.

The WM high backed chairs linked to above also might serve, and would be easier to install and use.

Do you have a link to an example? Thanks!

[CarinaPDX]

Originally Posted by Suregrip391

Do you have a link to an example? Thanks!

One random example: https://www.westmarine.com/tempress-...-20010278.html . See others by going back up the path (below the yellow line) to "Helm and Fishing Seats" or "Boat Seating". Swivels and such are available separately.

Greg

[Traildad]

I’ll have to check out the seats at west marine. The plastic chairs I’m using are comfortable on my back but sure make my butt sore after a while. I have several different cushions to put on them, but before the end of the night I’m uncomfortable. I wonder how much the marine chairs weigh.

[Mike G]

Today I tried out the high backed chair at West Marine. It has a good seat cushion and I like the way the seat back can ratchet into more than one angle. But what killed it for me was the way it forces my shoulders to hunch over. They make it a little bit thicker in that area, and I know it would drive me nuts after while. Lumbar area could have used a bit more material, perhaps, but that was minor.

Then I tried the low backed version. The back was flat and seemed fine, however the seat cushion is far less cushiony and my butt bottomed out immediately on the frame rear the rear of the seat.

The guy said the high backed chairs have become hugely popular with the rodeo crowd. They are loved by wives who have to sit in the bleachers all day watching their husbands ride. I can imagine that a 5'4" or 5'5" gal's shoulders would rest against the back at a lower point, which makes the chair ideal for someone of that stature. I'm only 5'8" but it just wasn't right for me.

[brroberts]

I use one on my boat, but don’t need one in our E19. It’s a good chair for me, but not great. I’m glad to have for the boat.

[Vermilye]

My suggestion is to do the same as Mike did - go to a West Marine & try the chairs. I have been pleased with the High Backed Chair, but they have others that you might like better. One advantage of the High Backed Chair that I didn't note in my previous post - it has carrying straps, and can be back packed to other sites. It makes sitting at a picnic table comfortable.