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12-06-2019, 06:38 PM
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#1
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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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Drilling a really big hole in fiberglass
I've noticed that drilling holes in your trailer seems to invoke a little paralysis in some folks. It seems partly due to a fear of chipping the gelcoat and partly working up enough nerve to drill a hole in one's shiny trailer. But trust me, as one who has drilled hundreds of holes in f.g. building boats, f.g. is easy to drill and I did a few examples of different size holes drilled freehand. The only real rule that applies is "make sure that you're drilling in the right place and that there isn't anything behind the area that could be damaged."
I installed a typical hatch of the kind used for power cords. This is going to be an all purpose access hatch. It'll have a 110 volt cord, portable solar panel connector, cable, wi-fi and phone booster cables as well as any other misc. wires that need to come inside.
OK, when does an easy to drill hole become one that needs a bit more care? On the cut-out piece you can see several holes, the largest drilled with a twist drill is 3/8. This was no pilot hole, put drill on f.g. and drill. Nice crisp edged hole, no chips. The same for the 1 1/8 hole saw, drill, no prep, no problem. Any raggedness you see is the foam glued on the back.
Holes larger than this do require more prep. I drill up to a 2 inch hole by replacing the center drill with a piece of round rod so the pilot drill won`t walk sideways and enlarge the hole making for a out of round hole.
The hole today was 3 and a half inches and it definitely needs a guide when being drilled free hand. Ran it backwards for a few seconds then forwards. Perfect hole, no chipped f.g.
So...... something you want to install but having been hanging back a bit because you are reluctant to drill a hole. Grab the drill and go for it.
Ron
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12-06-2019, 06:46 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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or, you can have Ron do it for you....maybe a couple of beers.....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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12-06-2019, 06:49 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
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Yeah, I too look in wonder at folks afraid of leary to make holes in their retailer, but I do understand there concern.
Myself, maybe due to having done construction related work my entire life, have no issues making the holes I need in the trailer shell, either with saw or drill.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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12-06-2019, 06:59 PM
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#4
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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 cpaharley2008
or, you can have Ron do it for you....maybe a couple of beers.....
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Well I helped Myron do a gelcoat repair at Quartzsite for free but I guess if someone wanted to force beer on me.......
Ron
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12-07-2019, 05:53 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bremerton, Washington
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA
Posts: 1,141
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I see you didn't let a little Vancouver rain stop you!
__________________
- Arnie & Paula & Kizzy the rat terrier
https://www.arniesea.com
- 2019 5.0 TA, 2017 Tundra Platinum.
- Bremerton, WA
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12-07-2019, 06:45 PM
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#6
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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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Ugh, I've been working around it. Hope the forecast of sun tomorrow is true because I've been waiting patiently for a sunny day to tape on my solar panel.
Why should I doubt it? With all the technology they have these days they couldn't possibly be wrong could they?
Ron
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12-08-2019, 10:17 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Moyie Springs, Idaho
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19
Posts: 151
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Great info, thanks. I have been pondering about an access panel to get to the furnace sail switch from the outside and this could be one solution but I wonder if I would need at least a six inch hole and hatch in order to fiddle with the sail switch from the outside. I was going to ask ETI if they would retrofit our trailer when/if I travel near the factory but will certainly give this some thought.
Our 2018 19ft was completed shortly before ETI began installing the furnaces with the outside hatch/access panel.
I have not yet had the infamous sail switch issue but enough folks do that I expect it will happen to me one day - like when we are remote camping on a freezing night. Removing the furnace and reinstalling it (my understanding is that is the only way for trailers made prior to the hatch/access panel) does not look to be much fun.
__________________
Keith & Lauren
2018 Escape 19
2019 RAM 1500 5.7L V8
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12-08-2019, 11:14 AM
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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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That's thinking outside the box. But I should point out that sometimes forum posts might give a bit of a biased view (the view, not the person) I've seen the sail switch problem posts but without knowing what the total number of units that use the same switch vrs. the number that have had an issue, it's hard to determine the probability of having an issue in the future.
My 19 didn't have any furnace issues in the 4 plus years that I owned it. But I did pull off the furnace cover in my new 21 and took a look at the location of the sail switch, just in case....
Someone who has pulled out their furnace to reach the sail switch might be able to comment if an access hatch beside the area would be feasible to do the remove and replace routine.
Ron
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12-08-2019, 01:07 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC
That's thinking outside the box. But I should point out that sometimes forum posts might give a bit of a biased view (the view, not the person) I've seen the sail switch problem posts but without knowing what the total number of units that use the same switch vrs. the number that have had an issue, it's hard to determine the probability of having an issue in the future.
My 19 didn't have any furnace issues in the 4 plus years that I owned it. But I did pull off the furnace cover in my new 21 and took a look at the location of the sail switch, just in case....
Someone who has pulled out their furnace to reach the sail switch might be able to comment if an access hatch beside the area would be feasible to do the remove and replace routine.
Ron
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I never had a sail switch (or any other problem) with my 2011 17B furnace, but since I carried a spare sail switch, that's probably why.
I did have a problem with the furnace in my 2017 21 (built before the outside door to the furnace) but it wasn't the sail switch - a 1 1/2" flat head Roberson screw was under the circuit board (The same one used to hold the wood trim on the front of the furnace). Had to pull the furnace to find it, but somehow it didn't kill the board. After removing it, the furnace is working fine.
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12-08-2019, 01:16 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
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Hi: All... I spoke with Reace about holes in the fiberglass. He told me..."We make a fine fiberglass trailer... and then fill it with holes"!!! 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
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12-08-2019, 01:55 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19
Posts: 2,716
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Quote:
Originally Posted by New Adventures
Great info, thanks. I have been pondering about an access panel to get to the furnace sail switch from the outside and this could be one solution but I wonder if I would need at least a six inch hole and hatch in order to fiddle with the sail switch from the outside. I was going to ask ETI if they would retrofit our trailer when/if I travel near the factory but will certainly give this some thought.
Our 2018 19ft was completed shortly before ETI began installing the furnaces with the outside hatch/access panel.
I have not yet had the infamous sail switch issue but enough folks do that I expect it will happen to me one day - like when we are remote camping on a freezing night. Removing the furnace and reinstalling it (my understanding is that is the only way for trailers made prior to the hatch/access panel) does not look to be much fun.
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Here the info you need to put in an outside sail switch panel in the link just below.
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...tml#post282940
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12-08-2019, 02:04 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vermilye
I never had a sail switch (or any other problem) with my 2011 17B furnace, but since I carried a spare sail switch, that's probably why.
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I've had no problem with my 2009 17B furnace sail switch. I did have the motor replaced under warranty when the "sealed life-time" bearings started to squeal.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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12-08-2019, 05:20 PM
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#13
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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 Eggscape
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I knew it was a good idea.
Always nice to someone else do the legwork and figure out things. I bet anyone following your guide could do it in half the time that it took you. At least that's what I say about all my projects.
Ron
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12-08-2019, 05:26 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19
Posts: 2,716
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You are right on the timing Ron...the first one always takes twice as long to make and that does not include the planning.
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12-08-2019, 05:44 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Arcata, California
Trailer: 2017-2013: 21C; Arriving 3/2024: Escape 23
Posts: 179
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Similarly, I'm amazed that people seem so reluctant to perform surgery on one another. It's really not that hard as long as you're careful and have the right equipment. Perhaps my surgical training makes me a bit more confident? No. That can't be it. Just go for it!
__________________
Lee and Nancy Leer
2024 E23Q, March, 2024
2022 Ford F150 Hybrid
Arcata, CA
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12-08-2019, 06:21 PM
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#16
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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 LRL
Similarly, I'm amazed that people seem so reluctant to perform surgery on one another.
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Wouldn't worry me much but on myself seems to be a bit different. My hand and a chainsaw had a bit of a disagreement and I had a pretty good gash on the palm of my hand. At the time I was sailing offshore a lot and had a pretty good medical kit, partly thanks to my M.D. who was also an offshore sailor.
So, in the spirit of I should be prepared to handle anything on my own, I asked if I could put in a couple of the stitches just in case I ever had to do it at sea. The first one went OK but by the second one, man, you wouldn't believe how fast the symptoms of shock can start setting in.
So, hey, you need a little cutting or stitching in the field, no problem. Me, for myself, I'd better hope that butterfly bandages or glue do the job.
Ron
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12-08-2019, 08:24 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,097
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I don't even have enough guts to read this thread. I'm just posting blindly... aieeee!
__________________
Mike Lewis
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie-- propane
Photos and travelogues here: mikelewisimages.com
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12-09-2019, 10:12 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Moyie Springs, Idaho
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19
Posts: 151
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Thanks for sharing the info about your project. This answers the - "can it be done" part of the equation, now I need to ponder the "but can I do it" part of the equation.
I have read parts of your modifications thread before but missed this one. Thanks again.
__________________
Keith & Lauren
2018 Escape 19
2019 RAM 1500 5.7L V8
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12-09-2019, 11:10 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19
Posts: 2,716
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If you think you can handle removing the furnace then reinstalling it...that is the hard part. Cutting the hole is straight forward...even if you chip the edges a bit, the hatch will cover that up.
Good luck with your project.
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12-09-2019, 11:30 AM
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#20
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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 New Adventures
This answers the - "can it be done" part of the equation, now I need to ponder the "but can I do it" part of the equation.
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All you have to do is take the first steps, the rest will follow. The biggest hurdle for most folks is just taking the first step.
Ron
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