Please feel free to critique my build sheet......

[cpaharley2008]

I have to sign off on my build sheet next month and wanted to post it for others to critique and give suggestions. Thanking in advance:
Build Sheet-2022 E19

1. Maple interior/Havana Tobacco floor/Kelso Champagne fabric
2. Butter Rum counter tops w dark brown trim
3. 3 & 4 plus 7 & 8 captain lights(2 bed and dinette each)
4. flip up tables-standard and #1 options
5. coaxial #2 wall 12v only
6. #6 wall reinforced
7. 190w solar option with dual 6 volt batteries
8. removable power cord and EMS w/surge
9. 11 BTU a/c w/digital thermostat
10. SS kitchen backsplash
11. toilet shut off valve
12. Exterior shower passenger side/below belly band
13. aluminum rim package
14. power awning with LED light strip
15. spray foam under trailer/no heat pads
16. front storage box
17. 2 wardrobe shelves and cabinet door at end of dinette bench
18. tv ready with 12v only power
19. frameless windows with optional bath and kitchen windows
20. split rear frameless window
21. filled propane tanks and water hose with regulator
22. X chocks, leveling blocks, additional sewer tube kit
23. sand pads
24. exterior lights w/amber lens on front and both sides (all below belly band)
25. MaxxFan deluxe with smoke lens
26. enclose front overhead shelf into cabinet
27. install 12v runs in front and rear center oh cabinets

[Vermilye]

I'm not sure I'm qualified to critique your build sheet since you have had more practice than any of us but the only change I'd make is to switch to the manual awning. I really dislike my electric...

[Jim Bennett]

One really can't be critical of another's choices, Jim. I am sure you have done what is best for you given all you know about them. Most I would have done.

[Telescopist]

Where will you be mounting the Samsung 55-Inch 4K Quantum HDR Smart TV?

[Centex]

I agree with the above re: critique of another's build choices.

Having said that, I've been impressed with a number of the aftermarket flexible storage systems (various forms of shelves, pull-out baskets, etc) that folks here have installed in their wardrobe cabinets; deletion of all OE shelves in that large cabinet seems to facilitate those easy to install and very useful storage systems.

So, not at all a critique, just a mention to ensure you considered that alternative in arriving at your choices.

Congrats on number (5, or is it 6? ) Have Fun!

[TTMartin]

Looks good to me.

Do you have dogs or grandkids to rinse off or some reason to want the outside shower on the drivers side?

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by TTMartin

Looks good to me.

Do you have dogs or grandkids to rinse off or some reason to want the outside shower on the drivers side?

My mistake, that should be passenger side........thanks for pointing that out

[camp4528]

It’s a very good build list and obviously reflects your tastes and extensive experience and is quite close to mine.

My only suggestion is to reconfirm your battery choice. I know you wouldn’t be concerned with the fluid maintenance and 50% discharge levels of the flooded batteries like I would be. But for me the clincher is weight - the 100AH lithium battery “floats” out of the box where I would really struggle lifting each of the lead acid batteries.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by camp4528

It’s a very good build list and obviously reflects your tastes and extensive experience and is quite close to mine.

My only suggestion is to reconfirm your battery choice. I know you wouldn’t be concerned with the fluid maintenance and 50% discharge levels of the flooded batteries like I would be. But for me the clincher is weight - the 100AH lithium battery “floats” out of the box where I would really struggle lifting each of the lead acid batteries.

Something to think about, thanks....

[JeffreyG]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Something to think about, thanks....

And with Lithium, you can relocate the batteries into the DS dinette on a 19, which makes the storage box more usable. That's what I did when I got mine last month and my only complaint was that working on all that electrical stuff down in the dinette area was kind of a PITA. It's tight in there, and you are stuck working bent over.


But I'm thrilled with the result. I stuck conformal (semi-flexible) solar panels on the roof, and I have batteries, converter, solar charger, DC-DC charger all contained in the one dinette.


I do also have the 1500W invertor from ETI, but that lives in the PS dinette because it's just too dang big to fit in the DS dinette. That's not a problem in terms of storage (it mounts vertically on the interior wall of the dinette) but because it means 6' long 12V cables from the batteries to the inverter.

[JeffreyG]

Color choices are very personal, of course, but we did the shadow grey flooring with the Tenacity Harvest cloth. The orange and brown in the Tenacity Harvest are what jump out at you, but it also has a grey in it which picks up the floor. We did that with the maple and we think it looks really nice. Just one idea.


To me the Kelso Champagne is nice, but also a fabric that is used all over the RV industry and thus a bit cliche.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

9. 11 BTU a/c w/digital thermostat

Jim: Any thought to just getting it A/C Ready and installing a quieter Houghton/Rec Pro unit? The other advantage is you can easily put the furnace on a simple digital thermostat while the Houghton is on a remote. If you remove an A/C the controls are a little tougher to handle with wiring to the control box up in the A/C to the clunky Dometic thermostat.

[cpaharley2008]

We very seldom use the a/c, mainly getting it for resale value. Noelia does not like it and even with my hearing loss it is loud. But for simplicity sake it is there, but something to think about.

[Ryanb-72]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Jim: Any thought to just getting it A/C Ready and installing a quieter Houghton/Rec Pro unit? The other advantage is you can easily put the furnace on a simple digital thermostat while the Houghton is on a remote. If you remove an A/C the controls are a little tougher to handle with wiring to the control box up in the A/C to the clunky Dometic thermostat.

To add to this.. the heat pump option on the Houghton/Rec Pro works really well and is super quiet.

[Clearwater Chris]

A bit off topic for Jim's question, but what does A)C ready include?

[Ryanb-72]

Originally Posted by Clearwater Chris

A bit off topic for Jim's question, but what does A)C ready include?

A 12-2 wire run from the breaker panel to the vent.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Clearwater Chris

A bit off topic for Jim's question, but what does A)C ready include?

Originally Posted by Ryanb-72

A 12-2 wire run from the breaker panel to the vent.

I think this may be standard on all Escapes. It used to be an option years ago.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

I think this may be standard on all Escapes. It used to be an option years ago.

The cable was standard on my 2009.. Never did install the A/C though.

[Jack!]

You gotta do you, so just a suggestion for further thought. You may be in this trailer for the long run, as we are. May want to factor that into being Li ready/solar ready. Solar is still in its infancy with lots of advances introduced each month/year. Might make it easy/cheaper being "ready" should things change for you in the future.

[lostskier]

All good choices and definitely individual tastes. I didn't have the choice of lithium in my 2019 E19 but have since upgraded and rewired to bring the battery into the dinette. If I could do it over, I'd get dual lithium and more solar. I have the frameless windows on the rear...and if I could do it again, I'd just have a solid window installed that doesn't open. There is enough air flow and with the frameless there is always the risk they will loosen up. I drive lots of gravel roads, and the weap hole in the bottom of the frame allows gravel dust up into the window well. The back of the trailer is a very dirty place. I'd think about extra wiring for future mods. Or at least confirm where they are standard. I've added a back up camera, cell phone booster, and stereo system and all required power drops. Its my understanding that the current captain lights also have a USB charging port? I so wish that had been true with mine. It seems you can't have too many of them, lol.