17B F1 or F3 for Solo Traveler; Model Questions

[Craig_TaB]

My RV Background: Am a solo traveler currently in a 15' nuCamp (safe contained) teardrop style 3-season trailer with over 42K miles of travel experience across western US. My interest in Escape is to provide a bit more interior space; stand-alone sleeping/dinette areas and full head room while keeping a wet toilet (black tank) configuration . . . as a larger nuCamp unit is limited to a cassette (5-gal) toilet configuration.

F1 vs F3 Layout . . .which provides best/easy access to 'under bed set-up space'?

That is . . . How does the 'under bed' construction compare?

Could F1 and F3 layout owners comment on what Escape has installed under the benches/bed and how you use/access the space.


My thoughts:
a) F1 has three access points, passenger/driver bench top and by using sliding storage bins under the table down area.
b) F3 could be limited to one large plywood access panel making getting stuff in/out more difficult.

 

[Jean-ESC]

I loved my 2011 17B, the prior owners did upgrades, including bamboo countertops. I've seen used ones posted here every once in awhile; sold mine in 2022 in excellent condition for $22,000 U.S.
So, maybe consider used

 

[Lanark Camper]

We have the 17B with the full time double bed. We are a couple travelling with a small dog. We have additional insulation package, and double glazed windows. No spray foam insulation. Solar package, two 6V batteries, no microwave, no inverter, bigger refrigerator, AC. Front storage box.
We found it comfortable for us. We never run out of storage space.

We consider it a 3 season camper.

The space under the bed is accessed from two cabinet doors inside, and a small hatch on the passenger side. The hot water tank takes up a bit of space on the drivers side. We did start off with some bins under the bed for clothes, but only used them on one trip. We found using packing cubes in the overhead cabinets above the bed and the hanging closet by the dinette we have more than enough clothes for our needs.

The space under the bed holds 4 lawn chairs, small table, two side tables, a carpet to go under the awning, our wheel chocks, a spacer block for the tongue jack, and some wood to shim the 4 corner stabilizer jacks. We also carry the Anderson style wedges to go under a tire to level side to side. It all fits in with room to spare. It is only accessed now from the outside locker door.

The lockers under the front dinette seats have minimal storage. The drivers side is half filled with the black tank, still useful for toilet paper, garbage bags etc. While the passenger side locker has the electrical panel, converter taking up about 1/3 of it. We have a plastic bin in there usually filled with bottled water. There are un insulated 12 terminals so nothing metallic goes there.

The front exterior storage box is very spacious, well worth the cost. I beefed mine up with some thin plywood and fibreglass cloth.

We do tow with a full sized pickup with a cap over the box. So we can carry extras there. Like a small bbq, griddle, tools. Any garbage waiting to be disposed of.

We bought it new in 2019 and have camped from BC to Newfoundland to Georgia. We have spent over a month living in it and found it very comfortable, hot or cold.

We usually have easy access to food shopping so don’t provision for more than 7 to 10 days. The galley storage, refrigerator is adequate we found.

I hope this answers some questions. If you can actually get a look at one you will really get a feel if it will work for you.

Good luck in quest, Bob

 

[Centex]

F1 has three access points, passenger/driver bench top and by using sliding storage bins under the table down area.

It strikes me that this offers a lot of flexibility for storage modifications.

FYI, if buying new from ETI, ask your configuration consultant about getting a 'loose' 4'x4' sheet of the matching interior paneling along with your trailer. When I did that in 2021 the cost was quite reasonable (~$20USD). That would allow you to fabricate an OE-appearing custom closure for a storage space under either bed if so inclined.

Just for your consideration, Happy Shopping!

 

[WillyB]

If single for sure - F3 gives you a bigger dinette to stretch your legs out on. Plus, you can put it down for an extra bed or lounging space if you have company over.

 

[Lanark Camper]

One point I didn’t make above, the full time double bed comes with a very comfortable inner spring mattress.
Definitely an improvement over a dining table and foam cushions. Most people have to add a mattress topper to make it comfortable enough. Then figure out where to store the topper when the bed is reconfigured to a dinette.

Bob

 

[AnbyB1720]

One point I didn’t make above, the full time double bed comes with a very comfortable inner spring mattress.
Definitely an improvement over a dining table and foam cushions. Most people have to add a mattress topper to make it comfortable enough. Then figure out where to store the topper when the bed is reconfigured to a dinette.

Bob

We had a futon made for our 17B- so it's our full-time bed. It rolls up pretty easily for access to the "Mechanical-Room" (utility cabinet). Storage under the bed is a couple of bin-drawers, one made from milk crates, the other made from smaller Sterilite totes. We find our 17B is perfect for our local camping in the Pacific northwest, as well as some multi-day road trips covering thousands of miles.