yhbae
Advanced Member
We are thinking about starting a snow birding life, and thought about what would be the best means to accomplish this. We enjoy the quiet national/provincial/state park environments and we intend to dry dock whenever we can. We looked at 5th wheels, A class, C class, B class and B+ class but I keep coming back to Escape 21 option. But it needs to be customized heavily. We plan to move every week or two between camping sites.
I'm wondering if these additions are possible:
- bigger holding tanks (probably not possible)
- FOUR x 6V batteries of my own choice (most likely higher capacity Trojans). I will be ordering the front storage container, hoping the batteries will fit. If not, I am even considering going Li Ion battery option. More expensive but less to worry about as well.
- larger than 95w solar panel - GoPower seems to list 160w kits as options on their site alongside these 95w ones. I'm wondering if TWO 160w panels can be installed on the 21. The length of these panels are 5ft, so I would think it would be possible. Even better, something like TWO of Sanyo HIT panels (240w each) which are supposedly using both mono and poly panels in one to take advantage of both traits. They are also 5ft long and 2.5ft wide.
- larger propane tanks - probably 2 x 40lb tanks.
- fridge of my own choice, most likely a small Danfoss pump based ones, which is a 12V super efficient fridge.
- I plan to get one of the quiet gas Honda generator. Is it possible to have it automatically start when batteries charge level drops below 50%?
- can I install a satellite dish compatible with some of the bigger networks in US/Canada? My wife loves watching NBA, MLB, etc.
I did the sizing exercise for the power use and we really do need 4 x 6V batteries as a minimum.
As for the tow vehicle, I'm still debating but the leading candidate is the Jeep Grand Cherokee with Eco Diesel.
I'm wondering if these additions are possible:
- bigger holding tanks (probably not possible)
- FOUR x 6V batteries of my own choice (most likely higher capacity Trojans). I will be ordering the front storage container, hoping the batteries will fit. If not, I am even considering going Li Ion battery option. More expensive but less to worry about as well.
- larger than 95w solar panel - GoPower seems to list 160w kits as options on their site alongside these 95w ones. I'm wondering if TWO 160w panels can be installed on the 21. The length of these panels are 5ft, so I would think it would be possible. Even better, something like TWO of Sanyo HIT panels (240w each) which are supposedly using both mono and poly panels in one to take advantage of both traits. They are also 5ft long and 2.5ft wide.
- larger propane tanks - probably 2 x 40lb tanks.
- fridge of my own choice, most likely a small Danfoss pump based ones, which is a 12V super efficient fridge.
- I plan to get one of the quiet gas Honda generator. Is it possible to have it automatically start when batteries charge level drops below 50%?
- can I install a satellite dish compatible with some of the bigger networks in US/Canada? My wife loves watching NBA, MLB, etc.
I did the sizing exercise for the power use and we really do need 4 x 6V batteries as a minimum.
As for the tow vehicle, I'm still debating but the leading candidate is the Jeep Grand Cherokee with Eco Diesel.