Do I give up my much loved Casita?

[richardr]

Casita FD17 to Escape 21

We had a Casita FD17. We loved it and only decided to go for something bigger when we went mostly full time. (Our son rents our house, so we have partial use by parking in the driveway.)

We have had our Escape 21 almost a year and driven it almost 9,000 miles. It took a few miles to get used to the larger trailer, larger turning radius, etc. But now it just feels like I have always pulled a 21 foot trailer. And as previously stated in the thread, we noticed how much smoother the dual axil rides when compared to the Casita with shocks.

The much greater room to move about inside makes a world of difference when the weather is bad outside. Several days of rain in the Casita were misery with having to sit and hardly room to stretch. We miss the comfortable captain's chairs, but love the larger dinette which has plenty of room for both our computers. The larger kitchen counter provides plenty of room for my coffee maker. Vicky loves the oven and fresh chocolate chip cookies are to die for. There is also the 1/2 again larger refrigerator, his and hers closets by adding his closet above the drawer stack and much more storage room.

In short, we have become spoiled and would have a very hard time returning to the Casita.

 

[Lisa M.]

Thank you all. Yes, shortage of storage space is always an issue. Having to practically sit down for my husband to get by is bothersome, but not a real pain. I am wondering about the rough ride being alleviated with an Escape. I'm used to picking up the bathroom stuff from the door, and the kitchen utensils and magnets, and rewinding the paper towels,etc., But now you're telling me that's not what everyone goes through when they travel? Maybe that is normal for a Casita, but it's making me do some reading up on what's underneath my trailer and I think there may be some issues that need to be addressed, for us for sure, but certainly if I were to sell it.

 

[tractors1]

Thank you all. Yes, shortage of storage space is always an issue. Having to practically sit down for my husband to get by is bothersome, but not a real pain. I am wondering about the rough ride being alleviated with an Escape. I'm used to picking up the bathroom stuff from the door, and the kitchen utensils and magnets, and rewinding the paper towels,etc., But now you're telling me that's not what everyone goes through when they travel? Maybe that is normal for a Casita, but it's making me do some reading up on what's underneath my trailer and I think there may be some issues that need to be addressed, for us for sure, but certainly if I were to sell it.

Nothing to fret over - not much you can do to a Casita other than adding shock absorbers to smooth out the ride. A single axle at 60 or more PSI in the 2 tires will bounce far more than a dual axle at 50 psi in 4 tires. I compare my E21 to a turtle when crossing railroad tracks - just sort of trundles across. Those same tracks with my 17LD would create a lot of bouncing of the trailer.

 

[tdf-texas]

I am wondering about the rough ride being alleviated with an Escape. I'm used to picking up the bathroom stuff from the door, and the kitchen utensils and magnets, and rewinding the paper towels,etc., But now you're telling me that's not what everyone goes through when they travel?

Casita without shocks - after every trip; several cabinets open, stuff under the bed scattered along the trailer floor, anything not tied down is bounced.

Casita with shocks - maybe one cabinet open (Casita latches are terrible), stuff under bed still there but moved some, still can't leave anything on the countertop and expect it to still be there.

Escape 21 - really weird after having a Casita! stuff doesn't move, stuff on the countertop is still there, only time stuff moves is after hard braking which I would expect. Yea for tandem axles!

 

[gbaglo]

You don't need tandem axles. I keep my knives on a magnetic rack. Have had one or two knives let go once or twice on really rough roads.
As for the paper towels and TP, Alf advised years ago, squeeze the roll core so it is oval, not round, and it won't unroll.

 

[1Oldman]

I'm used to picking up the bathroom stuff from the door, and the kitchen utensils and magnets, and rewinding the paper towels,etc., But now you're telling me that's not what everyone goes through when they travel?

You will a lot of differing opinions for the trailer bounce and how to keep everything in place. When traveling with our 17' Casita SD we found a few ways to minimize cushion shift but with every trailer I've owned including a 29' dual axle trailer there were times I had to gather my items once I was in my campsite, I guess I can call it aerobics.

 

[Moaboy]

I would also suggest u consider a 19. Great floor plan in my opinion. I like the full size queen bed at the back and 4 person dinette at the front. Lots of Windows. Counter space is limited, but I added a couple of extensions and it works. Bathroom is a bit smaller than 21,but I don’t spend a lot of time there.
Overall, good size, lots of flexibility for different kinds of CG’s. And tows like a dream.
Either way, u won’t go wrong.