Escape 19 build list - production starts next week

Richard Krueger

Advanced Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2012
Messages
49
Location
Bellingham
Production begins Monday. Scheduled completion date is 12/31/2013. We plan to take delivery 02/10/2014, but might travel up there once or twice to admire it - 42 miles from our front door to theirs. :cool:

Soon after that we plan to take a long road trip.

Here's the build list:

2 burner stainless steel stove & range hood - stove turned 90 degrees to make more counter space.
6.7cu. ft. fridge – we eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and so wanted a larger fridge.
Additional opening window over sink – for light and ventilation.
Air conditioner with heat strip – A/C because we plan to do some desert travel now and then. The heat strip gives us the option to use shore power and save our propane for boondocking.
Digital thermostat – one place to control both furnace and A/C.
Bike rack ready – for bikes of course.
Cabinet door at end of bench – easy access without disturbing whoever is sitting on the bench.
Dual 6V batteries – maximize time off the grid.
Exterior shower – found this useful for rinsing off, cooling off, and for washing dishes without filling the gray tank.
Extra insulation & thermal windows – for cold, wet Pacific northwest camping and for hot, dry desert camping.
LED interior light package - maximize time off the grid.
2 LED exterior amber lights – amber attracts fewer bugs.
Exterior LED lamp above storage box.
6 LED captains reading lamps: one in each corner of dinette / 2 at the bed on the driver side – hey, we both like to read and older eyesight requires more illumination.
Microwave – because popcorn.
Opening window in bathroom – ventilation, ventilation, ventilation.
Removable power cord – had this on the 15 and really, really liked it.
Stainless steel sink & chrome faucet – to match the stove.
Stove cover – minimize spatter towards the bed.
Storage box – for all the outside stuff.
Surge protector.
TV ready on passenger side – just in case we're in a campsite with cable and need to watch American Idol.
95W solar panel - maximize time off the grid.
Custom Formica - Seagrass Strand with chocolate brown trim.
Custom fabric.
6” cushions – for comfort. My own seat doesn't have the padding it once had.
1500W inverter – because popcorn.
Shut off valve for toilet – just in case.
2 shelves in closet – anything that needs to hang will be hung in the TV.
One drawer under closet – the large fridge forces the microwave under the stove and we lose 2 drawers there. This replaces one of them.
LED high mount brake lights – because bikes.
2-way hot water tank – use shore power when we can to save propane for boondocking.
Reinforced walls between fridge/bed, stove/bed, and both bathroom walls – plan to install TV mount, storage cubbies, and who knows what else. Having all the walls reinforced gives maximum flexibility.
Thetford foot pedal flush toilet – don't particularly like leaning over the toilet while it's flushing.
2 additional 120V outlets - o/h cabinets close to fridge wall and stove wall – for television, DVD player, and unspecified future plans.
Delete access storage hatch – left the hatch in the 15 open more than once, allowing in cold and rain. Everything that belongs outside will go in the storage box. Not sure yet how we'll use the under-bed storage space, but it will definitely be for indoor stuff.
Delete 120V on stove wall in bed area.
Graphic color – Burgundy to match the TV.
 
Looks good. Bet you can hardly wait to see the finished product. Make sure to post your build pics as we are interested also.
 
Thanks for the list and reasons. I'm really paying attention to them and reasonings help with my own list. I've been trying to figure out why you would want the heat strips with the furnace and now I have a better understanding.
 
In case you're wondering why we didn't just include every option available:

3 - Burner Stove Upgrade – almost never use more than two burners at home. IAC, the counter space is more valuable.
Aluminum Rims – as far as I can tell, this is almost purely cosmetic.
Brake Controller – already have one.
Cot Ready – don't plan on ever having that many people spending the night.
Equalizer Hitch – already have one.
Exterior Propane Quick Connect – had it on the 15 and never used it. It's easier to use the canisters on the table-top propane grill. The only other use I could see for it would be to run a patio heater and if it's that cold you'll probably find us in the TV driving south.
Oven with Three burner Cooktop – almost never use the oven at home. We do most of our cooking on the stove top or on the portable grill.
Screen Room – if we get a screen room (which is looking more and more likely) it will be a separate one that we can place wherever we need it.
Stereo – we have a small portable radio we like to use to listen to NPR or equivalent for a short while in the morning or around dinner time. Otherwise, we generally prefer to enjoy the sounds of nature (or the bickering of the family in the next campsite).
Starter Kit – found this useful when we bought the 15 (our first trailer), but now we have it all and then some.
TV Antenna with power amplifier (Includes TV Ready) – opted for the cable feed. If there's no cable, we'll just do without.
Wall Mount Extendable TV Arm – already have one. And, besides, we won't decide where we want until we've had a few days of living in the new trailer.
Additional 12 Volt Outlet – don't recall ever using the ones we had in the 15.
Spray Foam Insulation – I wanted this for warmth but Sue didn't like the way it looked on the trailer next to us at the Escape rally last June. Aesthetics – 1, comfort – 0.
 
Escape sprays the foam black now, it looks less obtrusive. The foam really keeps the floor warmer and cooler, depending on outside.
 
Escape sprays the foam black now, it looks less obtrusive. The foam really keeps the floor warmer and cooler, depending on outside.

The trailer we saw had black foam, but we were looking at it from the utility side. Does it blend in better when viewed from the entry side? I've been looking for photos, but haven't seen any or at least haven't recognized them.
 
The trailer we saw had black foam, but we were looking at it from the utility side. Does it blend in better when viewed from the entry side? I've been looking for photos, but haven't seen any or at least haven't recognized them.

We got the spray foam (painted black) and it is noticeable if you are looking for it. After a while it does tend to become less noticeable (with familiarity), and I do not really see it at all anymore, unless of course I am bending over to lower the stabilizer jacks or dump the tanks.
 
Kim kindly sent us some photos of trailers in production with spray foam insulation. We've looked at them and are considering adding that to the build sheet.
 
Richard, 42 miles: that's disgusting! :D You have a winning options list there but you can go up for something else so easily and you probably will.
 
Richard, 42 miles: that's disgusting! :D You have a winning options list there but you can go up for something else so easily and you probably will.

Same mileage for me but, amazingly enough, I went up only three times: once to decide between the 15 and 17, once to take measurements and deliver stuff, and the last time to go for the orientation. I found everything else I needed to know on this forum.
 
You can take Egbert for upgrades anytime, not that you need any with all of that custom stuff.
 
I had to take him (wait...aren't trailers a her?) to have my water pump replaced and strained my brain trying to come up with something else to have done but couldn't think of anything I wanted. I credit any foresight during the build solely to this forum for which I am very grateful!
 
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