Full time in an Escape

[Oldtimer-ESC]

21 is 65 inches 5.0 is 56 inches

 

[Jim Bennett]

21 is 65 inches 5.0 is 56 inches

I never knew that. I am now smarter.

 

[Y is Me]

Hello Y is Me. Just curious, have you narrowed down the Escape models you are considering to full time in? I myself will be traveling full time in my 2017 5.0 TA from this coming May until at least November probably longer.

My ultimate decision to go with the 5th wheel over the 21 model trailer was based on my preference for towing a 5th wheel, but it was a tough decision because I really like the appeal of the 21 with the bath on the same level as the bed, and the longer kitchen counter space.

Having been out now on a couple of extended trips since I picked up my Escape this past October I'm getting very comfortable with all the protocol and procedures for traveling with this small 5th wheel. I really am enjoying it! You won't go wrong with any Escape model you decide on. Happy Travels!

Art

Hi Art,

The 5.0 really does look like it would be a lot more nimble to tow than any of the other models currently on offer. Given my druthers, I'd rather a 5.0, but my truck doesn't have sufficient payload capacity to handle it fully loaded and I'm not willing to put up with the limitations I would have to set to pull one otherwise.

After a lot of research elsewhere and listening to folks on here, I've decided that the flipped floor plan 19 with the big dinette in back and small dinette in front will be my tentative choice going in to look at the models in Chilliwack when the time comes. It's well under the towing capacity of my truck, even fully loaded, it isn't too cramped and it isn't too big to haul on forest service roads. Surprisingly, the 19 has a higher cargo capacity than the 21 (2050 pounds vs 1790 pounds) with the same GVW (5000 pounds). That is a big consideration for me, since I want to be able to go full time and bring along my jewelry making paraphernalia and the books I can't bear to part with.

Yvonne

Whew, boy am I glad I copied this reply as a just in case, the site ate the first one!

 

[Deva]

I was in/on the Olympic Peninsula last year after I got my trailer, from late April to the middle of May, and didn't have much trouble with condensation there. I've found that it gets bad when it's cold out ( 40s, 30s and below) with moderate to high humidity. Tried Damp Rid, didn't work at all. I've seen write ups for a device that pulls the interior air across a small heating element to basically bake the moisture out of the air. Seemed like a good idea. Haven't found one yet, and can't remember the make/model,etc.
As for electric, I did alright with just the solar panel and frugal use of battery power. Only once did I have to hook up to the truck and run the engine for a while to recharge a bit.

The nice guy who let me tour his 19’ up in Portland had one of those. I’ve also seen them referenced by many full timers on YouTube. Probably essential in any climate with full time use (expiration, cooking,showers, etc), but mandatory in a damp climate. They are inexpensive and small, but not sure of the power draw, which could be a problem if you plan on a lot of boondocking.

 

[wetzk]

The nice guy who let me tour his 19’ up in Portland had one of those. I’ve also seen them referenced by many full timers on YouTube. Probably essential in any climate with full time use (expiration, cooking,showers, etc), but mandatory in a damp climate. They are inexpensive and small, but not sure of the power draw, which could be a problem if you plan on a lot of boondocking.

All those do is raise the air temp slightly which allows the now slightly warmer air to hold slightly more humidity. Which it will still deposit on cool windows and walls. To actually work they would have to warm the whole interior including any windows and walls. I'm sure I'm about to get hammered by someone who swears by them. If they worked power boats & sailboats down here would all have them in them while docked. Most either have a compressor based dehumidifier system or use a portable unit. Why spend a lot of money to resolve a problem if a low priced device would work just as well.
They do work in gun safes and such but that is a much smaller area than even the smallest egg.

 

[Deva]

All those do is raise the air temp slightly which allows the now slightly warmer air to hold slightly more humidity. Which it will still deposit on cool windows and walls. To actually work they would have to warm the whole interior including any windows and walls. I'm sure I'm about to get hammered by someone who swears by them. If they worked power boats & sailboats down here would all have them in them while docked. Most either have a compressor based dehumidifier system or use a portable unit. Why spend a lot of money to resolve a problem if a low priced device would work just as well.
They do work in gun safes and such but that is a much smaller area than even the smallest egg.

Well, I’m not going to hammer you because everyone on this forum knows a lot more about trailers than I do

 

[gbaglo]

I had one that a friend gave me. A 60 watt bulb would accomplish as much. No moisture is collected or disposed of. It just warms the air slightly. I tossed it in the trash and use two Dri-Z-Air containers. I empty them about every two weeks. I also run an electric heater from time to time.

 

[sclifrickson]

We have this dehumidifier, which we plug in whenever we have hookups, and also when trailer is in storage mode between trips but on shore power:

Ivation ERSDM18 Mini Dehumidifier with Both Peltier and Exclusive Ers Technologies for Power Efficiency and Better Moisture Removal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RZVHB7M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wvYRAb5T1K5GD

We bought it with nothing better than some scrutiny of reviews of similar units on The Amazon. In a closed trailer it will pull a couple cups of water out of the air every week or two, so it’s obviously doing better than a 60 watt lightbulb.

If I was doing it over again I’d get this one though:

Whynter RPD-321EW Energy Star Portable Dehumidifier, 30-Pint https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V69GJ54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_hBYRAb9Y8ENZ6

I’d get this one based upon a much more involved bit of research I’ve done subsequently, including by Consumer Reports and others. It is, however, way more expensive.

 

[cpaharley2008]

Those units mentioned earlier are made by Davis Instruments
https://smile.amazon.com/AMRD-1458-...sr=8-1&keywords=davis+instrument+dehumidifier
I use one of each all winter in my Escape...

 

[rubicon327]

All those do is raise the air temp slightly which allows the now slightly warmer air to hold slightly more humidity. Which it will still deposit on cool windows and walls. To actually work they would have to warm the whole interior including any windows and walls. I'm sure I'm about to get hammered by someone who swears by them. If they worked power boats & sailboats down here would all have them in them while docked. Most either have a compressor based dehumidifier system or use a portable unit. Why spend a lot of money to resolve a problem if a low priced device would work just as well.
They do work in gun safes and such but that is a much smaller area than even the smallest egg.

Correct. Just raising the air temperature will only lower the RELATIVE humidity because warmer air can hold more moisture. These devices are not lowering the ABSOLUTE humidity which is what matters if you are trying to reduce dampness and potential for mold. To do that you need a refrigeration cycle that gets air below the dew point across a cold coil which is the premise of most residential dehumidifiers or with a dessicant via adsorption. Adsorption is why the Dri-Z-Air canisters work. They can't be regenerated and must be refilled with crystals or in the case of DampRid the tub is thrown out. If water in liquid form is not leaving the trailer you are not lowering the moisture level.

 

[cpaharley2008]

I'm using these when the relative humidity is below 40%, closer to 30% here in the winter. No one is inside the trailer, no one is breathing, these just keep it a little warmer, one in the bath, one in the kitchen. They are powered by a thermocube, on at 30, off at 40. I also have an auxiliary 400 watt heater hooked up similarly.

 

[rubicon327]

21 is 65 inches 5.0 is 56 inches

While we are at it the 19 counter is 48" and the 17B is 38". Those layouts with measurements that are now on ETI website sure are handy.

 

[Donna D.]

I thought the whole idea of full-timing in an RV was to avoid the bad weather from cold, wet, snowy, icy to hot, extremely dry, dusty, smokey. Instead of trying to mitigate moisture in a trailer... just move down the road to 'better' weather.

 

[sclifrickson]

I thought the whole idea of full-timing in an RV was to avoid the bad weather from cold, wet, snowy, icy to hot, extremely dry, dusty, smokey. Instead of trying to mitigate moisture in a trailer... just move down the road to 'better' weather.

Come, come, Donna. You of all people know that YMMV [emoji6]

Some like it hot. Some not. I missed the inclement weather of the PNW when life had me elsewhere for extended periods. Who’s to say where full-timing will lead someone? We did it briefly and it took us to all kinds of interesting places [emoji106]

 

[Greg A]

I thought the whole idea of full-timing in an RV was to avoid the bad weather from cold, wet, snowy, icy to hot, extremely dry, dusty, smokey. Instead of trying to mitigate moisture in a trailer... just move down the road to 'better' weather.

So true it will be in our case, Donna. "Seventy Degrees" will roll

 

[drjenk]

So true it will be in our case, Donna. "Seventy Degrees" will roll

We third that motion. We'll be full timing in 2 years with our new escape and we are planning on following the sun. We've lived in the Seattle area our whole life and are ready for some new scenery anyway. We can't wait

 

[thiggins]

We third that motion. We'll be full timing in 2 years with our new escape and we are planning on following the sun. We've lived in the Seattle area our whole life and are ready for some new scenery anyway. We can't wait

Hey, that sounds awesome ! Hmmm....

 

[escape artist]

Hey, that sounds awesome ! Hmmm....

Hi: thiggins... Reminds me of a line from a Harry Nilsson song. "Goin' where the weather suits my clothes". Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

 

[thiggins]

Hi: thiggins... Reminds me of a line from a Harry Nilsson song. "Goin' where the weather suits my clothes". Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

A classic! Good to hear it too.

 

[Y is Me]

I thought the whole idea of full-timing in an RV was to avoid the bad weather from cold, wet, snowy, icy to hot, extremely dry, dusty, smokey. Instead of trying to mitigate moisture in a trailer... just move down the road to 'better' weather.

:-\ Better weather is a matter of opinion. I'll escape to the desert Southwest now and then, but I love home (the great Pacific Northwet...'s' left out intentionally) and our temperate rainforests. *points to icon*