Furnace change on Escape 21 a shocker

[cpaharley2008]

Do not fret, the furnace upgrade only eliminates one drawer, REace was able to keep 2 drawers vs 3 originally. The furnace is now closer to the bed. The Atwood 8012 is no longer being produced. There is a thread about this change awhile back, Donna will be able to find it quicker than myslef.

 

[Mary F]

This doesn't answer your question, but here's what it looks like in a new 21. It does make the drawer stack a bit taller. :ermm:

 

[cpaharley2008]

So now one may want to add an extra 120v outlet under the dinette and then install an electric heater for the aft section.

 

[Santiago-ESC]

Do not fret, the furnace upgrade only eliminates one drawer, REace was able to keep 2 drawers vs 3 originally. The furnace is now closer to the bed. The Atwood 8012 is no longer being produced. There is a thread about this change awhile back, Donna will be able to find it quicker than myslef.

Thank you Jim, I read the entire thread earlier this year when Reace announced the location change due to the new model not fitting under the dinette seat. My question was the new Atwood model number not mentioned at all in the Atwood RV furnace online literature.

Yes the new location is fine but it's my customary habit is to know what is behind the grill.

Also I see the thermostat over the furnace output, most of the discharge will "throw" out but heat rising and a thermostat that close does not look like a good idea.

 

[Santiago-ESC]

This doesn't answer your question, but here's what it looks like in a new 21. It does make the drawer stack a bit taller. :ermm:

Thank you Mary, yes not as clean looking as the old chest of drawers but its good enough I guess. Thermostat need to be elsewhere though.

 

[C&G in FL]

Why can't I find Atwood AFSAD12 model furnace in any of Atwood's literature. The RV furnace literature I see from Atwood still lists the old Everstar 8012 II, at 1.8amp by the way.

Where can I see specs for this new furnance AFSAD12.

I was looking for a mud dauber screen for the furnace on my 5.0TA delivered at end of May. I called Atwood and spoke with a rep who told me it is not on their web site yet because it is so new. I had to read a portion of the owner's manual to him before he recognized which furnace it was.

 

[Mary F]

Thank you Mary, yes not as clean looking as the old chest of drawers but its good enough I guess. Thermostat need to be elsewhere though.

I agree with you on both things, Santiago. When you do your build sheet, be sure to ask about a better spot for the thermostat.

Notice, also, that we didn't get the digital thermostat, which would've controlled both the air conditioner and the furnace.

 

[Santiago-ESC]

I was looking for a mud dauber screen for the furnace on my 5.0TA delivered at end of May. I called Atwood and spoke with a rep who told me it is not on their web site yet because it is so new. I had to read a portion of the owner's manual to him before he recognized which furnace it was.

Thank you Carl, that explains it. I'll wait for the specs to be published on line.

 

[Rossue2]

Hi Santiago- you might be able to do what Floating Cloud did and find the previous version to be installed in the original dinette area.

 

[Santiago-ESC]

Hi Santiago- you might be able to do what Floating Cloud did and find the previous version to be installed in the original dinette area.

Hi Ross, good to hear from you, hoping your trip is going well.
Actually we are ok with the new location and yes as Donna said its more centrally located.

Space lost at the drawer cabinet is space gained under the dinette seat !

 

[Rossue2]

Great time- in Ouray, CO- heading up to Marble. These trailers aren't spacious enough to really make the location matter- it's going to heat up pretty quick.

 

[huskersteffy]

Santiago:

Look here: Escape Trailer Owners Community - Downloads

 

[Santiago-ESC]

Santiago:

Look here: Escape Trailer Owners Community - Downloads

Hi Stefan, thank you very much for the link.
Regarding the new Atwood furnace its all there.

This forum is the best.

 

[vermilye]

Great time- in Ouray, CO- heading up to Marble. These trailers aren't spacious enough to really make the location matter- it's going to heat up pretty quick.

If you don't mind "interesting" roads, and have the clearance, drive to the Crystal Mill & the town of Crystal. A neat trip! More photos of our visit here.

 

[Brian B-P]

Why can't I find Atwood AFSAD12 model furnace in any of Atwood's literature. The RV furnace literature I see from Atwood still lists the old Everstar 8012 II, at 1.8amp by the way.

You can't find it because Atwood handles publication of information as poorly as many companies, and has not posted it.

There is a thread about this change awhile back...

This - the one we're in - is that thread!

I called Atwood and spoke with a rep who told me it is not on their web site yet because it is so new.

That would have been a valid excuse... a year ago.

Where can I see specs for this new furnance AFSAD12.

Look here: Escape Trailer Owners Community - Downloads

In February, faced with the same questions, I sent a query to Atwood Mobile. They responded, with a copy of the manual... but by that time it had been being posted to this forum. For similar issues in the future, it is worth the couple minutes it takes to send a query to the manufacturer.
Direct link: Atwood Model #AFSAD12 furnace

 

[Brian B-P]

Also I see the thermostat over the furnace output, most of the discharge will "throw" out but heat rising and a thermostat that close does not look like a good idea.

I agree - the thermostat should be reasonably central in the heated space, but away from a furnace outlet (or the only furnace outlet in this case).

 

[Brian B-P]

... it's my customary habit is to know what is behind the grill.

I think that's a good idea. Fortunately, RV appliances generally come with both an owner's manual and an installation manual (or one combined), and both are normally included with the trailer - can anyone with a recent Escape equipped with the new furnace confirm that the furnace manual came with it?

Even with a printed copy, I like to find a digital copy, because it is easier to store and search. I do that for my vehicles, as well, where being able to use a search tool on a PDF is a distinct advantage over flipping through a multi-hundred-page printed manual.

 

[tractors1]

My understanding is that the grill on the new furnace rotates so you can direct the warm air in any direction you wish. The digital thermostat also gives you simple fan speed control, plus shuts down the fan when the setpoint temp is reached for the AC. Otherwise you get to listen to the fan roar when the unit is not actually cooling. Different wire harness is required, so it's not an easy retrofit.

 

[Rossue2]

If you don't mind "interesting" roads, and have the clearance, drive to the Crystal Mill & the town of Crystal. A neat trip! More photos of our visit here.

we did do Kebler Pass from Crested Butte to Paonia...very smooth & beautiful but got a scare on the last 1/3 od downhill when trailer started sliding slightly left. Had there been oncoming traffic we may have had a collision. It was wet and got a ton of mud- took about $17 of quarters ar the car wash to clean.

Were going to try Owl Creek out of Ridgeway, but have decided to unhook and just drive up after talking to enough locals.

Will check out the Crystal Mill, that pic of the road looks iffy though.

 

[vermilye]

we did do Kebler Pass from Crested Butte to Paonia...very smooth & beautiful but got a scare on the last 1/3 od downhill when trailer started sliding slightly left. Had there been oncoming traffic we may have had a collision. It was wet and got a ton of mud- took about $17 of quarters ar the car wash to clean.

Were going to try Owl Creek out of Ridgeway, but have decided to unhook and just drive up after talking to enough locals.

Will check out the Crystal Mill, that pic of the road looks iffy though.

Don't even think about taking the trailer to Crystal - tow vehicle only...