Future Escape Owner doing due diligence

[Mike Lewis]

Yeah, I meant "storage box". I was surprised it had not been mentioned yet.

 

[Pembyescape]

Get the box! You’ll love it. Also Drawers - as many as you can.

 

[Pembyescape]

And set a budget - lets say $500 and put together a dream tool kit

 

[Doug2000]

We sold our 2007 17B with the expectation of finding a used Escape 19. Didn't happen, waited a year. We looked at many other brands but my wife said just get a new one, you won't be happy with anything else. (We owned a 1977 Trillium 15' plus the Escape 17', we only like fiberglass now). So it was a bit of a stretch to order new and it cost me my Camaro SS but new it is.

Our build sheet was light, we only ordered items we wanted that I couldn't add later. We ordered

Kitchen Window
Bathroom Window
Extra Flip up Counter Extension, side of the fridge
Door on the end of the dinette bench
Manual Awning with light strip
Exterior Shower (a must for doing dishes outside)


The trailer was completed Jan 16, and for obvious reasons I have yet to pick up. Just waiting for the campgrounds to open up. Escape was great to deal with on all stages of the build and can't wait to camp!

 

[rubicon327]

Chris: Reviewing threads like these may help

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f7/if-you-could-do-it-again-what-would-be-different-4975.html

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8/17b-wardrobe-by-dinette-and-top-3-options-11198.html

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/...-my-new-trailer-and-pick-my-options-1752.html

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f7/top-4-options-for-escape-19-a-10011.html

 

[cpaharley2008]

I forgot to mention the front toolbox because on my last Escape it was "free" to returning owners........

 

[steve dunham]

Top of our list — Front storage box - Air conditioning
We have a lot of other options we bought , we never use and we don’t regret
They’ll be waiting if we ever decide we need them .,

 

[fudge_brownie]

I had mentioned air conditioning because my first Escape did not have it. It affected the resale, not the price as much as the desirability.

Having it now we have found there were numerous times it became essential during our travels.

 

[EdColorado]

It affected the resale, not the price as much as the desirability.

I got the TV antenna option for the same reason; resale.
Bought a cheap TV just to test the system to be sure it worked while under warranty.

The TV lives in the cellar with other unused stuff.

 

[vermilye]

I got the TV antenna option for the same reason; resale.
Bought a cheap TV just to test the system to be sure it worked while under warranty.

The TV lives in the cellar with other unused stuff.

While not for everyone, replacing the TV antenna with an additional solar panel made sense for me. I dry camp much of the time, and read books and listen to the radio rather than watch TV.

 

[h2owmn]

“Everyone” said get the front storage box. So I did. And of course they were right. Only thing I got that I don’t use much are 3 of the 4 captain lights. But again, those aren’t easily added later. And the total cost of those three was $120 so I don’t feel so bad.

Maybe consider outside hatch(es) in some places.

I keep meaning to cut (well, have my son cut) the front benches so that I can easily get under the part that is not my bed. But the passenger side does have the inside door like the 19. And I have an outside hatch on the driver’s side. THat one would be nice to get into from inside as the back benches are more difficult to access because I have wrangle with the table.

 

[felix2]

Escape will modify the cabinet in some models (such as the 21NE) to accept a convection MW (which they don't provide but will give a model # of one that fits). We're thinking of this, as we don't want the heat from the gas oven when baking.

 

[Ronn]

Escape will modify the cabinet in some models (such as the 21NE) to accept a convection MW (which they don't provide but will give a model # of one that fits). We're thinking of this, as we don't want the heat from the gas oven when baking.

We put a Convection Microwave in our 5.0.
Positives - we like it, microwaves, bakes, air fries.
Negatives - 1) microwave is 1500 watt, we have not hooked it up to inverter (ETI says it will be too hard on the batteries - might still do it for quick lunches)
2) can not bake if not plugged in like the Propane Oven option.

We would choose it again over the propane oven option, we wanted a microwave and we wanted an oven. We loose 1 storage space, if we had the optional oven and the microwave, we would loose 2 spaces.

 

[cpaharley2008]

Escape will modify the cabinet in some models (such as the 21NE) to accept a convection MW (which they don't provide but will give a model # of one that fits). We're thinking of this, as we don't want the heat from the gas oven when baking.

You will still have heat, heat is a byproduct of baking and will exist no matter which type of fuel used. Heat in a confined space can also be dangerous. I assume the cabinet below shown in the picture is vented outside or somehow allowed to escape while cooking?

 

[cpaharley2008]

We put a Convection Microwave in our 5.0.
Positives - we like it, microwaves, bakes, air fries.
Negatives - 1) microwave is 1500 watt, we have not hooked it up to inverter (ETI says it will be too hard on the batteries - might still do it for quick lunches)
2) can not bake if not plugged in like the Propane Oven option.

We would choose it again over the propane oven option, we wanted a microwave and we wanted an oven. We loose 1 storage space, if we had the optional oven and the microwave, we would loose 2 spaces.

It appears you lost the same amount of space of the oven. I agree the microwave also takes space, but with an oven, who needs a microwave?

 

[sherminator]

CPO66, I’m at the same place as you. I’m going to get a 21C or 21NE, and am wrestling with options. I’m pretty tight with my money, and I’m looking hard at several options. We camp at spots that have power about 50% of the time, are accustomed to doing without. Here is what I have decided (or not):
• Oven – yes. Mary likes to bake cookies. We all like to eat them.
• Microwave – no. Stove & oven can do same thing.
• Two way hot water – no. Propane works great.
• Exterior showers – yes. Hot water outside is great for many reasons.
• Solar panel and dual 6V batteries – yes. Hate generators.
• Zamp port – yes. Roof is often shaded. Can set up portable array in open area.
• Inverter – no. DC only from batteries is fine. I can wire one in later if desired.
• Surge protector – maybe. I can buy same quality less expensively and wire myself.
• Removable power cord – no. Nice, but not necessary. Can do myself later.
• Power awning – no. Prefer manual for rain. Don’t trust - too much cantilevered weight.
• LED light strip – yes. Really nice lighting that I would use a lot.
• A/C – maybe. Never had it before (but sometimes wished I did). Possible to add later.
• Back up camera – no. Nice, but not necessary. Can add later.
• Stereo/TV/cable wiring – no. Don’t want, good alternatives.
• Frameless windows – yes. Like the awning style. Camp in the rain a lot.
• Window in bathroom – yes. Rather the fan pull air from outside.
• Aluminum wheels - $600 for things I have to spend more time cleaning? lol, NO!
• High lift axle – yes. Probably will need the clearance for my driveway.
• Power tongue jack – no. Got grandkids to turn that thing. Will add Jack-E-Up.
• Spray foam underneath – maybe. Expensive, but probably worth it.
• Exterior hatches – yes. Will decide how many after seeing what’s standard.
• Propane quick disconnect – no. Will carry spare tank and use for accessories.
• Storage box – probably not. Have room for that stuff in truck bed storage boxes.
• Custom laminate / fabric / flooring – maybe. Pricing out. Would like the personal touch.
• Extra lights / outlets, etc. – maybe. Will decide after seeing what’s standard.

 

[Ronn]

You will still have heat, heat is a byproduct of baking and will exist no matter which type of fuel used. Heat in a confined space can also be dangerous. I assume the cabinet below shown in the picture is vented outside or somehow allowed to escape while cooking?

Jim, see this post in the Microwave Convection Oven thread by H46Driver
We love ours. Reace made the cabinet to the exact specs required for clearances and heat is NOT an issue at all. I've checked it with a temp gun by removing the adjacent drawers and shooting all around it - negligible increases in temps. Would definitely recommend putting one in and we would do it again and again. Baking while dry camping can be done in the Weber Q so for us there is no sacrifice in giving up the propane oven for the convection microwave. Bakes the best cookies and brownies you'll ever experience while camping!

 

[Ronn]

It appears you lost the same amount of space of the oven. I agree the microwave also takes space, but with an oven, who needs a microwave?

I repeat, "we wanted both" (others may be different).

 

[steve dunham]

I repeat, "we wanted both" (others may be different).

We also have both the microwave and the oven in our Escape and for the same reason “ We wanted both”
Escape offers many options that are not absolutely necessary but they sure make camping / traveling much more enjoyable .
At my age , convenience ,comfort and safety often win out over trying to keep the cost to a bare minimum !

 

[Rossue]

Probably the two biggest regrets that people have later are:
1. No storage box
2. No power tongue jack

At least pay the nominal fee to pre-wire for a tongue jack that you will likely want later.
Haven't seen the toilet shut-off in this latest thread on options, yet that is well worth the nominal cost there too.