hello from former lurker

[jeph]

Hi,
We are looking to upgrade our trailer and like the Escape 17B. We currently have a 2018 Starcraft AR one 15b hybrid. I've done some upgrades, lithuim battery, (requiring major rewiring) cabinet work, etc. but getting tired of sinking $$$$ into an older lower end build trailer.
Looking for something that is a better build quality and has a refigerator that doesn't freeze our lettuce . While still easily towable with our 2015 tacoma.
We tend to stay in unimproved sites without any services, maybe pit toilets and water if we're lucky.
Looing here to see how an Escape would fit our needs.
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Ron in BC]

Hi Jeff and welcome to the forum

You'll lot's of info here. Maybe not universal agreement on whether the fridge will be any better than what you have.

Lot's of folks have done a ton of great travelling in 17s and for any boondocking type travel the one piece f.g. shell offers a much longer leak free life.

Ron

 

[GinoandLinda]

Hi,
We are looking to upgrade our trailer and like the Escape 17B. We currently have a 2018 Starcraft AR one 15b hybrid. I've done some upgrades, lithuim battery, (requiring major rewiring) cabinet work, etc. but getting tired of sinking $$$$ into an older lower end build trailer.
Looking for something that is a better build quality and has a refigerator that doesn't freeze our lettuce . While still easily towable with our 2015 tacoma.
We tend to stay in unimproved sites without any services, maybe pit toilets and water if we're lucky.
Looing here to see how an Escape would fit our needs.
Thanks,
Jeff

Welcome. About 3 years ago, we were in the same place you are. We were sinking money into our high mileage RPod (we had a Starcraft hybrid before that) and needed something that was a step or several steps up. So we purchased a brand new 5.0. You won't wont to go bigger than the 17 if you plan on staying with the Taco.

We stayed with a Dometic 3-way fridge and have been very happy with it. It will freeze lettuce if you don't adjust the temp control based on ambient conditions. We do similar camping as you, NFS, BLM, un-improved sites. Don't skimp on solar and battery capacity.

Good luck. Keep us updated on your journey.

 

[edlynnrich]

Welcome!
Contact Escape and they may be able to connect you with an ambassador in your area so you can get a first hand look at a 17. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Ed

 

[IanC]

Welcome. We bought a 2021 17B and are extremely happy with it. Perfect size for two and a dog. As edlynnrich said, contact Escape to get an ambassador tour in your area. Nothing like seeing one first hand to get an idea of space, etc. Also, an experienced user can point things out that you may not have thought of. Of course this forum is an invaluable source of info. Good luck with your journey.

 

[kernwig]

The refrigerator-freezer performance varies by atmospheric conditions. Near sea-level, it works well for us on the lowest setting, but we bump it up at higher elevations. Get a pair of refrigerator/freezer thermometers in there so you can check that they are in the proper range. Put lettuce in the lower crisper, away from the coils. (Note: I'm speaking from experience with a 2017 E21 - I expect the E17s have different units.)

Also, there have been discussions here about the Tacoma. I believe there are people pulling E19s and even E21s with that, but consensus seems to be that it is stressing the Tacoma and isn't the best choice... yet people do it! You just have to check the numbers and go with what you feel is safe.

(I pull an E21C with a Jeep Grand Cherokee with tow package. Some Tacomas appear to have similar tow capacity.)

 

[jeph]

Thanks for the welcome.

Some things we would like in a new trailer are some of the appliances that late model van conversions use.
Like a heater that doesn't sound like a jet engine and doesn't suck 6 amps out of the battery. I saw a propex addition in a thread that looks interesting.
Also, a tankless water heater, taking 1/2 hour to heater half my grey tank worth of water seems dumb.
I like the idea of an invertor compressor fridge.
Seems like the smaller trailer manufactures still use the standard RV stuff. I can delete the fridge and add my own. Not sure about the water heater.
My wife has signed us up for an ambassador tour. We'll see how that goes.
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Ron in BC]

Also, a tankless water heater, taking 1/2 hour to heater half my grey tank worth of water seems dumb.

Jeff

I've used demand heaters for many years in boats and they work well. But I've had one BNIB for about 20 years and never felt the need to install it in a trailer.

Having a 2 way tank is an advantage when there's any shore power to be had and after the tank water has been heated by either method it stays usably hot for quite awhile.

There's also the space consideration. The water heater tank is out of the way but a demand heater might have to be installed in a location where its taking up usable space.

Ron

 

[Steve Clark]

Having a 2 way tank is an advantage when there's any shore power to be had and after the tank water has been heated by either method it stays usably hot for quite awhile.



Ron

Yes, Jeph! We heat the water with propane for 20 minutes in the morning and the water stays hot for evening dishes and a Navy Shower!

 

[Beep]

Tankless hotwater heaters work great in homes but the one we had and removed from our previous RV took a gallon of water before the water got warm. Not very practical when you have limited water capacity and limited gray water tankage.

 

[GinoandLinda]

Tankless hotwater heaters work great in homes but the one we had and removed from our previous RV took a gallon of water before the water got warm. Not very practical when you have limited water capacity and limited gray water tankage.

Couldn't agree more. A tankless with a timed recirculating pump in a home is the cat's meow when compared to a basic 50gallon hot water tank. In an RV however, talking about a 6 gallon tank? It's not worth it even though it sounds wonderful. Money better spent elsewhere.

 

[lloydjdorsey@gmail.com]

our 17B experience

We've had our 2017 Escape 17B for nearly 7 years. We do sorta rough camping in it. I did a list of options we're glad it has, ones we wish it didn't, and some we wish it had. My gmail is lloydjdorsey and I'd be glad to email you that list fwiw.