Just ordered 19', what options?

[Bobo]

We have decided to move from our 17' Casita SD to a 19' Escape. Ordered it today for a January 2016 delivery. Please offer any suggestions about our current option choices, do we need all, did we forget some, etc. Also, for now we have left off tv antenna, etc because we are clueless. Our tv is a 2006 Sequoia with 5.7 V8.

Options:
•stainless sink and faucet
•oven with 3 burner cooktop
•6.7 fridge
•dual 6 volt batteries
•150w solar
•removable power cord
•opening window over sink
•opening bathroom window
•extra insulation and thermal windows
•additional brake lights
•air conditioner
•equalizer hitch
•exterior shower
•exterior propane connect
•screen room
•2 12v heat pads with spray foam insulation
•storage box front
•winterizing t-valve

thanks in advance,

Bob and Marilyn
Bend, Or

 

[padlin]

Welcome Bobo
Many are foregoing the heat pads, unless you plan on prolonged stays below zero. Some go 2 burner, and some a 90 degree turned 2 burner for more counter space. Any need for the Inverter? Then there are custom fabrics, flooring, and counter tops. If you do a search (look for the Google search line under Search at the top of the page) you can find many pages discussing all the options ad nauseam. There are many unlisted options. Have fun.

 

[cpaharley2008]

I agree, drop the pads and just get the foam spray. Then with the money saved, get the digital thermostat upgrade, it ties your furnace and a/c into one unit, just like at home. The screen room did not see too much use.

 

[Ian G]

Welcome Bob and Marilyn

We also upgraded from a Casita Freedom Deluxe to an Escape 19.
Our complete build list is at the bottom of my Blog page
2014 Escape 19′ Build

 

[rbryan4]

Also, for now we have left off tv antenna, etc because we are clueless.

Congrats on your order!

The TV options are simple.

You can get "TV Ready" which includes all the wiring and a 120v and 12v outlet for the Television, as well as a coax connector on the inside and the outside (for hooking up cable at campgrounds that have it).

You can get the Winegard Roof mounted antenna, which includes TV ready.

You can also get the Jack Roof mounted antenna, which also includes TV ready.

Both of these antennas allow you to pick up over the air Television in camping areas with no cable, and they are amplified in order to pick up distant stations. Some say the Jack antenna does a better job at this.

Lastly, you can have Escape install a TV mounting arm, or you can install your own later. I would recommend having Escape reinforce the wall where you plan to mount the TV.

As others have mentioned, you can change the stock fabric, countertop color, and even the flooring if you wish. This trailer is almost fully customizable -- unlike Casita.

Whatever you decide, the one piece of advice I would offer is the one that was offered me: make it YOURS, and choose your options based on how YOU camp. Escapes vary widely and that is part of the fun.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Welcome guys, and congrats on your purchase.

Lots, and lots, of past threads on this topic. For every purchaser of an Escape, there is a different list of options. What works for one, has definitely proven to not be the solution for another. Read lots of these past threads, and you will get plenty of reasons behind each individual option choice.

Whatever you do, don't sweat the choices too much. In the end it is all about getting away to have fun, and you will be able to do that no matter what you build into your trailer.

 

[tractors1]

Jack antenna wins hands down, gets 10 stations where previously I got 1 or 2 with the Winegard in my Casita. 12V heaters are overkill with the foam - never had my tanks freeze when snow skiing. ETI will email layout drawings where you can add 12V drops in cabinets and outlets if wanted, also specify locations for your 120VAC outlets. We were pleased the top burners on the oven are piezo ignition; the oven still takes a lighter to fire off (great for morning cinnamon rolls and cookies!) I had them install my stereo (with Bluetooth and Sirius XM), speakers, rear view camera, and external cell phone antenna (all shipped direct to ETI.)

 

[tractors1]

Just popped up this morning, a 2013 Escape 19 for sale in Oregon:

OR 2013 19 ft Escape - Fiberglass RV

 

[MyronL]

Big yes for the extra insulation package but... When probing repairs under there are inevitably needed you have this foam to first dig through. Think the heat pads and spray foam insulation is overkill, maybe unless you're at the Arctic Circle a lot.

No equalizer hitch on mine and have never felt it necessary.

 

[burrab2002]

You might want to consider the easy lube axles.

 

[luckyone-ESC]

Just wondering how your January 2016 order was priced. I thought ETI wasn't taking any orders until June for the new pricing schedule?

 

[bdornbush]

The 2016 schedule and pricing is available on the ETI web site. Current deliveries are available in January and February.

 

[Zardoz-ESC]

Now that we've had our '19 for a couple of years, I find it interesting the options that I find most useful. Surprisingly, the cabinet door on the end of the dinette bench near the door is used several time a day. I made a simple platform on a drawer slider and attached two large plastic storage bins that hold our various footwear (we take bike shoes, hiking boots, zoris, etc.). Good to have a place to keep them from cluttering-up the trailer. We really like having the front storage box too. All leveling supplies, camp chairs, and hoses, extension cords, etc. all have a secure place out of the way. The option we have yet to use is the outdoor shower. With maybe the exception of AC, almost all other "creature comforts" can be added later. As you've no doubt seen by now on this forum, customizing your RV to suit your needs as you develop your camping "style" can be done over time. And if you employ the "Need vs. Want" standard, I'm pretty sure everybody here would tell you that a stock ETI model would be just fine.

 

[Bobo]

Thanks for all of your thoughts and advice. Looks like we have some work to do, however it should be fun work. Headed to Minneapolis to see our son and daughter-in-law. Will be back in a week and I will re-read all your helpful comments.
Thanks again.
Bob and Marilyn
Bend, Or

 

[Bobo]

$26,300 Canadian. May 1, Escape posted 2016 prices and completion dates. The 19' jumped from my date in January to late February by am May 4. The other 3 models still have completion dates in January 2016 last time I checked.

 

[padlin]

You might want to consider the easy lube axles.

Last I heard they were standard.

 

[rbryan4]

Last I heard they were standard.

They are.

 

[Bill and Earline]

My best advice would be to go to a rally to see as many Escapes as possible. We actually went to the annual rally in Osoyoos before our build sheet was due to see what everybody had, and ended up going up one size.

 

[Bobo]

Thanks, that is exactly what Marilyn and I plan to do. We just sold our 2013 17' Casita, so will stay in a motel.

 

[Bobo]

just ordered 19', what options?

Any thoughts, pro and con, about refrigerator choices for the 19'? Thanks.
Bobo