Minor cabinet change coming to 5.0TA

[davidmurphy02]

When we placed our order this morning and I was talking with Linda I mentioned that there was one cabinet customization I wanted to ask about. We want to maximize interior storage space, so I wanted to delete the exterior hatch next to the door, move the fire extinguisher over to the base of the kitchen cabinet at the doorway, and put a big cabinet door from the floor up to the shelf in that cabinet next to the steps, turning that whole space into interior storage. She told me that they are making a change in December and that will be the new standard arrangement going forward...saves me a customization request!

Still waiting for them to offer a standard, easy to access cat litter box compartment

 

[NW Cat Owner]

Yay for you! I'm glad they're realizing that's such a wasted space there and they're doing something about it. I know many owners had some customization done to that cabinet.



At the rally this past weekend in Bandon, I viewed a 5.0TA where the owner (Steve) had customized that cabinet. He's a retired carpenter and did a very nice job on adding in a small drawer as well as a larger one with a pull out laundry bin. It was very impressive.

 

[Hilola]

David, did they mention the possibility of adding a shelf in that cabinet as well?

 

[davidmurphy02]

David, did they mention the possibility of adding a shelf in that cabinet as well?

They didn't mention that specifically, but it will be a fairly tall cabinet so I would think a shelf would be welcome in their. And if it doesn't come with one I will be asking them to add one - will let you know what I find out.

 

[davidmurphy02]

David, did they mention the possibility of adding a shelf in that cabinet as well?

I just heard from Escape and at least for now they are not offering the option of a shelf in that new cabinet. Probably not too difficult to add one or more yourself....I will certainly need some kind of little project to work on!

 

[Hilola]

I just heard from Escape and at least for now they are not offering the option of a shelf in that new cabinet. Probably not too difficult to add one or more yourself....I will certainly need some kind of little project to work on!

Or litter box storage?

 

[MikeS-ESC]

David - Is it your understanding that ETI is completely eliminating that exterior hatch and not just lowering it? I know some of us had ETI lower the exterior hatch and add an interior door.

 

[davidmurphy02]

David - Is it your understanding that ETI is completely eliminating that exterior hatch and not just lowering it? I know some of us had ETI lower the exterior hatch and add an interior door.

My understanding is that they are eliminating the exterior hatch and making the whole space an interior cabinet.

 

[MikeS-ESC]

My understanding is that they are eliminating the exterior hatch and making the whole space an interior cabinet.

Thanks. I already have my smaller exterior space mentally filled so its probably good we will still have it on our 2018. ;D

 

[h2owmn]

Would it work to have two doors on that space with the interior divided into two separated spaces. The bottom one w a flap in the door for a litter box and the top a regular door.

Also, don’t know the dimensions of the cabinet, but I put elfa drawers in the wardrobe in my 17a and it is fantastic! They come in several heights, widths, and depths.

 

[davidmurphy02]

Would it work to have two doors on that space with the interior divided into two separated spaces. The bottom one w a flap in the door for a litter box and the top a regular door.

Also, don’t know the dimensions of the cabinet, but I put elfa drawers in the wardrobe in my 17a and it is fantastic! They come in several heights, widths, and depths.

I think the interior of that cabinet is roughly 16" x 16"...not really big enough for a litter box, unfortunately.

 

[CADreamin]

Unless it's a custom litterbox. Maybe the Widgets guy?

 

[Marry-ESC]

When we placed our order this morning and I was talking with Linda I mentioned that there was one cabinet customization I wanted to ask about. We want to maximize interior storage space, so I wanted to delete the exterior hatch next to the door, move the fire extinguisher over to the base of the kitchen cabinet at the doorway, and put a big cabinet door from the floor up to the shelf in that cabinet next to the steps, turning that whole space into interior storage. She told me that they are making a change in December and that will be the new standard arrangement going forward...saves me a customization request!

The deleting of the outside exterior hatch, is that because of the awning arm attachment to the trailer maybe?

 

[davidmurphy02]

The deleting of the outside exterior hatch, is that because of the awning arm attachment to the trailer maybe?

I don't know - but on the ETI website on the 5.0TA page, the photo at the top is still of the earlier version with the Carefree awning and it shows that front storage compartment and then the awning arm is just to the right of it. I think they have just had a lot of requests for the inside storage cabinet and are switching to that. But it's also possible that the awning they will use going forward is slightly different dimensions than the old one and the hatch would conflict with the arm.

The Escape 5.0 TA

 

[Donna D.]

The deleting of the outside exterior hatch, is that because of the awning arm attachment to the trailer maybe?

No, the awning arm is ahead of the hatch. While this is the classic build, the awning arms should be in the same place on a 2ndGen, if it's the same size awning.


I like the outside hatch. It's where I store the stabilizer crank, awning strap rod and my garden gnome!

 

[h2owmn]

Can he breathe in there?

 

[LaurieB]

When we placed our order this morning and I was talking with Linda I mentioned that there was one cabinet customization I wanted to ask about. We want to maximize interior storage space, so I wanted to delete the exterior hatch next to the door, move the fire extinguisher over to the base of the kitchen cabinet at the doorway, and put a big cabinet door from the floor up to the shelf in that cabinet next to the steps, turning that whole space into interior storage. She told me that they are making a change in December and that will be the new standard arrangement going forward...saves me a customization request!

Still waiting for them to offer a standard, easy to access cat litter box compartment

That's good news! One more thing to cross off our customization list!
We had some concerns about that tall storage hatch having such a small opening. We suspected that even our bag chairs might not fit in it. Maybe, someone could comment about that concern?
I like the idea of a cabinet just inside the door. We had contacted ETI about lowering the storage hatch so we could do our own customization for a shoe cupboard, but it seems like it will be taken care of by the time we order a 2019 with no additional cost for us.
I'm certainly impressed by the company's flexibility with their designs. From what I'm reading on these forums, they seem to really pay attention to their customers' comments.
Another good reason to buy straight from the manufacturer.

 

[NW Cat Owner]

Unless it's a custom litterbox. Maybe the Widgets guy?

Yep, he would do it. I was thinking of getting one made for the space at the foot of the bed, but realized it would be too small for my big kitty. Just give him the size you want.

 

[Hilola]

I'm pretty sure the Cat Carpenter could make a custom litter box. Could be a new business opportunity - custom litter boxes for RV's!