Hello everyone. Guess it’s time for my “official” newbie post. Few posts here and there, but no intro (shame on me).
Many years of tent camping and occasional backpacking. The back and hips got tired of sleeping on the ground so I started looking into tiny/teardrop trailers. Could not believe how crazy expensive those little things are, so I built one myself (Tiny Tim) and modeled it after a 1970’s grasshopper profile. The tiny trailer works great, but still just a bed on wheels with a galley, and no bathroom. Still have to climb in/out through small door. Better yes, ideal nope. So on to the next step in the ever evolving camping journey.
Began looking at travel trailers and the stick built are immediately off the list. No way I want to deal with constant sealing, leaks and wood rot. The Livin Lite aluminum frame trailers were front runner for a while. Decent layout, no wood rot to deal with. Still have the Adzel panels to deal with, but no rot. Did not like that the original company was bought out and the aluminum frame line eventually ended. Would have been strictly used with questionable support. So begin the process of searching for a decent used Livin Lite.
In the process of my searching quest, I stumbled across Escape Trailers. Now this is very interesting. I’d been in a Casita before, but did not really care for the layout, everything fiberglass interior and carpet everywhere. Nice rig, but not for me, to each their own. The Escape fiberglass really caught my attention so long hours spent on the Escape site and owner’s forum checking out pros/cons, mods, custom options, the company, etc. After much research, I’m sold but now I have to get Angela onboard.
Fast forward a couple months and I get hooked up with Dick (@Telescopist) through the Escape Ambassador program. Lovely people and they were willing to show us their rig in February. February! Dick & his wife actually cleared snow and warmed up the trailer to show us. Who does that? All in all a great little tour of the trailer and all the mods. Angela is definitely now sold. Thank you again Dick!!!
So off to the waiting list (used units sell in a matter of minutes). Get a deposit in and build date of Nov 2022. Not excited about that, but hey, good things come to those who wait, right? Continue lurking on the forum for mod ideas, getting a list of things I’ll need, etc.
Fast forward a few months and what pops up on the forum? 2019 Escape 21C only 45 miles from our house. Not just any Escape, but the infamous @cpaharley2008’s E21C. I can’t believe it, must be a work conference call induced coma!?!??! So I PM & call Jim and make arrangements to see the rig the very next morning.
What can I say, seeing Deja View was not really needed but gave us the opportunity to meet Jim and give him a check. Great camper, well taken care of and love all the mods. We’re getting everything I had scoped out for my build list AND the mods are already done!!! Will be taking Jim the balance this week and it will be a done deal. All I can say is that we are very, very, very, very lucky!!
Jim, it was truly a pleasure meeting you and having you go through your Escape and all the mods with us. We both love it and are very excited to be able to have this gem. Given that this is quite a step up from our tiny bed-on-wheels, I’m sure I will have a ton of follow up “how to” type questions for you. But hey, that’s what the forum is for, right? And good luck with your upcoming treatments. Hang tough, Ang & I are praying for you.
Thanks also to everyone on the forum, especially @Telescopist, @cpaharley2008, for all the wonderful ideas, comments, mods, suggestions, tips, etc. We look forward to meeting other Escape owners on the road (part time now, more trips after retirement in few years).
Darrell
PS
Added bonus, the propane tanks are full. Ha ha ha ha!!
Many years of tent camping and occasional backpacking. The back and hips got tired of sleeping on the ground so I started looking into tiny/teardrop trailers. Could not believe how crazy expensive those little things are, so I built one myself (Tiny Tim) and modeled it after a 1970’s grasshopper profile. The tiny trailer works great, but still just a bed on wheels with a galley, and no bathroom. Still have to climb in/out through small door. Better yes, ideal nope. So on to the next step in the ever evolving camping journey.
Began looking at travel trailers and the stick built are immediately off the list. No way I want to deal with constant sealing, leaks and wood rot. The Livin Lite aluminum frame trailers were front runner for a while. Decent layout, no wood rot to deal with. Still have the Adzel panels to deal with, but no rot. Did not like that the original company was bought out and the aluminum frame line eventually ended. Would have been strictly used with questionable support. So begin the process of searching for a decent used Livin Lite.
In the process of my searching quest, I stumbled across Escape Trailers. Now this is very interesting. I’d been in a Casita before, but did not really care for the layout, everything fiberglass interior and carpet everywhere. Nice rig, but not for me, to each their own. The Escape fiberglass really caught my attention so long hours spent on the Escape site and owner’s forum checking out pros/cons, mods, custom options, the company, etc. After much research, I’m sold but now I have to get Angela onboard.
Fast forward a couple months and I get hooked up with Dick (@Telescopist) through the Escape Ambassador program. Lovely people and they were willing to show us their rig in February. February! Dick & his wife actually cleared snow and warmed up the trailer to show us. Who does that? All in all a great little tour of the trailer and all the mods. Angela is definitely now sold. Thank you again Dick!!!
So off to the waiting list (used units sell in a matter of minutes). Get a deposit in and build date of Nov 2022. Not excited about that, but hey, good things come to those who wait, right? Continue lurking on the forum for mod ideas, getting a list of things I’ll need, etc.
Fast forward a few months and what pops up on the forum? 2019 Escape 21C only 45 miles from our house. Not just any Escape, but the infamous @cpaharley2008’s E21C. I can’t believe it, must be a work conference call induced coma!?!??! So I PM & call Jim and make arrangements to see the rig the very next morning.
What can I say, seeing Deja View was not really needed but gave us the opportunity to meet Jim and give him a check. Great camper, well taken care of and love all the mods. We’re getting everything I had scoped out for my build list AND the mods are already done!!! Will be taking Jim the balance this week and it will be a done deal. All I can say is that we are very, very, very, very lucky!!
Jim, it was truly a pleasure meeting you and having you go through your Escape and all the mods with us. We both love it and are very excited to be able to have this gem. Given that this is quite a step up from our tiny bed-on-wheels, I’m sure I will have a ton of follow up “how to” type questions for you. But hey, that’s what the forum is for, right? And good luck with your upcoming treatments. Hang tough, Ang & I are praying for you.
Thanks also to everyone on the forum, especially @Telescopist, @cpaharley2008, for all the wonderful ideas, comments, mods, suggestions, tips, etc. We look forward to meeting other Escape owners on the road (part time now, more trips after retirement in few years).
Darrell
PS
Added bonus, the propane tanks are full. Ha ha ha ha!!
Wishing you many glorious camping days ahead and Jim, keep us posted on #5!! Amazing!!! 
-Bea
