Options and Modifications: Regrets...

Relevant/funny story - I'm currently in Mississippi - it wasn't until Wyoming that I realized I had left the now detached AC cable at home. Boon-docking anyone?

(besides my brain blooper - it is pretty convenient to have it only attached on the outside)
 
You don't like the damp rag idea? ;) Or perhaps some sort of hanger system to keep it off the ground? ;D I do like the retractable idea, but one would want the cord in good shape in any event.
 
mosquitodirk said:
Relevant/funny story - I'm currently in Mississippi - it wasn't until Wyoming that I realized I had left the now detached AC cable at home. Boon-docking anyone?

(besides my brain blooper - it is pretty convenient to have it only attached on the outside)
Yep, that's what I was thinking I'd do!!!! Like the retractable spool idea-
 
We decided to go with the detachable shore power cord. We live in the country and mice are a constant problem - so giving them one less potential way in sounds good to me! Also, our tow is a Tacoma, so we have plenty of space under the topper for storage. (The added cost is $135)
 
Jim Bennett said:
I would be inclined to keep it with the trailer. You know, just in case........... ;)

Yah, but if the Escape is going somewhere without our Tacoma, then someone stole it! ;)
 
Yes, but the truck could be somewhere the trailer isn't, with the cable in it. Long shot, but still possible. :)
 
Hi: All...Not to "Monkey Up" the topic but while away down east this past July and breaking camp for a quick getaway, we inadvertantly hit the kill switch for the battery while shoving in the umbilical cord. I didn't realize it at first but the thought of cranking the landing gear by hand loomed large!!! BUT that won't happen again as I installed a cover over the switch so the cord can't kill us again.
Now I'm thinking of wiring the surge protector inside the trailer and a marine type power hookup outside.
We already have two power cords in case of a "Bald Moment". Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie ;)
 
Jim Bennett said:
Yes, but the truck could be somewhere the trailer isn't, with the cable in it. Long shot, but still possible. :)

With my aging memory that is always a possibility. Knowing me - I will probably end up buying 2 cords for extra caution anyway.
 
There's been a number of people on FiberglassRV that have put a Lightning Rod into the hot water heater. It allows either electric OR propane use. Here's a link to the item at Camping World:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/product/lightning-rod-for-water-heaters/5159

And for those that are members at FiberglassRV, here's a link to one of the member's topic that discusses the modification: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/index.php?showtopic=21398&hl=. Lots of good pictures and an easy to follow write-up!

Maybe if someone does the mod here on the EscapeForum, the person will do a detailed writeup with pictures too... that would be great!



I installed one of these today. The 600w model fits in my Suburban 6 gallon dsi. Works well, but takes an hour to heat up the tank.

Also discovered that there is a 120v receptacle in the fridge flue, where the fridge is plugged in. I plugged in the electrical heater element on the other available outlet. Could be helpful to know for folks who may be considering the outside 120v option on the driver side of the trailer.

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Muddy electric cord under dinnette???

Next time, we will have a marine plug put in for power, instead of the power cord that gets pushed into the storage bench under the dining table. The power cord gets grubby and that grub gets into the storage bench and means not much can be stored in that bench storage area.

This was written several years ago, is this still true in the new 21 foot trailer. We didn't opt for the removable cord.

Nancy
 
This was written several years ago, is this still true in the new 21 foot trailer. We didn't opt for the removable cord.

Nancy
Pushing in a wet and muddy or grubby power cord back inside the trailer, means (IMHO) someone is lazy. I always take a damp paper towel, lay it on my hand and wipe the cord off as it goes in the "mouse hole." (And I've never had a mouse or ants in my trailer either.) YMMV
 
And here is a picture of the area the cord goes into on my trailer, after eight years of use.
 

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Pushing in a wet and muddy or grubby power cord back inside the trailer, means (IMHO) someone is lazy. I always take a damp paper towel, lay it on my hand and wipe the cord off as it goes in the "mouse hole." (And I've never had a mouse or ants in my trailer either.) YMMV

Thanks Donna! So no worries! Will you be at the Appreciation Rally this May. I would like to meet you. I appreciate all your advice as well as others to so many of my questions.
Nancy
 
Thanks Donna! So no worries! Will you be at the Appreciation Rally this May. I would like to meet you. I appreciate all your advice as well as others to so many of my questions.
Nancy
No Nancy. I won't be at the rally this year. Taking a three-week trip in July. Dang budget anyway! The rally is a ton of fun and you're going to be a bunch of really great people :thumb:
 
I do the same thing Donna. Also, if the cord isn't dirty, just spray some 303 Protectant on paper towel and wipe cord the same way. It protects the cord and make sit slicker and easier to push back in under bench and less likely to get tangled.:thumb:
 
I don't think storing a wet or muddy power cord is necessarily lazy - it might be that they had to break camp when it was raining heavily for example, and were trying to get it done in a hurry.

We didn't get the detachable cord during our build, but I added one later, which was quite easy to do. So, the power cord can go in the storage box, there's more room to store things under the bed in our 19, and no worries about if it's dirty or not.
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We don't even use it much, however that seems to be a low cost option worth it as you cannot do later for less.
We had the shove-in on our 17B previously and from that experience went for the detachable cord for the 21.
 
Our removable power cord is the last thing thrown into the front storage box. The area that would have been occupied by a connected cord is dedicated storage for a full size broom, dust pan, 120V vacuum cleaner, 12V fantastic fan, and coffee pot. I wasn't going to waste that big volume of space for a few inches high pile of cord on the floor.
 

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