Planning Our New E19

[John-in-Texas]

Hello everyone,
We've decided we're too far away from the folks with used E19s for sale, so we're planning what to include in a new one.
Please note that I've changed my email address from seeking-escape-19@use.startmail.com to john-in-texas@use.startmail.com. We already have our tow vehicle (used Nissan Titan) and am putting together a set of tools for maintenance and unexpected repairs. I'm now deciding on a portable air compressor.

 

[iamunique127]

Woo-hoo, John! Good for you. Exciting times ahead.

Tool suggestions to start you off:
-1/2" torque wrench
-1/2" breaker bar
-13/16" socket & 3" extension for trailer wheel nuts
-1 1/16" or 27mm socket for water heater anode
-water heater flush wand

Not so much tools but you will also need:
-potable water hose(s). I carry 3: 25', 25' and 50'
-maybe an inline water filter
-water pressure regulator
-wheel chocks
-levelling pads either bought plastic or wood scraps

I'm sure there will be lots of other suggestions. Plus, the search feature at the top of each forum page is quite good and you can find almost anything you want on the forum with it.

 

[John-in-Texas]

Thanks, Lyle. Have most items already, but will use your reply to start my list. All the best.

 

[Selkirk]

Good call on an air compressor. I recommend good quality 12v inflator (I use a Viar 400P Automatic) that's powerful enough to blow out water lines for winterization.

In addition what's already listed, I'd also recommend:

- 25' 30A extension cord
- Inexpensive electrical meter
- Assortment of replacement fuses
- Wire stripper/cutter tool and assorted crimp connectors
- Roll of electrical tape
- Flashlight
- Adjustable crescent wrenches (couple of different sizes)
- Pliers (needle nose, slip joint, maybe a small pair of vice grips)
- Hex key set
- Small wire brush set and/or a roll of emery cloth
- Teflon tape
- Maybe a small cordless drill and bit set (I carry an entry level Milwaukee 3/8" M12 model)

The trailer will be supplied with an Escape-branded made-in-Canada Picquic multibit screwdriver that can be used to disassemble most of the trailer's interior.

 

[brroberts]

Good to see they have brought the screwdriver back. We didn’t get one, but I have plenty of screwdrivers.

 

[iamunique127]

Hey, we didn’t get a screwdriver!

 

[Selkirk]

Hey, we didn’t get a screwdriver!

Good to see they have brought the screwdriver back. We didn’t get one, but I have plenty of screwdrivers.

I had thought Escape had supplied those screwdrivers for quite a while...guess not. It was included in my early/mid-2023 built unit.

I also have a separate screwdriver set in my tool bag, but find the Picquic unit to be more than adequate for most tasks. You could probably get away with carrying just a big slotted screwdriver to supplement the Picquic.

Here a few more items from my tool bag that I know I used last season:

- Ofla-style utility knife and pack of spare blades
- Pack of razor blades
- Tape measure
- Package of rags
- Rubber gloves
- A few feet of 8-10awg wire
- Can of spray grease (helps to keep the stabilizer screws happy)
- Can of silicon spray lube (helps with slider-style window operation)

If you plan on maintaining your own axle hubs, a grease gun and grease cartridge would be helpful.

I also need to order a spare furnace sail switch. It sounds like ETI keeps them in stock now.

 

[Sean Murry]

A roll of heavy duty duct tape ( I use the gorilla brand)
Large garbage bags
a piece of stiff cardboard.

This came in handy when a back window broke. Was able to fashion a window replacement that worked to keep the rain out in a huge rainstorm

 

[Ron in BC]

I had thought Escape had supplied those screwdrivers for quite a while...guess not. It was included in my early/mid-2023 built unit.

I got one in 2014 and 2019. Maybe they were out of stock sometimes.

As for carrying stuff that might be handy it tires me out just thinking about making a list of things that I carry for "just in case". I have spares for my spares.

As for duct tape I was asked once if I had any. What color would you like I answered.

Ron

 

[John-in-Texas]

When I lived in Anchorage I heard that they had a "Duct Tape Ball" in nearby Palmer, AK.

 

[brroberts]

Several years ago it was reported the Wasilla, AK Walmart sold more duct tape than any other Walmart. We lived where there were no stores for many years, but I can attest to the fact I purchased duct tape more than once from the Ketchikan, AK Walmart when we lived there. The summer I worked for state parks out of Palmer / Wasilla, Walmart had not yet come to Alaska. ,

 

[John-in-Texas]

Maybe the Duct Tape Ball was in Wasilla ... Spent 2 years in AK as an Army civilian. Actually preferred AK to HI. Life is full of surprises.

 

[John-in-Texas]

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll carry a 1/2" drill and socket for the stabilizers. Am considering a drill-driven tongue jack instead of the power jack. Any ideas?

 

[Selkirk]

Since we are already down the duct tape rabbit hole.....

In a previous life, I worked in the stage/studio/theatre industry and was introduced to gaffer tape.

It's a durable cloth-backed tape specifically designed for temporary use, that will not leave any surface residue when removed. There are a lot of day-to-day applications where gaffer tape is more suitable to use than regular duct tape.

It's worth keeping a roll around if you come across it....

 

[brroberts]

There is the manual Jack to 1/2” bolt to drill Jack conversion. It’s on my list, but I haven’t done it yet.

Here’s some info:

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8/tongue-jack-with-3-4-socket-drive-8623-2.html

And some more:

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f9/tongue-jack-handle-1895-2.html

Hope that helps.

 

[John-in-Texas]

This Lippert Hex-drive / manual tongue jack looks like it'd do the trick: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Ja...926.html#exp-productdetails=.related-products @ $61.38.

 

[MrLynn]

Re Screwdriver:

Remember Escapes are made in Canada, and are put together with Robertson screws (not Philips). I never knew what they were called till I joined this Forum.

 

[brroberts]

Since we are already down the duct tape rabbit hole.....

In a previous life, I worked in the stage/studio/theatre industry and was introduced to gaffer tape.

It's a durable cloth-backed tape specifically designed for temporary use, that will not leave any surface residue when removed. There are a lot of day-to-day applications where gaffer tape is more suitable to use than regular duct tape.

It's worth keeping a roll around if you come across it....

Gaffers is good for something’s, but can get pretty expensive. I buy it by the case for my audio work.

I just buy duct tape by the roll, but for emergency home / camping use, I use it more than gaffers.

 

[iamunique127]

Since we are already down the duct tape rabbit hole.....

In a previous life, I worked in the stage/studio/theatre industry and was introduced to gaffer tape.

It's a durable cloth-backed tape specifically designed for temporary use, that will not leave any surface residue when removed. There are a lot of day-to-day applications where gaffer tape is more suitable to use than regular duct tape.

It's worth keeping a roll around if you come across it....

I learned of gaffer tape in photography circles years ago.

I seldom use duct tape anymore. Most of my rolls are a sticky mess in a cupboard. For me, gaffers offers all the benefits and none of the downsides but then again I don't tend to use a lot so cost is not an issue.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

I discovered a down side to gaffers tape in a camping environment... It becomes very fragile in sub freezing conditions, tears like a sheet of newspaper