Questions on a 21NE Build

[FasEddy]

Hello!

I am in the process of deciding on options for a 2024 21NE. I am new to owning an RV and would appreciate some insights/thoughts on a few of the options as follows:

Are the lithium batteries from Escape worth the cost or should I just order the trailer as “Lithium Battery Ready” and add them separately? We plan to do some boondocking and will get solar (more on that below). I understand the benefits of lithium batteries and want to have them. I just don’t know if getting them from Escape is the right path.

Similar to the lithium batteries, is it worth getting the solar panels from Escape or is it better to add them aftermarket?

One a related point, does anyone know the total length of a 21NE from spare tire to the tip of the trailer tongue?

Thanks!

Ed

 

[YakRV]

One a related point, does anyone know the total length of a 21NE from spare tire to the tip of the trailer tongue?

Hi, FasEddy. Welcome to Escape World. I hope your experience with Escape is as rewarding as ours has been so far. We are first time RV owners too, and getting our Escape on the road and camping has proven to be a smooth transition for us.

Others will chime in with more detailed responses to your questions on batteries and solar. I’ll just say that we opted for Escape to install two 100ah lithium batteries and two 190-Watt solar panels. We wanted to be ready for camping right out of the gate for our long trek home from Sumas, Washington.

As for your question on the length of the 21NE, the total length listed on Escape’s website under “Specifications & Floorplans” is 21’10” including the spare tire (which is the same as our 21C).

Hope that helps, and welcome aboard. This forum has folks with a wealth of knowledge in all things Escape, RVs, camping, and more so you’ve come to the right place.

 

[FasEddy]

YakRV - thanks for the reply. Great to know that the transition to RV life went well for you. We are very excited and looking forward to our Escape.

 

[iamunique127]

We also had our solar and batteries installed by ETI. It seems to me, back when we ordered our 5.0TA in 2014, it was not as common for owners on the forum to instal their own solar.

If lithium batteries were even available then it was not as common for them to be installed in Escapes. We had dual 6V batteries installed, they have served us well and we replaced them recently with the same type. We do not operate our fridge on 12V so don't have the same need for lithiums as some owners. We do boondock as frequently as possible but our style of camping does not consume a lot of electricity: the fridge, water heater and stoves all use propane, only the LED lights and the fans use 12V. On really hot days we may seek out shore power for the A/C. Even on cloudy days the batteries are back to full by early morning.

We were new to RVing and to solar so it was best for us to have ETI do the work. We also took an extended trip on our way home so wanted the trailer fully functional. We have been nothing but pleased.

 

[WillyB]

We have the two 6V batteries, one Escape (GoPower) 200W rooftop solar panel and a portable Renogy 100W panel with its own controller wired directly to the batteries..

We camped Thursday night thru Monday night with no hookups and ran the heater most every night. The first couple of nights the heater ran quite a bit. 34 degree nights. Brrrrr

We are not big power users but we did play games at night around the dinette, charged our phones and took showers every morning. The most power we used took our batteries done only to 93.4% and even with morning overcast plus filtered light through the branches the solar took them back to 100% by 9:30AM.

Best of luck on your new adventure!

 

[Selkirk]

In terms of batteries, I think it depends on your needs and willingness to perform DYI upgrades.

I configured my E19 with the Lithium Ready package, 2 x190w panels, external solar port, and 2 x 6V LA batteries.

I opted for factory solar because I didn't want to be the one to drill holes in the roof of a brand-new trailer. An aftermarket or DYI solar installation wouldn't be covered under the warranty. The option cost didn't seem unreasonable.

IIRC, at the time I configured my trailer, I couldn't buy the HUBLiON lithium batteries available from ETI any cheaper aftermarket. Granted, I didn't look that hard. There are certainly less expensive Li brands available.

I don't have a compressor fridge nor inverter. I typically don't dry-camp any longer than a couple of days at a time. My power needs at present are easily satisfied by the LA batteries.

I anticipate that my power requirements will change in the future, when I have the time available to travel more extensively. The Lithium Ready package should make a future upgrade straightforward. I'm hoping the cost of good quality lithium batteries will have dropped by the time I truly need them.

 

[FasEddy]

Thanks for the responses! Very helpful info.

 

[Charliej]

Depends on your budget and DIY skills. My 21NE has 2 panels and 2 lithium batteries installed by Escape. No fuss, no muss. It all works flawlessly and is ready to go. Worth it to me.

CharlieJ

 

[Iowa Dave]

We had Escape install both of our solar panels, EMS product and a few other things after market as we bought both the 19 and 21 used. Made trips out of both projects, had fun, they work(ed) flawlessly, claimed the tax credit on both without problems and are happy.

Now, 6 1/2 years later the only thing I’ve done to the 21 system is add distilled water twice a year to the batteries. Still work fine and I suspect new batteries may be needed soon. I’ll probably go AGM but may not. I think, looking at the work Escape did, I could replicate the job but I do not do well with uncharted territory so having it done by ETI worked for us.
YMMV
Iowa Dave

 

[jjdeluca]

Hi Ed,
When we doing the build sheet for our 5.0 last fall, we decided to order the basic, single lead acid battery & no solar, then upgrade on my own. I felt ETI's prices for lithium and solar were on the high side and I enjoy these types of DIY projects (although this was all new to me). We did get the compressor fridge, so the upgrade was definitely needed. We picked up our trailer last month and
I just finished the solar/lithium install on our 5.0 today. It included four-LiTime 100ah batteries, two Rich Solar 250w solar panels and a Victron 100/50 MPPT controller. Total cost was around $2500, compared to ETI's price of around $7000 for 4-100ah batteries and two 200w panels.
So, if you have some DIY skills and don't mind a little "sweat equity", I'd say skip the ETI solar/lithium option. However if you'd prefer the convenience of having everything installed and ready to go on day one, then go ahead and have ETI do the install.
Jim