Some help

[Ken G]

Hi
Rookie Trailer owner here.
Getting A 21 Escape in June 2017.
Wondering if a few experienced Escape owners out there could put me on the right path with a few options.
1-Should I get the Jack TV antenna (can you get free TV with this or is it another bill.
2-Do I need blue tooth in my tow vehicle for the wireless back up camera to work.
3-Should I up grade the max fan
4- E2 By Fastway equalizer hitch is this the way to go.

Thanks to the pros out there for any suggestions
Kenny G

 

[gbaglo]

Hi

1-Should I get the Jack TV antenna (can you get free TV with this or is it another bill.

Depends where you camp. At Harmon Lake you won't get anything, not even AM radio. Head south to urban areas and you get free over-the-air TV.
If you camp at "resort" style ( expensive ) RV parks, you will likely have cable anyway.

 

[rbryan4]

Responses in line

Hi
Rookie Trailer owner here.
Getting A 21 Escape in June 2017.
Wondering if a few experienced Escape owners out there could put me on the right path with a few options.
1-Should I get the Jack TV antenna (can you get free TV with this or is it another bill. It's an OTA antenna. Helps pull in distant stations.
2-Do I need blue tooth in my tow vehicle for the wireless back up camera to work. Don't have a backup camera on my trailer, so no opinion.
3-Should I up grade the max fan. Some like the remote. Our stock Maxx Fan works great. You can also get the smoked cover instead of white.
4- E2 By Fastway equalizer hitch is this the way to go. Pretty much all 'bar type' WDHs work using the same principle. The Fastway looks like a well built unit. Your choice.

Thanks to the pros out there for any suggestions
Kenny G

 

[C&G in FL]

Back up camera has a monitor in the tow vehicle. Runs on its own frequency. Does not require Bluetooth in vehicle.

 

[Brian B-P]

4- E2 By Fastway equalizer hitch is this the way to go.

This one has been thoroughly discussed. I suggest using the Google search of this forum for the word "Fastway"... it will find only a few topics which are not about the E2 (about other Fastway products), and will find every discussion in which any of us who understand that this hitch is by Fastway has posted.

 

[Ray N]

We have the Jack antenna but wouldn't buy it again. We rarely watch TV while camping.
The regular fan works fine for us, but I can see a slight advantage to being able to operate it without leaving bed.
We have never experienced any problems towing with our Tundra without an equalizer hitch.

 

[padlin]

1-Should I get the Jack TV antenna (can you get free TV with this or is it another bill. If you want to watch TV, then yes, get the antenna. Unlike most, In 2 years I've turned on the TV once.

3-Should I up grade the max fan If you feel the need for a remote in a 16 or 17' trailer, or you like the smoked cover, as opposed to white. I think someone said the smoked lets in more light, both night and day.

 

[cpaharley2008]

Having owned a 21 Escape, here is my perspective. I never used the Jack antenna as most cg have cable, so my next trailer will be tv ready, but no antenna upgrade. The MaxxFan upgrade to smoke lens and remote is nice, allows more natural light inside and you do not have to get out of bed to turn it on/off.

 

[Donna D.]

I don't have the smoke vent cover on my trailer. I suppose it would depend on where the vent is located in relation to the bed. If you're a darkroom sleeper, you may find too much light coming in at night. I find the escape hatch over the top of my bed with the standard cover is often too bright. What's with these campgrounds that have street lights every 15 feet?

 

[rbryan4]

What's with these campgrounds that have street lights every 15 feet?

Amen to that Donna. Give me dark skies and a flashlight.

 

[C&G in FL]

Having owned a 21 Escape, here is my perspective. I never used the Jack antenna as most cg have cable, so my next trailer will be tv ready, but no antenna upgrade. The MaxxFan upgrade to smoke lens and remote is nice, allows more natural light inside and you do not have to get out of bed to turn it on/off.

I would disagree that "most" campgrounds have cable. In my experience, most do not have cable, probably somewhere around one (1) in every five (5). But then, I don't watch TV that much. Wife is the TV watcher.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Amen to that Donna. Give me dark skies and a flashlight.

Absolutely! Heck, with no ambient light from streetlights, moonlight and starlight is often enough to guide me. Fortunately this is most of the provincial and forestry campgrounds around here.

 

[padlin]

I would disagree that "most" campgrounds have cable. In my experience, most do not have cable, probably somewhere around one (1) in every five (5). But then, I don't watch TV that much. Wife is the TV watcher.

Think it's got more to do with the type of campgrounds you frequent. Jim hits KOA's and the like, full service CG's.

 

[padlin]

Absolutely! Heck, with no ambient light from streetlights, moonlight and starlight is often enough to guide me. Fortunately this is most of the provincial and forestry campgrounds around here.

You start traveling with the fifth wheel you'll need a cover for the escape hatch too. I frequently need them on the loft side windows too.

 

[cpaharley2008]

The smoke lens is actually darker than the stock translucent lens which seems to attract any available light and brings it inside.

 

[Donna D.]

The smoke lens is actually darker than the stock translucent lens which seems to attract any available light and brings it inside.

Interesting you'd say that, consider you've said this:
"the smoke cover is cool because it lets a lot of light inside both in day and at night you can see the stars."

Here: http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f9/fantastic-fan-vs-maxxair-1566.html#post16630

I can't see stars through my standard vent cover(s). And while the white may attract some light, I certainly can't see through it. I'm thinking about painting the underside with gray Fusion to further block the light.

 

[Klem]

I have used ball covers for years. Keeps it dry and greased. Leave a rag somewhere and drape it over the cover to put it on/off.

I use white Teflon grease.

 

[Patandlinda]

I have used ball covers for years. Keeps it dry and greased. Leave a rag somewhere and drape it over the cover to put it on/off.

I use white Teflon grease.

Do the same Klem ! Pat

 

[float5]

I don't have the smoke vent cover on my trailer. I suppose it would depend on where the vent is located in relation to the bed. If you're a darkroom sleeper, you may find too much light coming in at night. I find the escape hatch over the top of my bed with the standard cover is often too bright. What's with these campgrounds that have street lights every 15 feet?

We sometimes find big street lamps that may be a problem in private campgrounds. Don't think of it and then find we are parked by one.

Out Maxx fan is too far forward of the head of the bed to see the stars or let in too much light at night.

 

[tractors1]

I don't have the smoke vent cover on my trailer. I suppose it would depend on where the vent is located in relation to the bed. If you're a darkroom sleeper, you may find too much light coming in at night. I find the escape hatch over the top of my bed with the standard cover is often too bright. What's with these campgrounds that have street lights every 15 feet?

I saw a hatch cover over a bed that had a velcro strip on the inside molding like a picture frame. The lady had a mating flat piece of blackout cloth with velcro to put there if it was too bright. She could pull it back a bit for ventilation if needed and just rip it off if she needed to get out.