NW Cat Owner
Senior Member
Okay, I didn't quite go "WOW" and "Holy Cow" when first stepping in the two trailers today. Got that taken care of after viewing the 21 footer on Friday (see separate thread for that tour). But, we both thoroughly enjoyed our tours and we both learned from them. Some of which are:
Got to see the graphics in a different color than the dark/medium grey on the other two. Yeah, I know, a small thing, but it was nice to see. Now I'm thinking I could get the graphics company to put paw prints on instead of the stock stripes. Yeah, it'll cost more. Yeah, it might not work for resale later on, but we're gonna keep the trailer for years and it's ours to do what we want with!
Got to see the difference between the stock 2-burner stove in the regular position and turned. Yep, going with the turned position. I'd much rather have more space between the stove and sink than behind the stove. Need counter room for my waffle iron which does much of my cooking. Linda had added a cutting board on top of their flipped stove top and I really liked that idea, instead of the stock stove cover. Great to see the differences with the stove. And between white and stainless. Um, yeah, not going with white.
I was able to flop around on both beds. (See previous post for details on how I flop on beds. Neither owner was surprised, so I suspect they read that post. HA!) I was able to scoot around on the bed in the 5.0 far better than I thought I'd be able to (can't put much weight on my right knee). And I could sit up in bed with ease, which also surprised me. There was a little cubbie next to the bed, but I figured a small table added in (and wedged in so it doesn't move) would work better for me.
And, here's another Holy Cow - this is Cooler Than Cool Moment. And something else that should be mentioned on their web site as a selling point. You can store stuff under the first two steps of the 5.0 (steps to the bed). WOWSERS!!! They had added a mesh/plastic (not sure what it was made of) shoe holder along the front side of the 2nd step (in the storage area) which was a great location to stash your shoes. (Wonder if my size 11s would fit in there; Linda's feet were much smaller than mine.)
They also had some sort of metal clamp device thingie between the tires on the trailer that would really keep it in place; much better than those plastic thingies you drive up on (and I'd never get right and would have to dash in and out of the truck all the time to line up, as I'd be using it much of the time by myself). Another Cooler Than Cool Moment! (Remember, we're new to this entire RV world, so if you're already aware of this and roll your eyes - oh well! I'll survive your eye rolling and will probably top it at some point.)
We both liked the recessed holders for the dinette pedestal poles that the 19 footer had. One less thing to bang my size 11s on.
Got to see the removable power cord. I did wonder later what would keep someone from swiping it when you're not around to defend your territory and property. Yeah, I wonder about stuff like that. And would carry a spare, just in case.
Got a lesson in the difference between the stock 5th wheel hitch/clamp/whatever-it's-called inside the truck bed and a Patriot hitch that was added by the owners later on after they got tired of hearing the hitch thump around over bumps and around corners (and almost sold the rig due to all that noise). I made a note of the name of that hitch.
It was really nice seeing all 3 trailers fairly close to each other (in time; not so much in distance). I took tons of photos and made lots of notes from those photos this evening (yep, to aforementioned spreadsheet). We greatly appreciate the owners taking time to show us their trailers. It was easy to tell how much their like/love their trailers and the company that makes them. I can see why ETI uses customers to sell their product. Much nicer to talk to owners than a salesman that may not really like the product anyway, but is good at faking it.
And the best part of today was finding this out. I had already decided to not attend the rally later this month. I figured between what we saw this weekend and will eventually see at the factory (plus photos and tips on this forum), I didn't need to see all those trailers in person. However, I'm really glad I won't have to worry about walking around and keeping an eye out for *** rattlesnakes *** !!!!! When Pete and Linda told us that today, we both bugged out our eyes. I was speechless in horror for longer than Dirk and he was able to spit out "no way we're going" before I could. I was motionless in horror!!!! NO FRICKING WAY!!! They said it's worse when it's hotter out and one year they found a freshly shed skin under their trailer. OMG!!
Okay, maybe this was covered in the separate thread for the rally, which I've not read after deciding not to go. So, for everyone that's going - I hope it's too cold for them to come out. Carry flashlights to look for them at night and be careful where you walk. Carry a really big, as in really big, stick with you. OMG!!!
Other than that, we had a great time today. Thanks Rich and Mary (19') and Linda and Pete (5.0TA).
:Thanx: :Thanx: :Thanx:
Laura and Dirk
Got to see the graphics in a different color than the dark/medium grey on the other two. Yeah, I know, a small thing, but it was nice to see. Now I'm thinking I could get the graphics company to put paw prints on instead of the stock stripes. Yeah, it'll cost more. Yeah, it might not work for resale later on, but we're gonna keep the trailer for years and it's ours to do what we want with!
Got to see the difference between the stock 2-burner stove in the regular position and turned. Yep, going with the turned position. I'd much rather have more space between the stove and sink than behind the stove. Need counter room for my waffle iron which does much of my cooking. Linda had added a cutting board on top of their flipped stove top and I really liked that idea, instead of the stock stove cover. Great to see the differences with the stove. And between white and stainless. Um, yeah, not going with white.
I was able to flop around on both beds. (See previous post for details on how I flop on beds. Neither owner was surprised, so I suspect they read that post. HA!) I was able to scoot around on the bed in the 5.0 far better than I thought I'd be able to (can't put much weight on my right knee). And I could sit up in bed with ease, which also surprised me. There was a little cubbie next to the bed, but I figured a small table added in (and wedged in so it doesn't move) would work better for me.
And, here's another Holy Cow - this is Cooler Than Cool Moment. And something else that should be mentioned on their web site as a selling point. You can store stuff under the first two steps of the 5.0 (steps to the bed). WOWSERS!!! They had added a mesh/plastic (not sure what it was made of) shoe holder along the front side of the 2nd step (in the storage area) which was a great location to stash your shoes. (Wonder if my size 11s would fit in there; Linda's feet were much smaller than mine.)
They also had some sort of metal clamp device thingie between the tires on the trailer that would really keep it in place; much better than those plastic thingies you drive up on (and I'd never get right and would have to dash in and out of the truck all the time to line up, as I'd be using it much of the time by myself). Another Cooler Than Cool Moment! (Remember, we're new to this entire RV world, so if you're already aware of this and roll your eyes - oh well! I'll survive your eye rolling and will probably top it at some point.)
We both liked the recessed holders for the dinette pedestal poles that the 19 footer had. One less thing to bang my size 11s on.
Got to see the removable power cord. I did wonder later what would keep someone from swiping it when you're not around to defend your territory and property. Yeah, I wonder about stuff like that. And would carry a spare, just in case.
Got a lesson in the difference between the stock 5th wheel hitch/clamp/whatever-it's-called inside the truck bed and a Patriot hitch that was added by the owners later on after they got tired of hearing the hitch thump around over bumps and around corners (and almost sold the rig due to all that noise). I made a note of the name of that hitch.
It was really nice seeing all 3 trailers fairly close to each other (in time; not so much in distance). I took tons of photos and made lots of notes from those photos this evening (yep, to aforementioned spreadsheet). We greatly appreciate the owners taking time to show us their trailers. It was easy to tell how much their like/love their trailers and the company that makes them. I can see why ETI uses customers to sell their product. Much nicer to talk to owners than a salesman that may not really like the product anyway, but is good at faking it.
And the best part of today was finding this out. I had already decided to not attend the rally later this month. I figured between what we saw this weekend and will eventually see at the factory (plus photos and tips on this forum), I didn't need to see all those trailers in person. However, I'm really glad I won't have to worry about walking around and keeping an eye out for *** rattlesnakes *** !!!!! When Pete and Linda told us that today, we both bugged out our eyes. I was speechless in horror for longer than Dirk and he was able to spit out "no way we're going" before I could. I was motionless in horror!!!! NO FRICKING WAY!!! They said it's worse when it's hotter out and one year they found a freshly shed skin under their trailer. OMG!!
Okay, maybe this was covered in the separate thread for the rally, which I've not read after deciding not to go. So, for everyone that's going - I hope it's too cold for them to come out. Carry flashlights to look for them at night and be careful where you walk. Carry a really big, as in really big, stick with you. OMG!!!
Other than that, we had a great time today. Thanks Rich and Mary (19') and Linda and Pete (5.0TA).
:Thanx: :Thanx: :Thanx:
Laura and Dirk
Then later in life my arches fell and the shoe size went up one. Darn good thing I never fell in love with "stylish" shoes - they were never in my size back then.
