We did it - new 21

[cpaharley2008]

I wonder what they do if you get 2 shelves in the closet? Digital picture is a good idea....

 

[CADreamin]

We aren't getting the microwave so it could be they shortened the microwave cabinet to make room for the small, upper cabinet. I know that cabinet was in earlier models and then ETI discontinued it; however, when I asked about having it put back in, they said it could be installed as an option.

 

[Wanderers-ESC]

Hello,
We wondered about the custom sink and faucet you mentioned. Could you provide more information? Did you put it in or was it done through the factory? What about the reinforced walls? We are looking at a 21 seriously and trying to decide on options as well. A larger sink - or better yet a double sink would be attractive. We also wondered if you can get the monitor panel moved. One of us is short and will not be able to see it above the fridge. Thanks!

 

[cpaharley2008]

We aren't getting the microwave so it could be they shortened the microwave cabinet to make room for the small, upper cabinet. I know that cabinet was in earlier models and then ETI discontinued it; however, when I asked about having it put back in, they said it could be installed as an option.

I went back and forth on this $300 option, thinking it was lost usable space I finally got a clear answer today from Joldie, the standard set up without the microwave is the closet and the microwave cabinet that is open all the way to the padded ceiling, so that space is inside the cabinet and is accessible and usable, just not seen. If you add the extra door, the microwave space is made smaller, there is now an added ceiling which is the floor of the above small cabinet. Here are 2 pictures of the standard and the modified one, you can see the standard microwave door is level with the refrigerator door but lower in the 3 cabinet set up...I plan on adding an interior upper shelf inside the cabinet myself if the need arises.

 

[Wanderers-ESC]

I was also wondering if anyone has put in a convection microwave and if so, how that worked out. Thanks for your help!

 

[cpaharley2008]

I know of some owners with convection oven but they are not mounted inside a cabinet, probably due to their higher heat issues. They sit them on the countertops...

 

[Chris & Patricia]

I went back and forth on this $300 option, thinking it was lost usable space I finally got a clear answer today from Joldie, the standard set up without the microwave is the closet and the microwave cabinet that is open all the way to the padded ceiling, so that space is inside the cabinet and is accessible and usable, just not seen. If you add the extra door, the microwave space is made smaller, there is now an added ceiling which is the floor of the above small cabinet. Here are 2 pictures of the standard and the modified one, you can see the standard microwave door is level with the refrigerator door but lower in the 3 cabinet set up...I plan on adding an interior upper shelf inside the cabinet myself if the need arises.

I'm not actually sure that the microwave cabinet is actually smaller. If you look at the pictures, you will see that the space below the wardrobe disappears. I think that the wardrobe and microwave cabinet move down to allow a slightly bigger cabinet at the top. We are in discussion with Joldie about this option as well, although a further slight modification to it.

 

[cpaharley2008]

Yes I see that now, everything drops down a little. I wonder though if the space inside that lower cabinet is higher, If I remember, one of those bottom cabinets could fit some tall items since there was no inside cabinet top, just open space to the wheel well space.

 

[JimHol58]

All I know is that in side the dark closet makes it impossible to read with my aging eyes, on the door there is more light and I can also use a magnifying glass to read those small numbers if need be.If need be, I'll just peel it off and relocate it there, that is what I have done on my past Escapes.

What i do is take photos of these hard to read labels and store them in my smart phone that way I can zoom in on them like a magnifying glass. I keep them all in a folder called "Escape Photos" on my smart phone. Works great for me.

 

[Chris & Patricia]

Yes I see that now, everything drops down a little. I wonder though if the space inside that lower cabinet is higher, If I remember, one of those bottom cabinets could fit some tall items since there was no inside cabinet top, just open space to the wheel well space.

Jim, in the standard wardrobe of the 21, there is a space, maybe about 4 or 5 inches deep, I guess that is part of the hanging space. In this modification that space disappears. Also in the standard microwave cabinet (if you don't have the microwave which we aren't), apparently there is no top, it just opens to the ceiling.

 

[Rgb]

Favorites in our build : inverter, solar, (really like that we can use the microwave-shorter duration but that's what we use it for), TV, DVD, Stereo, dual 6 V batteries, front storage box, exterior shower. We are so enjoying our 21

 

[cpaharley2008]

Jim, in the standard wardrobe of the 21, there is a space, maybe about 4 or 5 inches deep, I guess that is part of the hanging space. In this modification that space disappears. Also in the standard microwave cabinet (if you don't have the microwave which we aren't), apparently there is no top, it just opens to the ceiling.

So you are saying that in the standard set up, there is a drop inside the closet that drops down to the lower cabinet located underneath it, like a 4" lip at the bottom inside?

 

[k4zvu]

Spray Foam Insul and 12v Heat Pads--Necessary ??

Most of our camping will be in mild to warmer areas; would like to save the extra expense for the captioned options. Any ideas, issues, etc to consider ? Gil

 

[rbryan4]

Most of our camping will be in mild to warmer areas; would like to save the extra expense for the captioned options. Any ideas, issues, etc to consider ? Gil

Dual paned windows and extra insulation package for sure. AC of course for hot weather. We like the factory solar and dual 6V batteries, does a good job of keeping our batteries up when we boondock. Also we love the storage box.

When we were finalizing our build sheet, we put all the options we had any interest in under three categories: might be nice to have, really nice to have, and must have. After the must haves were taken care of, the rest was just looking at the budget and figuring the best combination of value for price paid. I think it worked well. To this day, there's really not a single option we don't have that we wish we'd added.

 

[Chris & Patricia]

So you are saying that in the standard set up, there is a drop inside the closet that drops down to the lower cabinet located underneath it, like a 4" lip at the bottom inside?

Yes I am. Joldie can probably send you a picture. We are going to the factory next week if you need any other photos.

 

[cpaharley2008]

Yes I am. Joldie can probably send you a picture. We are going to the factory next week if you need any other photos.

Please do, that little door over the microwave is causing a lot of temptation but at the expense of what is behind door#1 or #2 or #3.....

 

[CADreamin]

Perhaps Chris and Pat can peek inside ours and take some photos of the interior closet(s). That way, you'd have a side-by-side comparison. Shouldn't be a problem ... just tell them you want to see inside the King's 21'.

Here's a build photo that shows the bottom of our large cabinet.

 

[Chris & Patricia]

Perhaps Chris and Pat can peek inside ours and take some photos of the interior closet(s). That way, you'd have a side-by-side comparison. Shouldn't be a problem ... just tell them you want to see inside the King's 21'.

Here's a build photo that shows the bottom of our large cabinet.

They don't seem as willing to let you do tour anymore, and by the time next Wednesday comes round, it might be all done up. Anyway, I can but ask.

 

[rubicon327]

I was also wondering if anyone has put in a convection microwave and if so, how that worked out. Thanks for your help!

See this thread for a built-in convection microwave:
www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8/convection-microwave-fits-9479.html