What can be easily installed later?

[Jill-ESC]

We just spent $175 shipping fabric and 2 faucets (kitchen and shower) up to Escape. We have a few more custom things we're thinking of doing and wonder if it's worth the shipping and installation cost to ship them up now, or if it's more cost effective to install them later on our own. Especially since we're not sure we need these things. I would classify our skill level (OK well it's my husband's skill level) as intermediate and I know there is no way he would want to drill holes in the fiberglass to install something.

So could any of these be installed later? Maybe even at a local RV place? We will probably get the spray foam insulation if that makes any difference.

- Horst Miracle probe
- wifi/cell phone booster
- power tongue jack. Escape provides but cost is $295 and we're not sure we need it.
- backup camera
- brake controller - Escape provides it but doesn't install it. So I guess we need to buy this and install it before we get the trailer?

Thank you in advance,
Jill

 

[padlin]

Horst Probes, do it now
Wifi/Cell boosters, do it now
Jack, anytime as long as you are somewhat handy.
Backup Camera, at least get it prewired now.
Brake Controller, yes you need it to pull the trailer.

 

[rbryan4]

I agree with Bob.
Easier to have Escape install the probes (we did) especially if you're getting the foam, since it covers the tanks.
Also had Escape install the WiFi Booster antenna. You'll have to install the cradle (easy) so make sure there's a 12V drop near where the antenna is located, typically in the overhead cabinet.
The Power Jack is a piece of cake. Your choice but easy to do later.
If I were getting the Backup Camera, I would not want to wire it.
What are you towing with? You need a Brake Controller to operate the electric brakes, but certain vehicles have a Brake Controller factory installed, or they have a harness where you just plug one in. I'd get that squared away before you pick up the trailer.

 

[MyronL]

Escape doesn't install brake controllers but they have a close agreement with a shop just down the road from them which will do it for you if you drive over. (Separate billing.)

 

[huskersteffy]

What brand and model WiFi / cell phone booster are you looking at?

 

[Loren & Cathy]

I have always been a firm believer of having everything installed during an initial build and if it need be, worry about paying for it later. The only thing for now not being installed on our upcoming build is a different shower head. ETI said to bring the 19 inch television and they will install it. Loren

 

[OneOleMan]

My spin on this is get everything installed now, waiting and deciding later is false economy. Personal examples: Removable power cord would have added CDN $150 to the build, post production will cast me CDN $195; for me to have the 17B High Lift Axle installed during construction would have been CDN $100, post production is CDN $250. False economy on my part.

The CDN $295 for the power tongue jack includes installation. I don't know but having someone do it later might cost more.

 

[float5]

Anything not installed during the build is treated differently for insurance and may not be covered. Make sure that whatever ETI does is all on the build sheet because that is what your company will likely want to use, especially if you have total loss or full replacement coverage.

 

[rbryan4]

Anything not installed during the build is treated differently for insurance and may not be covered. Make sure that whatever ETI does is all on the build sheet because that is what your company will likely want to use, especially if you have total loss or full replacement coverage.

True, but it's simple to add a personally installed item to the insurance. We did so with the power Jack and the pedestal. Rate didn't change a penny.

 

[float5]

True, but it's simple to add a personally installed item to the insurance. We did so with the power Jack and the pedestal. Rate didn't change a penny.

Is not covered for full replacement unless it was installed at the factory for our policy. They will replace with a trailer only as it was built.

 

[rbryan4]

Is not covered for full replacement unless it was installed at the factory for our policy. They will replace with a trailer only as it was built.

Right, but you're still reimbursed for the expense of the add ons as long as you add them to the policy. Falls under the content coverage.

 

[Loren & Cathy]

The article in Trailer Life magazine on the Escape said the foot flush toilet is a must have. We ordered it but don't know what to expect. Another option that would be expensive to change later. Loren

 

[float5]

Right, but you're still reimbursed for the expense of the add ons as long as you add them to the policy. Falls under the content coverage.

Every company is different. We have a limit of $1000 for such add-ons. We also have personal effects for much more but doubt they would say an electric jack comes under that. .

We paid a certain amount per thousand for personal effects. With Good Sam's NGI, for instance, they include $3000 for personal effects. Depends on the company.

 

[Jill-ESC]

Thank you all for your input. You were pretty unanimous so we'll be shipping the antenna (Wilson as recommended elsewhere on this forum) and the probes. I'll ask about wiring only for the backup camera and the power tongue jack as we're not sure we'll need either. As for the brake controller, we'll be borrowing a Ford F250 (which has a brake controller) to start with, then purchasing a truck or SUV once we figure out what we want for a tow vehicle. So we just need to be sure our new vehicle has it. I'm such a newbie - I wasn't sure if the controller was installed in the trailer or the TV! Of course once I thought about it, it has to be in the TV!!!.

 

[Brian B-P]

... I wasn't sure if the controller was installed in the trailer or the TV! Of course once I thought about it, it has to be in the TV!!!

Well, actually there are at least two brands of controller which are mounted on the trailer, with just a small radio-linked box in the cab... but yes, something needs to be in the cab if you want to adjust the braking or apply the brakes manually, and conventional controllers are a single box mounted in the cab.

 

[C&G in FL]

The article in Trailer Life magazine on the Escape said the foot flush toilet is a must have. We ordered it but don't know what to expect. Another option that would be expensive to change later. Loren

That would be the opinion of the article's author. I would personally not classify the foot flush option as a "must." It depends on your personal preferences. I would say the digital thermostat is a must; others would probably disagree. But I love the temperature control it provides and not having to listen to the Fan on the A/C run when the compressor is not running.

 

[float5]

That would be the opinion of the article's author. I would personally not classify the foot flush option as a "must." It depends on your personal preferences. I would say the digital thermostat is a must; others would probably disagree. But I love the temperature control it provides and not having to listen to the Fan on the A/C run when the compressor is not running.

We didn't want the foot flush either but also wanted the thermostat, same reason.

 

[rbryan4]

That would be the opinion of the article's author. I would personally not classify the foot flush option as a "must." It depends on your personal preferences. I would say the digital thermostat is a must; others would probably disagree. But I love the temperature control it provides and not having to listen to the Fan on the A/C run when the compressor is not running.

Totally agree. If you're getting AC, the digital thermostat should be on your build. A foot flush toilet is just a 'nice to have'.

 

[Charlie & Lucy]

Not having our trailer yet, but from reading about the foot flush toilet in another thread, I wouldn't want to reach down close to the toilet to flush it. The foot flush is a must for me! YMMV
Lucy

 

[cpaharley2008]

Since all public rest rooms are hand flush, other than those battery operated models,it seems that is why one washes their hands before exiting the area, among other reasons. I had a foot flush in one of my trailers and the grandkids thought it was a play thing, lasted about 3 months before it broke, whether from them or some adult putting too much down pressure. These issues don't plague the hand flush.