What did you do for your Escape today.....

[Viajante]

I replaced the four side marker lights with LED lights from etrailer. One light was out and when I popped the lens off water spilled out. The other original (2010) incandescents still worked but the bulbs were foggy and there was a lot of dirt below the bases and inside the lenses. I used the 3 diode version and it is an exact fit in existing holes.

Straight forward project with 2 small issues. The original install did not leave sufficient excess wire to allow two splices to be done outside the trailer. These lights required ducking under the benches to make the connections. And, the original installation used all black wire, both positive and negative. That just required a multi meter to identify polarity.

From dull incandescent to bright LED is a noticeable change.

 

[Zach S]

Today I got a new (to me) truck to pull my 21C. One step closer to full time!!

I also got a rug and some new interior accessories including a metal shelf for books, notebooks, odds and ends. I could have sworn there was a current thread regarding someone using an iMac on the road and the related concerns. Anyway, here’s how I keep mine on the cart now. Agree SSD is the way to go. For travel I lay it face down on the bed with the stand between the mattress and wall which has held it fine so far.

 

[MrLynn]

How do you use the iMac—lying in bed?

 

[Zach S]

How do you use the iMac—lying in bed?

We use the bed as a kind of lounge space some evenings and it’s a way to stream a show mostly. But, with a wooden lap tray and sitting back against the wall at the head of the bed it’s actually just fine to use. I do have a laptop for that too though.

 

[caheaton]

Nothing fancy here....I spent Saturday afternoon getting Skippy (our 21C) ready for winter. Unloaded the trailer of any food items (coffee, spices, etc), unpacked clothing that was still in the closets and cabinets and winterized.

When winterizing I use a two prong approach....clear all the lines with compressed air followed by antifreeze using the intake tube on the water pump. Prior to that I drained the residual water from the water heater & fresh water tanks. Also added antifreeze to all the traps. The black & gray tanks were drained prior as well of any residual water and the antifreeze from winterizing allowed to remain.

Next on the agenda will be a thorough exterior wash & wax and maybe a cover.

 

[jjdeluca]

Replaced the four bolts for the manual awning lower arm brackets on our 5.0. During our last trip I found one bolt head had sheared off. This trip I found a second one, so I replaced all 4 with 1/4 x 2-1/2” stainless steel lag screws.
(Attached photo shows the corrosion in the factory-installed bolts.)
Upper bolts appear fine but I’m planning to replace those as well with 1/4 x 3” SS screws.

 

[occer]

Those lag bolt screws look like they started to brake and then started to rust.
As a rule Stainless Steel is not as strong, you might want to just use a higher grade of bolt. Grade 8

 

[Ron in BC]

Considering that I sail boats in storm force winds with all s/s hardware holding the mast up I use s/s bolts any time that it's feasible.

A little puzzled by the bolt heads and the cracks. Makes me wonder if it wasn't originally an over torqueing situation.

Ron

 

[jjdeluca]

Before replacing, I called the manufacturer, Carefree of Colorado, just to confirm & they do recommend stainless bolts. Although I had read that they’re not quite as strong as other high strength bolts. I suspect it was a case of over tightening.

 

[Nindy]

After almost a year in my new house I got around to the last big project on my list…organizing my garage enough to get the trailer inside! Then today I bought some new wheels, well, used but new to me. It fits inside the garage too.

 

[HABBERDABBER]

Hey, Pilgrim,
Nice big garage, and rig storage spot.
Do you think you have enough garden tools along the wall?
I've got a couple of sickles, that need some long term storage, and you've got some space for them, I think. If I can ever find them, they're yours.
Does the dog know how to drive? Can it reach the necessary pedals?
What, no seat belt for it?

And a collection of a plethora of snow sleds in southern Missouri? Dream on!

so long,

 

[Nindy]

Ha, those were childhood sleds from northern MO. I can always hope!

Yes, that’s about a 1600 sf garage! I measured everything I wanted in it before drawing out the floor plan. I think I got it big enough but might have to sell the old minivan if I want to put a tractor in there next year. I didn’t show the other half with shorter garage doors.

That tool wall is one of the ICF concrete walls. I’m pretty good at finding those plastic studs that are every 8 inches. Stud finders can’t see them but I took photos of every wall in the house before drywall so I can see how many inches from a corner to go to hit one. I do use most of those tools!

The dogs aren’t convinced yet on the side-by-side but they’ll probably get used to it!

 

[Ron in BC]

Yes, that’s about a 1600 sf garage!

but I took photos of every wall in the house before drywall so I can see how many inches from a corner to go to hit one.

Eat my heart out, that's 4 times the square footage that I have for 2 cars and a Goldwing. Not much that I'd change in my original house design but I sure would change my garage situation.

I did the same with photos and it's been really handy over the years.

Ron

 

[GinoandLinda]

Yes, that’s about a 1600 sf garage! I measured everything I wanted in it before drawing out the floor plan. I think I got it big enough but might have to sell the old minivan if I want to put a tractor in there next year. I didn’t show the other half with shorter garage doors.

Very nice. You've got us beat by 400 sf. Love that I can put the 5.0 in a heated space. Not a fan of side-by-sides, but congrats as well. Remember horses and hikers (runners) have the right-away

 

[Nindy]

Side-by-sides are really popular around here and make up at least half the traffic on my gravel road which is extremely sparse especially in non-tourist season when I may go days without seeing any vehicles. Mine will be used mostly for work around my land. I have about 40 acres of fields that have a lot of bad plants I need to spray.

My neighbor who told me about the SXS that was for sale but unadvertised also says, don’t buy a tank sprayer, I have several new ones I picked up at yard sales, don’t buy a gas can, I have lots of them, don’t buy a “fill in the blank”, I have one for you! He’s a mechanic, has the 4-seat version of the same model, and can work on it too if needed!

 

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Nindy
We have a little less than 2.000 sq Ft of garage so I tthink 1600 is very reasonable. My four sleds are stored for the summer but come winter we will get them out for the grandkids if they don’t bring their own. I gave the kids most of my doubles and triples on garden tools except for scoop shovels and a couple with family history. Need the three shovels to scoop away all the B.S coming out of government these days
The four misery whip crosscuts aren’t getting much of a workout these days as are my collection of steel traps but I have them if raccoon coats come back in style and coon prices go back up.

Glad you’re making headway on “moving in”

My daughter and grandson walked the Snake Road in early October and saw lots of interesting snakes. Both came back with enthusiasm and understanding of the reptiles in the ecosystem.
Have a great rest of the Fall. Hope your Fall color is good.
Iowa Dave

 

[Thrak]

I am soooooooooo jealous of that garage! I would love to be able to garage our E19. Of course the garage I do have is full of our daughter's stuff - again.

 

[Viajante]

How big would a garage have to be so it wouldn’t be crammed full of things?

 

[Thrak]

It's a standard 2 car garage. Our daughter's furniture, etc. is stored there as well as camping gear, etc. As a standard sized garage the door isn't high enough for our E19 to fit under so, even if it was empty, we couldn't garage the trailer. Unless I win the lottery I won't be moving and since I very rarely buy a ticket that doesn't seem very likely. (House is paid for, have been here for 36 years.)

 

[Iowa Dave]

A 24 by 32 will hold two Escape 21s, some lawn equipment -and a 16 foot boat across the back.

A 24 by 28 holds two cars, 4 sleds, 4 bicycles, a CD Jukebox box and lots of cherished possessions.

A 22 by 22 holds a 40 HP tractor/loader, a couple outboard engines, some power equipment, a Z-turn mower and more junk and lumber than a 77 year old hoarder will ever use.
Just for scale.
Iowa Dave