Maintenance & Restoration

Robert and Laura · 08-07-2012, 10:52 PM

Escape 17' with or without bathroom? Can we get anyone's opinion on this? At first, we looked at Casita's on and off for a year. Went to see a few different layouts. Thourght we wanted A Casita 17 until we recently looked at an Escape 17. Fell in love with it (large window on both ends of the trailer) except the model we looked at had no bathroom. Because of the layout, lots of room because there's no bathroom, we really thought we could live with a porta potty. The more we think about it, the more we think there is definitely an advantage to having a small private area to wash up and have a toilet! We haven't yet seen an Escape with a bathroom. Not sure how much space we would lose. Is it a big difference in the size of the bed and the size of the dinnette? Looked at photos and measurements and the bed only seems to be 3" less. Any thoughts re: porta toilet vs. bathroom?

**cpaharley2008** · 08-08-2012, 06:43 AM

I think the front becomes a single bed/guacho option dinette with the bathroom. Would not have a camper without a bathroom, a lot of cg's leave a lot to be desired in that area. Plus there is a little sink so you do not need to shave/brush teeth in kitchen.

honda03842 · 08-08-2012, 07:18 AM

I would agree the front window makes a big difference in the preceived size of the trailer, providing a real openness. As well I think it's nice to have a bathroom, principally for the toilet function. I personally have no problem with brushing my teeth and shaving in the kitchen, actually think Ginny likes to see me shave.

floyd · 08-08-2012, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honda03842

I would agree the front window makes a big difference in the preceived size of the trailer, providing a real openness. As well I think it's nice to have a bathroom, principally for the toilet function. I personally have no problem with brushing my teeth and shaving in the kitchen, actually think Ginny likes to see me shave.

Looking at your picture,it looks like you don't really shave that often!

(at least not your face

)

Carol H · 08-08-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert and Laura

Escape 17' with or without bathroom? Can we get anyone's opinion on this?

Bathroom for me is a must. Having the bathroom/shower feature is a must if you want to have lots of flexibility in regards to where you camp. Some of the most wonderful campsites I have stayed at have no bathroom or shower facilities.

I suspect as far as resell value goes you will also find more people looking for a trailer bigger than 13' are doing so as they want a bathroom/shower than not.

**cpaharley2008** · 08-08-2012, 10:26 AM

thread moved

Jon Vermilye · 08-08-2012, 10:42 AM

One of the main reasons for moving from tent camping to a trailer is for the bathroom. While I do often stay in parks that have bathrooms, it is wonderful to avoid a walk in the dark in the middle of the night! As others have said, it also gives you more options in site choices.

steve dunham · 08-08-2012, 02:36 PM

The first time you have to get up in the middle of the night ,get dressed and walk to the restroom in the dark and it's pouring rain you'll have your answer

GPJ · 08-08-2012, 02:47 PM

Agree fully with Jon, Steve and others - bathroom is a must. Additionally, even if you never have to use it as a bathroom proper, it is a great place to store wet rain coats, muddy boots, wet mops and other items till they dry out. Sort of a mud room if you will.

Cam A · 08-08-2012, 04:12 PM

Having the bathroom in the Escape 17 definitely cuts down on the openess of the trailer. A portipotti solves 85% of bathroom issues. Whether or not having a dedicated bathroom for the portipotti/privacy is worth the reduction in openess will depend on how you personally use the trailer. If in doubt, the bathroom plan likely has a quicker resale value.

P. Raz · 08-08-2012, 04:58 PM

We have a 13' trailer. No bath. We have a porta potti which works fine. I'd rather have a permanent bed, dinette, and lots of windows. The more that open, the better. I like the convenience of not having tanks that require a dump station. In addition the weight of the bathroom and tanks increases the gas costs as well as tow vehicle costs. Gas prices are not going down and we are just starting to explore. Raz

p.s. I occurs to me if you choose the no bath option and there are just two of you, the Escape 15' has a bigger bed than the 17'.

Anne H · 08-08-2012, 08:27 PM

I love having the bathroom option in my Escape. I considered a porto-potty - but having the privacy of a bathroom is great.

Also, as mentioned, it's a great place to store wet jackets and, in my case, long kite bags.

I think the biggest difference in space is that the front dinette turns into a single bed instead of a double. You still have windows on both ends and side windows all around - one of my favorite things about the Escape is all the windows.

Donna D. · 08-08-2012, 08:29 PM

There's an old adage "you can't miss what you've never had." Let me tell you... now that I've owned an all molded towable with a "flushy" AND a shower... I'd NEVER own a towable without both. If you would have asked me before I had both... I KNOW my answer would be different.

SO, what do YOU need/want?

GPJ · 08-08-2012, 09:07 PM

If you are interested in looking at 15 footers too (as per Raz's suggestion), you might also want to look at a Trillium 4500 which is now made in California (trilliumrv.com). The Escape 15 is based on the Trillium 4500. The major difference is that the Escape uses more wood in the interior, while the Trillium uses more fiberglass in the interior. Depends on the "look" you desire. Both are great trailers and very similar as their origins would suggest.