Maintenance & Restoration

cpaharley2008 · 08-10-2011, 07:22 PM

Just suppose for a moment that you have won a contest. The prize is a brand new fiberglass camper, your choice, with all options, from the 3 largest fgrv manufacturers. Your only obligation, as with any contest prize, is the payment of taxes subject to manufacturer’s suggested retail prices and factory pick up of the trailer.
There is a 16’ Scamp deluxe, MSRP $19,500, located in Minnesota. In Texas there is a Casita Freedom Deluxe, MSRP $18,500. Further away in Canada is an Escape 17’B or 19’ with suggested MSRP’s of $28,000 and $30,000 respectively.
Which would you choose and why?

Donna D. · 08-10-2011, 07:41 PM

oooh easy one for me. I lust, drool for an Escape 5th wheel with dual-pane windows and the extra insulation. I want to sleep up front and leave the back open for dining (I back into beautiful spots and want to see the view, not the back of my tug... I know what it looks like!). The Escape 5th wheel has a large side-bath (my Scamp has a small side-bath) and the trailer "appears" huge inside. The quality of the Escape is top-notch and customer service from the Escape Manufacturer is better than just good. They never say "no," but say... we'll check it out. If it's doable, they're open to changes. I'm allowed to change the color of the decals, formica, cushion covers, etc. Scamp and Casita aren't as accomodating! BUT, you get what you pay for. So, did I win?

cpaharley2008 · 08-10-2011, 07:43 PM

Donna,
I know you have 5th wheel envy....and yes Escape is willing to accommodate one's wishes.

**Frederick L. Simson** · 08-10-2011, 08:35 PM

TRAILER_______________MSRP_____________7.75% CALIF
Scamp 16’ Dlx______$19,500.00__________$1,511.25
Casita FD (17’)____$18,500.00__________$1,433.75
Escape 17B_________$28,000.00__________$2,170.00
Escape 19__________$30,000.00__________$2,325.00

Even though I believe the best bang for the buck would be the Casita, (and I would choose the Liberty over the Freedom) I would still probably get an Escape; either the 17' or 19'.

Here's why in order of importance:

Escape's flexibility vs. Casita's inflexibility
Vinyl walls vs. Carpet walls
Available Range with OVEN vs. 2 Burner Cooktop
Window in front vs. Bathroom in front
Roll-up Awning vs. Case Awning
Light tongue vs. Heavy tongue

Redguitar · 08-10-2011, 08:51 PM

I'd get the Escape 19'. Why? Cause I'm brand new to the whole thing and Donna and Frederick said it's best. How's that for a reason?

Mike Magee · 08-10-2011, 09:53 PM

The Escape. I haven't heard a bad thing about them, everyone who has one seems to think it's the cat's meow. Besides, best resale value if I ever had to part with it.

Joy A · 08-10-2011, 10:11 PM

If I had a pickup it would definitely be the Escape 5'er.

If I had any other tug it would be the Scamp Deluxe.

Wallo · 08-10-2011, 11:01 PM

Chalk me up for the Escape 17B. It would be just the right size and weight. The layout is suburb, and the customer service appears to be the best of all. Maybe someday........

floyd · 08-10-2011, 11:15 PM

My choice ain't listed , but it would leave almost enough to buy a new TV.

Lizbeth · 08-11-2011, 10:57 AM

I want a new Bigfoot custom made 5th wheel.

Because we love ours but it needs lots of work and there are things I would change about it if I could "have one built".

If I can't have that I want a 25' Bigfoot twin bed model.

I love Mike and Lori's, what a nice trailer!

If I can't have that I want an Escape 5th wheel. The company (the people) are great!

Jake · 08-11-2011, 03:53 PM

Wow, what a great question!

I would also have to choose the Escape, if weight was not an issue, then the 19' to be sure, (2 footitis) otherwise a 17, would also be fantastic.

I just had the opportunity this past weekend to be camped at a small campground here in ontario, where there was BOTH a 17 and 19 Escape camping, what are the chances.
Both the Owners had them custom made and did the trip to B.C to pick them up, to begin their adventures.
Spoke at length with the owners of the 17', and they love it.
Fully equipped, outdoor shower,, full bath, screen room etc.
They live in it during the summer traveling around Canada, and Winter in it in Hualtuco Mexico.
What a dream, maybe someday!!!!!!

Jake

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Just suppose for a moment that you have won a contest. The prize is a brand new fiberglass camper, your choice, with all options, from the 3 largest fgrv manufacturers. Your only obligation, as with any contest prize, is the payment of taxes subject to manufacturer’s suggested retail prices and factory pick up of the trailer.
There is a 16’ Scamp deluxe, MSRP $19,500, located in Minnesota. In Texas there is a Casita Freedom Deluxe, MSRP $18,500. Further away in Canada is an Escape 17’B or 19’ with suggested MSRP’s of $28,000 and $30,000 respectively.
Which would you choose and why?

theresa p · 08-11-2011, 04:22 PM

escape...hands down. our friends own a 17' escape and it is such a well-made, well-thought-out design. we loved alf and mary anne's 5'er and would be thrilled to own one.

Jon Vermilye · 08-11-2011, 04:55 PM

Well, guess what I did? (And, I ended up paying for it!). The Escape has been great - just finished a 18,700 mile, 111 day trip.

Joy A · 08-11-2011, 07:54 PM

Lizbeth,

You are correct, it's Mike and Lori's 25 foot Bigfoot. If I could have any trailer in the world it would be one like theirs.

Hand downs...no question.....Yeap!!! A 25 foot Bigfoot.

Karen M · 08-11-2011, 08:00 PM

Frederick, can I ask why the rollup awning is preferable to the cased? I have only dealt with the cased. It seems fine but maybe I just don't know any better

Karen

John_M · 08-11-2011, 08:24 PM

I'm not greedy. I'll happily take any of them!

Donna D. · 08-11-2011, 08:34 PM

Hummm. Somehow the Lil Snoozy was left off the group. I like it, although it's not in my top two... maybe it's the gelcoat color? I scrub and scrub to get the "dust" color off my Scamp in the Spring... still, I like the layout... front bed and you can "look" out the back during waking hours... hummm.

Carol H · 08-11-2011, 09:17 PM

It would not take me 2 seconds to make my decision! Escape 17B! If I had a tow that could handle it maybe the 5th wheel but pretty sure I would be good with the 17' either way.

Reasons - Its the nicest looking of the bunch and I can have it custom done to what I want and I can leave the bed down and still have a comfortable area to eat without giving up a front window and a bunch of storage. Can get at the under seat storage from the outside, I way easier awning to take up and down. Nicer bathroom. Nicer coverings, more functional storage......

**Frederick L. Simson** · 08-11-2011, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karen M

Frederick, can I ask why the rollup awning is preferable to the cased?

My Fiber Stream has a roll-up awning.

I don't have to fold up the legs and tuck them up into the case.
The legs are bigger and less prone to bending.
The awning is attached directly to the trailer, there is no gap between the case and trailer.
It is simpler to operate.

The downside is the less appealing appearance when folded up. A case awning is sleeker when stored away.

Carol H · 08-11-2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frederick L. Simson

My Fiber Stream has a roll-up awning.

I don't have to fold up the legs and tuck them up into the case.
The legs are bigger and less prone to bending.
The awning is attached directly to the trailer, there is no gap between the case and trailer.
It is simpler to operate.

The downside is the less appealing appearance when folded up. A case awning is sleeker when stored away.

Add to that is that it real easy for only one person to put up & no battle to get the legs back into the case snug