Bigfoot recommendation’s

[cwall59]

Originally Posted by buellfire

We have a 2021 Bigfoot 25Rt, if I was to buy again with the current options I would do the following.

Skylight in shower: this is great idea and really opens up the trailer., bypass the skylight in the entry. Our shade is closed most of the time.
I would do the lithium batteries in the passenger dinette, and plan the solar array myself.
round sink is just fine
compressor fridge
Houghton AC
We have the leather option so the busyness is better than the cloth
I like the front box, other don't.
Light weight propane bottles would be good, you can knee the front of the camper down to aid in removal and refill.
Tv stuff is ok, radio not so much
Hope this helps
Shawn

Pretty much think the same . I’m trying to figure out how many batteries, what size inverter, and how much solar. Not going to tackle any of that my self as far as installation. I’m currently thinking 300 amp battery, 2 -200 watt panels and a 3000 watt inverter.

[BigDan]

Originally Posted by cwall59

I’m a little over 6’3 and I don’t want to shower with my head bent sideways. Can’t even walk in without hitting my head . Looked at one with and one without, so not doing without it .

Yeah I’m the same height. I’ve only seen one with the skylight and that was really too cramped to stand, so I figured might as well not bother. But the getting into the shower is a good point, I’ll have to think about that.

Built better and last longer than just about anything you can buy

They are well built, but I do wonder if its worth it. There are a lot of compromises, they’re not tall (my head brushes the headliner), the shower is cramped, I wonder if its the right solution …

[buellfire]

Originally Posted by cwall59

Pretty much think the same . I’m trying to figure out how many batteries, what size inverter, and how much solar. Not going to tackle any of that my self as far as installation. I’m currently thinking 300 amp battery, 2 -200 watt panels and a 3000 watt inverter.

Sound good, lithium batteries are becoming reasonable in price 300 to 600 amp hrs is reasonable nowadays. 3000 watt inverter would power the whole trailer.

[buellfire]

Originally Posted by BigDan

Yeah I’m the same height. I’ve only seen one with the skylight and that was really too cramped to stand, so I figured might as well not bother. But the getting into the shower is a good point, I’ll have to think about that.



They are well built, but I do wonder if its worth it. There are a lot of compromises, they’re not tall (my head brushes the headliner), the shower is cramped, I wonder if its the right solution …

We have friends that have multiple slides and room but guess what we all hang outside. How do you plan on using the trailer, if you are just sleeping and hauling stuff do you really need a large camper? The bath works, is it luxury? No but totally functional. We came from a Casita and an Escape 21, so the Bigfoot still seams huge.

[glens2422]

We just placed an order for a 25RQ, March delivery. Paige at trailer world was very helpful putting together a solar battery inverter system that met our needs and budget. They are also putting in a Houghton 13500 btu a/c with remote. We decided against skylights because of heat also. I might add that Paige did a great job of working with us on price and getting the trailer cost within our budget with the specs we wanted.

Before we bought we toured the factory and the outside logos and decals have changed. Grant was not only informative but his attention to detail is extraordinary as well as his quality checks. As current owners of an Escape 2019 19 ft, which we also toured we are extremely impressed with the Bigfoot operation.

[cwall59]

We placed our order today with Paige on our 25B25RT . Also hoping for a March build . She sent pictures of new logo’s . She is very pleasant to work with.

[Yerfdog]

@buellfire and @glens2422
Curious as to your thoughts on the differences between Escape and Bigfoot, since you have had a Escape? I have a 5.7l Tundra and was leaning toward the E23 due to weight. But I am drawn to Bigfoot due to better insulation and reputation for build quality. Thanks

[glens2422]

Yerfdog,

We just returned from touring Escape and Bigfoot manufacturing facilities. The main differences besides price is in the quality of the build. Bigfoot uses a thicker fiberglass and they have a 1.5 inch insulation. When you press the outside of the fiberglass there is no give on the Bigfoot. The Bigfoot also has an enclosed tanks with heaters for a true 4 season trailer and the tanks are accessible by removing the cover. No hard foam that has to be removed and then replaced like the Escape. When you look at the tolerances of the Bigfoot and Escape again Bigfoot has much smaller differences. This was very apparent on the cabinet work and drawers. Finally the cost was only about 10% more for a Bigfoot 25RQ vs the Escape 23. Now the Escape can be customized and has a much more modern look than Bigfoot.

Paige, at Trailer World in Denver said my Nissan Armada with 8500 lbs towing package should be fine with a weight distribution hitch and anti sway. Grant at Bigfoot said the same thing.

We own a 2019 Escape 19 and it's been a good trailer and I have no doubt a new one would be good also. However after touring both facilities and witnessing how they operate I believe the Bigfoot gives me a lot better trailer for my money.

Let me know if you have any other question and I will do my best to answer them.

Glen

[cwall59]

We are coming from a 40’ New Horizons 5thwheel pulled by a F450 with a GenY gooseneck hitch . We ordered a 25B25RT and will pull with a F350SRW truck . Any advice on hitch for this setup? Truck won’t have any problem pulling it but also would like to make sure sway control is also good. We have a sharp downhill backup at our house where it will be kept . So I’m hoping to find a hitch that doesn’t require removing anything to back at sharp angles. Travel trailers are new to me . Some say I won’t need anything just hook up to the ball and go . Any thoughts are welcome.

[Mark in Oregon]

Just got a note from my Bigfoot dealer, new orders are now out to late February or early March. Still better than what my lead time was, April-December 2023.

[cwall59]

Originally Posted by Mark in Oregon

Just got a note from my Bigfoot dealer, new orders are now out to late February or early March. Still better than what my lead time was, April-December 2023.

Ordered ours Saturday and was told probably May worst case but thought she might still could get a March slot .

[Mark in Oregon]

Yeah, come to think of it mine was scheduled for November and it ended up being late December. Also depends on freight logistics, like waiting for 3 campers or 2 trailers on a flatbed, or individually pulling them to the dealer.

[buellfire]

Originally Posted by Yerfdog

@buellfire and @glens2422
Curious as to your thoughts on the differences between Escape and Bigfoot, since you have had a Escape? I have a 5.7l Tundra and was leaning toward the E23 due to weight. But I am drawn to Bigfoot due to better insulation and reputation for build quality. Thanks

Yerf,

I have a 2016 Tundra crew max 4wd 5.7l limited since new, and have pulled a Casita sd17, a 2019 Escape 21, and now the Bigfoot 25rt with front storage box. The Casita and Escape the truck pulled without challenge and we loved that I never worried about going anywhere. Since buying the Bigfoot our trips have changed, we are wider, heavier, and longer. I now think about stops for fuel, food, and interests not a big deal but a change. The truck has plenty of power with the 5.7 and 4:30 gearing however the brakes are not quite up to the task and the suspension with an equalizer 4way sway hitch is taxed. I swapped the factory brake control for a p3 tekonsha which work way better and looks factory in the place of the factory one with the install kit. The factory controller isn't aggressive enough with its braking profile, do your own research on this.
At 110k miles I am still on the factory shocks and springs and if we keep this truck the plan is to upgrade to Deaver rear springs, and Bilstein front coilovers, however the GVRW is still low on these trucks and no upgrade change that. If you want to talk, happy to speak on the phone, pm me.

As we move toward having more time for travel I plan to buy a diesel 3/4 truck in the next few years.

[buellfire]

Originally Posted by Yerfdog

@buellfire and @glens2422
Curious as to your thoughts on the differences between Escape and Bigfoot, since you have had a Escape? I have a 5.7l Tundra and was leaning toward the E23 due to weight. But I am drawn to Bigfoot due to better insulation and reputation for build quality. Thanks

Pictures are fun, here you go!

[oldwave]

We bought ours at the end of 2022 with a 12 month wait. Apache gave us decent discounts. We did keep the skylight and simply put up reflective insulation when the heat is an issue, we like it when it’s not. No skylight in the bath because we are short, but the same technique could be used. We did get the factor solar, which was overpriced, but I did my own inverter and lithium battery install. We did get the outside shower, I’d delete it if could. We don’t have dogs. The Coleman ac is acceptable for noise. We love the front box, be aware it will add weight to the tongue, if you get the generator it will add lots of weight. I’d go for a Honda fuel injected 3000i (or something like that) it’s 2700 and will power the ac . Build quality is good, we had a pesky window leak for a while, turns out the buried weep holes were clogged, had to remove the track to reveal them. The ones we could see were clear. We had the axles replaced under dexter warranty at 30,000 miles. We owned an Escape 21, this is generally a much stouter trailer and well built. I’d say the weakest build quality is the wiring neatness, it’s pitiful. I’d recommend getting the prewire for litium batteries inside under the bench, it will save loads of work. We have a Victron 330 ah battery with external bms, it was expensive, but cheaper than the battle born 270 ah . I’d recommend the victron multiplus 3000 and replace the stock converter. I made a mistake and bought the multiplus 2000, it really is an 1800 watt inverter, the 3000 is a 2400 watt inverter. Don’t believe most of the cheaper 3000 watt inverters capacity, it usually not continuous for very long. My multiplus will not run my ac, though the battery would. The 3000 would.

All in all it’s a great trailer, especially in cold weather, we are about to cross country to Oregon to stay for a while to see the grand baby. Get your heated hose ready !

[cwall59]

Originally Posted by oldwave

We bought ours at the end of 2022 with a 12 month wait. Apache gave us decent discounts. We did keep the skylight and simply put up reflective insulation when the heat is an issue, we like it when it’s not. No skylight in the bath because we are short, but the same technique could be used. We did get the factor solar, which was overpriced, but I did my own inverter and lithium battery install. We did get the outside shower, I’d delete it if could. We don’t have dogs. The Coleman ac is acceptable for noise. We love the front box, be aware it will add weight to the tongue, if you get the generator it will add lots of weight. I’d go for a Honda fuel injected 3000i (or something like that) it’s 2700 and will power the ac . Build quality is good, we had a pesky window leak for a while, turns out the buried weep holes were clogged, had to remove the track to reveal them. The ones we could see were clear. We had the axles replaced under dexter warranty at 30,000 miles. We owned an Escape 21, this is generally a much stouter trailer and well built. I’d say the weakest build quality is the wiring neatness, it’s pitiful. I’d recommend getting the prewire for litium batteries inside under the bench, it will save loads of work. We have a Victron 330 ah battery with external bms, it was expensive, but cheaper than the battle born 270 ah . I’d recommend the victron multiplus 3000 and replace the stock converter. I made a mistake and bought the multiplus 2000, it really is an 1800 watt inverter, the 3000 is a 2400 watt inverter. Don’t believe most of the cheaper 3000 watt inverters capacity, it usually not continuous for very long. My multiplus will not run my ac, though the battery would. The 3000 would.

All in all it’s a great trailer, especially in cold weather, we are about to cross country to Oregon to stay for a while to see the grand baby. Get your heated hose ready !

Thanks for your input. We have ordered ours from dealer in Colorado. I will have them install solar, lithium battery and inverter. I was thinking 3000 watt inverter and also looking at Honda 3200 generator. I really like the looks of the build quality from units I’ve been able to tour . I do think the front storage is nice . Hopefully we will get a March build .

[btroxell]

Oldwave, can you elaborate on what track you had to remove to expose the clogged weep holes? I just had to dry out from a leak and can't figure out where it came from. It looks like a side window but it has never leaked before.

Ben

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by btroxell

Oldwave, can you elaborate on what track you had to remove to expose the clogged weep holes? I just had to dry out from a leak and can't figure out where it came from. It looks like a side window but it has never leaked before.

Ben

Yes
The rear slider window on the passenger side has a rubber track the window slides on. It’s kinda of hard rubber. Use a pick to lift it up and you’ll see the extra weep holes. This flummoxed me for months and numerous rv dealers charged me outrageous money to never fix the leak. A window guy charged 75 bucks to figure it out.

[buellfire]

Originally Posted by oldwave

Yes
The rear slider window on the passenger side has a rubber track the window slides on. It’s kinda of hard rubber. Use a pick to lift it up and you’ll see the extra weep holes. This flummoxed me for months and numerous rv dealers charged me outrageous money to never fix the leak. A window guy charged 75 bucks to figure it out.

Oldwave,

Thanks for sharing, this is great information! I had a similar problem with our Casita, and the fix was well documented on the forums.
Shawn

[cwall59]

Originally Posted by oldwave

Yes
The rear slider window on the passenger side has a rubber track the window slides on. It’s kinda of hard rubber. Use a pick to lift it up and you’ll see the extra weep holes. This flummoxed me for months and numerous rv dealers charged me outrageous money to never fix the leak. A window guy charged 75 bucks to figure it out.

Do you think it was always plugged or just stopped up over time ? Trying to get a mental checklist for when we do get our trailer. Thanks for the informative information.