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Old 04-23-2012, 08:28 PM   #1
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19' weighed loaded

We weighed the 19' loaded for travel. That included 1/3 tank of water, 1/2 tank of propane and about 3/4 tank of gas (23 gal. Capacity).

The Escape weighed 3060 with a tongue weight of 440 for 3500 lbs. We had used a Sherline scale and it was way off at 362 lbs. All I can figure is that our site was sloping and we were nowhere near the correct height. I am assuming that the truck scale was correct.

We went to a Love's (which bought some Flying Js). We put each of the TV axles on a scale and the trailer axles on a third scale. So we had three weights without having to move. $9.50 for the first weighing, $1 for additionals within 24 hours.

Our options include AC, insulation, kitchen window, bike ready, TV, microwave, stereo. Have 2 batteries and 2 propane tanks.

The tongue weight is okay but we are taking some things out of the front box to lighten it up a little.

We weighed with the WDH on and off. The weights showed that the WDH is transferring 280 lbs. From the TV rear axle, 100 to the trailer and 180 to the TV front axle.
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Old 04-24-2012, 07:52 AM   #2
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Re: 19' weighed loaded

Cathy, those are pretty close to weights we encountered. I think you may have a few more options, particularly AC, that we do not. Trailer alone gave us between 2900 and 3000 lbs without water, I have weighed three different occasions. A full fresh water tank will add 160#.

My tongue weights have jumped around. I think it is because I have not had the trailer perfectly level. Between 390 and 520#. What makes it harder is how it was packed. Not sure it was the same each time.

Like you, I used a commerical truck scale. However it was not till later that I learned that important step of making sure the trailer was level. As Reace pointed out, the Escape 19 has torsion axles, it you are not level the torsion can affect the tongue weight.
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Old 04-24-2012, 04:09 PM   #3
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Re: 19' weighed loaded

Paul, what are you doing to see that you are level? I understand that we are to get the tongue weight at the level we are hitched. Since we are hitched when weighing, I don't see anything to do.

The sellers had a lower TV. Their ball mount is in the lowest position already. Our hitch-up, however, looks very level. We did measure the wheel wells to change the number of chain links in the WDH and think we have it right according to the instructions. The WDH bars also look very level. I still can't figure out how we can be level with the ball mount in the same place when our TV is higher but it all looks as level as can be.

As far as the scales, maybe we should put a big level on the scale itself and check it. You would think that scale builders would be careful on that point but no telling.
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Old 04-24-2012, 05:02 PM   #4
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Re: 19' weighed loaded

Hi: Floating Cloud... I don't have a 19'er... but I think the term is not so much level as it is parallel to the deck of the scale. You should measure the space below the trailer from the concrete to the frame in 2 places. This is only for a dual axle trailer. You don't want more weight on one axle over the other. Alf
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Old 04-24-2012, 08:55 PM   #5
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Re: 19' weighed loaded

Hi, Alf,
Are you back from your trip?
I have to admit that I never thought of getting under the trailer and measuring from the concrete up. I take it you mean at exposed points on the frame, one near the front maybe and one near the back, or just on each side of the axles. The fiberglass, at least on a 19', is not at the same height in the front as in the back. I haven't looked under there much! So if the measurements do not agree, then we are cranking it, I guess.
Thank you. Hope you had a nice trip down South.
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Old 04-24-2012, 09:56 PM   #6
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Re: 19' weighed loaded

Floating Cloud, Escape Artist may have the best answer. I have not weighed my 19 since I found out about the need to level it. I was going to rely on the bubble gauge by the door. Someone said you should not rely on that for accuracy. I carry a 12" level, I suppose I could lay that on the tongue.

Anyone else have some thoughts?
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Old 04-24-2012, 10:17 PM   #7
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Re: 19' weighed loaded

Here is my 19' weight from the 2010 Oregon Gathering:

Left front axle 1,340, rear axle 500
Right front 1,180, rear axle 420
Total axle weight 3,440 (with 2 bikes on the rear)
Tongue is 320 with 2 bikes on the rear of the Escape
With the bikes removed, the tongue weight moves up to 360
Total weight is "3,800" and 3,760 with the bikes. The "3,800" figure is a little misleading as the axle weight was not made with the bikes removed.

The fresh water and gray water tanks were empty. The black water tank had about 1 to 2 gallons in it. Some clothes, food and beer for the exchange. The two LP tanks were about 90% filled.
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Old 04-24-2012, 11:05 PM   #8
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Re: 19' weighed loaded

Rick, I find those weights hard to believe. I know that when you weighed my 17B at the 2011 gathering I questioned one scale and it was found to be faulty.

All your weight is on the front axle yet your tongue weight on the road with the bikes is only 320 lbs, 8 1/2 % of your total weight. If these weights are indeed accurate then you are overloading your front axle by 20 lbs as the 19' uses twin 2500 lb axles and the front axle is loaded to 2520 lbs.

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Old 04-24-2012, 11:14 PM   #9
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Re: 19' weighed loaded

Quote:
Originally Posted by Floating Cloud
Hi, Alf,
Are you back from your trip?
I have to admit that I never thought of getting under the trailer and measuring from the concrete up. I take it you mean at exposed points on the frame, one near the front maybe and one near the back, or just on each side of the axles. The fiberglass, at least on a 19', is not at the same height in the front as in the back. I haven't looked under there much! So if the measurements do not agree, then we are cranking it, I guess.
Thank you. Hope you had a nice trip down South.
Hi: Floating Cloud... Yes we are back from our, all to short, trip south!!! 71 fiberglass campers at the rally in Townsend Tenn.
I am only repeating what Reace told me and a new 19' owner about the frame being parallel to the ground. The trick with a two stage frame is doing the measurements from the same part of the frame...not the stepped up part. ie: front and middle vs. rear of the frame.
Yes the fiberglass pontoons mask the frame and may look level when the frame isn't. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 04-24-2012, 11:52 PM   #10
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Re: 19' weighed loaded

Barry, here are three other 19 footers. #13 didn't split out axle weights, #19 must have been empty

#13
2009 ESCAPE 19
Trailer axle 1: LEFT = 1180 RIGHT = 1080
TRAILER’S TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT = 3620
TRAILER HITCH WEIGHT = 240
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT = 3860

#14
2010 ESCAPE 19
Trailer axle 1: LEFT = 1140 RIGHT = 980
Trailer axle 2: LEFT = 960 RIGHT = 660
TRAILER’S TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT = 3740
TRAILER HITCH WEIGHT = 240
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT = 3980

#19
2009 ESCAPE 19
Trailer axle 1: LEFT = 980 RIGHT = 740
Trailer axle 2: LEFT = 600 RIGHT = 600
TRAILER’S TOTAL AXLE WEIGHT = 2920
TRAILER HITCH WEIGHT = 220
TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT = 3140
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Old 04-25-2012, 12:25 AM   #11
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Re: 19' weighed loaded

Paul, we also have another level and that is just what I was thinking, put it on the tongue. Beats getting underneath but we can do both. Yes, I understand that bubble levels on trailers are not very reliable.

Alf, I can't wait to go to an Egg/Marshmallow rally. Must have been neat to see all of those.

Laura and Rick, you don't have the front box, do you? No, I don't understand your low tongue weight but what do I know. I never thought of weighing the trailer axles separately at the scales. Can do that next time.
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Old 04-25-2012, 09:22 AM   #12
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Re: 19' weighed loaded

There is no reason at all not to trust the levels on the side of the trailer. Definitely check them to be sure they are mounted accurately, and once you confirm their accuracy, there is no reason not to trust them. They work just like the level you used to check. I would put the level for front to back inside the trailer near the middle where there is less flex on the frame, plus this is the area I want the most level anyway.

I do carry a small torpedo level in my repair/tool kit, just in case, but have never had to use it. I really should just leave it out and save a bit of weight.

I should weigh my trailer some day. I did do the hitch once, but that is it.
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Old 04-25-2012, 11:36 AM   #13
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Re: 19' weighed loaded

Cathy, I do have the front storage box or should I say the old box. In 2010, when my Escape was weighted the storage box was the type used on pickup trucks. Here are two pictures of the pickup style box and the Escape made box made during the installation of the Escape box at the new Escape factory. I haven't yet weight the Escape with the new box. I do plan to weight it this summer at an Oregon weight station while headed to Champoeg State Park.
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front.jpg   side.jpg  
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Old 04-26-2012, 04:24 PM   #14
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Re: 19' weighed loaded

You will like that new box so well.

We did the tongue weight again with the Sherline. This time we had most of the blocks and some of the chocks out and we made sure the trailer was level. We were at 400 lbs. on the dot.

We have the two batteries in the front box and some light things now. Rick, if you load yours up like we did, you will be taking things out to move them to the back. The box capacity, by the way, is 100 lbs. I wonder what those batteries weigh.
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