Escape 19' tandem axle

gbaglo · 11-02-2008, 02:21 PM

I'm sure we'll hear from Reace on this. My buddy, Keath, is on the list for the new 19' Escape. He's been grilling Reace about the tandem axle. After all, it takes up more interior space than a single axle. It also adds at least 200 lbs. to the trailer. And, Reace admits that a single axle is plenty adequate. The problem is marketing. It seems that customers want that extra axle.
A compromise, that deals with the weight issue is to use a single axle and close in the wheel wells with a skirt. So, you get a lighter trailer, but you don't gain any interior space.

So, anybody want to explain to me why they really, really want a tandem axle?

Reace did a photoshop version of a single axle and maybe he'll post that.

baglo

Rob M · 11-02-2008, 03:52 PM

Safety, it helps to prevent the trailer from swaying around. I will not buy the 19' if it is single axle, we would end up going with the 17' instead. And also it looks better for a trailer of that length to have 2 axles.

Thane · 11-02-2008, 05:57 PM

A tandem axle trailer can be easier to back up since the tires tend to scrub through a moderately tight turn, and this makes the trailer tend to track in a straighter line. This can be a false advantage as it restricts your ability to back it easily into a tigh spot.

I like the single axle 17' Escape, I can put it almost anywhere I could park a car and I can move it easily by hand into a tight parking spot in the backyard.

I think either a single or dual axle is fine.

Keath · 11-02-2008, 07:35 PM

hi all
So - I'm the guy that's been giving poor Rease the gears about the tandem axel - sorry Rease.
My biggest concern is the overall weight. I have this new Santa Fe that is rated for 3500 Lbs and I need to account for all the odds & sods including wife and dog and I really don't want to have to get a different/bigger tow vehicle to make it all work.
Some of the other concerns I have are the lost interior space - I think interior storage is very valuable.
Current thought is that a part of the wheel well will intrude into the shower box - not a big deal since it is directly under the corner sink anyway.
The second axel is about 200 lbs as Glenn says - so it's a significant chunk of the weight equation.
I appreciate the comments on sway and turning - thanks.
At the end of the day I'm sure it's going to all work out. Rease and Tammy are certianly very accomodating and extremely patient.
Had a look at the 19' - it's at a preliminary stage now but is really exciting to see it start to take shape - a facinating process to watch.
Keath

escape artist · 11-02-2008, 08:23 PM

Hi: Keath...I would think that along with the stability issue, weight distribution over the two axles coupled with the added length necessitates the dual axles. Our 5.0 is so well balanced if I step on the rear bumper my 200+#s will raise the trailer off the front landing gear!!! What I wondered about was the 13" tires

Then again bigger tires mean bigger wheel wells.

Escape Artist N.S. of Lake Erie

PGDriver · 11-02-2008, 10:35 PM

I have also ordered a 19 from Reace due to the extra room and double axle.
IMHO a double axle sways less, is more forgiving in how you load it weight wise etc.

gbaglo · 11-02-2008, 10:42 PM

Have to ask. Those of you who have ordered or plan to order the 19, what is or will be your tow vehicle?

My RAV4 V6 is more than adequate for the 17.

Also, I think the tires on the 19 are larger than 13 inch. Could be wrong. I have 15 inch on my 17.

bags

Jim Bennett · 11-03-2008, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Have to ask. Those of you who have ordered or plan to order the 19, what is or will be your tow vehicle?

My RAV4 V6 is more than adequate for the 17.

Also, I think the tires on the 19 are larger than 13 inch. Could be wrong. I have 15 inch on my 17.

bags

I plan on using my 09 Honda Pilot with a V6, which is rated for 4,500 lbs. I like to have a fair bit more capacity then what I will pull. Pulling anywhere near your rated capacity is always problematic, especially if you need passing power, or plan to drive in hilly country.

I noticed that the latest tire size for the 19' moved up to a 14" from a 13".

Rob M · 11-03-2008, 04:41 AM

I will be towing with my wife's '06 Grand Cherokee with the Hemi which is rated for 7300 lbs.
Rob

PGDriver · 11-03-2008, 08:59 AM

I will be pulling the 19 with a 07 Toyota Tacoma, rated at 6500.

52 chev · 11-03-2008, 03:42 PM

I will be pulling my 19' with a Kia Sorrento rated at 5000 lbs. I will aso be towing with my '52 Chev that has been upgraded with an S-10 pickup front suspension, power disc brakes, power steering and an upgraded and modified 6 cylinder motor.
Al

cheryls · 11-04-2008, 12:11 PM

Along with the queen size bed, the tandem axle was a big selling point on the 19' for my husband and me. Aside from increased stability, if you suffer a tire blow-out you have a much better chance of safely pulling over if you have four wheels rather than two.

If 200 pounds is going to make a huge difference in pulling a trailer, I would think either a smaller trailer or a larger tow vehicle would be in order. JMHO.

At this point, we are planning to pull the 19' with an 18-year-old Dodge diesel pickup that is rated for 7500 lbs.

Jim Bennett · 11-04-2008, 12:18 PM

I have a Ford F250 with a PowerStroke diesel in it I could use too, but that would be total overkill. I hope to do some trips of great distance in the near future, and want something more economical. This is one of the big reasons I went for the '09 Honda Pilot, one of the best towing capacities for mid-sized SUV's. The Ford is relegated to pull construction trailers now.

Rob M · 11-04-2008, 07:08 PM

So Rease, what will it be? Single or Double.

Jim Bennett · 11-04-2008, 07:30 PM

If you look at the mold they are reshaping, it will show you that it is being built for a double. Though not absolutely necessary for that weight, I would prefer it.

gbaglo · 11-04-2008, 08:54 PM

Escape is going with the double axle. The compromise available to my buddy is he gets a single axle and a skirt to cover part of the double well for appearance, but it doesn't change the interior space. It does reduce the weight a couple hundred pounds.

bags

Wannaescape · 11-05-2008, 02:06 AM

The info about tow vehicles is VERY helpful. I'm going to get mine soon. Is there any estimate of the weight for the 19 footer. That's the one I'm interested in. I'm thinking 5,000 lbs of towing capacity at a minimum should do it. Only things I've ever towed before were sailboats, and I'm sure there's a world of difference!

Carol Ann

Jim Bennett · 11-05-2008, 03:57 AM

Base weight is projected at about 2,800 lbs I believe, so depending upon how you load it, 3,500 lb towing capacity and up will do it. I believe it is always nice to have a bit of a buffer. While I too prefer to have a good bit extra capacity, I opted for a V6 for fuel economy for both when towing as well as regular driving.

Rob M · 11-05-2008, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Escape is going with the double axle. The compromise available to my buddy is he gets a single axle and a skirt to cover part of the double well for appearance, but it doesn't change the interior space. It does reduce the weight a couple hundred pounds.

bags

Wow! Escape is an amazing company to do that for a customer!

beckmann · 11-05-2008, 11:49 PM

If you were always travelling on a smooth, quality pavement you could do with a single axle. Our experience is that we love to explore remote areas off the beaten path.Two years ago on the Old Denali Highway, a gravel road in Alaska, all three springs sheared off on the left side of our camping trailer. I would have pulled out a lot less hair had we had two axles. For work I trailer a 7000 pound boat on a double axle trailer over a substandard road with heaves and shears. Twice I have rolled into town with one bearing and spindle shot with the tire wobbly, about to fall off. The second axle allows you to make it to the next service station. It beats getting stranded. By opting for a single axle you are giving up that added margin of safety and security. In my opinion its not worth it to sacrifice the second axle to save 200 pounds. We camped last month at Cape Palmerston, just south of Cape Scott on northwest Vancouver Island. It seemed like 35 of the 70 km of logging road to get there was washboard. The trailer was shook half to death. Old trailer for sale - cheap!

We will be towing the 19' Escape with our GMC Sierra half ton. It has a towing capacity of 6000 pounds.

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