Is the E2 Fastway the best way to go? - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Towing and Hitching
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-27-2018, 11:43 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21 towed by F-150 with 2.7l eb, formerly Escape 17B 2017
Posts: 563
Is the E2 Fastway the best way to go?

We will be finalising our build sheet for our new 21 this week and have purchased a new to us 2015 Ford F-150 with a 2.7L ecoboost engine as our TV. It comes with a trailer tow package including an integrated brake controller. Their are separate receptacles for both a 7 and 4 pin plug, so we are good to go.

Back to the old cherry though, the weight distribution hitch and sway control. Although the TV includes some sort of sway control management, it is more in the way of reducing the impact if it occurs rather than being preventative.

Clearly some users would go without, however, we feel that it would be safer, especially as we plan longish trips with lots of highway driving as well as up and down lots of steep hills and curves, to get a WDH with some kind of sway control.

Our preference would be to go with the E2 Fastway and get ETI to install it. The convenience of the integration, not having to unhitch the sway bars when backing up are attractive options. However there seem to be a lot of issues with it, especially older models, and the way it has been installed, which doesn't necessarily thrill us. There is an active thread on this on the forum right now. There appear to be some remedies and supposedly the latest version should alleviate it, but some people have mentioned that maybe the installation was at fault, not sure whether this happened on ETI installations rather than elsewhere, or on home installations.

Hence our question, Is an E2 Fastway the best way to go, or are there better options?
Chris & Patricia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 12:07 PM   #2
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Flowery Branch, Georgia
Trailer: 2018 Escape 21'
Posts: 27
We have the E2, installed by ETI in July when we picked up our new 21. No issues towing back to Ga. thru Glacier, Yellowstone, and Colorado. We have a new Highlander, and I did not try towing without the bars attached.
Ripple is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 12:31 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Olympia wa, Washington
Trailer: 5.0TA 2017
Posts: 2,255
i towed a 17 with a highlander used WDH with the bars ( i don't remember the name but the simple one with bars and chains) never removed when backing up -no issues.
Fox hunt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 12:36 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox hunt View Post
i towed a 17 with a highlander used WDH with the bars ( i don't remember the name but the simple one with bars and chains) never removed when backing up -no issues.

Pro Series?
Attached Thumbnails
With WDH2.jpg  
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 12:57 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Iowa Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,235
The Pro series worked well for us on the 19 as well. We never unhooked the bars to back up
And I had it jackknifed pretty short a few times and never dropped a bar. It is possible though I’ve been told. The greater worry in that case will be contact between the trailer and the taillight lens. Which is also possible I’m told. I don’t like to crank anything around too tight, I’d rather reset my pattern an give it another go. That said, I’m sure the hitch you’re looking at will do well for you. I’d be especially vigilant the first few days and first few thousand miles with proper torque values, an understanding of how the hitch should look when everything is tight and the wrenches or sockets to “make it so Scotty”. That’s true of any new thing you put on the road including lug nuts and other visible nuts, bolts and screws.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
Iowa Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 01:01 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
Can't say if it's the best one, but I used it's big brother, the Equal-i-zer, for 7 years. Used it with a GMC 1500, and my F150. Although I didn't HAVE to use one either, I just felt better with it, but to each his own.



Other then the bending brackets that others here talk about it worked fine.


Do think about the weight of the unit, I lugged mine from the shed to the truck each time I needed it. The head that goes in the receiver must be somewhere around 40 or 50 lbs.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 03:40 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox hunt View Post
i towed a 17 with a highlander used WDH with the bars ( i don't remember the name but the simple one with bars and chains) never removed when backing up -no issues.
WDH spring bars of any brand are not removed for backing up. It is only the separate bar-and-clamp style friction-based sway control devices (which are not WD systems at all) which may need to be removed.
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 04:00 PM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Vonore, Tennessee
Trailer: 2018 Escape 21 - "Here We Go Again"
Posts: 83
Quote: (Can't say if it's the best one, but I used it's big brother, the Equal-i-zer, for 7 years. Used it with a GMC 1500, and my F150. Although I didn't HAVE to use one either, I just felt better with it, but to each his own.)

Having used a variety of hitches through the years, my favorite was the Equal-i-zer we had for our huge 36' Cougar High Country. Easy to use and rock solid control.

Debated about which hitch to use for our new (due in November) 21' and decided to go with the E2 Fastway. We will be towing with a Ford F250, so yeah it might be overkill for that truck. But, figured that the extra capability and safety of that hitch setup is worth the added money spent. We tend to error more on the side of safety when towing.

And the hitch will just be another added feature if we ever decide we want to sell.
gwvwadc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 05:28 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Steve Clark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Fremont, California
Trailer: 2016 21. '15 Ford Explorer V-6
Posts: 1,558
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris & Patricia View Post

Clearly some users would go without, however, we feel that it would be safer, especially as we plan longish trips with lots of highway driving as well as up and down lots of steep hills and curves, to get a WDH with some kind of sway control.
We had the same concerns, Chris & Patricia, and ordered a Pro Series WDH (as shown in photo posted by Glenn) plus Sway Control bar. The WDH is a necessity with our Explorer SUV, and we never tow without it. We used the optional Sway Control bar for several thousand miles and experienced no sway. Then we experimented with using just the WDH and no Sway Control bar. We notice NO DIFFERENCE, and have not used the Sway Control bar since. We too, have traveled long distances on the highway, and have never regretted the decision. The 21 tracks very true and No Sway. Just My $.02.....
__________________
Steve and Debbie
2016 - 21'

“Get out the map and lay your finger anywhere down” -Indigo Girls
Steve Clark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 05:38 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Olympia wa, Washington
Trailer: 5.0TA 2017
Posts: 2,255
yes pro series
Fox hunt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 09:08 PM   #11
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: West Des Moines, Iowa
Trailer: 2023 21C' Escape
Posts: 36
I tend to error on the side of safety. We picked our 2018 19 early may this year and had ETI install the E2 hitch. Our TV is a 1/2 ton Chevy PU and even though the owners manual states that is not necessary for for lighter trailers, I want all the advantages I can get when towing. We pulled the 19 back from BC to Iowa and it was uneventful, even when backing into a camp site. Just got back from Yellowstone and again no issues even on two lane highways. I am very satisfied with the performance of the hitch.
Cyclones forever is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 10:09 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
If I was choosing between weight distribution hitches, one of my main criteria would be how much the hitch weighs. I would then have to decide if another hitch was light enough for me to pay a premium, or if I'd stay with my Pro Series ( $350 ).
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 10:36 PM   #13
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
If I was choosing between weight distribution hitches, one of my main criteria would be how much the hitch weighs. I would then have to decide if another hitch was light enough for me to pay a premium, or if I'd stay with my Pro Series ( $350 ).
If you were just going by weight, my Andersen is really hard to beat. Of course, it's around $500.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-28-2018, 08:36 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Dave Walter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,634
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post
If you were just going by weight, my Andersen is really hard to beat. Of course, it's around $500.
I think that $350 for the Pro Series weighs less than $500 for the Andersen, at least when it comes out of my wallet!
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad

"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
Dave Walter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-28-2018, 10:18 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
and a lot less in US$, same price for the Andersen but less for the Pro Series, at least now.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-28-2018, 02:46 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
James Gang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Austin, Texas
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21
Posts: 282
Quote:
Originally Posted by gwvwadc View Post
Quote: (Can't say if it's the best one, but I used it's big brother, the Equal-i-zer, for 7 years. Used it with a GMC 1500, and my F150. Although I didn't HAVE to use one either, I just felt better with it, but to each his own.)

Having used a variety of hitches through the years, my favorite was the Equal-i-zer we had for our huge 36' Cougar High Country. Easy to use and rock solid control.

Debated about which hitch to use for our new (due in November) 21' and decided to go with the E2 Fastway. We will be towing with a Ford F250, so yeah it might be overkill for that truck. But, figured that the extra capability and safety of that hitch setup is worth the added money spent. We tend to error more on the side of safety when towing.

And the hitch will just be another added feature if we ever decide we want to sell.

I, too, have a F250. Took a chance when picking up my 21 with not having any W/D or sway control (gave my old Equalizer to the guy who bought my old trailer). I never experienced sway on my return trip to Texas and I doubt the back of the truck drops much more than an inch when hooking up. But if someone feels more comfortable having a W/D and sway control, by all means do so. I will back your decision 100%.
James Gang is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2018, 10:40 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: no fixed address, California
Trailer: 2017-21' Escape (sold) Casita 17' (sold)
Posts: 1,348
Very happy with our E2 - installed by ETI

we tow with a mid sized SUV.

makes a HUGE improvement in many ways.

Losangeles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2018, 11:23 AM   #18
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Trailer: Current 2018 Escape 21 / Prior 2006 Casita Spirit Deluxe
Posts: 11
We have the E2 installed by ETI in March 2018. Our TV is a 2015 Tundra. We put 5070 miles on our 21 from BC to Texas. We found towing the 21 with this setup a pleasurable experience. I store the WDH head and bars in the storage box on the plywood floor when not installed in the receiver hitch. Our prior trailer was a 17ft Casita pulled with a 2015 4Runner with sway control but no WDH. We definately appreciate the WDH and associated benefits.
kennull is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:18 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.