Lightweight towing. - 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 12-05-2018, 04:37 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Port Moody, British Columbia
Trailer: 2019 17B
Posts: 39
Lightweight towing.

Hi all,


We're getting a 17B in the spring and our tow vehicle is a 2014 Ford Escape with factory tow kit. Tow rating is 3500 lbs and I see that some on the forum have been towing 17s with that capacity. We also plan to do what we can to travel light to add what margin we can (e.g. tow mostly dry).



My question is directed at people with smaller tow vehicles (Siennas, RAV-4s...) and 17 trailers: do you use a load-leveling or load-leveling + sway-control hitch in your setup or just ball-on-tongue and that's it? ETI mentioned to us that most 17 owners don't use load-leveling or sway-control setups but I wonder if they their data is biased towards setups with larger tow vehicles in general.
chrispy35 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2018, 05:13 PM   #2
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: 8,234
If you ever get in a real tight spot you’ll be very glad to have a weight distributing hitch properly adjusted and locked up to your tow rig. The Escape trailers tow very well but there is always the concept of the tail wagging the dog. Judicious side to side even loading, allowable tongue weight not violated, and self control when choosing what to take on the outing at hand are all factors to be considered and respected. If you are destination camping and it’s not a boondock situation you may want to consider the nearest town as a source of food, water and other ‘heavy’ goods. Keep your trailer brakes adjusted so they are “right there”
There’s no substitute for experience and common sense. Easy does it.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
Iowa Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2018, 05:23 PM   #3
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
I am using Pro Series weight distribution hitch that was purchased and installed at ETI. I would not tow without it ( other than the 12 blocks to my RV shop ).

I have been towing my 17B for ten years.
If I didn't feel it was necessary, I wouldn't drag it out to my tow vehicle.

Photos show my combo without and with WDH.
Attached Thumbnails
NO WDH1.jpg   With WDH1.jpg  
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2018, 05:55 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: n/a, Texas
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 720
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
I am using Pro Series weight distribution hitch that was purchased and installed at ETI. I would not tow without it ( other than the 12 blocks to my RV shop ).

I have been towing my 17B for ten years.
If I didn't feel it was necessary, I wouldn't drag it out to my tow vehicle.

Photos show my combo without and with WDH.
I’m not sure your breakaway cable is properly connected. Better check.
Viajante is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2018, 05:59 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
I used a WDH when towing my 17B with a RAV4. Tried it for a drive across town without it & was not happy.
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2018, 06:29 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
sunrisetrucker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Nanaimo Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 17b "Shelly"
Posts: 457
I towed my 17B with a 2010 Santa Fa with a 3500lb towing capacity and used a WDH. Like others have mentioned it's the only way to go.
Also I did not feel the need for sway-control.
__________________
Like a lot of fellows, I have a furniture problem. My chest has fallen into my drawers
"Billy Casper"
sunrisetrucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2018, 06:41 PM   #7
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 Viajante View Post
I’m not sure your breakaway cable is properly connected. Better check.

Not sure how you can see how it is connected.

I do plan to get a dedicated clip for the cable so I can stop busting my knuckles pulling the R-clip to install the loop over the pin.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2018, 06:50 PM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Port Moody, British Columbia
Trailer: 2019 17B
Posts: 39
Thanks for the quick replies!


I think gbaglo's picture has sold me on getting a WDH.


My next question is the regarding the options available from ETI:


Can anyone provide some insight on differences/suitability of the offered WDH options?


  1. Equalizer Hitch (Pro-Series 600lb Trunnion) $350
  2. Equalizer Hitch w. sway bar (Pro-Series 600lb Trunnion) $475
  3. E2 by Fastway (WDH + sway control) $625
Are there some limitations on the cheaper options as far as maneuverability goes or ease of use?
chrispy35 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2018, 06:51 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: n/a, Texas
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 720
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
Not sure how you can see how it is connected.
Google Earth. 3D, time lapse.
Viajante is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2018, 07:06 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Hope, Indiana
Trailer: Escape 21
Posts: 277
Quote:
Originally Posted by Viajante View Post
I’m not sure your breakaway cable is properly connected. Better check.
Haha.
Sure it is for illustrative purposes, meant only to show the effect of a WDH, and isn’t to be towed without completing the setup. In the first picture, his 7-pole connector isn’t connected; it’s laid up way behind his vehicle, in the trailer frame; (on the non-WDH photo).

Can’t see his breakaway cable though.
__________________
Trent
Rrgramps is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2018, 07:13 PM   #11
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 chrispy35 View Post
Can anyone provide some insight on differences/suitability of the offered WDH options?
  1. Equalizer Hitch (Pro-Series 600lb Trunnion) $350
  2. Equalizer Hitch w. sway bar (Pro-Series 600lb Trunnion) $475
  3. E2 by Fastway (WDH + sway control) $625

I have #1.

I don't think sway bars are needed. I've had to make a couple radical lane changes over ten years and the trailer just follows the tow.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2018, 08:59 PM   #12
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: 8,234
Hitch selection

Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
I have #1.

I don't think sway bars are needed. I've had to make a couple radical lane changes over ten years and the trailer just follows the tow.
I had the #1 selection for the 19 as well. No limits on backing up or turning, easy enough to hook up and never had a bit of a problem with it. Would not see a reason for the anti sway model and would not knock the E2 but it’s quite a bit more money.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
Iowa Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2018, 09:09 PM   #13
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
I might pay more for less weight, but I can't find that spec on the Fastway site. I kinda don't think I'd pay twice as much if it only weight a few pounds less.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2018, 11:05 PM   #14
Member
 
BC Rockcrawler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia
Trailer: 2005 Escape 17B
Posts: 54
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrispy35 View Post
Hi all,


We're getting a 17B in the spring and our tow vehicle is a 2014 Ford Escape with factory tow kit. Tow rating is 3500 lbs and I see that some on the forum have been towing 17s with that capacity. We also plan to do what we can to travel light to add what margin we can (e.g. tow mostly dry).



My question is directed at people with smaller tow vehicles (Siennas, RAV-4s...) and 17 trailers: do you use a load-leveling or load-leveling + sway-control hitch in your setup or just ball-on-tongue and that's it? ETI mentioned to us that most 17 owners don't use load-leveling or sway-control setups but I wonder if they their data is biased towards setups with larger tow vehicles in general.

When it comes to using a WDH, it is recommended that a trailer with a weight that is 50% or above the GVW of the tow vehicle, you should be using one. I have a 2009 Ranger with a GVW of 5000 Lbs. Although the hitch has a rating of 600 lb tongue weight along with a 6000 lb tow rating and can handle our 17B with just a ball, it tows so much nicer with the WDH and sway control. I use an E2 4500 lb trunion set up and am pleased with it.
__________________
Geocaching happened because somebody allowed the nerds to get outside unsupervised.
BC Rockcrawler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2018, 07:53 AM   #15
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
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrispy35 View Post
Thanks for the quick replies!


I think gbaglo's picture has sold me on getting a WDH.


My next question is the regarding the options available from ETI:


Can anyone provide some insight on differences/suitability of the offered WDH options?


  1. Equalizer Hitch (Pro-Series 600lb Trunnion) $350
  2. Equalizer Hitch w. sway bar (Pro-Series 600lb Trunnion) $475
  3. E2 by Fastway (WDH + sway control) $625
Are there some limitations on the cheaper options as far as maneuverability goes or ease of use?
As we understood, if you are looking for some form of sway control on top of a WDH, for option 2, you would have to unhook the sway control when backing up. However, in the E2 Fastway hitch, the sway control is integrated into the WDH and you can back up without disconnecting. Backing up is not an issue under scenario 1.
Chris & Patricia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2018, 08:06 AM   #16
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
Sway is prevalent in single axle trailers like the 17, tandem axle units, the 19/21 the sway is minimized as long as there is sufficient tongue weight.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2018, 09:18 AM   #17
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 cpaharley2008 View Post
Sway is prevalent in single axle trailers like the 17

No it is not prevalent.

A properly loaded single axle trailer is no more likely to sway.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2018, 09:32 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: North of Danbury, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2018 Escape 21C
Posts: 3,033
Our 2013 17 ft Casita is a single axle and we have not experienced sway in our 5 years of ownership . In fact it is extremely stable !
As Glenn says “ It is not prevelant “ and I agree .

To be honest , I’ve had stability issues with our 21 and that’s a dual axle . ( tire related)
( We are not currently using a WDH & Anti Sway but will in the future )
steve dunham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2018, 09:54 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Hope, Indiana
Trailer: Escape 21
Posts: 277
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
I have #1.

I don't think sway bars are needed. I've had to make a couple radical lane changes over ten years and the trailer just follows the tow.
Other vehicles, perhaps, might induce sway under certain conditions, and the sway bar will help stabilize the trailer. It’s probably prudent, practical, and valuable, even, to check the owners manual.

In most owners manuals, towing considerations are listed. Some manuals, like certain Toyota RAVs, may recommend “not” to use a WDH. Others, like my JGC warn that a WDH is necessary for trailers over 3500 pounds. Which I interpret to mean tongue weight of over 350 pounds.

I’ve never had sway without a sway bar. When I hooked up my included friction sway bar, it of course, didn’t do anything for sway. What I did notice was a smoother ride with less bobbing of the trailer, and less clanging noise emanating from the hitch. I’m pretty sure my old Casita suspension bounces around more than a new trailer.
__________________
Trent
Rrgramps is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2018, 10:02 AM   #20
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
Toyota does not "recommend “not” to use a WDH".
It does not recommend a WDH. There is a difference. I got clarification from Toyota Canada and was told because they do not have a relationship with a WDH manufacturer, they don't recommend any particular one.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo 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 12:57 PM.


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