the last 2 decisions for our 21' build sheet

Dee · 09-24-2018, 12:37 PM

Hi - we'd love some help with these last 2 decisions:

1. Do we need the sway bar control? We will be towing with a new F150 that is rated to tow 12,000 lbs. The dealers says we don't need it. What do you think?

2. Do we need the highlift axel? We are planning on taking the trailer north - hopefully all the way to Inuvik. Significantly rough roads. Does anyone else have this? Has it been useful?

Any input from the vast pool of experience in the Forum is appreciated!

Deirdre & Robin Love on Vancouver Island

cpaharley2008 · 09-24-2018, 12:57 PM

You normally will not have any sway with a dual axle Escape as long as you have proper weight on the tongue. If however you have too much weight that your tow vehicle is not level, then you may need a weight distribution hitch to level out your truck. So it is a wait and see situation. As far as high axle, it really is not high axle, your axle is the same height, the trailer sits 4" higher. To me, it does not look good and may impact gas mileage due to extra height.

rubicon327 · 09-24-2018, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

As far as high axle, it really is not high axle, your axle is the same height, the trailer sits 4" higher. To me, it does not look good and may impact gas mileage due to extra height.

I'm pretty sure that ETI is using the Torflex lift kit which is just over 2-1/2" and as said it is only a spacer lifting the frame/body higher off the axle. The axle tube stays the same height. There is a 2010 for sale right now advertising 4" of lift, but I suspect some of that is due to a modified axle arm start angle (which does lift everything). I don't know if Reace will do modified axles.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...71-707-02.html

Ron in BC · 09-24-2018, 02:01 PM

I think the answer to "need" is no.

Even if I don't need my WDH I still prefer the feel of the tow with it. Even though my new F-150 won't likely need it I'll probably still use it.

The problem in remote rough area roads isn't so much ground clearance but sharp rocks cutting tires. Unless you're planning on driving up dry creek beds I won't worry about a high lift axle. We've traveled lots of very rough roads, it wasn't high rocks or dips that were the problem, just avoiding the worst of rocks that were likely to cut a tire.

My priority would be to carry a second trailer spare tire.

Ron

Dee · 09-24-2018, 02:12 PM

Super helpful - and fast - thanks!

Brian B-P · 09-24-2018, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

1. Do we need the sway bar control? We will be towing with a new F150 that is rated to tow 12,000 lbs. The dealers says we don't need it. What do you think?

Are you asking about a weight-distributing hitch (WDH) system, or a sway control device, or a WDH which also acts as a sway control?

A WDH should not be needed with a full-size pickup truck for any Escape trailer... but some people like using them. The combination of a trailer which is excessively tongue-heavy and truck with inadequate rear suspension and/or too much cargo in the box may need a WDH to tow well.

A sway control device should not be needed for any Escape with any tow vehicle... but some people prefer to use them. If a particular trailer needs this for stability, it is probably improperly loaded and that should be fixed whether you use a sway control device or not.

Since you don't need either to be within the vehicle's rated limits, one approach is to not use either, and only add them later if you find that you would prefer them.

Oldtimer · 09-24-2018, 04:35 PM

We towed our new 21 home to Texas ( 2300 miles) no sway or weight hitch, just a plain hitch. We had no swat whats so ever coming home. We tow with 1500 Z71 4x4 5.3. We have the high lift option

sclifrickson · 09-24-2018, 04:59 PM

While we don’t need a WDH for either sway or weight distribution with our 19 and F-150 combo, we always use it because the combo just feels better. The two feel much more unified and porpoising in particular is greatly reduced. Don’t need WDH, but very happy to have and use it. Your mileage may vary [emoji6]

Dee · 09-25-2018, 11:52 AM

Thanks! Your input makes our decisions clear - no to the high lift axle and the sway bar thing is a prefer issue that we can wait and see about.

On another note - what water filters are you using? Any that you would recommend?

cpaharley2008 · 09-25-2018, 12:12 PM

IMHO they are more PITA and not worth the trouble. We either take water from home in the tank of use 3 gal containers. Only use the cg water for flushing.

CADreamin · 09-25-2018, 12:31 PM

We use the Camco TastePURE Water Filter which you can buy at Amazon or Camping World and attach it on the outside. We also supplement that with a Brita countertop water filter.

Dee · 09-25-2018, 02:10 PM

Thanks for the info but I don’t know any of your acronyms!

sclifrickson · 09-25-2018, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

On another note - what water filters are you using? Any that you would recommend?

To give a pertinent answer, it is first useful to know what you want a water filter system to accomplish. Filtering for taste is very different from filtering to be bacteriologically and chemically safe/safer.

padlin · 09-25-2018, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

Thanks for the info but I don’t know any of your acronyms!

OTOH, On The Other Hand
PITA, we can skip this one
CG, campground
IMHO-in my humble opinion
I think that was all of them.

Dee · 09-26-2018, 09:46 AM

OK - now that I have been educated about common lingo -
we would be interested in filtering for bacteria - looking for safe drinking water so that we do not need to buy it. Initial response sounds like it is a PITA and not worth the effort!

cpaharley2008 · 09-26-2018, 09:56 AM

That I can agree to....

sclifrickson · 09-26-2018, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

OK - now that I have been educated about common lingo -

we would be interested in filtering for bacteria - looking for safe drinking water so that we do not need to buy it. Initial response sounds like it is a PITA and not worth the effort!

I outlined the system that we use in this thread, somewhere around post 133, I think:

Mods I Haven't Seen Elsewhere
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sha...7&share_type=t

tractors1 · 09-26-2018, 10:29 AM

Check out the assortment of water cartridge refills in the plumbing aisle of any big box store as most have a table showing what cartridges are designed to filter out. KDF rated filters do take out bacteria.

sclifrickson · 09-26-2018, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tractors1

Check out the assortment of water cartridge refills in the plumbing aisle of any big box store as most have a table showing what cartridges are designed to filter out. KDF rated filters do take out bacteria.

And check the “ratings” carefully. If the filters aren’t certified by NAF/ANSI (not merely “Tested” to a given standard) then you have no way of knowing if the filter actually performs as claimed. There are a ton of bogus products out there. Caveat emptor.

gbaglo · 09-26-2018, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tractors1

Check out the assortment of water cartridge refills in the plumbing aisle of any big box store as most have a table showing what cartridges are designed to filter out. KDF rated filters do take out bacteria.

Keeping in mind:
The human body contains trillions of microorganisms — outnumbering human cells by 10 to 1. Because of their small size, however, microorganisms make up only about 1 to 3 percent of the body's mass (in a 200-pound adult, that's 2 to 6 pounds of bacteria), but play a vital role in human health.

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