2017 Builds - Conversation and Information

[Rossue]

Stands corrected

[freespirit]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Even with a Yukon we try to travel with little water in the tank as 30 gallons is 250 lbs. and is very noticeable. A 2017 21 will be most likely 350 lbs heavier. I have noticed that ETI has deleted the statement on their website that all their trailers can be towed with a V-6 and minimum 5000 tow rating.

being a trailer newbie, have been wondering about traveling with less than a full tank of any fresh or gray...seems like it would slosh a lot with travel and jerk the trailer..sort of like the old days with waterbeds that did not have baffles...anybody offer trailer tanks with baffles or is it no big deal?

[Rossue]

ETI's instructions say to travel with a full or empty H2O tank for the reason you mentioned.

Edit: Also says to empty gray & black tank before traveling.

[freespirit]

Originally Posted by Rossue

ETI's instructions say to travel with a full or empty H2O tank for the reason you mentioned.

Edit: Also says to empty gray & black tank before traveling.

also it seems the black tank on the 21 would increase the tonque weight as you fill it..more so than the 19 with black a bit closer to axles

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by freespirit

also it seems the black tank on the 21 would increase the tonque weight as you fill it..more so than the 19 with black a bit closer to axles

Yes, although there might not be quite as much difference between models as it seems at first, since the 19's black tank extends forward from the toilet under the dinette (while the 21's tank goes sideways).

[skyfree]

Originally Posted by freespirit

being a trailer newbie, have been wondering about traveling with less than a full tank of any fresh or gray...seems like it would slosh a lot with travel and jerk the trailer..sort of like the old days with waterbeds that did not have baffles...anybody offer trailer tanks with baffles or is it no big deal?

We used to have a TT that had 36 gallon fresh capacity and I never noticed any difference with full, 1/2 full, or empty tanks. Ditto for our Arctic Fox truck camper that had 55 gallon (US) fresh. It's very low on my list of things to worry about. We usually traveled with full tanks when possible, but a week long trip with multiple dry camping sites and variable availability of dump facillities and fresh water will leave you with variable fresh water and waste tank levels.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by freespirit

being a trailer newbie, have been wondering about traveling with less than a full tank of any fresh or gray...seems like it would slosh a lot with travel and jerk the trailer..sort of like the old days with waterbeds that did not have baffles...anybody offer trailer tanks with baffles or is it no big deal?

Water is about 8 lbs/gallon, so 40 gallons of liquid would be about 320 lbs - less than 1% of the trailer weight. I never noticed an issue and actually think it might help scrub off the level sensors if you shake things up a bit.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Water is about 8 lbs/gallon, so 40 gallons of liquid would be about 320 lbs - less than 1% of the trailer weight. I never noticed an issue and actually think it might help scrub off the level sensors if you shake things up a bit.

We alway leave with fresh filled. For us 20 gal would only be 160 lb. Charley ordered my tire sensors . Should be here Friday . Pat

[Losangeles]

Originally Posted by Rossue

..... A 2017 21 will be most likely 350 lbs heavier. ......

I just heard from ETI today and although they dont have final exact weights yet....

it is my understanding that they'll have exact final 2017 weights quite soon,

and they told me... and i quote..... "it [2017 21'] is projected to go up in weight by about 200-300 lbs."

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by skyfree

We used to have a TT that had 36 gallon fresh capacity and I never noticed any difference with full, 1/2 full, or empty tanks. Ditto for our Arctic Fox truck camper that had 55 gallon (US) fresh.

How much you notice it will depend on the tank location. Escape fresh water tanks are all behind the axles.

Originally Posted by skyfree

... a week long trip with multiple dry camping sites and variable availability of dump facillities and fresh water will leave you with variable fresh water and waste tank levels.

True. I think any RV should be able to handle changing tank contents, but there will still be an optimal condition.

Originally Posted by tractors1

Water is about 8 lbs/gallon, so 40 gallons of liquid would be about 320 lbs - less than 1% of the trailer weight.

That's 10% of the trailer weight, not 1%. Because the tanks - particularly fresh and black - are away from the middle of the trailer, the effect on balance is greater than the effect on total weight.

[cpaharley2008]

A recent discussion with a fellow Escape owner on the road was about poor handling and tow vehicle squat in the rear. I asked how much fresh water was being carried and the response was -0-. I suggested filling up the tank 50% and then try towing. I was told that adding water to 3/4 full in the fresh tank made a world of difference in the rest of the trip.

[Rossue]

Jim- what combination of trailer/tug was it?

[cpaharley2008]

See post #537 here http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f7...g-4247-54.html
I believe they have a Toyota Sequoia that had some stuff behind the rear seat also.

[davescape]

Originally Posted by freespirit

thanks for the weight update, much better.... your build looks similar to what this camper is considering..if you get a chance a picture showing a side view of both your new trailer+tug attached it would be cool as your trailer and tug choices are similar to this camper and would help with the visuals. Happy camping!

Here's a pic of first trip out. I wasn't able to get any scale time so I've no idea what the loaded weight was.

[Rossue]

That side view reminds me of a sketch on etrailer of the need for a WDH. You can see the tilt from the back of the truck plus that of the trailer both pointing towards the tongue.

[wetzk]

Is the storage box learning towards the front or is that just the picture making it look like it does ?

[cpaharley2008]

Wetzk:The storage box is not level, to keep water off and to follow the trailer shape.
Dave, is that a Ram Quad cab? Do you have air bags in the back?

[Bear101]

Originally Posted by float5

Yes, we are back to why Bear101 has a vey high number for a 19', a number that came from Escape.

Hello again, to follow up with information we received from ETI. The 19 ft trailer build sheet includes:
6 cu ft fridge, external fridge fan, exterior shower, dual 6 volt batteries, surge protector, removable power cord, pre wire for solar, air conditioner, Maxx fan upgrade 7500, extra insulation and frameless thermal windows, opening window bathroom (frameless thermal), opening window kitchen (frameless thermal), aluminum rims, power tongue jack, spray foam insulation under trailer, raised dinette and front storage box plus a few electrical additions and now just two walls reinforced.

The weight estimated by ETI is 3715 lbs BUT this is "filled with water" as was recently clarified. So assuming that means the 28 gallon fresh water tank is full as well as the 6 gallon water heater that would mean approximately 284 lbs of water making the dry weight with options 3431lbs.

We would likely travel with the freshwater tank full plus about 600 lbs of clothes, equipment and food so a loaded weight for us would be 4265 to 4315 lbs depending on whether we fill the water heater and based on the numbers we have from ETI. That is technically towable by a highlander with a 5000 lb tow rating

[cpaharley2008]

I use the fresh water tank fill amount to counter a heavy tongue weight. You should have one of these https://www.amazon.com/Sherline-LM-1...e+tongue+scale
and if the stuff in the front box and other belongings is making your tongue heavy (tow vehicle is squatting) you can increase the amount of water in the rear to lower the weight in the front to an acceptable amount- 10% would be 400# and so on. I always carry a minimum of 10 gallons and sometimes I'm carrying 20 gallons.

[Iowa Dave]

Bear,
Good explanation, good description, sound logic. I believe you'll be good to go. We're towing our 2010 with a 2012 Highlander with similar weights and a 425 tongue weight. WDH. 30,000 miles towing, both coasts, over the Rockies. Arizona to Canada, Nothing special, take your time, use you head.
Dave