2017 Builds - Conversation and Information

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by Bear101

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

bear101, Good clarification from ETI. It looks like the options and weights of the New 19 are now comparable with the weights and options of the classic 21.

Cheers

[cpaharley2008]

HHmmmm,
If the new 2017 Escape 19 is getting close to the classic Escape 21 weights, I wonder if the axles should not be increased to 3000#? Why not get a heavier axle for an extra safety margin?
Would they ride stiffer if they have more capacity?

[Klem]

Originally Posted by 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?

Our storage box is indented on the top which catches water and leaves a stained area. Have they changed the shape of the lid? That would be nice.

[Steven M]

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

bear101, Good clarification from ETI. It looks like the options and weights of the New 19 are now comparable with the weights and options of the classic 21.

Cheers

Now that has me worried. I have a 21 on order with my TV tow weight of 5200 Lbs and tongue weight of 520 Lbs. Will the increase take me to close for comfort . Have to see .

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Klem

Our storage box is indented on the top which catches water and leaves a stained area. Have they changed the shape of the lid? That would be nice.

I believe that "indent" gives strength and rigidity to the top.

[Iowa Dave]

Our storage box is 7 seasons old. There are no stains on it or its top.
We use a good wax designed for fiberglass and keep things wiped off and clean. It was
among the first ones built, is used extensively, and remains as sturdy, functional and
attractive as new. Wouldn't be without it!
Dave

[freespirit]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

HHmmmm,
If the new 2017 Escape 19 is getting close to the classic Escape 21 weights, I wonder if the axles should not be increased to 3000#? Why not get a heavier axle for an extra safety margin?
Would they ride stiffer if they have more capacity?

wondering same thing...sent email to Escape asking this about a week ago, no answer yet.

[freespirit]

Originally Posted by Steven M

Now that has me worried. I have a 21 on order with my TV tow weight of 5200 Lbs and tongue weight of 520 Lbs. Will the increase take me to close for comfort . Have to see .

Escape advised via email last week that their 2017 Escape 21 demo would be completed very soon and the official dry weight would be posted.

[freespirit]

Originally Posted by davescape

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.

thanks for the side view..helps visualize a similar tv+trailer rig in future
a couple of questions...

Ram Quad Cab with short bed (not long 6'4" bed)?

did you get high lift option on trailer?

is your stinger with ball straight or does it have any rise or drop to it?

factory spring suspension, no air bags or other rear suspension assist?

do you have factory standard/foldable side view mirrors (not special extendable towing mirrors option) and are they ok with Escape trailer?

from the looks of it the tailgate cannot be lowered completely without unhitching..correct?

thanks

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Steven M

Now that has me worried. I have a 21 on order with my TV tow weight of 5200 Lbs and tongue weight of 520 Lbs. Will the increase take me to close for comfort . Have to see .

Steven, I assume you're talking about your Chevy Traverse with the max towing package and larger engine, as reflected in the chart below.

My take is that it's going to be near the limits with either the 2016 or 2017 model of the 21. It's not always just a question of capacities, but mass as well. My personal preference is a more substantial tow vehicle with a longer wheelbase for the 21. But having said that, if you come in under the numbers for GVWR, GCWR, cargo capacity, tongue weight and towing capacity, you 'can' tow the 21 with it. The numbers either work or they don't.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by 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.

At a glance, yes, but looking at the spaces above the tires on the trailer (and the truck), it doesn't look out of level to me. The likely problem:

Originally Posted by wetzk

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

The photo was apparently taken with a wide-angle lens having some pincushion distortion. The lean of the box is real, but there is apparent lean forward of the entire trailer and rearward of the entire truck due to distortion.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

If the new 2017 Escape 19 is getting close to the classic Escape 21 weights, I wonder if the axles should not be increased to 3000#? Why not get a heavier axle for an extra safety margin?

We covered that earlier. The 2500 pound axles left a significant margin between the maximum axle loading (something less than the 4000 pound GVWR) and the total axle rating (5000 pounds). There is no longer a substantial margin (although some load is on the tongue to there's still some margin), but that may be a design decision.

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Would they ride stiffer if they have more capacity?

Yes, a higher rating within the same model of Torflex suspension (axle) means more rubber stiffness and this harsher ride.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by freespirit

Escape advised via email last week that their 2017 Escape 21 demo would be completed very soon and the official dry weight would be posted.

I hope so, but we're zero for two models on publishing updated weights so far.

[jamman]

I have 3,000 pound axles on my 19'. I can't compare it to 2,500 pound axles on a 19', but it throws things around much less than did our 17' Casita. In particular the table doesn't seem to move on its slide.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by jamman

I have 3,000 pound axles on my 19'. I can't compare it to 2,500 pound axles on a 19', but it throws things around much less than did our 17' Casita. In particular the table doesn't seem to move on its slide.

With the comparison to the single axle Casita it is for the most part due to having dual axles on the 19. You will get less bounce as they share the load on bumps and dips better.

[freespirit]

Originally Posted by jamman

I have 3,000 pound axles on my 19'. I can't compare it to 2,500 pound axles on a 19', but it throws things around much less than did our 17' Casita. In particular the table doesn't seem to move on its slide.

in another thread people posted less than 2500 lb axles, 2500 lb axles and now 3000 lb axles...
perhaps the week yours was made they did not have any 2500 lb axles so maybe they used a 3000 lb axle that perhaps is normally used on the 21 ft trailer?
wondering if anybody else has an Escape 19 with 3000 lb mfg tagged axles?

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by jamman

I have 3,000 pound axles on my 19'.

Did Escape use 2500 initially, then 3000 in 2014, then 2500 again... or is the published spec wrong and recent 19's have been getting 3000 pound axles... or was this a special order?

[davescape]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Dave, is that a Ram Quad cab? Do you have air bags in the back?

Quad cab, air bags

Originally Posted by Klem

Our storage box is indented on the top which catches water and leaves a stained area. Have they changed the shape of the lid? That would be nice.

Lid still has an indent.

Originally Posted by freespirit

thanks for the side view..helps visualize a similar tv+trailer rig in future
a couple of questions...
Ram Quad Cab with short bed (not long 6'4" bed)?
did you get high lift option on trailer?
is your stinger with ball straight or does it have any rise or drop to it?
factory spring suspension, no air bags or other rear suspension assist?
do you have factory standard/foldable side view mirrors (not special extendable towing mirrors option) and are they ok with Escape trailer?
from the looks of it the tailgate cannot be lowered completely without unhitching..correct?
thanks

-6'4" bed quad cab
-no high lift option
-stinger has a 2" drop on a factory hitch
-no air bags or suspension extras
-plain jane factory mirrors work just fine. Dodge does have an option for flip out mirrors which I had on a previous 2011 truck which I never needed for the previous escape 19 and don't fit down most city streets anyway.
-Tailgate can not be lowered without unhitching. After much consternation over storage options I built a plywood box that fits at the rear end of the truck bed. It hold my Honda 2000, a propane fire ring and a Weber Q and I can still fit my kayaks over top. You drop the locking tailgate to access. Works like a charm and no one knows its there. Anyway I was able to get the Weber out without unhitching for a quick lunch on the road.

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

At a glance, yes, but looking at the spaces above the tires on the trailer (and the truck), it doesn't look out of level to me. The likely problem:
The photo was apparently taken with a wide-angle lens having some pincushion distortion. The lean of the box is real, but there is apparent lean forward of the entire trailer and rearward of the entire truck due to distortion.

-Thanks for clearing that up Brian. I was shooting on wide and while reviewing the photo did notice the angles. Didn't think about the lens.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by freespirit

in another thread people posted less than 2500 lb axles, 2500 lb axles and now 3000 lb axles...
perhaps the week yours was made they did not have any 2500 lb axles so maybe they used a 3000 lb axle that perhaps is normally used on the 21 ft trailer?

I don't think so: the 19' and 21' are about 4 inches (10 cm) different in body width, so the axle width should be different by a similar amount, and the axles would not interchange.

[Rossue]

Everything riding in the truck behind the rear axle gets added to the tongue weight.