Options, Options, Options???

[cpaharley2008]

The battery is in the front storage box if you get that option or Reace will put it inside if you ask. The black tank is under the street side dinette seat.

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

The batteries now are put on the hitch, I believe, or in the storage box if you get one. Mine are under the dinette seat in a vented box, and I actually prefer them there, out of the way. Even if I had a front storage box, it would free up space in it for items you want handier, I would imagine Escape would do it either way if you request.

We just picked up our Escape 19 in April and I specifically asked Reace to mount the batteries inside the front dinette (similar to Jim's). For me, this was to allow more space in the exterior front storage locker for my canoe paddles, life jackets, and other paddling gear (as well as chocks, blocks of wood and other trailer stuff). We are finding that the Escape has more storage space than we really need, even with the batteries inside the front dinette compartment.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by ice-breaker

We are finding that the Escape has more storage space than we really need, even with the batteries inside the front dinette compartment.

We are finding that, even without the front storage box, though paddles and PFD's do have to go in the Pilot.

[gbaglo]

Makes sense, with the boat on top of the Pilot.8)

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Makes sense, with the boat on top of the Pilot.8)

My thinking too.

[hotfishtacos]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

My thinking too.

Agreed!

[MyronL]

I trust when I request dual 6v batteries placed on tongue behind propane tank of my 19 it will not leave me up the creek without a paddle. Wondering why I have not found a picture of this.

Thinking I can make a decent storage box myself, for a few shemollians short of seven hundred.

[hotfishtacos]

Originally Posted by MyronL

I trust when I request dual 6v batteries placed on tongue behind propane tank of my 19 it will not leave me up the creek without a paddle. Wondering why I have not found a picture of this.

Thinking I can make a decent storage box myself, for a few shemollians short of seven hundred.

The box is expensive but well worth it, especially if you are going to put batteries up front.

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by hotfishtacos

The box is expensive but well worth it, especially if you are going to put batteries up front.

The box is expensive but well worth it, especially if you are going to put the batteries inside the front dinette to make more room for other gear in the box.

[techfan]

I don't think we could function without the box on our 15B. With so little space inside it is nice to have a place to put the "wet" stuff like hoses, chocks, leveling pads, disinfectant for the "stinky slinky" and other things that we wouldn't want to bring inside. Obviously, 17 and 19 foot owners have more room but we agree with Dave W that it is well worth it. We have the dual 6 volts and there is still plenty of room in the box. The box is one of the things that drew us to the Escape.

[cpaharley2008]

The fiberglass box also blends well with the railer whereas an aftermarket box may not.

[Zardoz]

No one mentioned that it's also an excellent rock guard. You're only going to buy one Escape; set it up right and enjoy it forever.

[MyronL]

No question it is a thing of beauty and practical. I always thought tongue boxes functioned best for keeping expensive batteries out of the sight of thieves. But of course any RV thief knows a big box would likely contain stuff of potential value and no lock would stop one. For sure there are some clunky home-made boxes on tongues out there, yet isn't the beauty strongest in the eye of its creator?

[jamie beers]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

The batteries now are put on the hitch, I believe, or in the storage box if you get one. Mine are under the dinette seat in a vented box, and I actually prefer them there, out of the way. Even if I had a front storage box, it would free up space in it for items you want handier, I would imagine Escape would do it either way if you request.

I asked about having dual 6v under the dinette instead of in storage box. Unfortunately, answer is no, batteries go on tongue for weight distribution. j

[float5]

You can easily have trouble maintaining enough tongue weight. The batteries are needed in the box more often than not.

[Dave Walter]

The centre of gravity for the batteries in the front box is only about 2 ft closer to the hitch than if they were in the front dinette. I would expect that this has a fairly small impact on overall hitch weight. Our 19' performs quite well with the batteries in the front dinette and a front storage box.

[cpaharley2008]

I know when I measure my tongue weight at the jack vs on the tongue there is a 20# difference for that little space, so it may affect the weight difference even more over the longer distance from the interior dinette to the exterior box and from one side to center.

[gbaglo]

I think I got about 10# difference at the jack vs. the hitch. But, one needs to consider what is going to be carried in the storage box if the batteries aren't there.
I've got an axe, a hatchet and a maul; 5 liters of gas, hoses and cords etc. ( my storage box is on the rear though, along with my battery ).
For all that, I don't have a problem maintaining a hitch weight of 320-340.

[jamie beers]

Thanks very much everyone for the discussion. Really appreciate the feedback. j

[float5]

Originally Posted by ice-breaker

The centre of gravity for the batteries in the front box is only about 2 ft closer to the hitch than if they were in the front dinette. I would expect that this has a fairly small impact on overall hitch weight. Our 19' performs quite well with the batteries in the front dinette and a front storage box.

How much is your total weight and tongue weight?