19' ESCAPE vs. 21' Comparison

[float5]

Originally Posted by Ruban&Martha

We are seriously considering ordering an Escape to replace our current trailer. I know that Escape allows you to customize the trailer with set options, such as insulation or no insulation. But are you saying that they allow rearranging of the layout within reason? If so, I'm sold.

Definitely would not expect that they would reverse layout on a 21'. Don't see how it is possible without major changes. Think it might have been asked. They have done that in rare cases with a 19' but don't know if they will now.

[JohnB]

The "Stripper Pole" is a title attached by some to the vertical metal tube in some/all trailer models that supports the roof to give rigidity to the trailer.
In our 15A, there are no vertical walls along the drivers side. The metal tube keeps the roof from sagging. See attached photos.
In others minds it is a fantasy item I guess!!!

As for changes to the basic trailer layout, yes ETI will do some modifications if they deem them suitable. In our case we had the rear dinette replaced with a fixed queen size width bed, similar to the 19'. To do this we gave up 6" of closet space on the passenger side and 6" of length to the galley on the drivers side. Reace considered our request and said it could be done. I think he also said they had done something similar to another 15A so he felt comfortable with the change request. We love our queen fixed bed.
Hard to say how receptive they will be in the future once they have a bigger assembly line to keep running??

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

They do not allow much in the form of altering dimensions of layouts, more repurpousing of them, like changing a dinette to a permanent bed or vise versa.

The talk you are hearing in the last few posts is purely speculative.

I agree. In my comment (quoted below), I should have emphasized the "you"... as in you (the owner of the trailer) can modify your trailer any way you want it after you get it.

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

As long as you don't change where stuff is that uses openings in the shell (refrigerator, water heater, furnace), you can re-arrange as desired.

Just to be clear, significant re-configuration is a major project; few people do this, other than with old fixer-uppers.

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by JohnB

The "Stripper Pole" is a title attached by some to the vertical metal tube in some/all trailer models that supports the roof to give rigidity to the trailer.
In our 15A, there are no vertical walls along the drivers side. The metal tube keeps the roof from sagging. See attached photos.
In others minds it is a fantasy item I guess!!!

Hey, what do you know, soon-to-be-mine 15A has one, too. (Didn't even notice it.) I've seen them in Campster or Compacts where someone has removed the kitchen wall as that is needed for roof support. Thanks. I also realized I'll have to put up a "Jack wall" there and at the dinette end (some kind of barrier so my food-driven corgi Jack doesn't walk on the counters.)

[Mary F]

Originally Posted by KarenH

I'm curious about the need for this curtain in the 21. Are people really hanging around outside the door just to get a glimpse of someone asleep in bed?

We pull our curtain at night, to block the light coming in the door window. (All the other shades also down at night.)

We pull the curtain (sometimes) when the air conditioning is on, if we are going in and out of the trailer a bunch, so we don't have to open/close the door so much. (I don't like using the air conditioner, but we live in Texas...)

We pull the curtain sometimes when our two dogs are in the trailer but we're not (such as when it's raining and they don't want to join us outside under the awning). It settles them to have that visual barrier, but they can still hear us - although I admit that seems counter-intuitive.

FWIW, I did finally this summer make a curtain that matches our upholstery fabric, just to add more of the fabric to our decor. (I am saving the original curtain for our trailer's next owners...)

[LeonW]

Originally Posted by KarenH

I'm curious about the need for this curtain in the 21. Are people really hanging around outside the door just to get a glimpse of someone asleep in bed?

We didn't like the curtain -- it bunched behind the bathroom door and we rarely used it. So Lindy took a piece of the fabric we used for the cushions , and made a small curtain that is just wide enough to cover the cubbies when it is over them, and if we are staying someplace where the light through the door window will bother us (like a Walmart) we move it over to be in front of the door. We never sleep with the door open, and if one of us gets up early and goes outside, he/she closes the door behind them.

our personal preference is that we don't mind the bed by the door, and much prefer the dinette at the rear where we can enjoy the view while dining.

But obviously this is a matter of personal preference.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by LeonW

our personal preference is that we don't mind the bed by the door, and much prefer the dinette at the rear where we can enjoy the view while dining.

But obviously this is a matter of personal preference.

Given a choice of front or back dinette, I would prefer rear, just not at the expense of having the bed where I want it. This is somewhat likely because we eat outside so much. As well, I think too often the view out the front is often better than that out the rear. Many times the rear is backed into trees, a fence, etc, whereas the front is usually open to a view of some kind. When the view out the back is good, it is usually great. I have sat in bed before enjoying it in lousy weather.

'tis a good thing we all have differing preferences, eh? Otherwise life would be boring.

[Greg A]

We rarely ever eat or spend time inside so would never have any interest in a view from the dinette, although we still generally always have one out the side windows in the dinette. Much prefer the rear bed and the view waking up, hanging out in bed and raising the rear shade when it's a special view. The important view for us is on the patio under the awning, because that's where we live.
I also find that there is more campground vehicle noise at the front when people are pulling in late, leaving early, hitching and unhitching or just messing around opening and closing their car doors. So guess we're just rear bed people, but everyone floats differently.

[BCnomad]

I use those little foam ear plugs to reduce external camping noise.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Greg A

The important view for us is on the patio under the awning, because that's where we live.

I definitely agree with that. I often orient the trailer on the site to take advantage of the view from under the awning.

[rotateclockwise]

It looks like ETI has updated their website with the new specifications for the 19 and 21. It's interesting the GVWR is less on the 21 than on the 19 (4500 lbs to 5000 lbs).

For those who have received a 2017 19 or 21, how do much higher are your weights than these? I realize options will drive final numbers, but I'm curious how much, especially with hitch weight.

[Losangeles]

Originally Posted by rotateclockwise

It looks like ETI has updated their website with the new specifications for the 19 and 21. It's interesting the GVWR is less on the 21 than on the 19 (4500 lbs to 5000 lbs).

For those who have received a 2017 19 or 21, how do much higher are your weights than these? I realize options will drive final numbers, but I'm curious how much, especially with hitch weight.

I barely understand some of this stuff... how can the GVWR be less on the 21 than on the 19? (4500 lbs to 5000 lbs).

I bet a smart person can explain to me, but i'm baffled.

[paulw]

Originally Posted by rotateclockwise

It looks like ETI has updated their website with the new specifications for the 19 and 21. It's interesting the GVWR is less on the 21 than on the 19 (4500 lbs to 5000 lbs).

For those who have received a 2017 19 or 21, how do much higher are your weights than these? I realize options will drive final numbers, but I'm curious how much, especially with hitch weight.

Looks lie the old tongue and axle weights for the 19 on this chart....they total 2610# not the 2950# listed.
Unfortunately, the website still needs some work, I'd say.

[paulw]

Originally Posted by Losangeles

I barely understand some of this stuff... how can the GVWR be less on the 21 than on the 19? (4500 lbs to 5000 lbs).

I bet a smart person can explain to me, but i'm baffled.

I don't think the numbers for the 21 have been updated....
I'm curious about the delivered weights of the new trailers too.

[float5]

Originally Posted by rotateclockwise

It looks like ETI has updated their website with the new specifications for the 19 and 21. It's interesting the GVWR is less on the 21 than on the 19 (4500 lbs to 5000 lbs).

For those who have received a 2017 19 or 21, how do much higher are your weights than these? I realize options will drive final numbers, but I'm curious how much, especially with hitch weight.

I also take these numbers to be old. Even on our paperwork for our 21' last year, the GVWR was higher than that. You will be given the numbers when you receive your paperwork some weeks before your trailer build is done. No telling when they will decide what they are going to use for the website.

Edit: There has been a change for the 19' but not for the 21'. Don't know if that is the final one for the 19'. Need to see your own paperwork.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by rotateclockwise

It looks like ETI has updated their website with the new specifications for the 19 and 21. It's interesting the GVWR is less on the 21 than on the 19 (4500 lbs to 5000 lbs).

For those who have received a 2017 19 or 21, how do much higher are your weights than these? I realize options will drive final numbers, but I'm curious how much, especially with hitch weight.

I can't help with the new trailers, but if you want a starting point:

With Frederick's permission, I am keeping an Excel spreadsheet version of his "Trailer Weights in the Real World (originally posted at the Fiberglass RV Forum). I'm adding to the list as individuals sent me their information. I prefer getting axle weight, & tongue weight and derive the trailer weight from those figures. I realize that anyone weighing the axle while connected with a WDH will end up incorrect, but there are too many variables to be exact.

The spreadsheet has a filter that lets you choose the brand, size, model, etc and derive averages. You can download a copy here.

There are 8 pre 2017 21's posted so far, with an average weight of 4024 lbs & an average tongue weight of 453 lbs. I'm waiting for the first 2017 21 weights, and if identified by the sender, will identify them on the spreadsheet.

[thoer]

Latest I have heard from Tammy about our 21' is that it will be approximately 100 lbs heavier than the previous model. She said the 21 is changing the least in weight of any of the models. Most of its weigh change is from some extra fiberglass and reinforcing and the new awning, most everything else is the same on the new 21's.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rotateclockwise

It looks like ETI has updated their website with the new specifications for the 19 and 21. It's interesting the GVWR is less on the 21 than on the 19 (4500 lbs to 5000 lbs).

For those who have received a 2017 19 or 21, how do much higher are your weights than these? I realize options will drive final numbers, but I'm curious how much, especially with hitch weight.

Rather than trying to understand inconsistencies in these values, I suggest simply ignoring them. Escape seems to be unable to publish correct weight specifications, so there is no value to the numbers which have appeared on the website this year. They know the base dry weights, and use them as the basis for as-equipped weights provided to individual customers during the order process, but they have not published them.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Rather than trying to understand inconsistencies in these values, I suggest simply ignoring them. Escape seems to be unable to publish correct weight specifications, so there is no value to the numbers which have appeared on the website this year. They know the base dry weights, and use them as the basis for as-equipped weights provided to individual customers during the order process, but they have not published them.

Agreed. Until there is a published and VERIFIED list of weights, best to ignore. If a couple hundred pounds either way means your tow is out of spec, I'd suggest a new tow.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Agreed. Until there is a published and VERIFIED list of weights, best to ignore. If a couple hundred pounds either way means your tow is out of spec, I'd suggest a new tow.

I'm basically ignoring all those numbers as it will vary from trailer to trailer. My plan is to hitch The Trailer up to our new tow (see info on the left) and take the fully loaded trailer to a weight scale for exact weights. I'm also going to weigh the combo when I have the truck loaded up for a craft show as it's gonna be lots heavier than for going out camping.

I've been reassured multiple times the Tundra can handle all that, but I am wanting to know weights and all that.