Classic vs Current Style Escape Trailers? - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Me | General Topics > General Escape
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-31-2019, 08:48 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Bastrop, Texas
Trailer: 2022 21C 'The QShip'
Posts: 573
Classic vs Current Style Escape Trailers?

I see references to 'classic' escape trailers but do not know the details. When did the factory change over to the current style, and what are the differences? Are there any improvements that I, as owner of a 2010 17B, should consider installing?
marant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 09:00 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Jim Bennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
The changes started in later 2016. The main difference is the body shape, which has straighter sidewalls and a note modem design in the eyes of many. This was done for a few reasons. Firstly it allowed a factory made door to be installed which was a bit larger than the one in the classic and it provides a chance to provide a better seal, and allowed the installation of the America model Dometic Fridge which performs much better in hot climates than the previous one. Other options are the frameless windows and electric awning as an option. The layouts remained pretty much the same way.

Of course various features and options have been changing constantly to keep the trailers upgraded and better suited for what the customer wants for the price they have to pay.

All this said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the classic models which carry really neat design, and still allow the owner to go out and make some wonderful memories.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Jim Bennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 09:20 AM   #3
Site Team
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
2nd Gen trailer owners please don't hate me. I love the looks of the Classics. The sculptured sides. Almost like a work of art.

The first time I saw a 2nd Gen in the wild, it was a 21' with a white belly band and no graphics. I didn't know what it was! First thought it was a fiberglass utility trailer, same sort of look. Upon closer inspection, of course it was an Escape trailer.

Perfection IMHO would have been to rework the classic molds to allow a flat, wider door for the Americana refrigerator. But, nothing is impossible to those that don't have to do it
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 10:02 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
mimie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Piermont, New Hampshire
Trailer: 2019 17B; 2011 Tundra 5.7L Dbl cab
Posts: 193
Quote:
Originally Posted by donna d. View Post
perfection imho would have been to rework the classic molds to allow a flat, wider door for the americana refrigerator. But, nothing is impossible to those that don't have to do it
lol!
__________________
Mimi and the “boss-dogs”, Steed and Merlin
mimie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 10:06 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Chotch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Naugatuck, Connecticut
Trailer: 2017 50 TA, 2016 F150, 2.7 Ecoboost
Posts: 1,056
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
2nd Gen trailer owners please don't hate me. I love the looks of the Classics. The sculptured sides. Almost like a work of art.

The first time I saw a 2nd Gen in the wild, it was a 21' with a white belly band and no graphics. I didn't know what it was! First thought it was a fiberglass utility trailer, same sort of look. Upon closer inspection, of course it was an Escape trailer.

Perfection IMHO would have been to rework the classic molds to allow a flat, wider door for the Americana refrigerator. But, nothing is impossible to those that don't have to do it
😳😤🤯🤬 utility trailer!!
Chotch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 10:14 AM   #6
Site Team
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chotch View Post
�������� utility trailer!!
Sorry, I tried to be tactful... truly. But it's like nearly anything that you've never seen. I only saw the side of the trailer, at that time. The standard decals would have helped me immensely.

How many people have mistaken a Chevy truck instead of a Ford... at a distance? Doesn't make it a bad thing, just a first quick impression.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 10:31 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
mimie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Piermont, New Hampshire
Trailer: 2019 17B; 2011 Tundra 5.7L Dbl cab
Posts: 193
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
Sorry, I tried to be tactful... truly. But it's like nearly anything that you've never seen. I only saw the side of the trailer, at that time. The standard decals would have helped me immensely.

How many people have mistaken a Chevy truck instead of a Ford... at a distance? Doesn't make it a bad thing, just a first quick impression.
As I lack the aesthetic discrimination others have - and am totally into owning a nice, utilitarian, functional, well-built trailer that will last and last - the word "utility" didn't raise a flag to me, as an incipient New Gen owner!
__________________
Mimi and the “boss-dogs”, Steed and Merlin
mimie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 10:35 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Patandlinda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
2nd Gen trailer owners please don't hate me. I love the looks of the Classics. The sculptured sides. Almost like a work of art.

The first time I saw a 2nd Gen in the wild, it was a 21' with a white belly band and no graphics. I didn't know what it was! First thought it was a fiberglass utility trailer, same sort of look. Upon closer inspection, of course it was an Escape trailer.

Perfection IMHO would have been to rework the classic molds to allow a flat, wider door for the Americana refrigerator. But, nothing is impossible to those that don't have to do it
That is exactly our thoughts too ! Kind of like when you see a older car or truck we know what it is . It stood out . Now today’s vehicles all look alike and you have to look for a vehicle emblem to know what it is . When we first were looking at fiberglass trailers ,the the trailer body style is what caught our eye ! We really love our door too ! Pat
Patandlinda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 10:39 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Mike Lewis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,097
I find it hard to distinguish between the two styles; the new and old Escape 21 have to be parked side by side for me to tell the difference, and even then I have to look closely.

I think going to a flat door, probably an industry standard, was a wise move. I noticed right away after buying my Escape that the vast majority of RVs have a flat door that looked easy to replace if needed. The curved door on the older Escapes like mine looks cool, but the only source for it is ETI if it needs replacing.
__________________
Mike Lewis
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie-- propane
Photos and travelogues here: mikelewisimages.com
Mike Lewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 11:03 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Bonney Lake, Washington
Trailer: 2010 Escape 17B
Posts: 188
The classics are lighter if weight matters to you. It did to me which is why I canceled my order for a new 17B and found a 2010 classic. I wrongly assumed the trailer weights in the real world document would apply to the 2nd gen trailers until I found this post from a new 17B owner:http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f1...tml#post218308

I weighed my 2010 17B with full propane tanks and it came in at 2850lbs with empty water tanks.

My Rav4 is only rated for 350lbs tongue weight and 3500lbs towing. The new 17B would have been too heavy by quite a bit! But the classic is light enough.

I see a lot of people quoting the factory brochure data as actual trailer weight. That data is for a bare bones trailer with no added options.

On a 17B
A/C: 100lbs
Dual batteries: 70lbs
Thermal window and insulation package: 120lbs
Storage box: 45lbs

These are common options a lot of people go for and which add up to almost 350lbs more trailer weight.
flynfrfun is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 11:33 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
MyronL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
The new flat door is logical and practical of course, but... for me the big difference between the new model Escape and the original, classic 19 is like comparing a loaf of freshly made bread and a loaf of Wonder Bread.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
MyronL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 11:36 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Iowa Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,235
We really like the classic 21 we have. It’s the 6 th one produced in the fall of 2013. Loaded for the way we camp for a three week trip last spring it weighed 4380 with a 500 lb tongue weight. I could have gone lighter but I prefer bottled beer as opposed to light beer in cans. You and your partner can only take two cases into Canada but thankfully they sell great beer there too.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
Iowa Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 08:11 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Mike G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Trailer: 2012 E19
Posts: 1,733
Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL View Post
The new flat door is logical and practical of course, but... for me the big difference between the new model Escape and the original, classic 19 is like comparing a loaf of freshly made bread and a loaf of Wonder Bread.
Either one is perfect for loafing...
Mike G is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 08:47 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Iowa Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,235
When the awning is out, a light rain is falling, a heavy shirt feels good and a grey squirrel is cutting hickories with the soft patter of hulls hitting Autumn leaves as they fall to earth, all is right with the world and under an Escape is a good place to be.
Give me October
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
Iowa Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 09:15 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
emers382's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Emerson, Manitoba
Trailer: 2016 Escape 5.0TA, 2022 F150 2.7EB
Posts: 1,848
Five Escapes here at Inyan rally in SD, the other four are all gen. 2, 3x21's and a 5.0TA, ours is the "old one" here, a classic made Sept. 2016. We must admit we like the look of the classics better. Quite a few people have commented positively on our screen room which of course is only available if you have a classic. We saw a 19 with light blue graphics not part of our rally today in the Black Hills.
__________________
Adrian (and Beth)
We are all travellers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.
Robert Louis Stevenson
emers382 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 09:32 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,126
Quote:
Originally Posted by emers382 View Post
Quite a few people have commented positively on our screen room which of course is only available if you have a classic.
Adrian: With the return of the manual Carefree Fiesta awning as standard I wonder if the screen room is again an option for new buyers?
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 09:53 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
emers382's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Emerson, Manitoba
Trailer: 2016 Escape 5.0TA, 2022 F150 2.7EB
Posts: 1,848
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
Adrian: With the return of the manual Carefree Fiesta awning as standard I wonder if the screen room is again an option for new buyers?
There was talk of it but one would have to check with Escape.
__________________
Adrian (and Beth)
We are all travellers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.
Robert Louis Stevenson
emers382 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 10:40 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Dave Walter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,634
I own and enjoy a classic Escape and really do prefer the rounded body shape and airplane style doors on the classic to the new versions. That being said, if we ever move on to a new 5.0 I imagine that I will also love that trailer when we get it.
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad

"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
Dave Walter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2019, 11:48 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,344
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
Sorry, I tried to be tactful... truly. But it's like nearly anything that you've never seen. I only saw the side of the trailer, at that time. The standard decals would have helped me immensely.

How many people have mistaken a Chevy truck instead of a Ford... at a distance? Doesn't make it a bad thing, just a first quick impression.

Really Donna "Utility" then "tried to be tactful" then you take on the thundering hordes on each side of the Chevy vs. Ford debate. You reeeeeeeeaaaally need to go camping, right away!! Take 10Forward to the Delta Quadrant and relax.
dfandrews is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2019, 07:00 AM   #20
Site Team
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
Quote:
Originally Posted by dfandrews View Post
Really Donna "Utility" then "tried to be tactful" then you take on the thundering hordes on each side of the Chevy vs. Ford debate. You reeeeeeeeaaaally need to go camping, right away!! Take 10Forward to the Delta Quadrant and relax.
Yeah, I REALLY do need to go camping. But it wouldn't change my first impression. Can't go back in time. It really doesn't matter one whit though and you can blame it on my bad eyesight. I once saw an all-molded-towable waaaaay ahead of me on the freeway. When I finally caught up to it, saw it was really a horse trailer.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:21 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.