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Old 12-16-2015, 02:21 PM   #1
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Lift Option For Escapes

I have read through the forum that Escape offers a lift kit to raise the trailer aprox. 2.5 inches ( I confirmed that this is an option for a 21). I plan on boondocking my 21 a lot, does it make sense to add this to the built list? For those folks that boondock does this additional clearance help?
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Old 12-16-2015, 02:29 PM   #2
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I have the high lift on my 17B, but to cross any terrain, first my RAV4 has to make it, so in my case I don't think the high lift was necessary.
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Old 12-16-2015, 06:11 PM   #3
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Can't hurt, as long as you can reach the step. You could use the extra height to get in some of the boondocking sites we saw in Utah, but like Glen mentions, the tow vehicle needs to be at least as high as the trailer.
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Old 12-16-2015, 06:19 PM   #4
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I had planned to get a Tacoma, but wife nixed it.
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Old 12-16-2015, 10:30 PM   #5
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In addition to height to clear rocks, a vehicle needs sufficient approach and departure angles. A trailer with the same clearance underneath as a compact SUV could easily hang up the bumper when going through dips or starting up slopes, because the SUV has relatively short overhangs (distance from axle to end of body), but the trailer has a very long rear overhang. The required trailer height depends on the places you want to go... and common parking lot entrances are a challenge for many of our trailers.
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Old 12-16-2015, 10:52 PM   #6
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Actually, it was the WDH hitch on the RAV that hung up on a ditch that Forestry was digging across the road every couple hundred feet. That's what stopped me.
I would have carried on, but the ditches kept getting deeper.

I do recall meeting up with a buddy that had a 17' Boler. Road into the lake was large boulders and holes. Heard him arriving for about two kilometers. Sounded like a demolition derby and when he arrived he was missing a lot of fibreglass from the rear of the Boler.
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Old 12-17-2015, 12:05 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
In addition to height to clear rocks, a vehicle needs sufficient approach and departure angles. A trailer with the same clearance underneath as a compact SUV could easily hang up the bumper when going through dips or starting up slopes, because the SUV has relatively short overhangs (distance from axle to end of body), but the trailer has a very long rear overhang. The required trailer height depends on the places you want to go... and common parking lot entrances are a challenge for many of our trailers.
I added the lift kit to my 21 with the solo focus/purpose on Boondocking capability. But what I've found is….. Brian B-P is completely right. I'ts a nice "piece of mind" when you miss the turn and in turning around you find yourself in THAT SPOT. The lift has helped more in Navigating parking lots than Boondocking so far.
I have the standard step and it works just fine, acually makes the step heights more equal.
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Old 03-04-2016, 02:56 PM   #8
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Does anyone have a picture of what the trailer looks like with the lift? We're thinking of adding it to our build sheet but would like to see what it looks like first. Thanks in advance.
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Old 03-04-2016, 03:19 PM   #9
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Does anyone have a picture of what the trailer looks like with the lift? We're thinking of adding it to our build sheet but would like to see what it looks like first. Thanks in advance.
With the high lift kit in place I don't think the trailer would look any different, in a photo.

I do not know what your "tug" is

But I decided it was best, overall, to NOT get it as it would slightly reduce stability and slightly increase wind resistance.

Plus the design seems good on the stock trailers when it comes to ground clearance

I get the feeling our current 17' Casita has less ground clearance by comparison!
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Old 03-04-2016, 03:28 PM   #10
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This isn't a 21; it's a 17 with the high-lift axle.
I had planned on getting a Tacoma, but wife reminded me we are getting older and less agile. If the RAV4 can get through, the trailer will certainly follow. In my case, I probably don't need the lift.
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Old 03-04-2016, 05:23 PM   #11
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Mine is a 19 not a 21 but you can see what it looks like with the lift kit. I don't have the pics handy but look back at all I uploaded a few weeks back in the It's Friday thread.
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Old 03-04-2016, 05:41 PM   #12
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photo of 21' lift kit

Here is 2015 21' with the lift kit . The added height really makes the tow vehicle look small.
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Old 03-04-2016, 06:18 PM   #13
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Looks like the small tug has discombobulated your puppy.
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Old 03-05-2016, 02:33 AM   #14
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There is another lift option that I seldom hear anyone talking about. That is a 22 1/2 degree lift. Its half way between (about) no lift and the high lift option. My 17A looks to my eye, with the high lift option, as too high. Wish I had opted for the 22 1/2 degree lift. Same cost. It adds about 1.5 " of lift..... the full high lift adds about 2.5" Now with that said .... I haven't owned my trailer long enough for it to have a "full load" with all the acuminated stuff and water that one seems to gather. I may have another thought then.


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