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10-30-2016, 05:54 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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one month update
It was one month ago this friday that Prairie Schooner was delivered to us in Chilliwack, BC. Since then we attended a rally held on the Mississippi River 3 days later attended by several members. We left there and headed home due to the impending hurricane which just grazed our area. Over the next 2 weeks I performed some needed modifications and took her out again this weekend to a local cg about 90 miles miles away. All systems are performing as intended, the refrigerator is keeping things cold, this weekend it hit 80 degrees and I had it on #3 where 40/10 remained constant. It has not blown out while on propane the entire trip back east. Solar is 100% by 11 am daily. The digital thermostat operates both the a/c as well as heat as it dropped down to 34 last night. I finally had to empty the Canadian water in my fresh tank in preparation for winterization. The awning retracted twice this weekend due to wind gusts, works like a charm. The awning light is really bright and lights up the campsite. The 45 degree on the sewer is fixed but there is plenty of clearance for dumping. Escape also added some rubber seal along the edges in the front storage box to keep the lid tight and prevent water intrusion.
I love the new windows, they allow plenty of air and when closed seal out the weather and noise. Really sharp exterior due to the windows, gave several tours to SOB's who were there in their behemoth 30 foot 5th wheels and they were surprised by the layout spaciousness. The split rear windows is icing on the cake. I'm averaging 14 mpg towing with my tow vehicle and for some reason there seems to be more accessible bulk storage than I had in the 21 with the "U" dinette. I highly recommend the cabinet door at the dinette end and the larger outside access door allows me to empty my truck bed except for my bike, all put under the bed now thru the outside hatch.
Still to do, install lights under the bed to the factory installed 12v drop there and a step light.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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10-30-2016, 07:04 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,234
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New 19
Glad to hear all systems are go and that you are enjoying the new rig.
Iowa Dave
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10-30-2016, 07:26 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: West Coast, Florida
Trailer: None now
Posts: 1,266
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Regarding the 45 degree sewer outlet. Do you have your trailer lifted or is it at the standard height? The lift is the only thing I am still debating upgrading to ( OK I'd like 3000 Lb axles too but I was told that is a no go ). I'd like to keep it low so I have less of it up in the air if possible,
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10-30-2016, 07:40 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Standard height and 2500# axles.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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10-30-2016, 07:54 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Ponoka, Alberta
Trailer: 2016 19 classic "outta sight", jeep rubicon unlimited
Posts: 1,645
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
gave several tours to SOB's who were there in their behemoth 30 foot 5th wheels and they were surprised by the layout spaciousness.
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AWESOME!!
Keep an eye on the mailbox next year!
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10-30-2016, 07:55 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Middle, Tennessee
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19' #2
Posts: 1,441
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wetzk
Regarding the 45 degree sewer outlet. Do you have your trailer lifted or is it at the standard height? The lift is the only thing I am still debating upgrading to ( OK I'd like 3000 Lb axles too but I was told that is a no go ). I'd like to keep it low so I have less of it up in the air if possible,
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Only lift it if your planning on going off road. I can crawl around under our trailer if I want to work on something with the standard axles.
__________________
Tom
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10-30-2016, 07:55 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wetzk
Regarding the 45 degree sewer outlet. Do you have your trailer lifted or is it at the standard height? The lift is the only thing I am still debating upgrading to ( OK I'd like 3000 Lb axles too but I was told that is a no go ). I'd like to keep it low so I have less of it up in the air if possible,
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Can you tell me, why are you thinking of high lift on the axles? We've had no issues with ground clearance.
Also, why 3000# axles? The 19 loaded will be around 4000 lbs, and dual 2500# axles means a total of 5000# capacity, although it may not be exactly evenly distributed. You'll be comfortably under the total axle capacity, because a few hundred lbs of the weight is supported by the hitch.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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10-30-2016, 08:05 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Also, 3,000 lb. axles will stiffen the ride, taking a toll on the trailer and contents over time.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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10-30-2016, 08:05 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Baytown, Texas
Trailer: 2017 21' Escape - upgraded version
Posts: 2,697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
Can you tell me, why are you thinking of high lift on the axles?
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With the lift kit, there is less likelihood of having to "walk the slinky" to get it to drain when connected to the high sewer connections some parks like to install.
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10-30-2016, 08:17 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdf-texas
With the lift kit, there is less likelihood of having to "walk the slinky" to get it to drain when connected to the high sewer connections some parks like to install.
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I don't see that as enough reason to get it. The vast majority of sewer drains are at or near ground level. While there are some advantages to the higher lift, especially if you intend to camp in rougher terrain, a higher lift will also create more wind resistance, and lower gas mileage when towing. With our Rhinoflex hose and the accordion support, we have yet to encounter any campground or dump station where we couldn't create enough slope to drain. Besides, it's only a concern when you're dumping.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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10-30-2016, 08:27 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
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Tom is basing his dumping experience based on Casita ownership. The valves on the Casita are quite a bit lower than on the Escape.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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10-30-2016, 08:38 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
Tom is basing his dumping experience based on Casita ownership. The valves on the Casita are quite a bit lower than on the Escape.
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Ah, that would explain it. The Casitas have a drain that pivots down, no?
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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10-30-2016, 08:42 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Baytown, Texas
Trailer: 2017 21' Escape - upgraded version
Posts: 2,697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
Tom is basing his dumping experience based on Casita ownership. The valves on the Casita are quite a bit lower than on the Escape.
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Actually, I'm basing it on the measurements I took on several Escapes. My Casita is higher than any of the Escapes that didn't have a lift kit. (my Casita has the high lift axle and 29" LT tires)
It's not a big deal which is higher - I was just trying to explain that there are reasons for the lift kit other than rough terrain.
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10-30-2016, 08:42 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
Ah, that would explain it. The Casitas have a drain that pivots down, no?
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Yes, but the consensus on the CasitaForum is to leave it down. It never was really designed to be moved up and down many, many times... it will fail (at the least opportune time).
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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10-30-2016, 09:07 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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I think the lift is about 2 1/2 inches.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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10-30-2016, 09:14 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
Posts: 5,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdf-texas
Actually, I'm basing it on the measurements I took on several Escapes. My Casita is higher than any of the Escapes that didn't have a lift kit. (my Casita has the high lift axle and 29" LT tires)
It's not a big deal which is higher - I was just trying to explain that there are reasons for the lift kit other than rough terrain.
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You are right: the dump situation can be a problem. We have come across this several times. In a case or two, we resorted to putting blocks under the other side but usually we do not want to bother.
__________________
Cathy. Floating Cloud
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.... "
Emerson
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10-30-2016, 09:50 PM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdf-texas
.... (my Casita has the high lift axle and 29" LT tires)
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Big meats!
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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10-31-2016, 12:45 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
I think the lift is about 2 1/2 inches.
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Yes, the current lift option is Dexter Axle's kit for the Torflex #10, which is a set of spacers that are 2-5/8" tall (according to Dexter).
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10-31-2016, 03:08 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21
Posts: 699
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one month update
The reason I got the lift kit on our Escape 21 was to compensate for the reduced clearance due to the spray on insulation we ordered. We go down rough roads at times and in the past (with previous stick-built trailer ) have had to take great care avoiding rocks and ridges. The trailer looks and handles just as well as before we had the lift kit installed.
Bob K
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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10-31-2016, 07:25 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Middle, Tennessee
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19' #2
Posts: 1,441
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdf-texas
Actually, I'm basing it on the measurements I took on several Escapes. My Casita is higher than any of the Escapes that didn't have a lift kit. (my Casita has the high lift axle and 29" LT tires)
It's not a big deal which is higher - I was just trying to explain that there are reasons for the lift kit other than rough terrain.
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Our 2007 17' Casita was much lower than our 19' Escape because of the way Casita pipes the Gray tank to try to get it to drain. I did have problems draining the Casita a few times but have only had a problem with the Escape one time in Yellowstone (Fishing Bridge). I was finally able to even drain there. Hookups were 12" off the ground.
__________________
Tom
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