Storage Box on 21 Yes or No

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by sailor231

I am waivering on a box for our 21 build next year as well. What is the price to get one after the fact vs on a new trailer? We are close to ETI and a stop would just be a good reason to head to BC for a camping weekend.

The price is the same, whether included on the build or added later, provided there's no options list price increase in the meantime.

Escape may charge you a nominal fee for installing it later - not sure.

My opinion for what it's worth: once you have it you won't want to be without it. Our most used option, period.

[gbaglo]

Depends what else they have to do.
I wanted a hard propane tank cover. They had to shift the tanks and supporting structure from 'front to back' to 'side by side'. I now have room for the storage box, but I don't know what else would be required to support it.
I'd just get it, if you'd pay for it.

[Mike Lewis]

I got the front storage box and am happy with it. I think it is worth the cost.

[Micheal K]

We chose not to get the storage box. The primary reason was to keep the weight on our 19 down, which includes the weight of the box itself as well as all the extra stuff we'd no doubt put in it. I also prefer the look of the trailer without the box.

So far, we've found the storage sufficient for our for our fairly minimal amount of gear in the area under the bed via the external hatch. I'm sure the storage box would provide easier access though. Our decision was also influenced by how close we are to ETI - just a few hours away, so easy to add later.

Even so, I think if you're debating the option, the safe bet is to get the storage box.

Edit: Prior to finalizing our build sheet, I did ask ETI about the difficulty of adding it later and was told it is straightforward. The propane tanks are in the same position (at least on the 19) with or without the storage box.

[AKCamper]

Originally Posted by sailor231

I am waivering on a box for our 21 build next year as well. What is the price to get one after the fact vs on a new trailer? We are close to ETI and a stop would just be a good reason to head to BC for a camping weekend.

It really is one of the most useful options we got and truly is the place for chocks, hoses, and extension cords. Besides, if you wait and get it later you have those metal snaps to deal with.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Another vote for the box . On our build the box went on , off ,and so glad back on . You won't be disappointed and very glad . Pat

Also our batteries are in box .Like batteries are not inside trailer . Some have had trouble with detector going off .Tammy said probably need to replace vinyl every 3 years you will get in place of box , that did it . Pat

[NCBill]

+100 No brainer.

I think price is cheap ($550 US) for a custom fiberglass item, made to fit the trailer. I had a crappy homemade box on my Casita, didn't fit the contours of the trailer, wasn't durable, etc. Go to a fiberglass shop and ask them how much to make a box like the Escape has.

+10 Keeps the battery out of the trailer itself. Worth it just for that.

If you ever take a longer trip, you will appreciate more storage, particularly storage for stuff you don't want inside the trailer.

[bsmoke]

Absolutely no question. If you don't have it you'll make do but you'll never question that you got it once you have it.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I'd just get it, if you'd pay for it.

Well, that makes the Christmas list easier.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Also our batteries are in box .Like batteries are not inside trailer .

True enough on our 19s Pat, but not for the OP with a 21. The snap thing though, completely agree.

[Ironhorsenva]

We have the 19 and added the front storage box. It's really nice, and has plenty of room even after the two 6 volt batteries are mounted in there. I would absolutely order it again.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

True enough on our 19s Pat, but not for the OP with a 21. The snap thing though, completely agree.

Ops didn't realize it wasn't a 19 . Still wouldn't do without our favorite " the box" Pat

[John G.]

We had a classic 21 with no box. I didn't miss it. Now I have a 2nd gen 21 with box and love it. Think it looks good too.
John

[Bobbito]

Our tow vehicle is a Tundra pickup with canopy with lots of room, but I am super glad we got the storage box anyway. We have a ton of stuff for fishing and camping in the back of the truck, so the storage box prevents us from having to move boxes of equipment around as we switch from the drive to the camping/fishing phase. ALL our dirty stuff is in the storage box, including weiner sticks gooey with marshmallow, RV mat, wheel chocks, levelling blocks, etc. I sleep better at night in our Escape knowing that all the bugs and crap that can adhere to the stuff in our storage box is not under our bed creeping toward us.

Bob K

[dfandrews]

The consensus is, of course, to get the box. All the dirty, yucky stuff,.....

We found out later the most important reason for the box. We hit a truck tire tread kicked up by traffic in front of us, on a US highway. It cracked our storage box; that would have been a hole in our trailer.

The box is invaluable.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

We found out later the most important reason for the box. We hit a truck tire tread kicked up by traffic in front of us, on a US highway. It cracked our storage box; that would have been a hole in our trailer.

I don't know if it's the most important reason for the box, but it certainly helps. We had a rock get thrown into it that created a silver dollar sized crack/mark on the lower passenger side of the box. It's much easier to repair a small hole in the box than it is the trailer.

[Vermilye]

If you want to get Line-X applied to the front of the trailer (with no storage box) the last price quote I had was $500.00. For only $200.00 more, you get the storage box covered with Line-X...

[Devil Dog]

As far as being a stone guard its about 60 % coverage . Bend down and have a closer look.
After about 10,000 km it's more evident . But it helps . Try a gravel road at 60k for 100km
and back , my truck has fender flares and stone guards as standard equipment. Most damage I think comes from the trucks rear tires.

[Catchlight]

We've had our 21' Classic for three years and have always been very glad we got the storage box for all of the reasons mentioned in this discussion.