2010 17B Front Box Designs??

[marant]

We have a 2010 17B that we are renovating and see a need for a front box. It has the two propane tanks on the tongue, and we use a WDH, which complicates things.

I am very interested in what others have done to build a front box for a 17 trailer. Pictures would be very helpful, because so far I have not been able to come up with a design that results in enough storage to be worth the trouble. Have been wondering about a full width box that also protects the trailer some.

[gbaglo]

I don't have the box, but I did have the propane tanks rotated 90 degrees so I could use the hard propane tanks shell. That left room for a storage box.
Anyway, here's pix and measurements.

[marant]

Thanks. My tanks are crosswise to the tongue, as yours. I am so new to Escape I did not realize they were arranged in any other way. I also have the WBH as you do. I am just trying to figure out how to maximize the storage area in the box.

[Ron in BC]

I made one for my 19 and I'll make another one for my coming 21.

Aluminum sheet aluminum over a wood frame. Maximized for volume. WDH brackets are in an "alcove" which allows for more interior volume.

Simple hand tools project. Later sprayed to match the trailer.

Ron

[Rossue]

Does ETI no longer give the front box for free to returning customers?

[MyronL]

Here's mine (variation of Ron's) when it was a work in progress. Bolts down to same frame holes for batteries. Lesson learned-- be sure it is not no-never going to ever touch the trailer gelcoat.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Does ETI no longer give the front box for free to returning customers?

Why do you ask?
What prompted the question?
I wasn't aware they did until a recent post ( Jim N? ). Not sure it was ever a policy. Still don't know if it was.

[Rossue]

You're just full of questions eh? Didn't know it was a policy- didn't get the memo? Why do you ask?

[gbaglo]

Just caught this now.
I was busy searching to find out how far back your animosity toward me goes.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Does ETI no longer give the front box for free to returning customers?

Come to think of it I think that I did hear something about that once. Never offered to us. Don't mind too much because I don't really like the look of it.

Ron

[marant]

Ron
I like the design. Have a few questions:
1. Is the top support of the frame just cut out of plywood? Did you use 3/4 inch?


2. Does the top itself have a plywood frame? It looks like the top is the sheet aluminum with some type of metal edging acting as a weather seal, is that correct? Were there any special techniques to making the top?

3. Did you caulk all the inside seams when finished?
I am impressed with the WBH cutouts. That is a detail that had stumped me. Putting the hinges to the front is also a good idea that I had not considered.


4. What kind of rivets did you use? I have only worked with pop rivets.



I am not sure I have enough room to make it worthwhile, but you have inspired me to pursue it further. Making it full width will probably make it a viable project. I think I will see about expanding the box forward somewhat on the ends after it clears the tanks, but that may cause a WBH problem. Hmmm. If nothing else it may cause me to reconsider using a WBH at all, the 17 probably does not need it with our F150.

[RicVic]

Nice job Ron. Looks great

[Ron in BC]

1. Yes, the top frame is cut from 3/4" plywood and is "U" shaped. A piece of aluminum angle runs across the back. It could be cut the same as the base and then cut out the center leaving about an 1 1/2" frame.

2. The top is aluminum only. It is sheet aluminum with a perimeter frame of 1/8" x 3/4" x 3/4" aluminum angle forming a lip. It could have been weather stripped but I didn't see the need for it. I have a TIG welder so I just put some slits in the bend areas, bent it and welded it up. Angle can be bent without doing this but it needs a bender that I didn't have and didn't want to make. Welding was quicker.

3. No, I didn't caulk the seams. It wasn't necessary and I didn't want it completely sealed as there are two 12 volt batteries in the box and they needed to be able to vent.

4. The rivets, mainly on the top are blind pop rivets. They are sealed on the inner end so that when the shank breaks off there isn't a small hole left to let in water. Most fasteners that you see on the front are 1/2" s/s screws attaching the aluminum sheet to the wood frame.

If I don't decide to put a mini-split A/C on the front of the new 21 I'll likely be making pretty close to the same one again. If I go with a front mounted A/C then the design will change a bit.

You might have noticed that the back wall of the box follows the contour of the trailer front wall. This increases the interior. As Myron says, don't put it too close or it might contact the gelcoat.

Ron

[MyronL]

And be cautious you don't make it so wide front to back that when doing a jack-knife backing up the tow bumper makes contact with the lower part of the box. You will note in Ron's picture the bottom half of the box compensates for this possibility by being less proud. I didn't forsee this happening with mine and I smushed the corner. This (current) pix is after I repaired and adjusted.

[Ron in BC]

I think that's why the ETI box has a much more acute angle between the sides and the front. Moves the area back a bit to prevent rear bumper contact.

I'll be a bit more conservative on my next one.

Ron

[marant]

I wondered if that would be a problem.

Great information, all. The photos are really helpful.

Looks like a fun project.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by marant

I wondered if that would be a problem.

Great information, all. The photos are really helpful.

Looks like a fun project.

It can be a problem even with the Escape design. I've cracked the taillight on both my RAV4 with the 17, and the F 150 with the 21. The lid hold down clamps are the culprits.

[Patch]

Yes ETI gave me a free front storage box as a returning customer. This was for an order in February 2019 with a completion in June 2019. Don't know if the new owners have changed that. Unfortunately, they do charge a great deal more if you want to add a storage box to the trailer you already have. The most recent quote came in at about $850 CAD.

[cpaharley2008]

I got 3 free front boxes on my Escapes....one at a time ...