Storage box -- pros and cons

[Ruthe]

Dan, are your batteries in the storage box?

Ruth

[DeadEyeDan]

Originally Posted by Ruthe

Dan, are your batteries in the storage box?

Ruth

Yes, there are 2- 6v batteries located in the box.

And to CPAHarley, I have seen that Carlin video, he is a funny guy.

[fudge_brownie]

This is the response from Kim at Escape (in blue) to my question regarding the Escape 21.

What is under the permanent bed? Hot water tank at the foot and black tank at the head

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I thought the black tank is under the bath area, are you telling me it is under the bed also?

[paulw]

As I recall from Bandon -
It extends out partially from under the bathroom into the underbed space - perhaps its bigger that the toilet pedestal was designed for?

[barry]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I thought the black tank is under the bath area, are you telling me it is under the bed also?

My old 2005 17B's black tank was only under the toilet but it was only 8 gallons in capacity. As the tanks got larger going from 8 to 14 then to 19 they had to go somewhere so the 17 and 19's extend under the front dinette and the 5.0's into the front hatch compartment ......... I'm guessing the 21's extends under the bed due to the location of the bathroom.

Barry

[cpaharley2008]

In the 19' model it extended from the bath about 18"-24" under the dinette seat, maybe 18" wide, so that amount is probably what we are talking about, still plenty of room, at least close to under the 19 area.

[Donna D.]

On the 21' think about this... the bathroom is on the passenger side, but the discharge is on the drivers side.. which is "typically" where the "gate" is located. Thank goodness you're not laying a loooong hose from one side of the trailer to the other, for the discharge. Who wants to crawl under the trailer to hookup a black water tank.. not me. YMMV I'm thinking Reace/Tammy thought this one through to the end!

[ChuckS]

I wish my trailer could have a Escape storage box. Our trailer's front tank/battery cover is tight and has to be removed any time I have to check battery water. The box is a good place to storage all your trailer stuff.

[Brian B-P]

Extending the above-floor black tank beyond the space under the toilet into adjacent cabinetry is normal. My 1979 Boler B1700 has a tank extending under the dinette seat, and other Bolers and Bigfoot trailers of the era had similar configurations.

[Ellentob]

Is there any reason a front storage box can't be added later if one is needed? Is there room on the tongue in the 19 for a storage box behind the tanks. What is the standard configuration for the propane tanks, side to side or front to back and is there a choice in the matter?

[Ellentob]

Originally Posted by Chapitre

We had an aluminum box made to our design. Works very well, is sturdy- holds lots of stuff - big enough for collapsible camp chairs. Would be lost with out it, especially on long stays. It protects the front of the 17B as well.

I'd like to see a picture of that box and your experience with it.

[cpaharley2008]

Shipping would be prohibitive for the box from ETI to Virginia at a later time and if you tell ETI which way you want the tanks they will accommodate you. The box also acts as a buffer to road debris so it serves dual purpose. Also on the 19' the outside hatch is fixed and very small, some items may not fit thru the hatch and you may not want them inside either. The box grows on you.

[Dave Walter]

If you read this entire thread you will see that some love "the box" and couldn't imagine trailer life without it, while others don't have one, don't want one, and couldn't imagine how it could be worth the $ that Escape charges for it. For me, I have one and am happy I got it. As Jim mentioned, it also helps to protect the front of your Escape from bugs and rocks. (Of course, those bugs are no fun to remove from the front of the box either).

[RickM]

Ellen, FYI this link shows the Escape box next to an aluminum box (from Cabelas):
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f1...ghts-1104.html

The aluminum box was installed by ETI. As noted in the link, after ETI came out with the fiberglass box the rest, as they say, was history.

[7th Heaven]

Ditto for us, we use the hatch for patio items vs. the storage box for a thing that is bulky, dirty and gets wet

[DeadEyeDan]

The box is our garage. It holds the hoses, cords, chemicals, blocks, bars, levers, cranks etc. In our Casita those things had to ride in the truck. More room in the truck for other stuff.

Cannot imagine the trailer without it.

[Ron in BC]

My motto for the storage box is the same as AMEX"s. "Don't leave home without it"

Seriously, I can't imagine not having one. I use it for the stuff you need when you pull up and setup in a spot.

Ron

[ChuckS]

The box could be added latter but will cost extra to have brackets welded onto the frame. I owned a 19ft the batteries were in the box. My front box was #2 the second one made in 2010.
Chuck

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

The box could be added latter but will cost extra to have brackets welded onto the frame. I owned a 19ft the batteries were in the box. My front box was #2 the second one made in 2010.
Chuck

Good point Chuck, there are 2 small brackets that are needed so the add on is not simply just drop and attach.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by DeadEyeDan

Cannot imagine the trailer without it.

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Seriously, I can't imagine not having one.

I will help you out with a photo, so you can better envision it.



I know my opinion is quickly discarded by many, but having gone 5 years without having the need for more storage really has worked fine for us, and to me that is what counts. We often take bikes, canoes, a huge Pelican case of camera gear, and lots of fun stuff too.

There is just the two of us (and Jasper). If we were a full family, that would make a difference. Things are a bit tighter when we have a couple grandkids along.

I only say this to show that it is possible to get out and enjoy without it if you wish, not at all to discourage getting one if it works better with your camping style.

And who knows, when we eventually get to go for more than 18 days at a time, we may want more stuff.......