traveling on gravel roads - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Problem Solving | Owners helping each other
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-29-2018, 03:53 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: campbell river, British Columbia
Trailer: planning to purchase
Posts: 9
Smile traveling on gravel roads

We are in the process of looking to order an Escape 21 feet from the factory. Anyways, looking at options. We like to do recreation camp which means at times traveling down gravel roads. Being a fiberglass unit we want to know if anyone has found something to put around the wheel wells and areas that gravel may be a issue. I know there is the off road package which makes the Trailer higher. We do other camping as well, but at times do do the rec sites as we live in Campbell River,BC and there are many really nice spots but require to go down a gravel road to get to them, Thanks any suggestions would be helpful.
northside2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2018, 04:12 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
I've done nothing to protect the wheel wells. Been driving down gravel roads for 10 years. If it ever gets to be an issue, I will perhaps coat the wheel wells with Rhino liner or something similar.
Attached Thumbnails
Skagit washboard.jpg  
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2018, 04:32 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: campbell river, British Columbia
Trailer: planning to purchase
Posts: 9
Thanks, appreciate that, What size escape do you have.
northside2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2018, 04:34 PM   #4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: campbell river, British Columbia
Trailer: planning to purchase
Posts: 9
Traveling gravel roads

I see you have a 17. Did you have the off road on it like make it highier.
northside2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2018, 04:38 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
I have the high lift axle, but since the RAV4 has to go first, I don't think I need it.
Attached Thumbnails
Rock pile.jpg  
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2018, 04:40 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Trailer: 2015 21ft Escape "Spirit of the Plains", 2014 GMC Sierra with max tow package
Posts: 1,100
I go as slow as I can, but where I notice the rock chips is on the front of the rear bumper. Loren
Loren & Cathy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2018, 04:51 PM   #7
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: campbell river, British Columbia
Trailer: planning to purchase
Posts: 9
Traveling gravel roads

Thanks, new to fourm, Loren that mentions the rocks can nick the rear bumper, do you have the high axle on your unit. We have a F150 so not sure with hight, will ask Hubby.

Thanks Gbaglo for the pics
northside2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2018, 06:10 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Marry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Ponoka, Alberta
Trailer: 2016 19 classic "outta sight", jeep rubicon unlimited
Posts: 1,645
Since we live on a gravel road, we decided to go with the underneath insulation. This in order to protect everything below. So far, so good.
Also important is to get the storage box. It protects the front from rocks being spit up by the tow vehicle.
We drive around 50km/hr when on gravel.
__________________
"never lose hope, never lose faith"
Marry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2018, 06:14 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Fun&Sun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Chilliwack, British Columbia
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21 (One Life...Live It)
Posts: 146
We traveled Top of the world highway and received rock chips in the rear bumper and some on the front frame. I have just sanded them out and repainted the bumper with gloss black Tremclad paint. Looks brand new again.
I have yet to finish getting the tar out of the wheel wells yet but I have not noticed and rock damage yet. I’m going to extend the trailer mudflaps with a strip of 3” aluminum and see if that helps the back bumper.
Fun&Sun is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2018, 06:22 PM   #10
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: campbell river, British Columbia
Trailer: planning to purchase
Posts: 9
Traveling gravel roads

Thanks , love this fourm, great replies. Very helpful and common sense. We too want to travel up to Alaska so all good info.
northside2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2018, 11:26 PM   #11
AnJ
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Abbotsford, British Columbia
Trailer: 1974 Boler, 2018 Escape 21
Posts: 125
I'm not sure if this comes standard on all Escapes or just the ones without the storage boxes, but we did not get the storage box, and our Escape came with two snap on flaps to protect from rock chips where the storage box would normally sit. We've traveled on a few long gravel roads through Sask. with no rock chips so far, just washed all the mud out of the wheel wells today though. And a very large amount of splattered bugs across the top front- this seems to be a big job after every trip!
AnJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2018, 11:18 PM   #12
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Littleton, Colorado
Trailer: 2018 17B
Posts: 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
I've done nothing to protect the wheel wells. Been driving down gravel roads for 10 years. If it ever gets to be an issue, I will perhaps coat the wheel wells with Rhino liner or something similar.
thinking about purchasing a 17 foot escape but concerned about rough roads, driving backcountry. Also thinking about traveling to Alaska next summer. Will this rv take the vibration? Also do you really tow with a rav 4? Thinking I need a tacoma truck or four runner. Live in colorado and do a lot of backcountry camping with a hiker trailer that I
presently own. Thanks for any information you can provide me.
cmdmom286 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2018, 12:07 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
My RAV4 is 2008 V6 Sport with tow prep package. It has 269 hp.

It is rated to tow 3,500 lbs with 350 lb. tongue weight max.
I think the last RAVs of that configuration were offered in 2012.

New 2018 RAV4 has moved back up in tow rating.
I've driven a lot of backroad washboard without issue, as long as you bungee the cupboards and fridge ( keeping the fridge door light ).

Biggest problem I've had is the small gas tank on my RAV4.


Pictures ( with apologies to those who have seen them a dozen times already ).
Attached Thumbnails
Rock pile.jpg   Skagit washboard.jpg   Chataway roads.jpg  
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2018, 01:34 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Need to add that I believe the new 17B is heavier than mine. There are lots of considerations when it comes to a tow vehicle. I wanted a Tacoma, but my wife pointed out that I wouldn't be able to climb into the cab as we aged. I don't need a commuter vehicle, but that's a consideration for some.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2018, 06:27 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
civi's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Hellertown, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Scamp 16, TV Rav4 V6
Posts: 100
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
Need to add that I believe the new 17B is heavier than mine. There are lots of considerations when it comes to a tow vehicle. I wanted a Tacoma, but my wife pointed out that I wouldn't be able to climb into the cab as we aged. I don't need a commuter vehicle, but that's a consideration for some.
I believe your sport rav has the 18" wheels. Mine, base has 17" wheels. I do not know if that difference put you at better place when on rutty gravel roads. Mine is the 2012, last year for the tow pkg. I have not been on any gravel roads yet when towing, but traveled a lot on them when not towing. Carl
civi is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:41 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.