Water filled back bumper.

[elongest]

I drilled a hole in the bottom of my rear bumper and about a quart of clear water ran out on the shop floor. The bumper is completely welded together, the only possible opening that I can see are the bolt holes for the spare tire rack which have bolts installed. I don't know where that amount of water came from. I figure if there was enough water to fill the bumper if frozen it could have distorted or split the bumper. Drilling a small drain hole in the bottom of the back bumper may be in order.
Eddie

[Iowa Dave]

I drilled the vertical support bars on the end gate of my utility trailer for the same reason. I had never thought of this but when I picked up the trailer it had a broken wheel stud and the place where I bought it sent me to a farm equipment repair shop where the owner installed
a new stud and stepping back to look the trailer over made the remark about drilling the supports. He said he’d seen enough frost split tubing to last him a lifetime. Think I’ll drill the bumper tubing shortly.
Iowa Dave

[sclifrickson]

Originally Posted by elongest

I drilled a hole in the bottom of my rear bumper and about a quart of clear water ran out on the shop floor.

Okay, that is weird. Might have to drill some holes meself. But it does make me wonder - What prompted you to drill your hole in the first place?

[Lv4toys]

Originally Posted by elongest

I drilled a hole in the bottom of my rear bumper and about a quart of clear water ran out ....

Interesting, the exact same thing happened with my previous trailer. Another project to complete on the Escape.

[sclifrickson]

What about the rest of the welded-closed frame?

[elongest]

I drilled the holes to attach a cargo/generator rack. I welded tubing to ends of my cargo rack and bolted the tubing to the top of the rear bumper. The cargo rack is now rock solid with a three point attachment and it is easily removable. The rest of the frame has body mounting bolts drilled through it and should not hold water.
Eddie

[sprinkledavid@gmail.com]

I drilled two drain holes in my back bumper and got some water, I removed spare tire mount bolts and caulked them with sealant...after seven more years in my 19 no more water came out of drain holes.

[Jubal]

The interior of the frame is open where the coupler is attached.

[cpaharley2008]

Maybe a suggestion should be sent to ETI to put sealant on the spare tire holder bolts to prevent this from happening, an ounce of prevent is worth a pound of cure.

[Brian B-P]

Other than in 5.0 and 5.0TA, the bumper and possibly one crossmember just ahead of it are likely the only closed tubes in the frame.

• As Jubal mentioned, the tongue portion is open at the front.
• The rear extension (raised rails to which the bumper is welded) is open at the front, where the overlap with main rails ends.
• The main rails (from tongue to axle) are open at the back, where the overlap with extension ends.
• Perhaps depending on model and year, other crossmembers are generally angle, Z, or perhaps U sections, not closed box.

All of the above are open to correction... of course I haven't seen under all years and models.

[cpaharley2008]

In addition, water intrusion is less likely from underneath, particularly if you have the foam option, whereas the rear horizontal pieces are exposed to rain/snow from above, are more susceptible.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Maybe a suggestion should be sent to ETI to put sealant on the spare tire holder bolts to prevent this from happening, an ounce of prevent is worth a pound of cure.

Or a drain hole in any closed tubing 😎

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Other than in 5.0 and 5.0TA, the bumper and possibly one crossmember just ahead of it are likely the only closed tubes in the frame...

Here is a discussion of a failure - involving water inside the tubing - of that rear crossmember:
Cracked Rear Cross Frame 17 Footer

[rlg303]

My 2017 Escape 17 has a hole drilled in the curb side center of the rear bumper, so I assuming ETI has corrected the problem.

[thiggins]

Our 21', picked up June of this year ( 2018 ) also has a drain hole near the spare tire mount in the bottom of the bumper. Problem solved.