F150 towing stability in wind w/21NE?

[dlite]

Hey folks,


We're considering purchasing an Escape 21NE that we'd tow with an F150 Screw w/the max tow package. I'm curious if others can share their experiences towing on freeways w/ strong crosswinds (25 mph+) towing with a similar setup? We face strong winds regularly w/our northern Colorado location.



Some background: our family's original trailer was a Scamp 16' that we towed w/Chevy traverse. Never felt a thing regardless of the wind speed, direction or passing trucks on the freeway.


We then purchased a 26' Lance 2185 (1k tongue weight, 6k lbs wet, 10' height) that we pulled w/our current F150. I definitely felt that trailer! In strong crosswinds w/passing semis there's was a significant amount of back-and-forth movement. I don't believe it was sway, just the pressure of the wind on the sail we were towing. That said, it was a very active, tiring driving experience. No amount of WDH hitch adjustments, tires, etc. resolved it. We love the truck and sold the trailer.


Looking @ the 21NE specs, its GVWR weight is about 1k less, 1 foot shorter, 1 foot less in width, and I'd wild-guess a wet tongue weight at ~600 lbs (400 lbs less). So it's somewhat between our 26' Lance and 16' Scamp.

[Eggscape]

We towed our stick trailer that was only 1 inch longer than our 19 across Canada with our 2017 F-150. At times I would stop and put the bars on to help with the sway from wind and large trucks.
Since we have the 19 there is little to no feel of trucks going by on two lane roads like the square stick trailer. I am very pleased with the way it handles without any bars or extra sway control.

[Ditchrider]

I have both a Scamp 16 and an Escape 21. While the Escape handles the wind well, I am definitely more aware of crosswinds while towing the Escape. Even though the rounded corners help, there is no getting around the greater surface area for the wind to work on. After a scary event in Nebraska a few years ago we now stay put anytime gusts of 50 mph or more are in the forecast.

[dlite]

Thanks for sharing your experiences! In my experiencing going thru stick trailer and F150 forums, my issues were pretty common. It's been harder to find similar experiences in the Escape forum.

[yangstyle]

We tow our 21C with a F150 and E2 Fastway and only had 1 issue where we were on the prairies and it was very windy and when exiting an area that had lots of tree cover we got hit by the wind but it was momentary and just a small bit of sway.
Other than that we have not had any problems with wind or when passing or being passed by semi's.
That is the reason we got the Fastway WDH, for comfort on those long drives.

[grump]

When we brought our 21, Towed with a 2013 f150, home in 2016 we had cross winds in Washington of well above 25 MPH with no problem. Going across South Dakota we had 50-60 MPH diagonal winds and didn't really have much trouble although you could definitely tell it was pretty windy.

[dlakeman]

The day I picked up my 2020 21C in Las Vegas to tow it 85 miles home on I-15 the wind was 40MPH. My 2020 F-150 3.5EB with Max Tow Package and E2 WDH by Fastway performed flawlessly. At 60MPH no sway when passed by tractor trailer trucks. It was my first time towing.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by dlite

We then purchased a 26' Lance 2185 (1k tongue weight, 6k lbs wet, 10' height) that we pulled w/our current F150. I definitely felt that trailer! In strong crosswinds w/passing semis there's was a significant amount of back-and-forth movement. I don't believe it was sway, just the pressure of the wind on the sail we were towing. That said, it was a very active, tiring driving experience. No amount of WDH hitch adjustments, tires, etc. resolved it. We love the truck and sold the trailer.

Looking @ the 21NE specs, its GVWR weight is about 1k less, 1 foot shorter, 1 foot less in width, and I'd wild-guess a wet tongue weight at ~600 lbs (400 lbs less). So it's somewhat between our 26' Lance and 16' Scamp.

We took our Lance 1995 on one trip to Washington's North Cascades, Olympia, and Mt Rainier National Parks. The tippyness was only one of the reasons the Lance only lasted one camping adventure. On the way back home across Wyoming we ordered an Escape 21 (a month later changed the order to our 5.0). The Lance was our most disappointing camper. In a little over two years we now have over 30,000 miles pulling the 5.0 and over 300 nights sleeping.

Enjoy,

Perry

[cpaharley2008]

I have owned 2 Lance trailers, a 1880 and a 1575, both before my first Escape. Have not missed them at all.........!

[dlite]

Thanks all - getting closer to pulling the trigger (and then waiting a couple of years )!