|
|
11-19-2021, 04:05 PM
|
#21
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Bellingham, Washington
Trailer: 5.0 TA "Sea'scape"
Posts: 278
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leemom3@verizon.net
Hi All,
. . .
My question: if you have had both a TC and Escape trailer, is trailer living - hitching up and unhitching - set up, etc., more difficult with a trailer than a TC? Is it difficult to transition from driving a single unit (TC and truck) to a trailer?
. . .
Thank you,
Lee-Ann
|
We've had a pickup camper too but now just have our Escape 5.0. To us, the biggest difference isn't either the hitching, set up or driving.
The biggest difference comes when you are camping but want to drive somewhere else for the day or so. With a truck camper, you have to put everything away, practically breaking camp, in order to be able to go anywhere. With a trailer, you're probably already unhitched so you can just lock the trailer door and go!
There certainly are advantages to a truck camper: less cost, fewer mechanical systems, cheaper ferry fares, and easier to park in a shopping center parking lot.
So I would say that so much depends on the kind of camping you usually do. If you like to set up a base camp and travel from there, go with a trailer. If you're moving camp most every day, the truck camper advantages may be most influential.
|
|
|
11-19-2021, 04:35 PM
|
#22
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Madison area, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19 Chevy 2012 Express 3500 Van
Posts: 1,767
|
Everything is a compromise
Through all my years, I've encountered the "this or that" quandary. For me, it's always a compromise.
Someone said, "every time you get something, you give something up". That makes perfect sense to me.
You've got to prioritize you needs and factor in your wants, and be willing to accept that ALL your desires are not met. Enjoy the ones that are met.
|
|
|
11-19-2021, 04:44 PM
|
#23
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Madison area, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19 Chevy 2012 Express 3500 Van
Posts: 1,767
|
Another wise woman.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leemom3@verizon.net
Funny - I don’t want my husband anywhere near me when I load or unload the TC. I tell him to leave and return in 10 mins…it saves the marriage.
|
I do the same with MY mate. It just works better & quicker that way.
|
|
|
11-19-2021, 05:44 PM
|
#24
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Saint Helena Island, South Carolina
Trailer: 2011 Chalet TS 116 Truck Camper
Posts: 43
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkeye Ed
We've had a pickup camper too but now just have our Escape 5.0. To us, the biggest difference isn't either the hitching, set up or driving.
The biggest difference comes when you are camping but want to drive somewhere else for the day or so. With a truck camper, you have to put everything away, practically breaking camp, in order to be able to go anywhere. With a trailer, you're probably already unhitched so you can just lock the trailer door and go!
There certainly are advantages to a truck camper: less cost, fewer mechanical systems, cheaper ferry fares, and easier to park in a shopping center parking lot.
So I would say that so much depends on the kind of camping you usually do. If you like to set up a base camp and travel from there, go with a trailer. If you're moving camp most every day, the truck camper advantages may be most influential.
|
Thank you for this perspective. I agree with most of your post. However, many TCs are way more expensive than trailers!
|
|
|
11-19-2021, 05:48 PM
|
#25
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Saint Helena Island, South Carolina
Trailer: 2011 Chalet TS 116 Truck Camper
Posts: 43
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER
Through all my years, I've encountered the "this or that" quandary. For me, it's always a compromise.
Someone said, "every time you get something, you give something up". That makes perfect sense to me.
You've got to prioritize you needs and factor in your wants, and be willing to accept that ALL your desires are not met. Enjoy the ones that are met.
|
Exactly! The “perfect” camper does not exist (in my opinion), because you of the give and take of wants/needs/ options. You find what works best.
|
|
|
11-19-2021, 06:16 PM
|
#26
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,146
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz
I'm starting to think my dream tow vehicle is a late model Ford Expedition full sized SUV with the 3.5 EcoBoost, and the right set of options (mostly, Limited, max tow, and 4x4).
|
I’ve been researching them. 2015+ have the 3.5 EB. As you probably know need to be diligent about what each truck has especially regarding axle gearing. I don’t trust dealer feature lists. Axle code on door sticker can help but they seem to vary based on year. Maybe it’s just me but Fords configurations seem tricky to figure out sometimes without the window sticker. The Heavy Duty Tow package and 3.31 or 3.73 axle ratio with 4x4 appears to provide 9200# tow capacity.
|
|
|
11-19-2021, 08:15 PM
|
#27
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkeye Ed
There certainly are advantages to a truck camper: less cost, fewer mechanical systems, cheaper ferry fares, and easier to park in a shopping center parking lot.
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leemom3@verizon.net
Thank you for this perspective. I agree with most of your post. However, many TCs are way more expensive than trailers!
|
The cost comment was about ferry fares, not purchase cost. Ferries usually charge by length, so the truck with slide-in camper is certainly cheaper than any trailer. Similarly, bridge and road tools are usually based in axle count, so the trailer rig is more expensive.
|
|
|
11-19-2021, 10:08 PM
|
#28
|
Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,157
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon327
I’ve been researching them. 2015+ have the 3.5 EB. As you probably know need to be diligent about what each truck has especially regarding axle gearing. I don’t trust dealer feature lists. Axle code on door sticker can help but they seem to vary based on year. Maybe it’s just me but Fords configurations seem tricky to figure out sometimes without the window sticker. The Heavy Duty Tow package and 3.31 or 3.73 axle ratio with 4x4 appears to provide 9200# tow capacity.
|
the Limited all have the max tow package, at least 2015+
see the brochures year by year here for whats standard in the various packages.
https://www.auto-brochures.com/ford.html
for instance, 2015:
https://www.auto-brochures.com/makes...ition_2015.pdf
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 06:45 AM
|
#29
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,146
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz
|
Thanks!
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 01:48 PM
|
#30
|
Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,157
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz
|
a few things I've cleaned from those.
1) Android Auto / Apple CarPlay support was a standard feature of SYNC3 starting in 2018
2) 2018 got the new 10 speed transmission instead of the old 6 speed.
3) my ideal model would be a XLT with the FX4 package (only available some years), which includes equipment group 202A and the HD Tow package (202A is 90% of whats in the Limited). Nearly impossible to shop for that in a used vehicle. I like the FX4 because it includes electronic locking axles, and 18" wheels instead of the 20" wheels the 'upscale' packages include.
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 05:24 PM
|
#31
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Kent, Ohio
Trailer: 2017 21c Sold, 2023 Bigfoot 25RQ
Posts: 1,400
|
I agree except I’d go for a 4x2 to get a bit more payload. I’ve only needed 4x4 once in 4 years
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 07:27 PM
|
#32
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Saint Helena Island, South Carolina
Trailer: 2011 Chalet TS 116 Truck Camper
Posts: 43
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P
The cost comment was about ferry fares, not purchase cost. Ferries usually charge by length, so the truck with slide-in camper is certainly cheaper than any trailer. Similarly, bridge and road tools are usually based in axle count, so the trailer rig is more expensive.
|
True, TCs may not have DMV fees, etc, as most states do not require registrations for them. i was just thinking of original purchase cost.
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 10:19 PM
|
#33
|
Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,157
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldwave
I agree except I’d go for a 4x2 to get a bit more payload. I’ve only needed 4x4 once in 4 years
|
I've needed 4x4 to get my trailer out of a simple camp space on a damp morning. but more importantly, I like to explore off roads and having the 4x4 available greatly increases the chances of getting out of trouble. plus it means no chains needed on high mountain passes in the winters here.
in the case of the Expedition, its only a 200 lb tow load difference.
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 10:23 PM
|
#34
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz
having the 4x4 available greatly increases the chances of getting out of trouble.
|
I'd heard that a 4x4 greatly increases the chance of getting into greater trouble.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 10:28 PM
|
#35
|
Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,157
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
I'd heard that a 4x4 greatly increases the chance of getting into greater trouble.
|
the trick is to only use 4x4 when you actually need it. 2x4 to get in, 4x4 to get out
|
|
|
11-21-2021, 05:47 AM
|
#36
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Saint Helena Island, South Carolina
Trailer: 2011 Chalet TS 116 Truck Camper
Posts: 43
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz
I've needed 4x4 to get my trailer out of a simple camp space on a damp morning. but more importantly, I like to explore off roads and having the 4x4 available greatly increases the chances of getting out of trouble. plus it means no chains needed on high mountain passes in the winters here.
in the case of the Expedition, its only a 200 lb tow load difference.
|
I, also, have rarely needed to use my 4x4, but when needed, I was quite glad to have had it. For the 209 pound payload difference between 4x2 and 4x4 in a Ranger (the truck I am looking at), i am interested in the 4x4. I can control how much I load into the truck, but I can’t control an unexpected need (or - want) for the 4x4.
|
|
|
11-21-2021, 06:05 AM
|
#37
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Trailer: "Side Effect" 2022 21C
Posts: 1,376
|
I got stuck in a 2-Wheel drive F150 on a nearly level patch of wet grass before. Yes, a very tiny incline, good tires and wet grass. Put it in drive and the rear tires would spin freely without using the throttle.
Since then I have owned a 4-Wheel drive truck.
|
|
|
11-21-2021, 08:01 AM
|
#38
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: DFW, Texas
Trailer: 2018 21 Sept 7 2018
Posts: 1,073
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
I'd heard that a 4x4 greatly increases the chance of getting into greater trouble.
|
True but it get you to areas where one can relax better n have more fun
David
|
|
|
11-21-2021, 01:45 PM
|
#39
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: South Lake Tahoe, California
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
Posts: 253
|
We had an Arctic Fox 990 on an F350 dually and now have an Escape 17B. We prefer the Escape for most situations. It's so easy to maneuver that I rarely worry about entering a parking lot. The width at only 6'4" has a lot to do with that. The AF 990 was a full 8' wide which really made a difference. The truck camper setup was MARGINALLY better off road, but it was very limited by width whenever trees and bushes are involved.
I did not like dropping the TC. The whole experience was pretty scary with those wobbly jacks extended. Soft ground or wind can turn that into a very bad day.
The key difference is that we can drop the trailer and go 4X4 off-roading in the truck, which is a Chevy Colorado ZR2. It gives us a lot more freedom to explore. We always unhook the trailer when we set up camp so there is no extra time involved there, and unhooking is very fast and easy.
The long bed F350 dually was only used for the truck camper so just sat there collecting dust most of the time. It was hard to justify. We can tow the trailer with either of our daily drivers.
Sometimes we miss the queen bed, huge dinette, and 55 gallons of fresh water the truck camper had. It was also a bit warmer in below freezing temps, but the furnace was much louder so it wasn't necessarily better for sleeping. As we get older, it's also a lot easier stepping into the trailer vs. climbing up the stairs to get in the TC. We had to lift and carry our old dog to get her into the TC but the trailer was no problem.
|
|
|
11-21-2021, 02:21 PM
|
#40
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Saint Helena Island, South Carolina
Trailer: 2011 Chalet TS 116 Truck Camper
Posts: 43
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by skyfree
We had an Arctic Fox 990 on an F350 dually and now have an Escape 17B. We prefer the Escape for most situations. It's so easy to maneuver that I rarely worry about entering a parking lot. The width at only 6'4" has a lot to do with that. The AF 990 was a full 8' wide which really made a difference. The truck camper setup was MARGINALLY better off road, but it was very limited by width whenever trees and bushes are involved.
I did not like dropping the TC. The whole experience was pretty scary with those wobbly jacks extended. Soft ground or wind can turn that into a very bad day.
The key difference is that we can drop the trailer and go 4X4 off-roading in the truck, which is a Chevy Colorado ZR2. It gives us a lot more freedom to explore. We always unhook the trailer when we set up camp so there is no extra time involved there, and unhooking is very fast and easy.
The long bed F350 dually was only used for the truck camper so just sat there collecting dust most of the time. It was hard to justify. We can tow the trailer with either of our daily drivers.
Sometimes we miss the queen bed, huge dinette, and 55 gallons of fresh water the truck camper had. It was also a bit warmer in below freezing temps, but the furnace was much louder so it wasn't necessarily better for sleeping. As we get older, it's also a lot easier stepping into the trailer vs. climbing up the stairs to get in the TC. We had to lift and carry our old dog to get her into the TC but the trailer was no problem.
|
Thank you for the comparisons. AF is certainly a nice product w/4-season capability. That being said, every time I go to load or unload the TV, I worry that the jacks will fail. I am not basing that on anything I can point to - just my fears. Yes, on a windy day it can get nerve-wracking. I am figuring that a trailer removes some of the worry.
The point about the TC width is important. My truck - this longbed dually - is my daily driver. I am looking forward to going smaller for multiple reasons.
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|