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04-07-2021, 11:42 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Tacoma, Washington
Trailer: put down deposit for Escape 19' Delivery date 12-9-2021
Posts: 48
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weight distribution system of not?
Hi Everyone, We are in line to receive our 2021 Escape in Dec 2021. My towing vehicle will be a 2011Toyota Tacoma 4WD V6. Should i just assume that whatever is standard for the Escape 19 interms of stabilization will not be enough and I will need the weight distribution systems with stabilizer bar. I have not owned a trailer before so just trying to figure some of the initial issues to ensure safety. What recommendations do folks have or is the options provided by Escape totally adequate?
Thanks
Don
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04-08-2021, 05:53 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Signal Mountain (Chattanooga), Tennessee
Trailer: Escape 21 November 2014; 2022 GMC 1500 3.0L
Posts: 681
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Like so many things in life, the answer is : it depends.
It depends on 1) how soft or worn your springs are, 2 )what tires and psi you run, 3) what roads you plan to travel, 4) how fast you drive, 5) how cautiously you load your trailer regarding tongue weight.
Try this: get 400 lbs worth of people, have them sit on your tailgate, and see what that does in terms of squat/drop of your truck's rear. Watch the headlight angle, too. If it's reasonable in your mind, you could try not using a Weight Distributing Hitch.
I've always used one, since I think it deals with side-to-side sway, and the up-and-down porpoising, but since I haven't towed without one, I have nothing to compare.
If safety is your main consideration, get a Weight Distributing Hitch with sway control. Mine is the Andersen, but it's fallen out of favor, and some consider it a pain to hitch and unhitch. I don't care. I'm used to it.
When that deer jumps in front of you or a semi throws a wheel at you......
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04-08-2021, 06:15 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19' and 2004 Tundra
Posts: 166
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I am towing a 19 with an 04 tundra 4.7 v8 and my used camper had a real equalizer hitch with it when I bought it. I never tried towing without it and never plan on it. it is simple to use and rock steady when towing.
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04-08-2021, 06:37 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,889
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Try a careful reading of the owners manual. I was surprised to see some models of Toyota only recommend an anti sway device. They also recommend different devices depending on what weight you are towing. Also look at the ratings that show up on the drivers door jam. Posting them will give respondents more information. Those ratings are specific to your vehicle, including the weights of factory installed options.
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
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04-08-2021, 09:14 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21
Posts: 700
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We have a 2005 Tundra with similar towing and load limits to a Taco and have an Andersen hitch. I have towed our 2015 Escspe 21 with and without the hitch and the ride is noticeably more bouncy without it. Dips in the road cause porpoising up and down. With the hitch it is a far smoother ride and no sway either thanks to the Andersen’s additional anti-sway function. I know some of these hitches had issues a few years ago, but I think they were fixed. We never had a problem and I would buy one again. Friends with a Lance trailer and Ford F150 got an Andersen before we met and really like it as well.
Bob K
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04-08-2021, 09:26 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,284
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Get one, use one, pay attention to the task at hand, do regular tire inflation, lug nut, running lights, brake controller checks and keep your tow in good shape and you will be fine. Eliminate variables and your stress level goes down. Enjoy the ride, your trailer is back there remember that. A WDH does not affect your milage.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
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04-08-2021, 10:11 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
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Your Tacoma is almost identical to my Frontier in towing specs. Both have weak rear OEM suspension. Not sure if the 4WD Tacoma has better suspension but one would think so. I needed a WDH on my Frontier, but recently when I beefed up the rear suspension I was able to eliminate it. As suggested above, check for the sag with about 400 lbs and see whether it’s necessary.
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04-08-2021, 10:34 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: mediapolis, Iowa
Trailer: 2021
Posts: 446
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As usual good tips from all. I particular like Bills down to earth plan. Would one 400 lb man work? Sorry I'm a sick dude. lol
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04-08-2021, 11:11 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,284
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I know a few guys who would go 400 but don’t see them all the time. I’d be happy to sit on your tailgate with a 50 lb, bag of Fertilizer on each shoulder and that would do it for you too. Set a new personal best unload record the other day at the landfill. Threw 2,400 lbs of cottonwood rounds off the trailer in 9 1/2 minutes. Some of those were pigs some not so bad. Loaded the trailer with about 1,500 lbs yesterday. Used the tractor. Probably have to take a break when unloading them later today, Had to clear the garden off and shouldn’t have put them there last November. Tactical error.
All the best
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
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04-08-2021, 11:22 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Is that civilization encroaching?
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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04-08-2021, 12:04 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: mediapolis, Iowa
Trailer: 2021
Posts: 446
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I really need to meet you someday Dave. Maybe share a Kentucky bourbon together.
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04-08-2021, 12:21 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: mediapolis, Iowa
Trailer: 2021
Posts: 446
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Just wired Escape 34 k , would Kesslers be ok ? Lol
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04-08-2021, 12:35 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,284
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Like beer, I only drink two kinds of whiskey, Free and cold and only ever have two. The first one and the last one.
Glenn: there are ten houses in this development. They were all built at about the same time in the late 90s. I’m down in the corner in the SE SE quarter quarter section. Fremont township. To the west and south, farm ground half of which is in CRP (conservation reserve program) Like Daniel Boone, if it gets too crowded I’ll take the Escape out to the Century Farm. Very quiet out there. Artesian water. Plenty firewood, Boxelders for sap in the spring and big coon for a jacket and a barbecue.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
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04-09-2021, 01:23 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Tacoma, Washington
Trailer: put down deposit for Escape 19' Delivery date 12-9-2021
Posts: 48
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Dave,
i like your straight forward advice! i do not think I need any more convincing and I do not even have the trailer yet! Thanks to everyone else for chiming in! if this is a typical response to a novice's question, I am in good hands !
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04-09-2021, 08:01 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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You are not too far from Chilliwack, so your trip home should give your some perspective....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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04-11-2021, 01:42 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Loserpeg, Manitoba
Trailer: 2021 Escape 19, 2010 Palomino Y series prior
Posts: 143
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I have a similar question.
Except I have a 2014 F150 with new Bilstien rear shocks and new 4 leaf spring pack with higher rating than stock, along with LT tires.
19 Escape ready Late May. Claimed dry weight under 3700lb
Hoping not to have to invest or carry around a WDH. One of the reasons of going with a light, smaller trailer (altho I voted for a 17 my wife overruled and we got a 19)
__________________
14 F150 SCAB 4x4 3.7v6 Bunch of mods. 2021 Escape 19.
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04-11-2021, 07:09 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Kent, Ohio
Trailer: 2017 21c Sold, 2023 Bigfoot 25RQ
Posts: 1,413
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We have a 2004 F150, while we can pull the Escape 21 without a problem , the wdh makes it more stable and prevents any porposing . Also, it's not much of an issue to use the hitch, maybe adds a couple of minutes to hitching up. I tend not to use it for short trips , but Im glad we have it on the long freeway travels . It wasn't much money and Id buy another one if somehow this one broke (unlikely). It was the lowest cost one that Escape offered and does not include sway control, which isn't needed. That said, your F150 will likely do fine without one. I also have bilstein shocks, but stock springs.
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04-12-2021, 03:55 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London, Ontario
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19
Posts: 1,121
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wunfiddy
I have a similar question.
Except I have a 2014 F150 with new Bilstien rear shocks and new 4 leaf spring pack with higher rating than stock, along with LT tires.
19 Escape ready Late May. Claimed dry weight under 3700lb
Hoping not to have to invest or carry around a WDH. One of the reasons of going with a light, smaller trailer (altho I voted for a 17 my wife overruled and we got a 19)
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We had a 17B, now we have a 19’. So good choice.
Do you need a WDH with a F150, probably not, but it will make towing more pleasant.
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04-12-2021, 06:56 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: DFW, Texas
Trailer: 2018 21 Sept 7 2018
Posts: 1,073
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I can’t say for a 19 but we don’t use one pulling our 21 with a Silverado 4x4 1500. We’ve been hit with some high winds with no issues what so ever.
David
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04-12-2021, 10:49 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,889
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With larger vehicles there are many opinions on a WDH. I was intrigued by a recent post that mentioned a particular model of Toyota recommended an anti sway bar when towing over 2,000 pounds and a WDH after 5,000. This was from an owners manual.
There does not seem to be any postings of someone using just an anti sway. Are there any out there?
Many years ago I had a Crown Vic towing a pop up trailer. It was a wiggly bugger but an anti sway tamed it nicely. After fussing with an Andersen hitch I miss the simple sway bar.
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
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