Hello - looking for lightweight camper

[Canajun]

Hello all, we are looking for a lightweight camper. I like the workmanship and price of an Escape. Will be perusing those forum for details. Does anyone know what a 17B weighs (with standard options)? Thanks.

[Vermilye]

My 17B weighed in at 3010 pounds & 345 pounds tongue weight when I was towing with a V6 RAV4. When I moved up to a Tacoma, I let it creep up to 3100 pounds & 360 pounds tongue weight. This was loaded for a long trip, 1/3 fresh water, full propane tanks, and empty gray & black.

[Canajun]

Sorry for my ignorance but is the 3100 lbs the loaded weight?

[azjack]

Our 2018 fully loaded, water, wine, clothes, food, etc. weighs 3200# on the wheels, 400# tongue weight.
Jack

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Canajun

Does anyone know what a 17B weighs (with standard options)?

Assuming that by "standard options" you mean "standard equipment", meaning no options... that's the base trailer. The Escape Trailer Industries website has a product page for each trailer (such as The 17 Foot Escape) and on that page is a set of Specifications.

The base (no options) and dry (no fluids, so no water or propane) empty weight of a 17B is listed as 2400 pounds (that's 2150 pounds on the axle plus 250 pounds on the tongue).

Most people add some options, most people carry some water (or later, waste), essentially everyone carries propane, and everyone carries some of their own stuff. Escape notes in their Frequently Asked Questions that

On average, most Escape customers carry about 800lbs – 1,000lbs of cargo with them when they travel and add about 200lbs – 300lbs of options to their Escape Travel Trailer.

Therefore, the

• 17′ Escape, Plan A with a dry weight of 1,970lbs will travel fully loaded at approximately 2,970lbs.
• 17′ Escape, Plan B (Bathroom) with a dry weight of 2,400lbs will travel fully loaded at approximately 3,400lbs

...

There was a recent problem with the Escape website, so specifications were not available for a while, and anyone looking for them would not have been able to find them.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

My 17B weighed in at 3010 pounds & 345 pounds tongue weight when I was towing with a V6 RAV4. When I moved up to a Tacoma, I let it creep up to 3100 pounds & 360 pounds tongue weight.

Originally Posted by Canajun

Sorry for my ignorance but is the 3100 lbs the loaded weight?

It's not obvious to me, either. Is it

• 3100 pounds total including 360 pounds tongue weight, or
• 3100 pounds on the axle plus 360 pounds tongue weight?

Sorry Jon, I know that you have clarified this before, but I don't recall which one it was.

If 3100 pounds is total, that would be lighter than average; if 3100 pounds is axle weight, then the total (with 360 pounds of tongue weight) would be 3460 pounds (about average, maybe even still a little lighter than average).

Originally Posted by azjack

Our 2018 fully loaded, water, wine, clothes, food, etc. weighs 3200# on the wheels, 400# tongue weight.

... so 3600 pounds total.

When you're comparing trailers, only the weight of the empty trailer with your selected options matters to the comparison, since you'll add the same amount of your stuff to any trailer. When you're considering what your tow vehicle can handle, it's the total loaded weight (with option, fluids, and your stuff) that matters, as well as the tongue weight (a separate issue).

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Canajun

Sorry for my ignorance but is the 3100 lbs the loaded weight?

Both were loaded weights, ie the weight of the trailer including the tongue weight. If I was giving the axle weight (total weight minus the tongue weight), I'd label it as axle weight rather than trailer weight.

This was a 2011 17B, which is a bit lighter than the 2nd generation versions.