Say hello to JJ & Rita, especially if you have an Escape 21 for sale!

[jjbass01]

Just registered as prospective Escape owners. Nearing retirement and looking for something to take us across N. America the long and slow way. An Escape 21 seems to fit the bill, so if you have one that's looking for a good home, just let us know. We are in Ontario, but will consider a unit pretty much anywhere!

[cpaharley2008]

Welcome JJ and Rita,
Have you seen an Escape in person, I'm sure that can be arranged.

[Mike & Donna]

Welcome to the forum, JJ and Rita. Loads of good info and advice available on the many threads in this forum. Hope you are able to find an Escape that fits your needs. If you don't need it for another year you can alway opt for a new one. That way you can customize it as you see fit.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by jjbass01

Just registered as prospective Escape owners. Nearing retirement and looking for something to take us across N. America the long and slow way. An Escape 21 seems to fit the bill, so if you have one that's looking for a good home, just let us know. We are in Ontario, but will consider a unit pretty much anywhere!

Hi: jjbass01... Well I'm going to say hi, even though we don't have a 21' Escape. We do have the Niagara Wine Escape mid Sept. every year and you can usually see all models of Escape trailers there. You'd be welcome to drop by. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Red Dog]

Welcome from Texas!

[Jim Bennett]

Welcome JJ and Rita. Your retirement plans sound very much like ours.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

Welcome from Texas!

Hi Fred, how's the anticipation meter? I bet it's well over half way. Best of luck on your pickup trip, what a way to give yourself a Christmas present.
Dave

[jjbass01]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Welcome JJ and Rita. Your retirement plans sound very much like ours.

And all the national parks are free in Canada next year for the 150th celebrations!

[jjbass01]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

Welcome from Texas!

Thx Red Dog Fred. Actually Rita is in Fort Worth as I type, she works (remotely) for a company based there.

[jjbass01]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: jjbass01... Well I'm going to say hi, even though we don't have a 21' Escape. We do have the Niagara Wine Escape mid Sept. every year and you can usually see all models of Escape trailers there. You'd be welcome to drop by. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

That's brilliant Alf. The invitation much appreciated and already on our calendar for next year!

[Marry]

A flight to Chilliwalk on your wish list, in preparation of retirement?
Might be worth to visit ETI. Check out the many options available. Compare new price for your own custom designed 21, and what you can get when buying used.
Not to mention the sweat and tears it takes filling out your own build sheet. This fun part is priceless!!
There are not many used Escapes for sale. Re-sale value stays high on those beautiful trailers. But once and awhile some one gets lucky.
Hope you find your way in Escape Land!! Welcome!! Many helpful folks around! And best wishes with the hunt!!

[Chris & Patricia]

Originally Posted by jjbass01

Just registered as prospective Escape owners. Nearing retirement and looking for something to take us across N. America the long and slow way. An Escape 21 seems to fit the bill, so if you have one that's looking for a good home, just let us know. We are in Ontario, but will consider a unit pretty much anywhere!

You might want to contact Escape Trailer Industries (ETI) directly and ask them if there are any Escape owners especially a 21 in your area who would be prepared to show your theirs. Not every Escape owner is on the forum. After enquiry with ETI we were put in touch with an owner a few kms from us who is not on the forum. Happy hunting.

[jjbass01]

Many thanks for the tips and support. Homework needed!

[jjbass01]

We bought a Lexus RX350 on the advice of a reputable RV dealer here in Canada. This was based on our interest in an Airstream Sport 22FB, rated at 4500 lbs wet. The Escape 21 would be similar (but tandem axle). Any comments on our choice of tow vehicle? Much appreciated!

[EscapingBuffalo]

Originally Posted by jjbass01

Just registered as prospective Escape owners. Nearing retirement and looking for something to take us across N. America the long and slow way. An Escape 21 seems to fit the bill, so if you have one that's looking for a good home, just let us know. We are in Ontario, but will consider a unit pretty much anywhere!

Welcome from south of the border in Buffalo, NY!

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by jjbass01

We bought a Lexus RX350 on the advice of a reputable RV dealer here in Canada. This was based on our interest in an Airstream Sport 22FB, rated at 4500 lbs wet. The Escape 21 would be similar (but tandem axle). Any comments on our choice of tow vehicle?

Airstream says that the base (no options) and almost dry (no water, but with propane) weight of the 22FB is 3634 pounds; 4500 pounds is the gross vehicle weight rating. This trailer loaded for travel will likely run at least 4200 pounds, and many people will have it loaded close to GVWR. I agree that this is comparable to an Escape 21' with lots of options; they even match well in overall length and width.

Given your location, the brand of trailer originally considered, and the fact that the trailer substantially exceeds the 3500 pound rated towing capacity of the RX350, my guess is that the RV dealer is Can-Am RV of London, Ontario. This company certainly does have a reputation... it is for consistently advising customers to tow trailers far beyond the rated towing capacity of their vehicles, and for selling them lots of hitch equipment (which they claim will fix the inadequacy of the tow vehicle) and unapproved modifications to hitches. I would call that "disreputable", rather than "reputable". I'll also note that London is in the low-elevation and relatively flat area of southern Ontario, the least challenging towing conditions in North America; perhaps a reason that Can-Am has been able to get away with their practices for many years.

I believe that the RX would be as unsuitable for a heavily equipped Escape 21' as it would be for the Airstream 22FB. A very lightly equipped and loaded Escape 21' could weigh close to the RX's rated limits; better than the Airstream, but I still wouldn't do it. I'm sorry if these comments seem harsh, but some of us are tired of Can-Am.

How about the lighter, and narrower (so less air drag), and shorter (so easier for the tug to control) Escape 19'?

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

How about the lighter, and narrower (so less air drag), and shorter (so easier for the tug to control) Escape 19'?

A 19 would be a better choice than a 21 with that tow vehicle, but be aware - our 19 loaded runs about 3600-3700 lbs. Still over the RX350 towing limits.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by jjbass01

We bought a Lexus RX350 on the advice of a reputable RV dealer here in Canada. This was based on our interest in an Airstream Sport 22FB, rated at 4500 lbs wet. The Escape 21 would be similar (but tandem axle). Any comments on our choice of tow vehicle? Much appreciated!

Hi: jjbass01... We too are towing with a "Disreputable" combo!!! Our 2010 Nissan Frontier V6 Long bed Crew Cab has a 1100# cargo cap. and a tow cap. of 6100#'s. Been that way for near 130,000 Km's too. That's enough for me... but not everybody here on the forum. You will certainly run the gamut of opinions on this subject here.
At the Flying J in the picture, we were the ones giving tours of our rig. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by escape artist

... We too are towing with a "Disreputable" combo!!! Our 2010 Nissan Frontier V6 Long bed Crew Cab has a 1100# cargo cap. and a tow cap. of 6100#'s. Been that way for near 130,000 Km's too. That's enough for me... but not everybody here on the forum. You will certainly run the gamut of opinions on this subject here.

Although Alf's rig is (as I recall from previous discussions) slightly beyond the GVWR, Can-Am's recommendation is to go far beyond GVWR and GCWR. The 5.0TA is well within the Frontier's 6100 pound towing rating even with the trailer fully loaded, and the only issue is too much cargo/passenger load in combination; an equipped and wet Escape 21' is over the RX350's limits by itself and an Airstream Sport 22FB is over even when base, dry, and empty.

To put things in perspective, Can-Am would probably suggest a 10,000 pound Airstream for the Frontier... and not even fifth-wheel.

There is none of Can-Am's "special" equipment or custom hitch fabrication in Alf's rig; it's a standard fifth-wheel so the only custom thing to do would be placing hitch-to-frame brackets.