Used 2005 17B - What to watch for?

[advenas]

Hi all,
I am in Seattle WA and considering the purchase of a used 2005 Escape 17B. I know to test the basic functions like stove, lights, fridge, heater, etc. Are there any other items I should pay particular attention to given the age? Any known problems with this year around windows, wheels, axles, etc? Would appreciate any feedback or suggestions. Thanks!

[Jubal]

Originally Posted by advenas

Hi all,
I am in Seattle WA and considering the purchase of a used 2005 Escape 17B. I know to test the basic functions like stove, lights, fridge, heater, etc. Are there any other items I should pay particular attention to given the age? Any known problems with this year around windows, wheels, axles, etc? Would appreciate any feedback or suggestions. Thanks!

Consider the frame recall, solar panel fix, and stay away from the 4.3 refer.

[KarenH]

The frame recall only applied to 2009-2014 Escape trailers with 3” frames with a welded joint where the A-frame meets the chassis rails. I don't think the problems with the 4.3 refrigerator go back to 2005. And the solar panel might be a problem only if it were a later add-on by ETI.

[sallemann]

Originally Posted by advenas

Hi all,
I am in Seattle WA and considering the purchase of a used 2005 Escape 17B. I know to test the basic functions like stove, lights, fridge, heater, etc. Are there any other items I should pay particular attention to given the age? Any known problems with this year around windows, wheels, axles, etc? Would appreciate any feedback or suggestions. Thanks!

Hi... We've got a 2005 17B and it has been a great little trailer. The only issues we have had with it are that I don't think there was an adequate rust inhibitor put on the frame before they painted it. Within a year or two of owning it, we had to have the frame stripped and re-painted. So check that out.

Also, when the trailer was new, we had a leak where the awning was connected to the trailer. Reace told us to take it to an RV place to have it fixed... and I think he paid the bill. It's been a decade, but I do believe he paid for that.

The paint on the wheels eventually peels off and rust occurs... but that's just typical maintenance.

We've had to have some fiberglass repairs due to a branch falling on the trailer, and a tire blow-out that damaged the wheel well. But fiberglass is very repairable. You just might want to ask if they have had any fiberglass repairs done and the circumstances around those repairs.

Make sure the battery works well. Ask how old it is.

The one thing that I really don't like about the 2005 is the blinds. They're a royal PITA. You can probably replace them, but I haven't found an easy fix (I'm not as handy as a lot of the folks on this forum).

All in all though, our trailer is great... It still seems new. Our fridge (I think it might be a 4.5 cu. ft... it was a custom job) works great.

We like the quality of Escapes so much we're getting a 19 footer in January!

Good luck!

[jxoco]

Originally Posted by sallemann

The one thing that I really don't like about the 2005 is the blinds. They're a royal PITA. You can probably replace them, but I haven't found an easy fix (I'm not as handy as a lot of the folks on this forum).

Our 2013 has blinds that work great, I think.
So maybe there was a big change in the binds or I don't know any better.
You are close enough, in Seattle, that you could bring it to Chilliwack for perhaps new blinds if you find that they are really bad on the one you are looking at.

[KarenH]

I believe the old blinds were Levolor (or a similar brand) and the newer ones (~ 2013?) are the pleated fabric variety attached at the bottom to the window frame.

[gbaglo]

FYI my 2008. No issues.

[sallemann]

Originally Posted by KarenH

I believe the old blinds were Levolor (or a similar brand) and the newer ones (~ 2013?) are the pleated fabric variety attached at the bottom to the window frame.

I'm not sure exactly what they're called. They're metal (I think) slats that open or close when you pull the strings one way or the other. They remind me of what we used to have in school way back when! When you turn over in bed and your arm hits them, they make a racket... and sometimes the bottom comes out of the little elastic hoops that are supposed to hold the blinds against the wall at the bottom. Hard to explain. But I'll tell you, the photos of the new blinds appear to be a HUGE improvement. Maybe ETI could replace the old ones with the new type?

[KarenH]

I guess the Levolor-type blinds were replaced with the pleated fabric ones a long time ago as gbaglo's are the pleated fabric. Oh, I know where I got confused. ETI changed the color of the pleated fabric ones from white to beige early in 2013 or thereabouts.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by sallemann

I'm not sure exactly what they're called. They're metal (I think) slats that open or close when you pull the strings one way or the other. They remind me of what we used to have in school way back when!

That sounds like venetian blinds.

[Sandra L]

They are Venetian blinds. I saw them in the first Escape I saw and thought that is what I would be getting, but was informed that they'd changed to the pleated shades, which is just fine. I would like a small Venetian blind for the window in my door, but I will probably just do with my "curtain". (I opted for plain glass).

[sallemann]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

That sounds like venetian blinds.

YES!! That's what they're called! Thank you!