E21C completed 20 days early & pickup planning - Page 2 - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Me | General Topics > Shopping Escape
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-05-2023, 07:31 AM   #21
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
Other than Osoyoos, we seldom make reservations. That way we can continue or stop when we want. With the Escape, you can camp just about anyplace.....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2023, 09:53 AM   #22
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
With a tandem axle the Trailer Aide is safer than a bottle jack.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I4JPZE...m?ie=UTF8&th=1

Going to need leveling ramps too; many here prefer the Andersen (need to trim);
others- including myself prefer standard ramps.https://www.amazon.com/Homeon-Wheels...%2C152&sr=8-99
Those easily fit in the front box along with these solid rubber chocks from Harbor Freight:https://www.harborfreight.com/solid-...ock-96479.html

Not sure what ETI now charges for sandpads- they were $25 installed & keeps the C-jack from digging in to soft ground.https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Stabili.../dp/B0024E6Z9U

And BAL X-Chocks-

https://www.amazon.com/X-Chock-Wheel...0-4513d670b6bc
__________________
"We gotta get as far away as we can!"
- Russell Casse, Independence Day
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2023, 11:29 PM   #23
Senior Member
 
SteveSgt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Trailer: 2023 Escape 21C
Posts: 139
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
we seldom make reservations...

With the Escape, you can camp just about anyplace.....
I know, right? Almost every city has on-street RV parking all over, like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, even Vancouver.

But seriously, while I am buying and equipping a boondocking rig, for the trip home I intend to stay in established campgrounds and parks, mostly with full hookups.
__________________
Inhabiting "Peregination", an E21C. Take a micro-vacation with nature sounds!
--... ...--
ad·ven·ture: (noun) An endeavor in which more than half of the fun is in telling the tale afterwards.
SteveSgt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2023, 12:04 PM   #24
Senior Member
 
SteveSgt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Trailer: 2023 Escape 21C
Posts: 139
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
Going to need leveling ramps too; many here prefer the Andersen (need to trim);
others- including myself prefer standard ramps.https://www.amazon.com/Homeon-Wheels...%2C152&sr=8-99
I have trouble envisioning how those ramps could work with tandem axles.

I already had a set of the lego-style leveling blocks which will get me by for the first trip home. If I curse them after that trip, I'll look into alternatives.
__________________
Inhabiting "Peregination", an E21C. Take a micro-vacation with nature sounds!
--... ...--
ad·ven·ture: (noun) An endeavor in which more than half of the fun is in telling the tale afterwards.
SteveSgt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2023, 12:58 PM   #25
Senior Member
 
YakRV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Cold Spring, Kentucky
Trailer: 2022 21C + 2021 F-150 PowerBoost 4x4
Posts: 547
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveSgt View Post
I have trouble envisioning how those ramps could work with tandem axles.

I already had a set of the lego-style leveling blocks which will get me by for the first trip home. If I curse them after that trip, I'll look into alternatives.
The benefit of the Andersen levelers is that you don’t need to guess how many “lego” blocks you’ll need to reach level. As Rossue mentioned, one of the Andersen levelers would need to be trimmed to fit between the tires. A circular saw does the trick. If you happen to have a table saw that’s even better. I cut mine at a 45-degree angle.

As you said, though, the lego-style will get you home well enough.
YakRV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2023, 01:48 PM   #26
Senior Member
 
WillyB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Trailer: "Side Effect" 2022 21C
Posts: 1,341
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveSgt View Post
I have trouble envisioning how those ramps could work with tandem axles.

I already had a set of the lego-style leveling blocks which will get me by for the first trip home. If I curse them after that trip, I'll look into alternatives.
I was in the same boat as you on the Anderson ramps but they worked perfectly the first time I used them. Super simple
WillyB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2023, 01:48 PM   #27
Senior Member
 
Ron in BC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
Quote:
Originally Posted by YakRV View Post
The benefit of the Andersen levelers is that you don’t need to guess how many “lego” blocks you’ll need to reach level.
Actually I think the situation is similar to a person who's very familiar with using tools. They don't have to look at a nut and guess what size wrench is needed. They just look and mentally say, 9/16", and reach for it.

The same for solid leveling blocks. As I pull in and stop almost where we'll park my wife says, we're good or "one block" or "two blocks". Except in extreme cases "dig a pit".

Solid blocks are versatile. Plastic blocks are limited by their tendency to crack if used under the stabilizers on soft soil.

Ron
Ron in BC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2023, 02:31 PM   #28
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveSgt View Post
I have trouble envisioning how those ramps could work with tandem axles.

I already had a set of the lego-style leveling blocks which will get me by for the first trip home. If I curse them after that trip, I'll look into alternatives.
Here ya go: the benefit of ramps is you don't have to pull out the blocks & set up. Sometimes we'll use the big Trailer Aid when needing more height and back up on it higher than we need then roll forward on the yellow ramps used together.

They're $30 vs. $90 for Andersen ramps.
Attached Thumbnails
Yellow ramps.jpg  
__________________
"We gotta get as far away as we can!"
- Russell Casse, Independence Day
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2023, 02:39 PM   #29
Senior Member
 
SteveSgt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Trailer: 2023 Escape 21C
Posts: 139
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
Here ya go: the benefit of ramps is you don't have to pull out the blocks & set up. Sometimes we'll use the big Trailer Aid when needing more height and back up on it higher than we need then roll forward on the yellow ramps used together.

They're $30 vs. $90 for Andersen ramps.
DId you have to modify that ramp to fit between the two wheels?

Once you've rolled-up on them, do your chocks stay without slipping on the ramps?
__________________
Inhabiting "Peregination", an E21C. Take a micro-vacation with nature sounds!
--... ...--
ad·ven·ture: (noun) An endeavor in which more than half of the fun is in telling the tale afterwards.
SteveSgt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2023, 02:59 PM   #30
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
No modification; sometimes we back up onto them. When on a slope and want to unhook we'll put chocks on the unramped side and use BAL X-Chocks as well on both sides.
__________________
"We gotta get as far away as we can!"
- Russell Casse, Independence Day
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2023, 03:12 PM   #31
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Allison Park, Pennsylvania
Trailer: 2022 Escape 5.0
Posts: 214
Steve wrote: I don't know about you, but reserving campsites for a 1,400 mile journey with barely 2 weeks notice, in a shoulder season where a lot of places are still closed, when this relative newbie doesn't want to spend more than about 3 hours driving/towing each day, seems quite challenging.

Hi Steve,

I chose to stay at the Lynden KOA for 2 nights after pick up. This gave me time to sort through all of the systems, do a thorough inspection to be sure that I got what I ordered, & just get comfortable with things. After that, this newbie found that the trailer was so easy to tow that doing a fairly long haul at reduced speeds was no problem. Spending nights in Walmart, Cabela's, & Pilot/Flying J parking lots meant that reservations weren't needed; this flexibility was great when a brake issue held me up for 2 days, & then I did a couple of very long hauls to get ahead of some weather. Also, KOAs seem to be open year-round & usually have open sites outside of the peak season.

Just my 2 cents worth. Very best of luck to you on this adventure!
__________________
Lorraine from Pittsburgh

There are no solutions. There are only trade-offs.
- Thomas Sowell
Lorraine Pittsburgh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2023, 07:06 AM   #32
Site Team
 
MrLynn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Framingham, Massachusetts
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21C, NTU April 2022
Posts: 1,023
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
With a tandem axle the Trailer Aide is safer than a bottle jack.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I4JPZE...m?ie=UTF8&th=1
Might be handy for greasing bearings, and taking a wheel off a parked trailer. Problem is, you have to hitch up in order to use them—bit of a pain for me at home. But so is using a jack. . .
__________________
• "The Molded Fiberglass Obsession," https://walkingcreekworld.wordpress....ass-obsession/
MrLynn is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2023, 08:55 AM   #33
Senior Member
 
Iowa Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,234
I use a floor Jack when working on the Escape at home. I have a bottle jack I take along when traveling but don’t use it often. We have the Andersons and use them often when on a site that isn’t level side to side. We have the sand pads and always put them down.

We camped on deep river “pea rock” once in Colorado. I unhooked and put down the stabilizers with pads, didn’t need to level so just thumped the chocks in. Didn’t bother with the bal x chocks. About dark a very severe thunderstorm came up with about a 70 mph wind. It rocked the 19 like an old baby bed. I felt it lift and drop back down several times. When the storm passed I checked the trailer. The pads had “mushed out “ ( technical term) the rock and were about 6 inches out of contact with the rock. From then on if there’s a possibility of a storm I put the trailer back in the ball, put big pieces of two by six iunder the pads, put in the Andersons and the ball x chocks.
It’s a funny feeling when the trailer lifts about 6 inches on one side and then thumps back to the ground over and over.

My thought. You have stabilization, use it all.

Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
Iowa Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2023, 09:10 AM   #34
Site Team
 
MrLynn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Framingham, Massachusetts
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21C, NTU April 2022
Posts: 1,023
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa Dave View Post
I use a floor Jack when working on the Escape at home. I have a bottle jack I take along when traveling but don’t use it often. We have the Andersons and use them often when on a site that isn’t level side to side. We have the sand pads and always put them down.
My floor jack doesn't go high enough, even on a couple of 2xs. With bottle jack I have to crawl under to get it under the frame and work the handle. Crawling is a drag at my age. Grumble. . .
__________________
• "The Molded Fiberglass Obsession," https://walkingcreekworld.wordpress....ass-obsession/
MrLynn is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2023, 09:16 AM   #35
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
Trailer-Aid while traveling is what I should have said. How would one use a bottle jack safely while on the road without jackstands? I do hitch up to do maintenance on wheels while home as well- it is not hard in my driveway and seems more secure.
__________________
"We gotta get as far away as we can!"
- Russell Casse, Independence Day
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2023, 09:33 AM   #36
Senior Member
 
WillyB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Trailer: "Side Effect" 2022 21C
Posts: 1,341
I have heard the using one of the Andersen Camper Levelers on one tire will get the other one high enough off the ground to change.

I can't find a video but I did find one on Andersen's Rapid Jack. It's the same concept of the camper levelers but about 2" taller.

WillyB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2023, 09:56 AM   #37
Senior Member
 
Ron in BC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
Quote:
Originally Posted by WillyB View Post
I have heard the using one of the Andersen Camper Levelers on one tire will get the other one high enough off the ground to change.
A basic chunk of 2"x by 6" or 8" under one wheel won't quite lift the trailer high enough to allow the other wheel to be removed.

That's why I made two blocks of 2"x 8" and added a 1/2" piece of plywood to the bottom. That does two things, lifts the other wheel high enough to remove and reinforces the wood block.

Of my several size blocks these one have been the most versatile for leveling use.

Ron
Ron in BC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2023, 09:59 AM   #38
Senior Member
 
Ron in BC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrLynn View Post
My floor jack doesn't go high enough, even on a couple of 2xs. With bottle jack I have to crawl under to get it under the frame and work the handle. Crawling is a drag at my age. Grumble. . .
This is the way I do it using the floor jack.

Ron
Attached Thumbnails
IMGP0003 (3)_resize.jpg  
Ron in BC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2023, 10:21 AM   #39
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC View Post
This is the way I do it using the floor jack.

Ron
Jack stands too or living dangerously?
__________________
"We gotta get as far away as we can!"
- Russell Casse, Independence Day
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2023, 10:55 AM   #40
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Western, Wisconsin
Trailer: WTB: E19
Posts: 238
Jack stands? we don't need no stinkin' jack stands....get yourself one of these and go to town


PLEASE NOTE: This is for humor only. DO NOT USE ONE OF THESE
Attached Thumbnails
jack.JPG  
__________________
Bill & Cindy Evans
"Remember, we are guests in nature....no one likes a houseguest who trashes the place"
Escape_19 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:12 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.