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Old 05-17-2020, 01:52 PM   #1
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Plywood Replacement

Does anyone know if Escape will install Coosa Board instead of plywood for the floor? I'm sure the materials are significantly more but it would be worth it to me to know my trailer can't rot.
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Old 05-17-2020, 02:26 PM   #2
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Always best to ask Escape what Escape will do or not do.

All you'll get by asking us is an opinion not founded in fact.

My opinion is that, unlike Scamps biodegradable OSB that forms the structure of the floor, there is very little to be concerned about with the Escape. Unlike Scamp and many others the shell is one piece under the plywood, the walls don't rely on the floor to hold them up.

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Old 05-17-2020, 02:29 PM   #3
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Also note that Escape has a molded-in French drain design with what amounts to a perimeter gutter under the level floor, and drain holes on the underside of the trailer. This provides an exit for any water that does get into the shell.
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Old 05-17-2020, 02:34 PM   #4
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Do current Gen2 Escapes have the low point drains?
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Old 05-17-2020, 02:35 PM   #5
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The old Escape build video was longer and showed the plywood being placed in resin inside the trailer.
Being very picky and having done many modifications to our trailer...I am I no way worried that the floor would ever be a problem.
Here is what it looks like before they cover it in glue for the vinyl.
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Old 05-17-2020, 02:37 PM   #6
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And
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Old 05-17-2020, 03:32 PM   #7
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Here is the full length video and you can see the floor going in and the Fiberglassed edges in later frames.

https://youtu.be/Wi6_KR_n_As
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Old 05-17-2020, 05:50 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
Do current Gen2 Escapes have the low point drains?
No, they stopped low point drains for the water system back in 2014, these drain holes are in the fiberglass to allow condensation to escape, maybe 6-8 holes underneath. As far as substituting another wood, if it ain't broke, why fix it!
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Old 05-18-2020, 01:30 AM   #9
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As far as substituting another wood, if it ain't broke, why fix it!
I agree that there isn't much reason to avoid the plywood, Coosa board isn't another wood - it appears to be a foam-core fiberglass composite (no wood at all).
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Old 05-18-2020, 07:26 AM   #10
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I agree that there isn't much reason to avoid the plywood, Coosa board isn't another wood - it appears to be a foam-core fiberglass composite (no wood at all).
I also think that if t ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Would that Coosa even have the same structural strength as the plywood?
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Old 05-18-2020, 08:17 AM   #11
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Has there ever been a case where the plywood suffered damage in an Escape?

One could always ask Escape if they would substitute, but I would give good odds in a bet they would refuse as it would break up a standard routine too much.
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Old 05-18-2020, 08:40 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
No, they stopped low point drains for the water system back in 2014, these drain holes are in the fiberglass to allow condensation to escape, maybe 6-8 holes underneath. As far as substituting another wood, if it ain't broke, why fix it!
I was not aware of holes underneath. Are these holes protected when foam is sprayed on? I have not seen any under my 2019 21.

I wasn't looking for them when under there but did not notice any.
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Old 05-18-2020, 08:43 AM   #13
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They are there, note also several pieces of square colored tape. On the outside of the frame perimeter. Check again.
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Old 05-18-2020, 08:48 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by koldewaj View Post
Does anyone know if Escape will install Coosa Board instead of plywood for the floor? I'm sure the materials are significantly more but it would be worth it to me to know my trailer can't rot.
Using Coosa board doesn't make any sense to me. It is simply foam cored fiberglass. If that type of product had the strength to be the floor of the trailer, Escape could simply lay down a piece of foam and fiberglass over top of it. It would be structurally identical. I have a traditional trailer with soft roof and floors, that's why I'm getting an Escape. Remember the number one reason stick built trailers get soft floors is that is starts with a roof leak. You should not have that problem with an all fiberglass trailer like Escape.
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Old 05-18-2020, 08:50 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett View Post
Has there ever been a case where the plywood suffered damage in an Escape?

One could always ask Escape if they would substitute, but I would give good odds in a bet they would refuse as it would break up a standard routine too much.
I think the reason they would refuse is that it would be structurally deficient.

If that type of product / construction had the strength to be the floor of the trailer, Escape could simply lay down a piece of foam and fiberglass over top of it.
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Old 05-18-2020, 09:09 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by 75thRanger View Post
I was not aware of holes underneath. Are these holes protected when foam is sprayed on? I have not seen any under my 2019 21.

I wasn't looking for them when under there but did not notice any.
When you get the spray foam they add clear plastic tubing to the drain holes that extends down and sticks out of the foam - you should see that clear plastic tubing and that will tell you where the drain holes are.
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Old 05-18-2020, 10:08 AM   #17
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I'm not sure that is correct David as there are only one plastic tube in my foam, for the refer condensate drain. Unless different for the 5.0 models the holes are in the fiber glass close to the exterior sides by the vertical walls. Also check for holes in your rear bumper, if not drill so to allow water ro escape.
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Old 05-18-2020, 11:20 AM   #18
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Using Coosa board doesn't make any sense to me. It is simply foam cored fiberglass. If that type of product had the strength to be the floor of the trailer, Escape could simply lay down a piece of foam and fiberglass over top of it.
Some manufacturers do use cored composites for floors, as well as for wall and ceilings. Most don't, because it is more expensive (in materials and labour) than using plywood.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TTMartin View Post
Remember the number one reason stick built trailers get soft floors is that is starts with a roof leak. You should not have that problem with an all fiberglass trailer like Escape.
While moulded fiberglass construction minimizes leaks, spend some quality time in a forum for older moulded fiberglass trailers (such as FiberglassRV), and you'll see that leaks are a common problem, and many older trailers need repair for rotted floors. The roof itself doesn't leak, but vents and windows do. The specific method used to bond the upper and lower shells of an Escape is one reason to choose an Escape over some other brands... because leaks are an issue and inferior body joints are another source of them.
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Old 05-18-2020, 11:22 AM   #19
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When you get the spray foam they add clear plastic tubing to the drain holes that extends down and sticks out of the foam - you should see that clear plastic tubing and that will tell you where the drain holes are.
No, the foam doesn't cover these drain holes. As Jim mentioned, the clear plastic tubing is for a different drain.
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Old 05-18-2020, 11:27 AM   #20
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Foam is inside the frame, drain holes are outside the frame.
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