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Old 05-18-2015, 06:25 AM   #1
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Join Date: May 2015
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Comparison Questions

1. Having had an Airstream with a Wet-Bath, we know what's involved but wonder are there Escapes with a separate shower?
2. Our Airstream was 8'6" wide. In looking at the specs for the Escape, it is significantly narrower. While this reduces weight and wind resistance, for those who have had wider travel trailers, does this feel significantly smaller?
3. We like the idea of the 5th wheel unit as we have an F-150 which should pull it with little effort. To anyone who owns one, what are the pro's and con's vs. a bumper pulled rectangle?
Many thanks,
Bob
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Old 05-18-2015, 06:42 AM   #2
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There isn't Escape built trailer with a separate shower... unless you want to shower outside .

I've towed both my Scamp for years and now Ten Forward. Not much difference in towing IMHO. Hooking up is easier with a bumper pull for me, mainly because I need to use a ladder to reach into the bed of my truck when hooking up my 5er. I wouldn't make a decision based on which is easier to hookup, for me it's more about the layout inside the trailer.

Good luck in your decision.
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Old 05-18-2015, 10:21 AM   #3
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I've had narrower trailers. I'm 6'7" and the bed space in my old 16-ft Scamp was way short for me. No worries in my wider 19-ft Escape. A fiver's probably even more like heaven.
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Old 05-18-2015, 01:03 PM   #4
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Our Starcraft was 7'6", the Escape 5.0 TA at 7'4" feels wider, it's plenty for us but I would imagine you'll have to see one and judge for yourself.

I find hooking up easier then the bumper pull, unlike Donna I can reach the hitch lock and pin without a ladder. I also have an in bed 7 pin connector so I don't have to go under the loft to access the one on the back of the truck. If you can reach the middle of the bed standing on the ground you'll be the same.

The ride is nicer with a FW, no hitch jostling back and forth, at least with the Patriot hitch, it's a good solid connection. I'm comparing this to our 20' Starcraft.

Backing up is different, it turns slower then the bumper pull.

You obviously lose some or most of your truck bed with the hitch depending on the bed length. I've got an 8' bed, plenty of room for my stuff but I can no longer use the truck cap so the canoe stays home, at least so far.

If you need to use the truck as a truck you need to remove the hitch. It's pretty heavy to tote around and even after removal you have the rails in place. It's doable but a bit of a hassle. Some of us use a tonneau cover, it helps to keep things out of sight when you're disconnected.

The FW (fifth wheel) is taller to clean and access the roof.

You have a couple stairs to climb to get to the bed, it bothers some with knee issues.

Separate bed area works out great for us.

My F150 (3.5L EB) has no problems with the FW, still learning how to handle down hills in the Rockies. Overheated the front brakes last fall, replaced them this spring.
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Old 05-18-2015, 03:11 PM   #5
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A significant factor in the ease of hooking up is a weight-distributing hitch (WDH). If you require a WDH for the "bumper pull" option, a fifth-wheel is substantially simple, since no fifth-wheel uses any similar pile of extra hardware.

A minor factor is safety chains: you need them with any ball hitch, and not with a pin-and-plate (fifth-wheel) hitch.
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Old 05-18-2015, 03:13 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin View Post
If you need to use the truck as a truck you need to remove the hitch. It's pretty heavy to tote around and even after removal you have the rails in place...
... or not, if you use one of the hitch designs that doesn't have rails on the bed floor. That's not readily available for all models and years of pickup.

The hitch is still heavy, no matter how it is attached.
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