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Old 07-16-2020, 11:46 AM   #1
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High axle lift for 21...is it needed

Hello all

We have changed our mind and decided to go with the 21c again
We do hope to do a lot of back road camping
Does anyone have the high axle lift on their 21 and if so do you think it was worth it
Does adding it change the centre of gravity and make it less stable to tow
Thanks in advance for all opinions
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Old 07-16-2020, 01:55 PM   #2
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Lift is definitely worth it for both crawling underneath and more clearance. My 21c is so stable that I can barely notice it’s back there. I put on 3” SS extensions on my mudflaps to keep the backend cleaner to make up for high lift. Good luck.
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Old 07-16-2020, 03:10 PM   #3
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The axle lift works for us

Hi ChristineMcD,

We really like having the axle lift on our 21C.

For our previous trailer (a tent trailer), we scraped a lot, including every time we left our driveway.

With our 21C & axle lift, we never scrape. The trailer feels very stable. We are very glad to have that feature on our 21C. - Bea
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Old 07-16-2020, 03:24 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WyoTom View Post
Lift is definitely worth it for both crawling underneath and more clearance. My 21c is so stable that I can barely notice it’s back there. I put on 3” SS extensions on my mudflaps to keep the backend cleaner to make up for high lift. Good luck.
Good idea, thanks for that.
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Old 07-16-2020, 03:48 PM   #5
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yup

Needed? Nope! NIce? Yup..we have this setup and for clearance backing into non-level sites it helps.
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Old 07-16-2020, 04:06 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by WyoTom View Post
Lift is definitely worth it for both crawling underneath and more clearance. My 21c is so stable that I can barely notice it’s back there. I put on 3” SS extensions on my mudflaps to keep the backend cleaner to make up for high lift. Good luck.
Thanks Tom
Good to know
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Old 07-16-2020, 04:07 PM   #7
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Needed? Nope! NIce? Yup..we have this setup and for clearance backing into non-level sites it helps.
Thanks Hollybee
Good point
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Old 07-16-2020, 04:21 PM   #8
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We have the high lift kit and would order it again.

Fred M.
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Old 07-16-2020, 05:57 PM   #9
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We have the high lift kit and would order it again.

Fred M.
Thanks Fred
Think we will get it after all
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Old 07-16-2020, 06:00 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by Bea View Post
Hi ChristineMcD,

We really like having the axle lift on our 21C.

For our previous trailer (a tent trailer), we scraped a lot, including every time we left our driveway.

With our 21C & axle lift, we never scrape. The trailer feels very stable. We are very glad to have that feature on our 21C. - Bea
Thanks so much for your reply
For an additional $390 canadian I guess we would be foolish to go without it
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Old 07-16-2020, 06:58 PM   #11
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For those who have it- does it help WDH bars not scrape in gas station driveways, etc. or is it primarily to get the rear lifted?
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Old 07-16-2020, 07:35 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
For those who have it- does it help WDH bars not scrape in gas station driveways, etc. or is it primarily to get the rear lifted?
The short answer is, yes to both. The high lift kit is basically a spacer that elevates the whole trailer frame from the axles 2 5/8 inches. Thus, the front coupler (and WDH hitch/bars) and the rear bumper and whole trailer is 2 5/8" higher up. Thus, Escape will tell you to add 2 5/8" to your ball height. This benefits and protects both ends - worth it for us. (Also helps protects under-spray foam, as well.)

ChristineMcD, if you do get the lift kit, I suggest the double step to go with it. Not totally needed but some find the one step on ours a little high so I got a little collapsible stool in case we need it for others. -Bea
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Old 07-16-2020, 07:37 PM   #13
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Don't gorget, if you get the hi rise you will need the optional 2 step entrance also.
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Old 07-16-2020, 07:50 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Bea View Post
The short answer is, yes to both. The high lift kit is basically a spacer that elevates the whole trailer frame from the axles 2 5/8 inches. Thus, the front coupler (and WDH hitch/bars) and the rear bumper and whole trailer is 2 5/8" higher up. Thus, Escape will tell you to add 2 5/8" to your ball height. This benefits and protects both ends - worth it for us. (Also helps protects under-spray foam, as well.)

ChristineMcD, if you do get the lift kit, I suggest the double step to go with it. Not totally needed but some find the one step on ours a little high so I got a little collapsible stool in case we need it for others. -Bea
Thanks so much for your reply
Great points and yes I shall get the step too
I love this forum
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Old 07-16-2020, 07:52 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by ChristineMcD View Post
For an additional $390 canadian I guess we would be foolish to go without it
The cost is low enough that cost shouldn't be an issue if you need it.

On the other hand, if you decide that you don't need it and change your mind later, it can be added (especially if you don't get the spray-on underside insulation). It's just two pairs of spacers which are available from Dexter, and installation involves some grunt work holding up axle assemblies while removing 8 bolts, inserting the spacers, and putting in 16 bolts. The alignment needs to be checked, too.
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Old 07-16-2020, 11:06 PM   #16
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Yes, definitely. No worries when pulling out of fueling station when the road and curb are very uneven so u don't bottom out rear of trailer.
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Old 07-17-2020, 07:59 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
The cost is low enough that cost shouldn't be an issue if you need it.

On the other hand, if you decide that you don't need it and change your mind later, it can be added (especially if you don't get the spray-on underside insulation). It's just two pairs of spacers which are available from Dexter, and installation involves some grunt work holding up axle assemblies while removing 8 bolts, inserting the spacers, and putting in 16 bolts. The alignment needs to be checked, too.
Thanks for your reply Brian

Yes we will definitely add now, my hubby would prefer to avoid grunt work... lol
Cost is not an issue
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Old 07-17-2020, 09:47 AM   #18
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We towed our 2015 Escape 21 for a year before the high lift kit became available and we had it added. We have the foam insulation, but Escape was able to do the job in about an hour. Towing with the high lift was the same as before, great! And we don’t need the 2-step stairs. I can see how it might be needed if you had mobility issues.
Others have pointed out that the added height is small in comparison to the changes in height at the trailer ends as you traverse pitchy roads and campsites, but I am glad to have it. Even on the level it keeps the low points a little safer from rocks we drive over in between the wheels.

Bob K
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Old 07-17-2020, 09:57 AM   #19
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Even on the level it keeps the low points a little safer from rocks we drive over in between the wheels.
I think most people realize this but it is worth mentioning again that the lift kit does not change the height of the axle tubes. One must still be conscious of any large obstacles that are going under the trailer.
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Old 07-17-2020, 11:46 AM   #20
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yup

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
For those who have it- does it help WDH bars not scrape in gas station driveways, etc. or is it primarily to get the rear lifted?
I use the chain/bar type WD Hitch an sway bar setup..the high lift helps by getting the bars up a bit. Far as I know they do not scrape.
BTW the WD hitch earned its keep a couple weeks ago..we got caught in a surprize HEAVY downpour while on a hill..we hydroplaned and the rig stayed perfectly straight until the anti-lock TV brakes finally got traction. I believe if we had had only a ball hitch , the trailer wd have jacknifed badly! Shared the skit out of both of me and the wife
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