My three year review

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by TTMartin

I agree no one should order the trailer with the snap on rock guards. I don't know why anyone would not get the storage box for this very reason. In addition to being a very handy storage place and a locking battery box. It has a white rubberized coating. It provides excellent protection for the front of the trailer.

I don't agree. It's not a mutually exclusive situation. I consider myself lucky because I have both. The box by itself doesn't provide anywhere near the protection for the vulnerable front lower corner that the vinyl guards do. The box isn't as wide as the trailer.

I'd say it you have a "Trailer Queen" and never drive on anything but paved roads then maybe you wouldn't benefit from the vinyl guards.

In my case, driving Baja's finest roads and the Forest Service Roads in BC I'd have chipped gelcoat without the vinyl guards. I'd rather clean dirty vinyl than fix gelcoat chips.

Ron

[Ditchrider]

Jeff Johnson discussed E-Z Lube Axles in his "RV Clinic" column in the November, 2015 issue of Trailer Life, page 78. He reported that the technical department at Dexter Axle told him "E-Z Lube axles were designed for the marine industry, so their use on RVs is a secondary market to their original design."

[Rossue]

Hey Eric! What's the Moose count like out there this year?

[Doug2000]

Escape makes the best trailers in my opinion.

We had a 2007 17B from 2014 to 2019. We didn’t have 1 issue. Everything worked, it smelled brand new when we sold it and the vinyl covers on the front were original, no problems.

Our 2020 19 is awesome too. We didn’t have one quality issue. Everything works as it should and the build quality it top notch.

My only complaint is the Gen 2 19 is way heavier than the Gen 1 17B.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Doug2000

Escape makes the best trailers in my opinion.

We had a 2007 17B from 2014 to 2019. We didn’t have 1 issue. Everything worked, it smelled brand new when we sold it and the vinyl covers on the front were original, no problems.

Our 2020 19 is awesome too. We didn’t have one quality issue. Everything works as it should and the build quality it top notch.

My only complaint is the Gen 2 19 is way heavier than the Gen 1 17B.

Quality becomes heavier as it increases.....

[jumboscott]

Two Year Review, 15k miles--just went out of warranty:
1. Max Fan System Board (Escape sent new one)
2. 30 Amp Power Inlet Broke (Paid for new receptacle, Escape Reimbursed)
3. Gray Tank Pipe Break (Escape sent parts)
4. Suburban Cooktop Fuel Tubes Broke (Escape sent new Cooktop)
5. Lower Cabinet Hinges Broke (Replaced, didn't call Escape).

So overall not too bad. Sometimes it takes days for Escape to call you back, but they will.

Wheel-bearing service completed 12k, new tires this week.

Note: The Power Lippert jack starting to bind so that may be a future replacement. I did have my first breakdown but it wasn't the Escape, the starter failed on my Tundra. When that goes, your dead in the water. Had to have the truck towed to a repair shop. Not an easy fix on the Tundra. Lucky it failed at the campground and we found a shop nearby.

[cpaharley2008]

New tires after 12,000 miles? That is not good.......

[Oldtimer]

Jack probably just needs some TLC. Open it up clean and relube. Ours did the same thing. Cleaned and relubed it,works like new.

David

[SkipperClyde]

I use a battery powered grease gun.(Dewalt) I add grease and spin the tire until new grease is present, a one man job and can take up to a half tube of grease for each hub. Can’t think of an easier way to do it without taking it to someone. I have never blown out a seal, and if I do, seems like a good time to replace it.

[Doug2000]

Originally Posted by SkipperClyde

I use a battery powered grease gun.(Dewalt) I add grease and spin the tire until new grease is present, a one man job and can take up to a half tube of grease for each hub. Can’t think of an easier way to do it without taking it to someone. I have never blown out a seal, and if I do, seems like a good time to replace it.

The grease has to go somewhere. It’s probably going into your brakes. After hearing that, I would suggest a brake service.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Doug2000

The grease has to go somewhere. It’s probably going into your brakes. After hearing that, I would suggest a brake service.

With the EZ-Lube, the grease comes out the front.

[Rossue]

Yep, there is a lot of ill-informed and biased info on the Internet! While I don't personally use my EZ-lube(which I paid extra to get!) I get it for those who use it wisely.

[hitectoys]

I know this might open a can of worms and has been discussed plenty of times but I am a newbie rv trailer owner and would like to understand why you have to lube or repack the bearings often. Its a sealed system so you should not loose grease. I've owned many automobiles in the last 50 years and only had one bearing failure and never repacked any bearings even after 250,000 miles. What is the difference between trailer bearings and auto bearings?

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by hitectoys

I know this might open a can of worms and has been discussed plenty of times but I am a newbie rv trailer owner and would like to understand why you have to lube or repack the bearings often. Its a sealed system so you should not loose grease. I've owned many automobiles in the last 50 years and only had one bearing failure and never repacked any bearings even after 250,000 miles. What is the difference between trailer bearings and auto bearings?

Some bearings like the rear are serviced by the rear end differential contents where the the front are stand alone items, unless your have 4 wheel drive with a front differential. With the trailer each wheel is a stand alone item as there are no differentials.

[SkipperClyde]

It is not a sealed system. It’s an assembly of components.

You are correct that newer vehicles are made with sealed bearings, or in the case of a differential on some vehicles, the differential fluid moves outward to the wheel bearings to keep them lubed.

Trailer bearings have an inner seal that can fail and can introduce water, dirt, salt etc. It also has an outer cap that can also fail introducing the same contaminants.

I have personally fixed axel spindles that have had a bearing welded to them from heat and friction because the hub assembly and bearings were not properly maintained. In most cases it’s the outer bearing that failed first.
It’s not pretty and in most cases the axel has to be replaced.

[cpaharley2008]

I routinely do a bearing service every other year, regardless of use.