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03-22-2015, 10:36 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Durango, Colorado
Trailer: 2016 - 21'
Posts: 12
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Non-Pavement Towing
We are researching the purchase of a 19 ft. or 21 ft. Escape.
We mostly camp on Forest Service or BLM land and wonder how well these campers travel on gravel roads (with washboards) and dirt roads. Most roads are generally smooth with potholes on dirt roads. Roads may be rough but not 4x4 roads.
We feel the lift kit would be a good idea for extra clearance.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
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03-22-2015, 11:19 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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I have 17B with high-lift axle and it can go places my RAV4 cannot. Buddy has 19 and we often travel together.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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03-23-2015, 06:03 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,543
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Other that a few pit marks in the gelcoat, our trailer has done fine, and travels lots of gravel/dirt roads. These rougher roads may put a bit of wear on them, but nothing like stick built trailers, where this vibrating/shaking action is their bane, loosening things up on them.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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03-23-2015, 06:40 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Hellertown, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Scamp 16, TV Rav4 V6
Posts: 100
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Keep tires in good shape on the tow, i once got two flats on one side on a forest road and one spare at 10:00 at night on a F150. If tires are getting closer to their time get new ones. The wear gets thin and a pointed stones can go through. With me was wife, 2 year old grand son and step son, what a time. Carl
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03-23-2015, 02:33 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Surrey B.C., British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Posts: 150
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We are impressed with how well the front storage box protects the trailer from flying rocks. It has a hard coating (same as the coating for truck boxes) that resists damage. It is angled downward and seems to deflect the rocks down.
__________________
Brian
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03-23-2015, 03:54 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: New Meadows, Idaho
Trailer: 2008 Escape 17B
Posts: 206
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Anything but washboards!!! I have not had any clearance problems with a normal axle on our forest gravel and dirt roads. But, interior stuff has been moved or shaken loose by washboard vibrations. Such as: fastening screws, furnace grill, stove grates, refrigerator door, screen door hinges and track connection (bi-fold), emergency exit levers. Various adjustments have improved most affected items, but I still wince and move with caution when I encounter washboards.
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03-23-2015, 04:03 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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I find I get a smoother ride on washboard if I increase speed, rather than slow down. It's a question of finding the sweet spot.
I've had the fridge door open a couple times on washboard, so now I lighten the load on the door and bungee it.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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03-23-2015, 04:46 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: New Meadows, Idaho
Trailer: 2008 Escape 17B
Posts: 206
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
I find I get a smoother ride on washboard if I increase speed, rather than slow down. It's a question of finding the sweet spot.
I've had the fridge door open a couple times on washboard, so now I lighten the load on the door and bungee it.
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Yep, increasing the speed can indeed produce a sweet spot - until you have to slow down (for any reason) and it suddenly becomes very sour. And after my door fell off once, I shimmed the thumb latch, and I now check the hinge security and bungee the door before launching.
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03-23-2015, 05:19 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,636
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bhonisch
We are researching the purchase of a 19 ft. or 21 ft. Escape.
We mostly camp on Forest Service or BLM land and wonder how well these campers travel on gravel roads (with washboards) and dirt roads. Most roads are generally smooth with potholes on dirt roads. Roads may be rough but not 4x4 roads.
We feel the lift kit would be a good idea for extra clearance.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
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You may want to check out this thread related to this discussion.
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f9...oads-4567.html
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad
"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
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03-23-2015, 08:50 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Steveston B.C., British Columbia
Trailer: 2012- 17'B.... 2016 Tacoma SR5 TRD
Posts: 504
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Just remember this , at any speed your trailer is doing exactly what the tow is doing . So if your teeth are chattering and your going sideways so is the RV.
Just slow down... what's the hurry ? Besides you don't want to wake the co-pilot . Most wash is up grade on a curve and can be very dangerous . The locals can do 80k on wash and not even spill their beer. Don't ask. Be safe .
__________________
I've almost been everywhere man.
Almost been everywhere.....
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03-23-2015, 08:57 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,040
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No one or nothing has ever been hurt by going SLOW. It's speed and rushing that hurts. Dang, I've been on some rough roads, gravel, dirt, mud, snow... slowing down really, really helped.
Safe travels, always.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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03-23-2015, 10:02 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Trailer: 2015 21ft Escape "Spirit of the Plains", 2014 GMC Sierra with max tow package
Posts: 1,100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BRietkerk
We are impressed with how well the front storage box protects the trailer from flying rocks. It has a hard coating (same as the coating for truck boxes) that resists damage. It is angled downward and seems to deflect the rocks down.
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That is good to hear. We are getting the storage box first to protect the front and second, to use for storage. I still am toying with the idea of having the lower front of the trailer sprayed for protection. Loren
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03-23-2015, 10:38 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Loren & Cathy
I still am toying with the idea of having the lower front of the trailer sprayed for protection. Loren
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You can always wait ( several years ) and when it's actually pitted, spray it then, restoring it. Assuming you need to and still want to.
The mud flaps on my RAV4 aren't that large, but seem effective. I've got a very few pits and no front box.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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