Question

[nealmccarter]

I know this information is out there somewhere, but I haven't been able to find it. I am getting an Escape 19 without the storage bin, and the group 29 battery. Where is the battery normally located? Is it mounted on the tongue or is it located under the dinette bench?

[cpaharley2008]

I believe without the box, it will be inside under the curb side dinette seat. Your propane tanks will also be turned sideways on the tongue to fit within the frame, one behind the other vs side by side.

[gbaglo]

When I got the plastic propane tank cover to replace the vinyl one, Reace turned the propane tanks 90 degrees ( so they are left and right, not fore and aft ). That left room for a storage box, which I don't have.
I suspect that they are all now installed left and right, not fore and aft.

[gbaglo]

Which of course doesn't address where the battery goes, without the box.

[Jim Bennett]

Good question, but I too don't have an answer. In my '09 the batteries are under the dinette seat as Jim alluded to, but the storage box was not an option at that time. Maybe they will still put them on the tongue in a battery storage box.

[fudge_brownie]

I would guess that by default they (it) will go in a single black battery box on the tongue. I believe that you can request that they (it) go under the curb side dinette. Not sure if the request will be honored. If in that location they(it) will need a vented battery box.

Given a choice, I would rather see the battery(s) under the driver side dinette. The curb side storage is nice to access with the Jim Bennett access door. I think the there may be an issue with balance because the refrigerator also on the driver side.

[Brian B-P]

No answers from me, just more questions:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

When I got the plastic propane tank cover to replace the vinyl one, Reace turned the propane tanks 90 degrees ( so they are left and right, not fore and aft ). That left room for a storage box, which I don't have.
I suspect that they are all now installed left and right, not fore and aft.

I assume from this comment that Reace didn't say why, although room for the non-existent box might be the reason. Did the change improve access or clearance for the WD system brackets, or were those clear even with the original setup? Would the plastic cover in the original tank position have interfered with the brackets.

My current non-Escape trailer has the same tank position as Baglo's new (side-by-side) setup, and I don't like it. I don't need the clearance for WD, and the tank bracket can hit the van's bumper in really tight maneovering. I'm not fond of the metal bracket for propane tanks being used as a bump stop...

[gbaglo]

No problem with clearance for the tow. He had to replace the top-wind jack with a side-wind one to clear the propane tanks.
Had no effect on the WD brackets.
I can't say why, but there is just enough space for a storage box..
I really like the hard propane cover though.

[Jim Bennett]

I tried to fit a hard cover on my bottles, but it was too tight dropped between the frame like they are. I am on my third vinyl cover, those things just don't last.

[Ruthe]

I wears told that batteries no longer go inside the dinette bench. They will be put in a box on the tongue if there is no storage box .

[nealmccarter]

Originally Posted by Ruthe

I wears told that batteries no longer go inside the dinette bench. They will be put in a box on the tongue if there is no storage box .

I was hoping that was the case. That is the set up on my old trailer, and could not see a reason for not having it outside, especially with having to vent it in some way. Thanks for the info.

[cpaharley2008]

The nice thing about Escape is they will do things you want, if you want the battery in or out, they will accommodate your wishes. Do not try this with Airstream.

[dbailey]

I'll emphasize what Jim said and urge you to take advantage of it. Don't ask "what does Escape normally do in situation X?" Rather, ask yourself if you have a preference, and if you do then tell Escape how you'd like it. If they can, they will accommodate.

These threads are excellent for acquiring the information you need to decide what you care about and what concerns you have. But to answer the question "does Escape do it my way, or the wrong way? ( ), you really need to ask Escape. The folks here are generally helpful, smart and knowledgeable, but Escape makes changes regularly so the folks here are not, and can not be, absolutely up-to-date.

Take advantage of Escape's excellent customer service.

[MyronL]

Must be standard now... Never gave it a thought. We took delivery this past September. Twin 6's were on the tongue behind the twin tanks.

[Jim Bennett]

Well, that answers what is standard then. And, someone mentioned that Reace does not like to put them under the dinette seat anymore, but not certain why, as there seems to be more weight on the other (drivers) side. I am sure he has a good reason.

[nealmccarter]

It was something that I wasn't sure about and wondered if I had to remember to request. Guess I don't.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by nealmccarter

... could not see a reason for not having it outside, especially with having to vent it in some way.

Outside is easier for maintenance and venting. Even one battery is a pretty significant mass, so its location matters to trailer balance and stability. The Escape models vary in proportions so may have different limitations on battery location; for example, the 17 body is proportionately very long in front, so the battery normally goes on the rear bumper for balance. Owners have different tow vehicles, and so have different limitations and preferences for tongue weight; this can drive the preferred location as well.

For sheer convenience, using tongue space for readily accessible storage of stuff used outside (wheel chocks, etc) and stuffing the battery inside where it gets checked a couple times a year may make more sense than the other way around.

In a box on the tongue is the classic travel battery location, but other locations are valid in specific situations.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I tried to fit a hard cover on my bottles, but it was too tight dropped between the frame like they are.

Thanks Jim - I thought that might be the issue with the fore-and-aft placement (which I think is slick otherwise).