Split from For Sale, discussion about other builds

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by Bear101

Yes, we love our Escape 19 but decided we needed something a bit bigger and since the Escape 23 was taking some time we ordered a Taylor Coach. Which we now also have.

Interesting—never heard of Taylor Coach, so went to their website: https://taylorcoach.com They are the reverse of the molded-fiberglass Escape, built from the inside out, entirely of wood and plywood (on a metal frame), clad in aluminum sheeting:

https://youtu.be/MidNbDa89Jo

Looks like their 21 and 24-foot models have layouts similar to the overdue Escape 23, with a walk-around bed. Aside from the larger-than-Escape models available, are you comfortable with the construction? Not worried about leaks?

I expect your E19 will sell quickly.

[Jeremiah]

Originally Posted by MrLynn

are you comfortable with the construction? Not worried about leaks?

Leaks are a product of poor construction quality, more than construction type. IMO



All RV's use the same type of windows, which will leak if not properly installed. Same thing with roof vents, a/c units, thru wall appliances, etc.


I've owned a bunch of rv's in my life, the only two that ever leaked were so-called quality fiberglass units.

[Kingfish]

Originally Posted by Jeremiah

I've owned a bunch of rv's in my life, the only two that ever leaked were so-called quality fiberglass units.

What brands were those?

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by Jeremiah

I've owned a bunch of rv's in my life, the only two that ever leaked were so-called quality fiberglass units.

Many brands use fiberglass as sheathing on exterior walls and roofs, and they all have seams. Only true molded-fiberglass bodies avoid them.

[Jeremiah]

Originally Posted by Kingfish

What brands were those?

Originally Posted by MrLynn

Many brands use fiberglass as sheathing on exterior walls and roofs, and they all have seams. Only true molded-fiberglass bodies avoid them.

I'm not going to get into brand bashing. The first was the number one rated fifth wheel for about 20 years and leaked around the window with subsequent wall and floor damage.


The second was a very popular molded fiberglass trailer which also leaked around the window. I caught it before it did any real damage.


I've owned several stick built rv's which never leaked because they were built with care. My point was/is that quality in construction is more important than construction type.



Probably the Class C with the best reputation is wood framed with aluminum skin. They closed shop last year after many years of highly rated business with dedicated followers. Quality costs, whether it's stick built or otherwise.

[MrLynn]

Jeremiah, what you say about quality of construction is doubtless true. I didn't mean to hijack Bear101's Classified notice; was just curious about Taylor Coach. I expect, as a small, factory-direct builder, that they make a high-quality product.

Further discussion about construction and leaks should go in a new thread.

[Bear101]

Originally Posted by MrLynn

Interesting—never heard of Taylor Coach, so went to their website: https://taylorcoach.com They are the reverse of the molded-fiberglass Escape, built from the inside out, entirely of wood and plywood (on a metal frame), clad in aluminum sheeting:

https://youtu.be/MidNbDa89Jo

Looks like their 21 and 24-foot models have layouts similar to the overdue Escape 23, with a walk-around bed. Aside from the larger-than-Escape models available, are you comfortable with the construction? Not worried about leaks?

I expect your E19 will sell quickly.

It is an experiment with stick built, but they have been in business 57 years and we watched them build our trailer and met the people doing it so we are impressed with the quality. We have our name in for a 23 as well but t h e Taylor Coach is working out well so far.

[Kingfish]

I think worthy of consideration is the fact that a slow leak in a stick built trailer results in hidden rot. Hence their short life span, on average, if not carefully looked after and maintained. Not much to rot in a fiberglass shell.

[MrLynn]

Now that this discussion about leaks has been split off from the Classifieds, let me explain why I raised the question of leaks in the Taylor Coach trailers. According to all I have read, the biggest problem with stickies and leaks is delamination. Water leaks into the walls from the seams with the roof, and the layers begin to separate. So looking at the Taylor video, I wondered how they dealt with the problem.

Back in December, 2021, when new Escapes required a wait of a year or more, and used ones within a thousand miles of us were snapped up faster than we could travel to look at them, we put a deposit on an inTech Sol Horizon, an attractive camper built on a unibody aluminum frame and a one-piece fiberglass roof and nose. As it turned out, I cancelled the order when news of aluminum axle mounts breaking appeared (since remedied, if belatedly), but I was also concerned about the seams between the room and the wall panels, which had to be re-sealed every year.

Yes, molded-fiberglass trailers have many openings in the hull (doors, windows, vents, ACs and fans, etc.) but they are far less likely to have walls delaminating from leaky roof/wall seams. Perhaps the aluminum-clad Taylor trailers have a way of preventing this—certainly Airstreams do—which is what I was gently asking about.

Anyway, that's where the discussion above started.

[Doug2000]

I have talked to many over the years who owned Taylor Coach and all were very happy. I think the attraction is custom built low volume. Better than Indiana.

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by MrLynn

. . . but I was also concerned about the seams between the room and the wall panels, which had to be re-sealed every year.

Error (Edit option gone): between the roof and the wall panels

[Selkirk]

I researched Taylor Coach prior to ordering my E19. Everything I read suggests that they are a reputable, customer-focused, quality boutique RV manufacturer. I was really surprised how light-weight their offering is. The models equivalent in size to the E19 are 800-1000lbs lighter!

If I thought that a conventionally-constructed trailer would meet my needs, and/or if I lived a few thousand kms closer their manufacturing facility....I definitely would have given Taylor Coach serious consideration.

[Bear101]

Originally Posted by Jeremiah

Leaks are a product of poor construction quality, more than construction type. IMO

I agree

[Mike G]

I emailed Taylor in 2017 and inquired about price & lead time. At that time a 17' started at about $28k and they had a 2 year backlog (Escape's was more like 6 months, I think). They seem to have their fans.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by MrLynn

Interesting—never heard of Taylor Coach, so went to their website: https://taylorcoach.com They are the reverse of the molded-fiberglass Escape, built from the inside out, entirely of wood and plywood (on a metal frame), clad in aluminum sheeting:

https://youtu.be/MidNbDa89Jo

Looks like their 21 and 24-foot models have layouts similar to the overdue Escape 23, with a walk-around bed. Aside from the larger-than-Escape models available, are you comfortable with the construction? Not worried about leaks?

I expect your E19 will sell quickly.

Hi: MrLynn... Last I heard Taylor Coach http://www.taylorcoach.com wait list was nearly 3 yrs long. They'd be my go to builder for a "Sticky". Their production facility is about 2 1/2 hrs. from home. Talked to a fellow camper with a newish TC. 24'er. He's already got a build slot for a new trailer... if he wants it!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[MrLynn]

Howdy Alf— I'll have to keep an eye out for Taylor Coaches (we're heading out to the PA Wilds Saturday). I'm still (idly) curious how TC manages the roof-wall interface.

[Escape_19]

I dont know why Escape did not use a similar floor plan ...walk around with a dry bath

this is a 21 side entry althought the floor plan is not clear the website shows a dry bath https://taylorcoach.com/product/21/

[Selkirk]

Originally Posted by Escape_19

I dont know why Escape did not use a similar floor plan ...walk around with a dry bath

I believe the interior length on the Taylor is about a foot longer and the bed is 5" shorter than the 23. That extra length makes all the difference for this layout.

[Chamberman]

The picture you attached has a wet bath. Also, that's a short 75" full size bed and the dinette is only 40" which is pretty narrow. So some floor savings here and there by trimming the sizes. The Escape 19 is a 44" dinette and I don't consider our dinette large. I wouldn't want it any smaller even if it opened up the trailer a little bit.

[Escape_19]

Originally Posted by Chamberman

The picture you attached has a wet bath. Also, that's a short 75" full size bed and the dinette is only 40" which is pretty narrow. So some floor savings here and there by trimming the sizes. The Escape 19 is a 44" dinette and I don't consider our dinette large. I wouldn't want it any smaller even if it opened up the trailer a little bit.

look at their website shows dry bath https://taylorcoach.com/product/21/