....what are the weak spots?

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Mike G

Okay, coating with resin (maybe even some glass mat) helps, but the screws make holes that are vulnerable to moisture. Isn't there something synthetic or non-rotting that could be used for the anchor points?

And you've read somewhere that rot inside Escapes is prevalent?

Ron

[msweet]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

My 17B is 12 years old. I've had issues with appliances ( that's to be expected when towing a fridge over forest service roads ).

As for the trailer itself, the only problems I've had are self-inflicted ( damage to a surface ).

I am curious what issues you have had with your fridge? Ours is a similar age and we also like to drive on forest service / gravel roads.

The top hinge pin receiver hole broke on my fridge door a couple years ago. I managed to repair that with a new plate and avoid purchasing a new door at that time.

Last weekend the interior plastic liner cracked at the bracket for the lower shelf. I just repaired it with some expoxy but am figuring the writing is on the wall.

I am not sure I can stomach buying a replacement door for $600+ when the fridge is 12 years old and the door still has the same design flaws.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by Mike G

Okay, coating with resin (maybe even some glass mat) helps, but the screws make holes that are vulnerable to moisture. Isn't there something synthetic or non-rotting that could be used for the anchor points?

Trex? Pretty tough, no rot, cuttable, holds screws well on decks.
Just spitballin
Iowa Dave

[Mary O]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

For a while there were many posts here about the sail switch problem in the furnaces. Ours plugged up a number of times in our first 100 nights. We replaced the sail switch with what looks to be an identical switch and now have 200 nights without a problem. Search posts for "sail switch".

Don't remember a sail switch problem recently, so did everyone who had issues replace their switch?

Enjoy,

Perry

On my last extended trip the furnace failed twice due to the sail switch clogging up, first time during a snow storm and second in much better weather. Getting good at cleaning it out but thanks for the reminder to order a replacement. They were out of stock the multiple times I tried, so hoping for better luck this time around.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by msweet

I am curious what issues you have had with your fridge? Last weekend the interior plastic liner cracked at the bracket for the lower shelf. I just repaired it with some expoxy but am figuring the writing is on the wall.

I broke the same bottom shelf by placing heavy items on it despite warnings. I also fixed it with epoxy and aluminum edging material.
The freezer door hinge on one side broke ( or something ). Anyway, it doesn't self close so I installed rare earth magnets to keep it closed.
Tomorrow, the trailer is going in to North Shore RV to track down why the fridge doesn't work on shore power or propane.
I should have bought a new one when Reace offered me a very good price on a replacement. But, I didn't.

I will report.

[felix2]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

Trex? Pretty tough, no rot, cuttable, holds screws well on decks.
Just spitballin
Iowa Dave

Polyethylene comes in blocks that you can mill like wood...I had an old wood glassed-in block rot out in a fiberglass trailer, and after a hack fix thought "why not glass in PE blocks - they'd never rot, and hold screws well (pilot drilled, of course).

[Vermilye]

Both Trex & Polyethylene are heavier than wood. As others have pointed out, I don't know anyone that has complained about rotten wood supports, at least in an Escape.

[Ron in BC]

I agree, seems like a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.

One problem with poly is that resin doesn't adhere to it. So the integrity of the piece depends on how well it's mechanically captive in whatever resin and glass you use to hold it in place.

Ron

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

And you've read somewhere that rot inside Escapes is prevalent?

Ron

I have read that some Escape owners' door hinges sag when the wood gets bad enough to let the screw holes elongate. (Without going back and re-reading every comment to refresh my memory) weren't there at least two people posting in just this one thread about experiencing a problem with this? Door hinges are located at an opening where water intrusion can occur. Does it take an engineering degree to figure out that placing wood so near an opening, where water can get past a gasket, is a bad idea? Can anyone say whether Escape at least uses a hardwood for this, rather than pine or similar?

[TTMartin]

Originally Posted by Mike G

I have read that some Escape owners' door hinges sag when the wood gets bad enough to let the screw holes elongate. (Without going back and re-reading every comment to refresh my memory) weren't there at least two people posting in just this one thread about experiencing a problem with this? Door hinges are located at an opening where water intrusion can occur. Does it take an engineering degree to figure out that placing wood so near an opening, where water can get past a gasket, is a bad idea? Can anyone say whether Escape at least uses a hardwood for this, rather than pine or similar?

I don't believe these were on the current style Escapes. I believe it was in reference to old style Escapes with the custom made curved doors.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Mike G

I have read that some Escape owners' door hinges sag when the wood gets bad enough to let the screw holes elongate. (Without going back and re-reading every comment to refresh my memory) weren't there at least two people posting in just this one thread about experiencing a problem with this? Door hinges are located at an opening where water intrusion can occur. Does it take an engineering degree to figure out that placing wood so near an opening, where water can get past a gasket, is a bad idea? Can anyone say whether Escape at least uses a hardwood for this, rather than pine or similar?

The problem with at least ours no gasket just hinge on fiberglass . For sure water installed that way got behind the hinge . Pat

[cpaharley2008]

The first G models until 2016 had eternal hinges, discontinued with the 2nd G models in 2016, there are no exposed hinge screws on any new Escape.