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07-13-2020, 10:45 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Upper Midwest, Minnesota
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19
Posts: 207
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....what are the weak spots?
We know they’re the best in terms of craftsmanship and design...that’s why you own one and we bought one. But what are an Escapes weak points. I’m thinking of things like weak hinges, easily stripping threads, weak or poor brackets, fittings become loose, fabric wears easily etc....lay it on me, I can handle it. I know...I’m treading in a dangerous area here.
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07-13-2020, 10:54 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,213
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The hitch coupler is problematic IMO. It is a cheap Chinese knockoff of an Atwood. Had to have ours replaced as the yoke would open even with the pin in place. The problem was with the pawl- the part inside that rides underneath the ball. Others have replaced theirs as it would bind up making it difficult to unhitch, with several going with a Bulldog.
If buying a new Escape I would ask to have my own coupler of choice used. Costs about $250 in labor to change it later.
__________________
"We gotta get as far away as we can!"
- Russell Casse, Independence Day
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07-13-2020, 10:54 AM
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#3
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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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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 ).
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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07-13-2020, 11:02 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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The only weak poinst on mine, a 2014, other then Dometic appliances, is the paint job on the frame. Had surface rust in no time so I needed to prep and repaint it with better paint. I would have paid extra for a better grade finish on it. And the brake wiring, the connections are a weak point.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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07-13-2020, 11:58 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Snohomish, Washington
Trailer: 2017 19 foot sold, 2022 21C
Posts: 653
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Voyager
We know they’re the best in terms of craftsmanship and design...that’s why you own one and we bought one. But what are an Escapes weak points. I’m thinking of things like weak hinges, easily stripping threads, weak or poor brackets, fittings become loose, fabric wears easily etc....lay it on me, I can handle it. I know...I’m treading in a dangerous area here.
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After fighting the hitch coupler for over two years I had it replaced with a bulldog. Best couple hundred dollars I’ve ever spent. This is the only complaint I can think of.
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07-13-2020, 12:01 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,806
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Voyager
We know they’re the best in terms of craftsmanship and design...that’s why you own one and we bought one. But what are an Escapes weak points. I’m thinking of things like weak hinges, easily stripping threads, weak or poor brackets, fittings become loose, fabric wears easily etc....lay it on me, I can handle it. I know...I’m treading in a dangerous area here.
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One of those impossible to answer questions. Depends on who's using it. Some folks whack the heck out of their trailer and some treat it with kid gloves. The kid glove trailers can be several years old and look like they just came out of the showroom. Just saw a 2015 that fit that description although it'd been to Alaska.
So, are you a whacker or a kid glove person? That's what would determine the answer to your question.
Ron
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07-13-2020, 12:49 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Upper Midwest, Minnesota
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19
Posts: 207
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC
One of those impossible to answer questions. Depends on who's using it. Some folks whack the heck out of their trailer and some treat it with kid gloves. The kid glove trailers can be several years old and look like they just came out of the showroom. Just saw a 2015 that fit that description although it'd been to Alaska.
So, are you a whacker or a kid glove person? That's what would determine the answer to your question.
Ron
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It’s not an “impossible question” for those with hitch coupler troubles and aggravating frames with surface rust.
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07-13-2020, 12:55 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
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I have rumpled my 19 on some fun roads but, guess I got one that wasn't made on a Friday. Except maybe, for the fridge---but that's no fault of the Escape factory.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
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07-13-2020, 12:57 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Upper Midwest, Minnesota
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19
Posts: 207
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Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin
The only weak poinst on mine, a 2014, other then Dometic appliances, is the paint job on the frame. Had surface rust in no time so I needed to prep and repaint it with better paint. I would have paid extra for a better grade finish on it. And the brake wiring, the connections are a weak point.
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Are these Lippert Frames or does ETI manufacture their own?
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07-13-2020, 01:14 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Upper Midwest, Minnesota
Trailer: 2020 Escape 19
Posts: 207
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue
The hitch coupler is problematic IMO. It is a cheap Chinese knockoff of an Atwood. Had to have ours replaced as the yoke would open even with the pin in place. The problem was with the pawl- the part inside that rides underneath the ball. Others have replaced theirs as it would bind up making it difficult to unhitch, with several going with a Bulldog.
If buying a new Escape I would ask to have my own coupler of choice used. Costs about $250 in labor to change it later.
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I’ve had enough experience to know a troublesome coupler is not fun to wrestle with. I hope I have a good one.
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07-13-2020, 01:27 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tucson, AZ, Arizona
Trailer: gone, 19 and 21 & 17B with 5.0 now. gone
Posts: 790
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3 escapes, 10 years and a lot miles on paved roads
We have experienced minimal problems, just one refrigerator that wasn't happy at 100* and when I thought I just about had that taken care of the company offered to exchange for a newer model that worked better in high temps.
The only coupler story I have is when a car trailer loaded with a high dollar old Porsche car came off the ball as I'm headed up hill on my drive way. One chain broke and the other held until I could block a wheel. I grabbed a floor jack and took care of the problem.
I hooked it up in the dark early morning hours and did not capture the ball properly. Now I use the tongue jack to lift the vehicle to check security.
AZjack
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07-13-2020, 02:00 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Voyager
Are these Lippert Frames or does ETI manufacture their own?
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Don't know for sure. I'm under the impression they are made for Escape, no idea by who. Hopefully they've improved the finish since mine was born.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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07-13-2020, 02:47 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: ESCAPE #3 COMING - 19 FT
Posts: 277
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azjack
We have experienced minimal problems, just one refrigerator that wasn't happy at 100* and when I thought I just about had that taken care of the company offered to exchange for a newer model that worked better in high temps.
The only coupler story I have is when a car trailer loaded with a high dollar old Porsche car came off the ball as I'm headed up hill on my drive way. One chain broke and the other held until I could block a wheel. I grabbed a floor jack and took care of the problem.
I hooked it up in the dark early morning hours and did not capture the ball properly. Now I use the tongue jack to lift the vehicle to check security.
AZjack
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Hi azack, just wondering why u sized up and then bigly down.
Call me curious
__________________
ESCAPE #3, 19FT ON ORDER
TV - NOT YET, THINKING RIDGELINE OR F150
KEN AND DIANA, CALGARY
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07-13-2020, 04:30 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Baytown, Texas
Trailer: 2017 21' Escape - upgraded version
Posts: 2,697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin
Don't know for sure. I'm under the impression they are made for Escape, no idea by who. Hopefully they've improved the finish since mine was born.
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I doubt it. My frame started showing rust within six months. I have so much Rustoeum semi gloss on the frame by now - it would have been better to have just painted the whole thing to start with.
I definitely would have paid extra for a good poly paint / powdercoat done on the frame before the trailer body was mounted. Of course - with a good epoxy primer under it.
__________________
Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Engineers believe in fixing it so that it never breaks.
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07-13-2020, 05:20 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,259
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Only weak spot for me is no Kool aide dispenser for Escape Kool aide. Gotta mix up my own.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
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07-13-2020, 05:45 PM
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#16
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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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Is this rust after 12 years of throwing the chains over the frame rail such a big deal to you? I've used about three oz. of semi-gloss black doing chip touch-ups so far.
I've noticed that my tires get dusty after running forest service roads. Now, that's annoying.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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07-13-2020, 05:47 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19
Posts: 2,720
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The method they attached the propane base to the frame could become a problem over time. They drill holes and without cleaning the bits or painting, attach it with screws. The picture was taken after the trailer was two months old. I believe some have had the screws rust right off. Not good to have your tanks loose and everyone should be checking theirs. It would be so much more secure to have the base welded to the tongue and also add extra support.
Not so important, but my floor has a little extra filler over the seams that makes for a hump...just sloppy work...but at least they filled them.
Was not impressed with the cross supports underneath the bed of our 19 not going all the way across. I was able to redo it...so it can be done. However I have never heard of it being a problem.
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07-13-2020, 05:48 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Trailer: 2020 Escape 17B "Voyager"
Posts: 2,683
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdf-texas
I doubt it. My frame started showing rust within six months. I have so much Rustoeum semi gloss on the frame by now - it would have been better to have just painted the whole thing to start with.
I definitely would have paid extra for a good poly paint / powdercoat done on the frame before the trailer body was mounted. Of course - with a good epoxy primer under it.
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Much better- use Rustcap. Rustoleum rusts right through. You can go right over rust with RustCap.
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07-13-2020, 06:06 PM
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#19
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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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For comparison, here's my hitch receiver ( Hidden Hitch ), which was coated in some material ( like plastic? ) that peeled off in sheets ( you can see in pic ) once rust worked its way under.
Gonna have to whack it with a hammer to check strength.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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07-13-2020, 07:43 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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I'd say the Escape lasted longer than the hitch......
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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