....what are the weak spots?

[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.

[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.

[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 ).

[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.

[diannelgraham]

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.

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.

[Ron in BC]

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.

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

[Voyager]

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

It’s not an “impossible question” for those with hitch coupler troubles and aggravating frames with surface rust.

[MyronL]

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.

[Voyager]

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.

Are these Lippert Frames or does ETI manufacture their own?

[Voyager]

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.

I’ve had enough experience to know a troublesome coupler is not fun to wrestle with. I hope I have a good one.

[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

[padlin]

Originally Posted by Voyager

Are these Lippert Frames or does ETI manufacture their own?

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.

[kvermeulen]

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

Hi azack, just wondering why u sized up and then bigly down.
Call me curious

[tdf-texas]

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.

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.

[Iowa Dave]

Only weak spot for me is no Kool aide dispenser for Escape Kool aide. Gotta mix up my own.
Iowa Dave

[gbaglo]

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.

[Eggscape]

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.

[Bobbie54]

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.

Much better- use Rustcap. Rustoleum rusts right through. You can go right over rust with RustCap.

[gbaglo]

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.

[cpaharley2008]

I'd say the Escape lasted longer than the hitch......