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09-14-2021, 08:15 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Bastrop, Texas
Trailer: 2022 21C 'The QShip'
Posts: 573
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Custom Front Box for 21NE?
I know there have been mentions of custom front boxes, but my searches have not been successful in returning photos.
I am planning the purchase of our new 21NE and am ambivalent about ordering the Escape front storage box. At $800 I think it may be possible to have one custom made. Unfortunately, I do not have the skills to make one myself. I am particularly interested in whether or not to design it to contain both propane tanks and the batteries (not real sure it is a good idea to have both in the same box, either. Comments welcome.). I would have it made out aluminum, probably diamond plate. I am not really concerned with the esthetics of the box not matching the trailer, though weight and balance are important.
I would really appreciate photos of boxes folks have had custom made, both interior and exterior, as well as comments on how well it works and changes they would make now that they have used it for a while. Outside dimensions would also be very helpful.
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09-14-2021, 11:22 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: St Augustine, Florida
Trailer: 5.0 TA Delivered 4/7/22
Posts: 920
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marant
I know there have been mentions of custom front boxes, but my searches have not been successful in returning photos.
I am planning the purchase of our new 21NE and am ambivalent about ordering the Escape front storage box. At $800 I think it may be possible to have one custom made. Unfortunately, I do not have the skills to make one myself. I am particularly interested in whether or not to design it to contain both propane tanks and the batteries (not real sure it is a good idea to have both in the same box, either. Comments welcome.). I would have it made out aluminum, probably diamond plate. I am not really concerned with the esthetics of the box not matching the trailer, though weight and balance are important.
I would really appreciate photos of boxes folks have had custom made, both interior and exterior, as well as comments on how well it works and changes they would make now that they have used it for a while. Outside dimensions would also be very helpful.
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I think you would be hard pressed to have a custom box done for less than $800..
__________________
2022 5.0TA . F150 4 wheel drive, EB 3.5 Andersen ultimate hitch. Trailer delivered 4/22. Jack
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09-14-2021, 11:37 AM
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#4
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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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BTW, if you are a repeat new Escape owner, the front box is "gratis"........
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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09-14-2021, 12:12 PM
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#5
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
BTW, if you are a repeat new Escape owner, the front box is "gratis"........
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Still? And, for how long?
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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09-14-2021, 01:41 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marant
I am particularly interested in whether or not to design it to contain both propane tanks and the batteries (not real sure it is a good idea to have both in the same box, either. Comments welcome.).
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They need to be in separate compartments (so propane won't enter the battery compartment and potentially sparking wires don't run through the propane compartment), with the propane compartment ventilated and not locked. Whether those two compartments are in the same structure doesn't matter.
The practical limitation seems to me to be the lid: if there is only one lid for both compartments, it can't be locked, and the dividing wall between compartments needs to go right to the lid. If you have two separate lids or doors, there's no issue.
I assume that the intention would be to extend the storage box so that it occupies the same space as the factory box, plus extend forward to include the propane tanks. If occupying nearly the whole tongue that way, the propane tanks could be relocated so the box doesn't have to be as wide in front as the stock tank configuration, which overhangs the tongue frame.
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09-14-2021, 03:23 PM
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#7
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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: 8,743
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
BTW, if you are a repeat new Escape owner, the front box is "gratis"........
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Yes, and thanks to you making that comment a couple of years ago on the morning that I was taking delivery of my 21 I didn't have to make box #3.
Since I hadn't ordered a box they put the protective vinyl on the front which is why I have both. Glad to have both.
I'd say if you enjoy solving problems and making things, go for it. If you're doing it to save money maybe not so much. It is a good box.
Ron
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09-14-2021, 07:02 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Bastrop, Texas
Trailer: 2022 21C 'The QShip'
Posts: 573
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Rubicon
Great job of searching. I did not even find the threads, not to mention specific photos!
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09-14-2021, 07:10 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marant
Rubicon
Great job of searching. I did not even find the threads, not to mention specific photos!
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No problem. Are you using the Site Search / Google box? It works well for me.
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09-14-2021, 07:32 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Madison area, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19 Chevy 2012 Express 3500 Van
Posts: 1,734
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Opinions, ONLY!
I'd not try and re-invent the wheel, or an Escape front storage box. They are well made, well sized and very, very useful. Looks like you should forget the batteries and propane both in there. Mine, on a 19'er has running & set-up gear and the batteries in it. Propane is in front of the box, in its Escape supplied spot.
All that said, I did build my own box, as I bought used and sans a storage box.
See info in this link:
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post362435
bon voyage,
P.S. Welcome back, Ron. I've missed your spot on, cogent information and contributions.
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