It’s time to start some mods on our new to us 19

[DougG]

We bought our 2010 escape a few months back, and now that we have used it a few times it’s time for the mods to begin. It came with a great custom built aluminum storage box with rock guards on the front. Unfortunately, it was built a bit big, and is therefore much to close to the trailer. There were some minor rub marks on the trailer when we bought it, but adding a weight distribution hitch seems to have significantly increased the rubbing. The box is right tight to the propane tanks, so I can’t move it forward. I am notching the bottom to drop it down over the frame rails. Hopefully it all works out as planned.

[DougG]

I meant to ask, has anyone done gelcoat repair on their escape? What product did you use? Were you able to get a reasonably close colour match?

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by DougG

I meant to ask, has anyone done gelcoat repair on their escape? What product did you use? Were you able to get a reasonably close colour match?

Escape will sell small quantities of matching gelcoat for a reasonable cost.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by DougG

We bought our 2010 escape a few months back, and now that we have used it a few times it’s time for the mods to begin. It came with a great custom built aluminum storage box with rock guards on the front. Unfortunately, it was built a bit big, and is therefore much to close to the trailer. There were some minor rub marks on the trailer when we bought it, but adding a weight distribution hitch seems to have significantly increased the rubbing. The box is right tight to the propane tanks, so I can’t move it forward. I am notching the bottom to drop it down over the frame rails. Hopefully it all works out as planned.

Just a thought , when I Installed a power jack it was too tight for the propane cover . I replaced it with the next higher size , it is for 30 gal tanks . Because there is that bump out on the cover it makes it tight where it sits . Now there is a little more room and actually like it . Pat

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by DougG

Unfortunately, it was built a bit big, and is therefore much to close to the trailer. There were some minor rub marks on the trailer when we bought it, but adding a weight distribution hitch seems to have significantly increased the rubbing.

That's interesting. The bending of the frame implied by the greater interference demonstrates how much downward force the weight distribution hitch applies at the frame brackets... it's typically much more than the hitch weight.

[mimie]

Originally Posted by DougG

I am notching the bottom to drop it down over the frame rails.

Nice work - you've clearly been around tools before! That whole weight/vibration thing can be interesting to sort out, and I bet your approach proves out. Thanks for pics, and inspiration -

[DougG]

Got it back on the trailer, much happier with the clearance now. Just got a little more work to do to reinforce the floor of it now, then it should be good to go!

[hondasaurus]

Please make sure to put rubber between the steel part and aluminium or other isolant to prevent corrosion and most important use stainless steel hardware.

This is especially true is calcium is use during winter time...