Storage box -- pros and cons

[cpaharley2008]

depends, sometimes you have something in your one hand, standing outside vs putting everything down, climbing back into the trailer, sliding the table over, removing the dinette cushion, lifting the hinge and "viola" there you have it!! Personal preference, I guess.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Ruthe

Is it a big deal to move the cushions?

The cushions flip up behind the hinged access on the top of the dinette seat. You do need one hand to hold it while you do this or it falls closed. The other option is to pull out one of the two cushions, and then the lid stays open. Seeing I put my BBQ under there, and even though only access it twice per stop (out and back in), I still opted to put in a short brace that flips up to hold it open. Easy peasy now.

I also added a flip up stay to the under bed storage area.

[Ruthe]

So if the batteries get put under the dinette is there room for anything else? I seem to remember that some vital parts of the trailer are also under the dinette.

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by Ruthe

So if the batteries get put under the dinette is there room for anything else? I seem to remember that some vital parts of the trailer are also under the dinette.

We have twin 6V batteries inside the dinette bench. They take up probably about 1/2 the available space in the bench, maybe a little less if you pack small items around the sides of the exterior of the battery container. We have found that with the exterior box and the loads of other storage space inside the 19, we have had no problems at all finding places to put things, even with the inside batteries. (We recently did a 22 night vacation with 4 of us in the Escape, no problems.)

[Vermilye]

Since I purchased my 17B with the front storage box, I can't compare it to not having one, but I've found it useful. My batteries are on the rear bumper, so I have the entire space available. I keep chairs, my grill & supplies, water hoses, electric cord & adapters, and a few leveling blocks in it, as well as a plastic storage box of spray cans with teflon, bug spray, etc. I have the dual propane & a power jack - a tight fit, but it works.

Since I have the lifted axle, I need more leveling blocks to go under the stabilizer jacks - they live in the passenger side under seat storage with access through an outside hatch.

[Sandra L]

When I ordered my 2009 17B "Suite Escape" there was no storage box option, nor were there hatches. I requested and received 3 hatches. One is on the passenger side rear, (under the large dinette bench), and one is on each side of the front (under both sides of the front dinette benches). Since I "bag" or box nearly everything that goes underneath, I have not had any mud or dirt problems. The front passenger side compartment holds the hitching and settling items like the equalizer bar, crank for the stabilizer jacks and chocks. The driver's side holds the other lesser used items. The rear holds the water and electrical gear. I would have liked a larger opening like Jim's, but I am not talented like he is. I just have the 12v battery, so it is on the back bumper.
I also had an inside access door put on the rear passenger side, which is seldom used because of the bins under the "bed" (large dinette).
I did not order inside doors on the small dinette because I knew that I would be putting "outside stuff" in those compartments, and the cushions were not too inconvenient to move.
I am trying to figure out where to carry my b.a.l. small trailer leveler (bought just before I learned about the Anderson one). It is very heavy and I now just carry it in the back of my Sienna which means that I have to unhitch to get it out. I would like to be able to carry it in/on the trailer where I don't have to worry about it sliding or moving if I have to suddenly stop. I don't think bungee cords will suffice to hold it to the frame.
Of course, if I had more storage space, more stuff would be needed to fill it.

[dbailey]

I purchased my 19 with the storage box. I'm happy with the decision, but I do find the storage box to be quite awkward to use. It's an awkward shape, all angles and curves. The battery takes up a lot of room in the middle. The lid braces get in the way. The prop-open bar gets in the way.

Still, very useful.

[Dave Walter]

I really like my storage box and would get another if I was to ever purchase another Escape (well maybe not if I bought a 5.0). One little gripe I have with the box is that the lid has an indentation that is downwards rather than upwards (see photo I found on the forum from Hotfishtacos). What happens is after you wash and clean your Escape, any subsequent rain washes the dust and dirt onto the top of the box where it accumulates in the depressed area. Solution would be for Escape to change the lid design so that the reinforced zone rises above the top of the lid rather than below it. I know, it is a small detail, but I think it would improve the product.

[cpaharley2008]

So the lid should be convex vs concave for better water run off?

[Chapitre]

We had an aluminum box made to our design. Works very well, is sturdy- holds lots of stuff - big enough for collapsible camp chairs. Would be lost with out it, especially on long stays. It protects the front of the 17B as well.

[dbailey]

It the top were convex, it might not open fully -- the convex top might hit the front of the trailer before the lid were fully open.

I too find the box to be awkward. I still think it's a good option, but I bitch and swear every time I have to rearrange things to get at something.

I can think of a few better designs that integrate storage, battery and propane, but I suspect the limitations of the strength of the fiberglass, versus the cost of a stronger material, is what dictates the current design.

For what it's worth, I'd be willing to pay more for a more useful shape/size.

[cpaharley2008]

I think the purpose of the square in the storage top is for strength vs a flat top.

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I think the purpose of the square in the storage top is for strength vs a flat top.

That was my thought as well Jim, however, I can see no reason not to protrude upwards with it rather than downwards. Should still gain adequate strength, and I don't think clearance when open is that big of an issue since the protrusion is less than about an inch.

[cpaharley2008]

Maybe Reace will change the top if he reads the forums??

[fudge_brownie]

The new 21' will have the batteries inside the trailer (earlier models of Escapes also had this arrangement), this would certainly help with space and arrangement inside the front storage box.

[cpaharley2008]

Yes, I'm wrestling now in deciding between one group 29 battery or 2x6 v batteries. With the heater, converter, EMS and now batteries, I'm afraid the dinette storage is filling up.

[fudge_brownie]

Jim
You maybe filling up the dinette storage but I am wondering just how useful that area is. Nothing of any size will fit, so it becomes an area where you can stuff infrequently used small items.
From Kim at Escape, this is how the storage areas are used. Front permanent (under bed) contains the black water tank at the top and the water heater at the bottom. The driver side dinette has the power cord, converter and furnace and the passenger side is the battery(s). There is some personal choice on this arrangement.

[cpaharley2008]

I thought the black tank is under the bath area, are you telling me it is under the bed also?

[DeadEyeDan]

The previously owned 19 we recently purchased has the storage box on the front. Coming from a 17' Casita which cannot have one, I can tell you unequivocally that having the box is great. A number of items that lived in the Casita's closet or back of our truck can now live in the box. This includes electrical cords, blocks, hoses and other outdoor used items.

I am already thinking about what I can use the extra space in the truck for.

[cpaharley2008]

for "more stuff" see here

George Carlin Talks About "Stuff" - YouTube