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08-29-2018, 03:53 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: campbell river, British Columbia
Trailer: planning to purchase
Posts: 9
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traveling on gravel roads
We are in the process of looking to order an Escape 21 feet from the factory. Anyways, looking at options. We like to do recreation camp which means at times traveling down gravel roads. Being a fiberglass unit we want to know if anyone has found something to put around the wheel wells and areas that gravel may be a issue. I know there is the off road package which makes the Trailer higher. We do other camping as well, but at times do do the rec sites as we live in Campbell River,BC and there are many really nice spots but require to go down a gravel road to get to them, Thanks any suggestions would be helpful.
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08-29-2018, 04:12 PM
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#2
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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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I've done nothing to protect the wheel wells. Been driving down gravel roads for 10 years. If it ever gets to be an issue, I will perhaps coat the wheel wells with Rhino liner or something similar.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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08-29-2018, 04:32 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: campbell river, British Columbia
Trailer: planning to purchase
Posts: 9
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Thanks, appreciate that, What size escape do you have.
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08-29-2018, 04:34 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: campbell river, British Columbia
Trailer: planning to purchase
Posts: 9
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Traveling gravel roads
I see you have a 17. Did you have the off road on it like make it highier.
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08-29-2018, 04:38 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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I have the high lift axle, but since the RAV4 has to go first, I don't think I need it.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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08-29-2018, 04:40 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Trailer: 2015 21ft Escape "Spirit of the Plains", 2014 GMC Sierra with max tow package
Posts: 1,100
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I go as slow as I can, but where I notice the rock chips is on the front of the rear bumper. Loren
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08-29-2018, 04:51 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: campbell river, British Columbia
Trailer: planning to purchase
Posts: 9
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Traveling gravel roads
Thanks, new to fourm, Loren that mentions the rocks can nick the rear bumper, do you have the high axle on your unit. We have a F150 so not sure with hight, will ask Hubby.
Thanks Gbaglo for the pics
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08-29-2018, 06:10 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Ponoka, Alberta
Trailer: 2016 19 classic "outta sight", jeep rubicon unlimited
Posts: 1,645
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Since we live on a gravel road, we decided to go with the underneath insulation. This in order to protect everything below. So far, so good.
Also important is to get the storage box. It protects the front from rocks being spit up by the tow vehicle.
We drive around 50km/hr when on gravel.
__________________
"never lose hope, never lose faith"
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08-29-2018, 06:14 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Chilliwack, British Columbia
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21 (One Life...Live It)
Posts: 146
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We traveled Top of the world highway and received rock chips in the rear bumper and some on the front frame. I have just sanded them out and repainted the bumper with gloss black Tremclad paint. Looks brand new again.
I have yet to finish getting the tar out of the wheel wells yet but I have not noticed and rock damage yet. I’m going to extend the trailer mudflaps with a strip of 3” aluminum and see if that helps the back bumper.
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08-29-2018, 06:22 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: campbell river, British Columbia
Trailer: planning to purchase
Posts: 9
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Traveling gravel roads
Thanks , love this fourm, great replies. Very helpful and common sense. We too want to travel up to Alaska so all good info.
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08-29-2018, 11:26 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Abbotsford, British Columbia
Trailer: 1974 Boler, 2018 Escape 21
Posts: 126
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I'm not sure if this comes standard on all Escapes or just the ones without the storage boxes, but we did not get the storage box, and our Escape came with two snap on flaps to protect from rock chips where the storage box would normally sit. We've traveled on a few long gravel roads through Sask. with no rock chips so far, just washed all the mud out of the wheel wells today though. And a very large amount of splattered bugs across the top front- this seems to be a big job after every trip!
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10-10-2018, 11:18 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Littleton, Colorado
Trailer: 2018 17B
Posts: 2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
I've done nothing to protect the wheel wells. Been driving down gravel roads for 10 years. If it ever gets to be an issue, I will perhaps coat the wheel wells with Rhino liner or something similar.
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thinking about purchasing a 17 foot escape but concerned about rough roads, driving backcountry. Also thinking about traveling to Alaska next summer. Will this rv take the vibration? Also do you really tow with a rav 4? Thinking I need a tacoma truck or four runner. Live in colorado and do a lot of backcountry camping with a hiker trailer that I
presently own. Thanks for any information you can provide me.
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10-11-2018, 12:07 AM
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#13
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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 RAV4 is 2008 V6 Sport with tow prep package. It has 269 hp.
It is rated to tow 3,500 lbs with 350 lb. tongue weight max.
I think the last RAVs of that configuration were offered in 2012.
New 2018 RAV4 has moved back up in tow rating.
I've driven a lot of backroad washboard without issue, as long as you bungee the cupboards and fridge ( keeping the fridge door light ).
Biggest problem I've had is the small gas tank on my RAV4.
Pictures ( with apologies to those who have seen them a dozen times already ).
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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10-11-2018, 01:34 AM
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#14
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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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Need to add that I believe the new 17B is heavier than mine. There are lots of considerations when it comes to a tow vehicle. I wanted a Tacoma, but my wife pointed out that I wouldn't be able to climb into the cab as we aged. I don't need a commuter vehicle, but that's a consideration for some.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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10-11-2018, 06:27 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Hellertown, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Scamp 16, TV Rav4 V6
Posts: 100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
Need to add that I believe the new 17B is heavier than mine. There are lots of considerations when it comes to a tow vehicle. I wanted a Tacoma, but my wife pointed out that I wouldn't be able to climb into the cab as we aged. I don't need a commuter vehicle, but that's a consideration for some.
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I believe your sport rav has the 18" wheels. Mine, base has 17" wheels. I do not know if that difference put you at better place when on rutty gravel roads. Mine is the 2012, last year for the tow pkg. I have not been on any gravel roads yet when towing, but traveled a lot on them when not towing. Carl
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