Two Issues - Propane and Fiberglass

DT6 · 02-10-2023, 10:51 AM

When we had our 19, I remember it was important to get the Dexter decal information off the axle before it got all grimy with road junk, so I got under our new 21C to take a pic of the Dexter labels.

When I did, I noticed two potential issues.

1. There appears to be a hole left in the body of our 21C. There are other places on the underside that look similar, but there is no hole. The patch, or whatever it is they used, only has a hole on the one in the picture. This is close to the front of the trailer and you can see my aluminum tongue box. Is this standard or did the goop that was supposed to actually cover the hole, fall out?

2. The second potential issue is what appears to be a propane distribution box. The potential problem is the one connection you can see that is so stretched it almost looks like an iron bar. Everything inside using propane is working, but this one hose looks so kinked that I am concerned about the wear and tear as the trailer bounces along to the next location as there is not slack in that line at all.

I just noticed after initially posting this that there is a plumbing/propane topic - if an administrator thinks this is more appropriate there, please move the thread, I could not figure out how after my initial post (this is an edit). Thanks!

Looking forward to comments. Thanks everyone!

cpaharley2008 · 02-10-2023, 10:56 AM

I agree on the propane hose issue, as far as the hole, they are drains for any liquid that manages to get inside.....

Ron in BC · 02-10-2023, 11:09 AM

I've also seen some drains with what appeared to be tape over them. Not an issue.

The propane hose issue isn't good now and will only get worse. Over time the hose becomes brittle and the first cracking will occur at the sharp bend.

Ron

DT6 · 02-10-2023, 11:25 AM

So it appears I have a warranty claim with Escape with respect to the hose?

Bayner · 02-10-2023, 01:04 PM

I know I would. It looks like a problem in waiting at worst, or just poor craftsmanship at best.

Iowa Dave · 02-10-2023, 01:05 PM

The hole is legitimate, the hose is an illegitimate use of a too short hose. Send Escape a photo and your address and ask for a new hose. Hopefully they will make it right. Use soapy water or “super bubbles” with a dauber from the hardware store to check for leaks.
That’s what I would do. Kinked anything is never good.
Iowa Dave

Jwinfrey · 02-10-2023, 01:24 PM

I think a street 90 would solve the propane issue if you’re able to do the work.

SRS · 02-10-2023, 01:35 PM

The pontoon drain holes are normal. My 2022 17 has several. As other have said, the hose shouldn't look like that. Contact Dustin in Parts & Service with a photo and I'm sure they will make it right by either sending a replacement or compensating you for a new hose to be made and installed. They may want bids though. I've had several issues and Dustin has been very helpful.

NEWYORKHILLBILLY · 02-10-2023, 01:41 PM

I see these holes on several escapes. I never did get a straight answer on what there from. some say drain hold but on a lot of the trailers there caulked over. looks like yours was caulked over then opened back up. The propane hose is just A example of get done and out the door. See what ETI says after seeing photos, but you will probably have to do the repair yourself. Let me reword that it might be the easiest solution to do the repair yourself As Jwinfrey suggested a street 90 would solve the problem.

DT6 · 02-10-2023, 01:56 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone! I think I've mentioned before that we had a LOT of QC issues during delivery, but I missed this one because I didn't see the need to crawl around in the gravel in the Escape parking lot. Now I know better. I also think I've reached a point where I can finally talk to the other QC issues in the next few weeks in a more normal and polite conversant tone (yep the delivery in October was that bad).

Due to the issues I have had, I think my plan is to have them pay for a replacement installation. I've never done much work with propane and don't really like the idea of learning on my rig. I know, soapy water, check for bubbles, but having to work that under a trailer for the first time is not confidence inspiring. If it were water instead of propane, I'd be all in, but until I am confident I've mastered something sufficiently I usually defer to someone more experienced to do the job. Thanks again everyone, you are all awesome!

I'm going to send a picture to Samuel and have him forward it to the appropriate individual.

Ooshkaboo · 02-10-2023, 06:29 PM

As someone has said Dustin in parts is the person to ask. partsandservice@escapetrailer.com

In the meantime can you trace the line back, might be a reason it’s now too short. Maybe you can find the needed slack to smooth things out.

splitting_lanes · 02-10-2023, 07:40 PM

That’s kinky!

Iowa Dave · 02-10-2023, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splitting_lanes

That’s kinky!

Wish I had said that

NEWYORKHILLBILLY · 02-10-2023, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DT6

Thanks for the replies everyone! I think I've mentioned before that we had a LOT of QC issues during delivery, but I missed this one because I didn't see the need to crawl around in the gravel in the Escape parking lot. Now I know better. I also think I've reached a point where I can finally talk to the other QC issues in the next few weeks in a more normal and polite conversant tone (yep the delivery in October was that bad).

Due to the issues I have had, I think my plan is to have them pay for a replacement installation. I've never done much work with propane and don't really like the idea of learning on my rig. I know, soapy water, check for bubbles, but having to work that under a trailer for the first time is not confidence inspiring. If it were water instead of propane, I'd be all in, but until I am confident I've mastered something sufficiently I usually defer to someone more experienced to do the job. Thanks again everyone, you are all awesome!

I'm going to send a picture to Samuel and have him forward it to the appropriate individual.

Hopefully you can find someone willing to work on it. I know locally of the 8 RV places I contacted none would work on a trailer in less it was bought from them. It is said to hear about the continuing Quilty control issues. Most of the problems I have seen posted could have been avoided with a simply pre delivery inspection. Life is short so try to enjoy the trailer.

DT6 · 02-11-2023, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEWYORKHILLBILLY

Hopefully you can find someone willing to work on it. I know locally of the 8 RV places I contacted none would work on a trailer in less it was bought from them. It is said to hear about the continuing Quilty control issues. Most of the problems I have seen posted could have been avoided with a simply pre delivery inspection. Life is short so try to enjoy the trailer.

We are fortunate that our nearby CampingWorld in Wilsonville, OR has a decent repair shop (at least that has been my experience on two occasions). We also have a Bish RV shop near Eugene, OR that did a nice job adjusting my brakes once.

You are correct that most of the QC issues could have been avoided with a pre-delivery inspection. Escape now provides a postcard like note in your new trailer when you take delivery, and it is titled "Inspected by". Mine was unsigned. I know these things are normally not signed when I see them in product boxes, but I didn't find this inspection card until several weeks after delivery, and I had to sit down because I was laughing so hard. So at least I got a laugh. Yep, life is short - laugh, love, be kind, and enjoy!

splitting_lanes · 02-11-2023, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DT6

Escape now provides a postcard like note in your new trailer when you take delivery, and it is titled "Inspected by". Mine was unsigned. I know these things are normally not signed when I see them in product boxes, but I didn't find this inspection card until several weeks after delivery, and I had to sit down because I was laughing so hard. So at least I got a laugh. Yep, life is short - laugh, love, be kind, and enjoy!

I have yet to find any inspection card in our trailer. We have had a few things that slipped through the cracks, and one we still gotta deal with.

Good to know they are inspecting them now.

DT6 · 02-11-2023, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splitting_lanes

I have yet to find any inspection card in our trailer. We have had a few things that slipped through the cracks, and one we still gotta deal with.

Good to know they are inspecting them now.

The reason I was laughing was that by all appearances no one had inspected the trailer, but I guess they think they get points for appearing to have done an inspection. From all the stuff we had to take care of it seemed they just tossed an unsigned card on the counter and walked away. While I'm finally glad we have the 21C, our 19 was build better back in 2018, and if we had it to do all over again, I'd look for a used one from 2018 back, maybe 2019 before the new ownership messed too much with the assembly line.

Ron in BC · 02-12-2023, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DT6

I'd look for a used one from 2018 back, maybe 2019 before the new ownership messed too much with the assembly line.

I keep seeing this kind of statement, that it was the Days of Wine and Roses before the current ownership took over.

Well, first of all, what was different, was the percentage of owners who were Canadian. They tended to not post negative things and especially, make a career out of posting the same complaints over and over again. There were two situations in that era that I know of personally that were never posted online and would curl your toes.

I'm really hoping that one day this constant refrain of the good ol days will end.

Ron

Escape_19 · 02-12-2023, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

I keep seeing this kind of statement, that it was the Days of Wine and Roses before the current ownership took over..
I'm really hoping that one day this constant refrain of the good ol days will end.

Ron

Oh really Ron....really?? Did things diminish in about 2016 according to you?https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post436687

Doug2000 · 02-13-2023, 05:04 AM

The best trailers ever, designed to leak. My 2007 17B leaked twice. Once the rubber for the fixed dinette window shrunk and a leak developed, the other time, the 9"x9" bath fan needed resealing. I always store my trailer nose down. The water from the leaks ran to the front corners dropped down into the pontoons and out the weeping holes you showed.

My 2020 19 had caulking on a few of the drain holes, I figured a new employee sealed them up. I did take a few minutes to trim the flooring at the front corners so water can get into the pontoons.

Our Escape, is the only trailer on the market that is really designed to handle a leak.

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