Brand New 5.0 Issues

[sharychen127@gmail.com]

Hi Everyone,

We bought a brand new 5.0 in April this year but have experienced many issues already. We were wondering if anyone else has had similar problems.

1. The AC inverter stopped working altogether one night when only a C-pap was connected.
2. The hatch window above the bed doesn’t lock and gets blown open by wind and bed got wet in windy/rainy situations (broke within a week, during our drive back to Chicago from Chilliwack after picking up the RV)
3. Water pump stops working when it’s around 98 deg out. Then it’s been getting louder and louder even in cooler temperatures now.
4. The stove top glass shattered into thousands of tiny pieces.
5. Frameless window by the dinette is off rail and flops open all the time. Btw the awning post blocks this window from opening (bad design)
6. Screws fell out of kitchen drawer railing and cabinet and drawer/ cabinet cannot be closed
7. Gas strut rivets fell out of cabinet above bed
8. Hatch above propane tank cannot be locked
9. Deadbolt on main door doesn’t lock
10. Main door lock doesn’t work from inside (red knob)

We’re disappointed there are some many issues when we thought Escape was good quality. We’re on a roadtrip back up th Chilliwack to get these fixed under warranty.

We’d appreciate if there’s anything else we should be looking for and try to get fixed while we’re there. Thanks!

 

[jjdeluca]

Sorry to hear you're having so many issues with your new 5.0.

Just wondering if you may have hit a large "bump" during your travels, as that could explain a number of the issues (ie frameless window off track, broken glass stove top, screws/rivets fell out). I recently had to replace a window operator which came out of the track after hitting a bump.

We did also have problems with the escape hatch crank mechanism (replaced by ETI) & deadbolt door lock (ETI sent a new lock, under warranty, but I opted to install an RV lock instead).

I'm sure ETI will take care of you and you'll have smooth sailing ahead! Good Luck.
Jim

 

[sharychen127@gmail.com]

Thanks Jim. We don’t recall having hit any major bumps, but certainly a few smaller bumps. It’s good to hear someone having a few of the similar issues. We were starting to think our 5.0 was built on a Friday

 

[occer]

There are several of us 5.0 owners that have had a problem with the escape hatch above the bed. It’s the crank mechanism. Escape didn’t make the hatch they only installed it, But a few more people having problems and they will start using a different brand.

Ours broke on the way home from picking up the trailer, escape sent a replacement mechanism and so far the new one is working.

 

[MrLynn]

Good grief! I don't think I've ever seen a list of problems like that with a new Escape less than a year old. How many miles have you put on it? How fast did you go over those bumps?

Not to suggest you were at fault. But I'd sure have ETI check the tires and axles while they're going over the rest.

 

[sharychen127@gmail.com]

occer,
Good to know there are others with the hatch issue. Ours broke during our stay in Bothell right after we picked up the 5.0.

MrLynn,
We were careful to slow down on the bumps. We’ve put on about 2000-3000 miles before most of those things broke down. Thanks for the suggestion on checking the tires and axels.

I forgot to mention that the bathroom fan also stopped working. Not sure if that’s a common problem.

Thanks everyone for your feedback!!

 

[Al Y]

Yikes, that is quite the list. Fwiw, once replaced, keep that track on the overhead hatch lubricated with a PTFE dry lube spray. Even new, they should have been lubricated once installed. At best those hatch mechanisms are cheap, cheap, cheap. Good luck.

 

[sharychen127@gmail.com]

Thanks for the tip!

 

[sharychen127@gmail.com]

Good grief! I don't think I've ever seen a list of problems like that with a new Escape less than a year old. How many miles have you put on it? How fast did you go over those bumps?

Not to suggest you were at fault. But I'd sure have ETI check the tires and axles while they're going over the rest.

There might be something wrong with the axel or alignment since the tire thread is more worn on the outside.

 

[KLEnterprise]

Many problems with our Escape 21, just delivered. Poor quality control and cheap components compared to what we were expecting. Furnace not working w/o removing connection to grill, windows leaking, $395 split window in back opens only 3” on bottom after being told it would “improve ventilation” so now only 1 opening window in bed area, leaky hatch cover, unusable wobbly table, missing sewer hose and documentation for component.. A very disappointing experience for a new and expensive trailer! Should have bought a Big Foot again. Buyer beware.

 

[Al Y]

That’s a shame. Our new 5.0 hasn’t had a single issue. It has been everything we hoped for. Our experience over the years with R.V’s is that often issues are caused by user error or owners choosing the wrong components. Hope you can work through the issues. Enjoy.

 

[sharychen127@gmail.com]

You’re lucky to not have any issues with your 5.0. I can confidently say the majority of the issues in my list were not due to user error, especially after Escape serviced our 5.0. Regarding the tire threads wearing out faster on the outer edge of the tire, Escape didn’t root cause the problem. But when we brought the camper to Camping world for a different issue, they actually found bent axles, which are under axle manufacturer warranty.

 

[Ron in BC]

and cheap components compared to what we were expecting.

$395 split window in back opens only 3” on bottom after being told it would “improve ventilation” so now only 1 opening window in bed area,

I'm a little surprised by your component comment. Every component is spelled out or plainly visible to a prospective buyer.

I'm no fan of an opening rear window and wouldn't have one but no matter how much it opens you can't say that it doesn't improve ventilation when compared to a fixed window.

The plus is that there's always buyers that would purchase a unit closer to their home than ETI and the resale market is good. So you can easily sell your Escape and get that Bigfoot.

Ron

 

[Al Y]

You’re lucky to not have any issues with your 5.0. I can confidently say the majority of the issues in my list were not due to user error, especially after Escape serviced our 5.0. Regarding the tire threads wearing out faster on the outer edge of the tire, Escape didn’t root cause the problem. But when we brought the camper to Camping world for a different issue, they actually found bent axles, which are under axle manufacturer warranty.

Copy. My error, I should have clarified that my comment was more directed at the KLEnterprise post - which I find a bit suspect.

 

[DanandDaphne]

Many problems with our Escape 21, just delivered. Poor quality control and cheap components compared to what we were expecting. Furnace not working w/o removing connection to grill, windows leaking, $395 split window in back opens only 3” on bottom after being told it would “improve ventilation” so now only 1 opening window in bed area, leaky hatch cover, unusable wobbly table, missing sewer hose and documentation for component.. A very disappointing experience for a new and expensive trailer! Should have bought a Big Foot again. Buyer beware.

Hey neighbor, sorry you are having trouble with your Escape.

You can improve the frameless awning windows increasing how much they open with a simple modification. It only takes a few minutes per window. I did this to the split rear windows and the kitchen window. I didn't do the dinette window that is behind the awning arm, or the ones in the loft or bathroom as they are not very tall. Here's a youtube that shows you how to do this.

What do you mean by leaky windows? Do they leak around the frame where it contacts the fiberglass side wall? If so they will need to be reinstalled. Escape would pay for this under warranty. And leaking hatch cover do you mean storage hatch? Is it the hatch gasket or is it leaking where it is installed? We opted for no exterior hatches except for the Propane compartment and the small storage above the propane tanks.

Lot's of people have the problem you are having with your furnace, we didn't but it can be remedied with replacing the flex duct with a smooth piece of metal dryer duct.

The sewer hose provided by Escape is just a cheapy, I replaced ours with a Camco Rhino hose. I still have the new hose provided by Escape if you want it, I could drop it by if you want to PM me your address. And I'd be glad to look at your trailer and help you resolve your problems.

It doesn't sound like anything insurmountable, you would likely have similar problems with a new Bigfoot as well. The components they use are much the same as Escape uses, windows, hatches, furnace, etc. none of which are as good as they once were.

 

[Buzz505]

Be very careful when saying your trailer is not the best built RV. The guy from Kansas (yea I know) will tell you to sell it and stay in a motel or a tent. Most people on this forum have been indoctrinated into thinking they bought the best thing since sliced bread. We have had alot of problems in the 3 years we have owned it mostly with the electrical. This past week I removed the top step in our 5.0, 29 screws were used and on top of that it was glued down. The people that assemble the trailers are clearly untrained and pulled off the street to work there without training or common sense. Sorry you are joining the group of people that bought into this. If Escape will fix it, great, they have ignored most of us.

 

[LRL]

Be very careful when saying your trailer is not the best built RV. The guy from Kansas (yea I know) will tell you to sell it and stay in a motel or a tent. Most people on this forum have been indoctrinated into thinking they bought the best thing since sliced bread. We have had alot of problems in the 3 years we have owned it mostly with the electrical. This past week I removed the top step in our 5.0, 29 screws were used and on top of that it was glued down. The people that assemble the trailers are clearly untrained and pulled off the street to work there without training or common sense. Sorry you are joining the group of people that bought into this. If Escape will fix it, great, they have ignored most of us.

I have not walked an inch in your shoes, so no argument against your lived experience. I’m sorry it’s been so horrible for you, but am pleased to see that after all of that, you still have and presumably use your 5.0! I am also happy to say that it’s been a quite different experience for us. We have had some warranty problems with our new E23, and have found ETI after sales to be very responsive and to really advocate for us.

 

[claude6543]

There are quite a few stories on this forum of owners justifiably angry with quality issues, when we pay higher price precisely to avoid Jayco-like junk.

I was thus apprehensive when taking delivery of my 5.0 in July.

I must have lucked out. Travelled from Chilliwack down to L.A., back to Ottawa by way of Nevada, Utah, etc. Over 6 weeks on the road, not a single problem. Nothing, nada. Everything works precisely as it should.

But it shouldn’t be luck of the draw.

 

[WillyB]

I put RV problems into two categories to better compare RV "Manufacturer" quality and RV "Supplier" quality.

Category 1: Manufacturing Defects
** Missing Screws, bad wiring, etc.

Category 2: Supplier Defects
** Bent Axels, Leaking Windows, etc.

It's my belief that the RV Component conglomerates like Lippert are the main sources of RV quality problems.

Hope this helps.

 

[BritCanuck]

We just had a warranty repair done. Not only did Escape come and pick up the trailer for us from Vancouver Island, they reimbursed us for various out of pocket expenses (having to cancel a booked camping trip) as well as an additional payment for 'inconvenience' due to a slightly delayed repair.

Wonder how many other RV companies would do that?!