Escape 5.0: New vs Used?

[rvnovice]

Hello Escape 5.0 owners! Can you help with some questions?

We are new to RV’s. My earlier posts had to do with the tow vehicle. With the help from the forum, we plan to order an F150. We are now debating new vs. used Escape 5.0 trailers. There is a 2018 Escape 5.0 TA available locally that we will look at later this week. We hope to visit the factory next month. Here are my questions:

• What is a typical lifetime for the Escape 5.0? Does a 2018 model still have plenty of life left?
• What items on a 2018 Escape would need replacing after 6 years? It has the original tires, which a full-time RV veteran told me should be replaced every 5-6 years regardless of wear.
• This particular trailer has an Airhead composting toilet. Any concerns about this?
• The trailer doesn’t have a lift kit, but our tow vehicle would require it (56.5” truck sides). Has anyone retrofitted a lift kit?
• Any thoughts on “new vs. used” Escape 5.0, other than the higher cost? Did any of you buy a used trailer? Were there any surprises you didn’t expect? For new models, were there any unexpected startup costs?

Thanks in advance for any advice or guidance you can offer!

 

[jjdeluca]

When we were shopping for our 5.0 last year there really weren't many used ones available and the few that were were fairly pricey. That, and the fact that we got to choose the options we wanted (and those that we didn't) swayed us to buying new. I don't believe that the 2018 version of the 5.0 is much different from the current version, other than available options (ie, we chose the "contemporary interior", which wasn't available back then). So if you're able to pick up a well maintained used 2018 model at a good price, with most of the options you're looking for, I say go for it!
Jim

 

[Centex]

All IMO just for your consideration

What is a typical lifetime for the Escape 5.0? Does a 2018 model still have plenty of life left?

Unless sorely abused or damaged a 2018 or even older Escape has a many years / decades of enjoyment left to offer​

What items on a 2018 Escape would need replacing after 6 years? It has the original tires, which a full-time RV veteran told me should be replaced every 5-6 years regardless of wear.

Tires certainly bear close inspection and replacement would be cheap 'insurance'. I'd factor in a close and complete inspection of bearings and brakes with repacking / adjustment and possibly a few part replacements (perhaps seals, brake shoes, for example) to get things back up to a 100% 'baseline' for your continuing good maintenance routine. Actually, completely new brake & bearing replacement assemblies are not that expensive in the big scheme of things and will get you to a 'like new' baseline.

One caveat is to look for uneven tire wear which might indicate axle issues (bent / misalignment, which can happen during use). If any concern of that sort either walk away or if the trailer is otherwise attractive have that checked by a competent axle shop prior to commitment. These things can be fixed (replaced), but at a cost (the Dexter axle warranty does not transfer beyond the original owner)​

This particular trailer has an Airhead composting toilet. Any concerns about this?

Totally a matter of personal preference (personally I wouldn't have one, but YMMV, no worries!). Note that some Escapes equipped with such toilets also have the (un-used) black water tank installed which facilitates easy change to a 'traditional flush-toilet' - you might see if that's the case on this unit.​

The trailer doesn’t have a lift kit, but our tow vehicle would require it (56.5” truck sides). Has anyone retrofitted a lift kit?

The 2018 5.0 uses the Dexter Torflex #10 axles common to many Escape trailers. This is the bolt-on lift kit installed by ETI, which can be added relatively easily by a competent DIY'er or trailer / axle shop: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Suspension-Parts/Dexter/K71-707-02.html​

Any thoughts on “new vs. used” Escape 5.0, other than the higher cost? Did any of you buy a used trailer? Were there any surprises you didn’t expect? For new models, were there any unexpected startup costs?

I ordered new to my spec but wouldn't hesitate to buy the 'right' pre-owned Escape trailer. As with any pre-owned purchase it all depends on condition, how it's equipped, condition, price, and condition (). Very careful inspection, including test operation of all systems, is the key to minimizing surprises / unanticipated costs. Don't sweat the little stuff, but look for it to avoid disappointment. If you don't feel confident in your ability to assess condition, and discern what's major and what's minor, perhaps spending more and buying new is the better route for you.​

Happy shopping and Good Luck!

 

[Chamberman]

I believe that the 2018's all came with the powered awning, where the manual awning is standard now with the powered awning being optional. There are benefits/drawbacks to both types and there are a few threads about this on the forum here.

I would come up with a list of must-have options from 2018 and for current models. These should be the one's you will regret not having but that are cost or labor intensive to retrofit.

For me when I went looking for a used E19 last year, the items on my short list of must-haves was a manual awning, no spray foam underneath (to allow for easier access/servicing) and the optional kitchen window and the larger fridge. We also wanted the newer Maple interior (which came out in 2019), but that wouldn't have stopped us from buying an older model. These options were all of the ones that would've been a pain or nearly impossible to install myself.

Our trailer had almost no electrical upgrade options. For many people this might be a huge turn off. However I have worked as an electro-mechanical engineer in the semiconductor industry for many years and starting with a blank slate in the electrical dept was quite attractive to me.

This brings up another point. How handy are you? A used trailer will almost certainly need some level of repairs and maintenance and being able to do this yourself is nice.

A used Escape can be a quite cost effective option, just make sure its configured well for what you want and be ready to spend a little money or elbow grease to get the upgrades and maintenance/repair work done.

 

[Perry Butler]

I believe that the 2018's all came with the powered awning, where the manual awning is standard now with the powered awning being optional. There are benefits/drawbacks to both types and there are a few threads about this on the forum here.

Our 2018 5.0 had a manual awning. The electric was option at that time.

Enjoy,

Perry

 

[brroberts]

If you look around, you will see 40-50 year old molded fiberglass trailers going strong with proper maintenance. It’s rare to see a stick built trailer survive like that in spite of the fact there are thousands more stickies.

 

[GinoandLinda]

There is some great advice already on this thread, so I'm just going to put my thoughts out there.

As others have said, bearings, brakes and tires would be my first priority. If the tires are wearing evenly, the axles should be good. Just having gone through the axle/tire replacement drama, you can plan on anywhere from $1500 to $2000 for axles/tires installed unless your DIY the axles yourself.

Personally, we love our composting toilet but they are not for everybody. The previous owner most likely had the black tank, venting and water line installed just as we diid. Fitting a typical RV toilet should be an easy job.

The big selling points of fiberglass RVs is their strength, durability and longevity. I see no reason why a 5.0 would not last 20-30 years easily with basic maintenance and care.

 

[iamunique127]

I concur with everything said by the above posters and will add some comments from our experience.

We looked for a used 5.0 when we were looking for our first Escape in 2014. We saw a single axle model locally and decided we wanted a twin axle but they had just recently been added to the Escape line-up so the number of used 5.0TAs was limited. The very few available were not outfitted as we would have liked and we wanted to get going on our adventures so we ordered a new one with most of the options available at that time: solar, dual batteries, extra windows, extra outside hatch, spray foam, heat pads, aluminum rims, etc., along with custom fabric and counter tops that we sent to ETI. Yes, we spent more than we had planned but got exactly what we wanted. You are in a favourable position buying used now because there are so many more trailers available, especially if you are willing to travel to get it.

Our 2015 5.0TA is now 9 years old and could still be mistaken for new if the observer were not up on the different generations and changes to body styles, etc. It has been towed about 18,000 kilometers on all kinds of roads and is showing no damage or wear inside or out. Once we received the trailer I stopped following this forum for a number of years as we went about using the trailer. Personally I did not need to keep up on all the latest and greatest updates in equipment and options. We are fully satisfied with what we have and everything works for us. Our manual awning works great and is trouble free. Our old-style three-way fridge keeps things cold. The dual 6 volt lead-acid batteries provide plenty of juice for our purposes. We have the wind-turbine Dometic AC and altho it's loud it cools the trailer the odd time we use it. As is often said here, Your Mileage May Vary. There are pros and cons to everything and choice is good but can also be a bit overwhelming.

As far as costs since the trailer was new, we have replaced tires once (due to age) and have replaced the batteries once as well. Last year I decided to lift the trailer on it's suspension and did the work myself which, in my case, turned out to be free because I didn't need any parts. The cost of parts to lift a trailer with torsion axles is negligible.

It is difficult to know what you want or need until you actually use your trailer. A lot depends on the type of person you are. I think you can rest assured you can be perfectly happy with any reasonably maintained Escape trailer. If you are an upgrader, the sky is the limit. If you want a useable trailer with plenty of reliability and longevity you should be able to find a good used one with a bit of patience. Many thousands of these trailers have been made and the majority of owners are out there camping with their trailers the way they came. As you probably know by now, if you come across something you'd like to change or need to fix on your Escape, this forum is invaluable.

In short, buying used is a very viable option for getting into an Escape trailer because they last well. If you can spend more money and don't mind waiting for it to be built, buy new.