Escape Durability and Off-Road Capability

[gbaglo]

Hi: gbaglo... You've been down that road before!!!:whistling: Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

And often. See post #3.

 

[Dave & Penny Smith]

Our recent experience may have some relevance to those considering rough road travel with their Escapes. On a trip to Cathedral Gorge S.P. in NV, we were moving camp. After dumping our tanks at the park's dump station, I pulled back on to the main road (the dump station had an elevated gravel pad). Apparently I was closer to the edge of the pad than I realized, and one trailer wheel went off the edge of the pad. We were moving rather slowly and I didn't think that the drop was all that significant. However, when we arrived at our next camp and entered the trailer, we found that the inner pane of our rear window had cracked in numerous places. As the outer pane was intact, and everything on the interior of the trailer was in place, we can only conclude that the trailer's "twisting" due to the drop-off had resulted in the breakage. Temperatures were fairly mild--highs in the 70s and lows above freezing. Thus, I don't think that expansion or contraction of the glass was a factor.

The Escape is a 2015 17B which we picked up in Aug. of that year. Apparently the Hehr windows are only warranted for one year. So we're in the process of having the window replaced locally. While I've tried to minimize rough road travel with the trailer, many of the public campgrounds in the west involve dirt or gravel roads. The experience with the broken window will make me more conservative as to rougher roads in the future. I know folks have reported cabinets opening and even refrigerator doors falling off, but I don't recall any reports of broken windows.

Dave

 

[sumac.rhus (2017 17B)]

I really like this thread. Shows the capability and durability of Escape trailers and some of the great places people have been off the beaten path. Not hardcore as trailer was on only a few unpaved roads but handled it well. I think these trailers can go down any reasonable road if provisions for securing gear is made and speed is reduced accordingly. The ability to tow the trailer with a 4X4 SUV and also carry canoes/kayaks creates great flexibility. Set up your basecamp and then unhitch and explore. We had an amazing time this past summer on a lakefront site and explored some of the 1.1 million acres of the Pinelands National Reserve. Most people don't realize this unique and beautiful area covers 22% of NJ.

It's actually NOT a bad joke that NJ is called "The Garden State". Appalachian Trail and Pine Barrens just a couple reasons.
Great canoeing and tubing in the Pine Barrens/Pinelands.

 

[yardsale]

Few additional items.

I have heard that dual axles offer a smoother off road ride than single axle.
Our Microwave shook loose. It not securely fastened to the front of the frame. When you go over a bump the rear of the microwave rotates upward putting high torque on the front retaining "L" frames. Either go without microwave or add support to the rear of the microwave that will prevent it from rotating upward during rough roads.