Help Us Name the New Escape 5.0 Tandem Axle

Escape 5.0 II (Roman numeral II standinding for generation 2 of the fifth wheel)

Escape 5.0 XX (roman numeral XX standing for 20 foot length)
 
Those 'classic' 5.0's will be around for quite some time (I hope!). If one were selling their 5.0 (either version) or buying a used 5.0 it would be helpful to be clear as to which 5.0 it is.
This is the same issue as with cars, which is addressed by identifying the model year. Since trailers don't follow such as well-known model year progression, just specifying the year might not be as effective a descriptive tool as it is with cars... so some indication in the name might be beneficial for this reason.

Plus, it is a real change in dimensions and structure from the 'classic' 5.0.
Although a meaningful change in dimensions, structurally there seems to be no greater change than the detail tweaks that occurred from 17' to 10', or 19' to 21'. I see this as next model revision, but nothing fundamentally different... but it will still matter to most buyers which version they're getting.

The biggest technical change is those beam axles and leaf springs (instead of Torflex), but I don't think that should drive the naming or the declaration of a "next generation".
 
Actually Brian, there is a big difference between the 19 and 21 frames. According to Reace the 21' is totally new 2x4 frame vs the other 2x3 frame and has more cross members. Supposedly a lot stiffer and has the larger axles/wheels.
 
The biggest different I notice between the Classic 5.0 and the new build will be in the kitchen area, then too it's flipped. Refer now on drivers side, sink on door side. Besides that new loooong counter. Swoon!
 
Actually Brian, there is a big difference between the 19 and 21 frames. According to Reace the 21' is totally new 2x4 frame vs the other 2x3 frame and has more cross members. Supposedly a lot stiffer and has the larger axles/wheels.


The 19' now also has the 2X4 frame. When Reace built the 21' frame he liked it so much he wanted to use it on the 19' too. I spoke to Reace about this a while back and he decided to go ahead and put the change into production sometime just before ours was built in August. He said the new 19' frame only weights 40 lbs more but is a lot stronger. I know ours has the new frame but not exactingly sure when the change was made.
 
I don't want to make this into a discussion of frames; my point was just thst the new 5.0 isn't a different design - it is a new size for the fifth-wheel model, so I don't see the logic in some of the special names.

Actually Brian, there is a big difference between the 19 and 21 frames. According to Reace the 21' is totally new 2x4 frame vs the other 2x3 frame and has more cross members. Supposedly a lot stiffer and has the larger axles/wheels.
Yes, every piece of steel may be a different length (due to differences in body length and width), and some are bigger in some sizes than in others, but those are just dimensions. The axles are the same (Torflex #10) but the rubber trim is adjusted between models, and I assume the start angle is as well.

I recently had a chance to look at the full line of current-production demo models at the factory, and they all are indeed the same proven design. Lengths, main frame/tongue tube size, tongue offset bend, and number of crossmembers change to suit the trailer size.

The 19' now also has the 2X4 frame. When Reace built the 21' frame he liked it so much he wanted to use it on the 19' too. I spoke to Reace about this a while back and he decided to go ahead and put the change into production sometime just before ours was built in August. He said the new 19' frame only weights 40 lbs more but is a lot stronger.
Thanks. I noticed that both 19' and 21' used the 2x4 tongue and main rails, but didn't know about the change in the 19'.
 
I like 5.1 for the same reasons Jude, Jackie and others mentioned. It follows a sequential number for the revision. This is a new design and should carry a new designation. It will be longer, higher, wider. It will have a tandem axle vs. single axle. The kitchen is flipped. There are too many changes to say it's the same model as the current 5.0. This would be no different than the bumper pulls. For example the 17B and 19' are very similar, yet carry different model numbers.
 

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom