My "Escape to Margaritaville" Alterations & Mods

[jack sparrow]

Hey All,

With some old and new members that are getting new trailers or have had theirs for a while, I've seen some asking questions about hitch locks.

I have had the Proven Industries hitch lock since day one of receiving my Escape. I purchased it before my Escape ever arrived and have been more than happy with the quality and construction of Proven Industries hitch lock. There are others out there, but the best I found is Proven Industries. I have also heard that Fort Knox locks are good as well, but I have no experience or information about them.

At the end of the day, it's all about what you want and what gives you peace of mind. Proven Industries hitch lock gives me that peace. The model number for this one is: 2178-A
My Escape is a 2023 21ne.

Note: The model: 2178 DID NOT work on my 2023 Escape 21ne.

The kicker here as some will chime in........ if they want your trailer........ they will get it......
AND as I've stated before as well....... I'm not going to just hand it over to them on a silver platter. I worked hard for my Escape and I plan on keeping what is mine.

Add add add layers of security to your property, make them really have to work for it if they want it. They are NOT going to just hitch up to mine and drive off, and if they do....... I've got GPS tracking to see where it is. Check out "DEWALT MOBILELOCK" worth every penny.


Well I've said my 2 cents...... Enjoy the photos and as always your thoughts and comment are very much welcomed. Let us know what you use and any security tips that you've come up with along the way.

Cheers to ya............. and Happy Trails..........Jack

 

[jack sparrow]

Hey All,

While on the subject of security, here is another thing I do and some before me have done as well.
When I park my Escape at home or by some chance I had to have it on a storage lot (NOT HAPPENING) by chance. I remove my license plate and replace it with the one in the photo here.

I do these on my laser..... only takes a few minutes, and well if someone sees my trailer going down the road, maybe hopefully some body will see this plate and act on the request to call and report it.

Just another layer.......right????

As always, your thoughts and comment are welcome here, be sure to share what you have or do to add layers of security for your rig.....

Cheers to ya.......... and Happy Trails..........Jack

 

[brjohnso]

Good Advice. I have the proven lock also. Other things you can do are:

1. Park your vehicle in front of it so that they would have to steal both to get at the trailer.
2. Put an AirTag in the trailer, hidden.
3. Disable the electric jack, if you have one. This makes it a real pain because you can't retract it easily.
4, Add a wheel lock, or take the wheels off when in long term remote storage.

----------------------
Bruce Johnson
RVModMaster.com - Accessories and Mods designed for the Escape.

 

[HABBERDABBER]

Just remember to put "CHECK LICENSE PLATE" on your checklist, and use the checklist.
You do have a checklist, I trust.
I wouldn't want to see you with your hands up, along the side of the road, with the flashing lights and officer reading you your rights.

 

[jack sparrow]

Hey Bruce,

Thanks for the come back and the great tips you shared here with us.
Haven't done the take the wheels off for long term storage, but I've got the air tags in place and I do not have the electric jack, but I did modify my jack with a special lock that more than likely you'll not have the tool to crank it up or down with. I also made up the same type of jack to go in the rear receiver at the back of the trailer and when I'm parked it's down and in place as well..... so if you are trying to jack up the front, this rear one will counteract with what you are doing up front, or trying to do.

Thanks again....

Cheer to ya........ and Happy Trails.........Jack

 

[jack sparrow]

I heard that HabberDabber,

But the way I do this is...... I put my real plate in the house with my trailer keys wrapped around it. So I always have to go for the key, thus the plate too and I switch them then first.

Thanks for your comment and tip.....

Cheers to ya........ and Happy Trails.........Jack

 

[Mike G]

I bought a brass Master lock and a 3/16" wire security cable which I loop through two of the wheels. Those cables are tough to cut without a torch.

 

[iamunique127]

Add add add layers of security to your property, make them really have to work for it if they want it. They are NOT going to just hitch up to mine and drive off, and if they do....... I've got GPS tracking to see where it is. Check out "DEWALT MOBILELOCK" worth every penny.

I'd be interested in stickers like that GPS warning?

 

[jack sparrow]

Hi iamunique127,

I purchased these on amazon years ago. However I did search for them today and found them under this link.

Amazon.com

These are the words I used to locate them inthe amazon search: "gps equipt warning stickers"

There are many different ones to choose from, good luck...

Cheers to ya....... and happy Trails.......Jack

 

[iamunique127]

Hi iamunique127,

I purchased these on amazon years ago. However I did search for them today and found them under this link.

Amazon.com

These are the words I used to locate them inthe amazon search: "gps equipt warning stickers"

There are many different ones to choose from, good luck...

Cheers to ya....... and happy Trails.......Jack

Sweet. Somehow I didn't think of that.
I see there are a lot of choices on Amazon Canada as well.
Thanks

 

[kernwig]

I've got GPS tracking to see where it is. Check out "DEWALT MOBILELOCK" worth every penny.

That's $199 + $20/month

Alternative: Old smartphone with cracked screen (free) + Tello data-only cell service ($5/month) + Find My Device app (free)

EDIT:

Clarification if you are considering this, setup a separate Google/Apple account for the tracking phone so that a thief doesn't get access to your phone. You can login to that account from your own cellphone as well, to Find My Device.... but in the Android ecosystem you can also turn on Location Sharing in Google Maps. Share the location with your normal account so that you can see where the trailer is. (Also good if you have trouble finding to where you parked!) Back in the tracker's Google account, the Google Maps timeline history view where the trailer has been. So even if thieves find or block the tracker, or loose cell service, you can follow the path. Finally, there's a limited geofence feature in Google Maps so you can be alerted when the trailer leaves home, and more advanced apps available to do more.

I'm sure Apple ecosystem can do all of this too.

 

[jack sparrow]

Thanks kernwig for sharing the information. Haven't heard of them, but, worth checking out. They have many plans and you can build your own as well.

Worth checking out.....

Cheers to ya.......... and Happy Trails........Jack

 

[jack sparrow]

Hello All,

I noticed that in my post here (#77 #145 #161) dealing with lighting that I use in my overhead cabinets, pantry, under bed and bench storage areas , that I never gave a link to these lights. The are really great led lights that draw little current and they are bright. They come with an array of mounting hardware and options to do so. These that I purchased came 4 to a pack and reasonably priced.

Here is the amazon link to them: Amazon.com

Your thoughts and comments are always welcome............ so let us know if you've used these yourself, plain to, or have a different type that works better for you.

Cheers to ya....... and Happy Trails.......Jack

 

[jack sparrow]

Hi All,
Happy New Year to you all.

With the Holidays and doing some traveling, I haven't had time for Mods or Alterations.
Still working on new Projects to come, however I have made an add-on to my escape.

Added a little classic accessory from the past to "My Margaritaville" .

I've been wanting a Continental Spare Tire cover for my Escape 21ne. I was able to locate one and placed an order. This Continental kit I purchased fits perfect for the 205/75/15 tire. The center part of this cover matched the color of the trailer. The outer band is of stainless steel. The latch that couples and locks it in place has a key lock with dust cover.

Here is the link to the product on eBay. Continental Kit, New Polished Stainless Steel 15" Spare Tire Fits 205 75R 15 | eBay


Here are a few photos of this addition. The center Logo is of my own and not a part of this kit.

As always your comments and thoughts are welcome.

Cheers to ya...........and Happy Trails........... Jack

 

[DT6]

We went with the Ft. Knox lock enclosure which is equal to the the Proven Industries hitch lock enclosure. However, what can make the difference is the actual lock you choose. Check out the "Lock Picking Lawyer" on YouTube for a detailed review of actual locks before you buy one, and it's a good idea to check out his videos on a lock you may already have. The issue the Lock Picking Lawyer had several years ago with Proven Industries was not the enclosure, but the lock they were using which proved incredibly easy to drill and remove. There are upgraded/hardened locks for both these enclosures, and I highly recommend you check them out if you have not already. I can't imagine anything more frustrating than spending several hundred dollars on a trailer tongue lock only to see it sitting next to a drilled-out lock where your trailer used to be.

 

[Ron in BC]

Added a little classic accessory from the past to "My Margaritaville" .

Very classy.

Ron

 

[HABBERDABBER]

The rest of the story?
So what do the tire cover logo initials represent?

 

[jack sparrow]

Hey HABBERDABBER,

The initials go way back to a nick name that my wife has given to me and still uses it on a daily bases.
My logo is represent " Over The Top " thus my nick-name O T T........

I was given this marking because she says I go over and above on all that I do, thus again...... Over The Top....

I was working on a laser project in my shop one day and came up with the design of my logo and I put it on all the different crafts I make to give away or sell.

So my friend....... now you know the rest of the story

Cheers to ya......... and Happy Trails.......... Jack

 

[jack sparrow]

Hey DT6,

Thanks for the information and kick back. Yes you are right. I watched "Lock Picking Lawyer" back when I was looking at all the different locks and I went with the upgraded lock for my Proven Industry tongue lock.

I have been well pleased with their customer service and line of products.

Thanks for sharing....

Cheers to ya...... and Happy Trails........ Jack

 

[HABBERDABBER]

OTT, if I may call you that
I think, with all the mods you've done, you're well over the top and through the roof.
Keep 'em coming.