Under carriage care

[Geo-ESC]

What if any undercarriage care.
IE greese the axle bearings,
Wash and wax the bottom of the escape.
I am going to line -X the wheel wells.
Also repaint the frame where the propane cover rubs on the metal.
Any thought ideas?
geo

 

[escape artist]

Hi: Geo...So far our "Down Under" looks like the pic's. I bought a spray can of Krown to do the frame...but haven't got any round "TUITS". I've had the bearings repacked once and the brakes adjusted. Just about time to do 'em again!!! I used a pressure washer to clean it once and then hose it off every time out. Gotta get some Tremclad to do the pin box this spring and that's about it. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

 

[Geo-ESC]

Our 19 footer is 1/2 ayear old.
Bare metal where the propane tank cover rubbs on the frame, needs painting or other?
Reece line-X the front, I'm thinking of doing the well wheels.
I think that I will paint the whole frame, maybe with tough coat?
Also time to rewax the entire trailer including the bottom.
I just drive it over a mechanics pit or up on ramps.
geo

 

[Yukon Escape]

I asked about lining the whell wells when we ordered our 19 ftr, and was told there did not seem to be a problem with rock chips in this area.

Doug

 

[PGDriver]

We've had our 19 all over BC for 2 summers and the wheel
wells look pretty good so far....

 

[Geo-ESC]

My wheel wells look pretty good so far.
I find it is a little hard to clean them out!
To do a good job in the fall I pull the tires on one side and then the other.
Hence the thought of line-x (or simmalar product) in the wheel wells.
We are glad, we did the front.
Geo

 

[Devil Dog-ESC]

Hi, Would automotive under coat help the underside against rust and moisture.? And is the flooring made from wood and is it exposed or coated with something?

Thanks.

 

[escape artist]

Hi, Would automotive under coat help the underside against rust and moisture.? And is the flooring made from wood and is it exposed or coated with something?

Thanks.

Hi: Devil Dog... The entire exterior surface is covered in fiberglass. The plywood sub floor is on the inside of the trailer and is sandwiched between the fiberglass shell and the linoleum. The drainage "Pontoons" are visable along the frame rails and help to cover the exposed frame from view. If you accidently left the water running in the trailer and the sink overflowed the drainage "Pontoons" would carry the water away from the perimiter of the trailer interior. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

 

[Devil Dog-ESC]

Hi Alf, Now I see from your picks it's just the exposed frame that may need a fresh coat of rust paint from time to time. or that spray on under coat you can get in spray bombs at "crappy tire". I think my 2012 17 comes with mud flaps as standard equipment which will help protect the rear quarter panels from rocks and such.The drainage pontoons do they have drain cocks or are they open all the time.?

Mike.

 

[Devil Dog-ESC]

Someone a while ago asked what type of tires would survive the Dempster Hi-way. about 9 years ago I did the whole trip with a Boler From Vancouver up the Alaska Hi-way to Anchorage up the top of the World AKA chicken Hi-way to Dawson then up to Inuvik and back to Van. in 18 days. And My tires of choice where BF Goodrich All Terrains on both truck and trailer. And not one flat. Those roads up there are brutal the Dempster is all shale with edges on the rocks like razor blades. When I got home there was 1/4 in. ware on my new tires compared to the spares which I never used. To day a 17" BF goes for $250 each not cheap I just put new ones on the 06 Tacoma $ 1,200 bucks tax in...Ouch.! for 4.
Mike

 

[escape artist]

Hi: Devil Dog... The drain holes are open (1/4"or less) holes. Not very many in the lowest areas, but enough to let out any condensation or overflow water. No amount of road spray can get in, but I wouldn't back your 17'er down a boat ramp to see if it'll float!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

 

[Eddys]

Alf - You must spend many hours when not out camping cleaning the Escape Hatch! That undercarriage is pristine. I bet not too many of us would dare show photos of that part of our anatomy...
Jenny

 

[escape artist]

Hi: Eddys... Jenny; The best thing about molded fiberglass trailers and Escape trailers in particular is that you can use copious amounts of water from the garden hose or borrow a pressure washer from a neighbour to take care of the "Bare bottom".
I haven't taken to off roading with "Our Escape Hatch"... but we do have a 4X4 pickup now!!! :-\ Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

 

[gbaglo]

or borrow a pressure washer from a neighbour to take care of the "Bare bottom".

[/quote]

Watch that pressure washer. If not used with care, it can blow gel-coat off the fiberglass mat. I know, cause I did it to a boat.

baglo

 

[Devil Dog-ESC]

Pressure washing on hi pressure will mess up the window seals if your not care full. A nice soft brush and a bucket of soapy water is the safest way to go. That suds and shine with the built in wax and clear-coat protector works for me.
But a hand wax in the fall is a must for that long term shine.

 

[escape artist]

Hi: All... I've only done the pressure washer thing once. I know how much care is required with those blasters. I've also seen the damage that can be done to a gel-coat surface. The Trill. owner was so proud of getting the black mold off his trailer in prep. for selling it. Trouble was it needed painting to cover up the shaded areas!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie