Where is the worst place you successfully towed your Escape to

[Karen H.]

I ran into one of these rigs two summers ago. The guy was almost finished outfitting it and had plans to go down through Central America and into South America. I think the whole idea is to make a vehicle that can be taken places where there are little to no facilities or services available. In this case, starting out with a lightweight fiberglass unit would make sense.

 

[escape artist]

Hi: KarenH... Watch the first step...It's a doozie!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

 

[Brian B-P]

Someplace in the archives was a fella who wanted to marry a classic 5.0 to a truck frame and do exactly what you're describing.

That's likely this topic: 5.0 Dimensions and Making It a Slide-In

 

[sturski]

Let me get back to this in a year. I'm notorious for pulling my T@B up 4wd roads and camping in inaccessible places. There's a reason I have 4wd low and a winch. I'll tone it down a bit when my Escape 19 arrives; but only a little.

 

[cpaharley2008]

Just found this neat US made expedition trailer that can be quite nice inside
ADAK Trailers -

 

[rbryan4]

Just found this neat US made expedition trailer that can be quite nice inside
ADAK Trailers -

Wow! That thing looks like an armored personnel carrier. They ought to mount a .50 cal on top.

 

[J Mac]

interesting rig. no price tho.

 

[Brian B-P]

Although the ADAK doesn't have much to do with an Escape, it does illustrate some of the features that may be desirable on a trailer expected to go to those "worst places".

• large diameter tires (31" tall, BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO, likely 235 mm or wider in 16" wheel diameter)
• rear of body tapered up for clearance
• bars protecting lower body edges
• rigid body construction
• heavy-duty components
• nothing hanging down

I think an Escape can be sort of close, since it is solidly constructed, well-packaged, and has good-sized tires; however, the sewer outlet should be considered and some protective structure might be worthwhile.

 

[MyronL]

Not in our Escape, but back a bunch of years we took our 16 ft Scamp to the Chaco Culture National Park-- I think it was New Mexico Route 57 -- and why that trailer did not shake itself to bits remains the mystery. No question that road (to, the very nice visitors center beside the Chaco ruins,) is the worst maintained dirt "path" west of the Brazzos. It was I think 33 miles of teeth-gnashing axle grinding brake shoe loosening misery.

 

[alanmalk]

No question that road (to, the very nice visitors center beside the Chaco ruins,) is the worst maintained dirt "path" west of the Brazzos. It was I think 33 miles of teeth-gnashing axle grinding brake shoe loosening misery.

I'll second that. April, 2013: Broke off the battery hold-down bracket on my 4-Runner on that road.

Got any weak spots on your vehicle? Use that road to find them!

--
Alan

 

[cpaharley2008]

I like the plumbing and wiring set up in the ADAK, all come together at a central point. And the cassette toilet, no black tank to deal with.

 

[Brian B-P]

I like the plumbing and wiring set up in the ADAK, all come together at a central point. And the cassette toilet, no black tank to deal with.

Agreed. Also no large black tank drain that must slope down well. With no flat vertical sides, it would be a lot of fiberglass work to fit a cassette toilet to an Escape.

 

[J Mac]

Here's another nonfiberglass rig with a few extra gadgets. KiraVan Terrestrial Spaceship | DudeIWantThat.com