Which trailer did you choose and why? 13, 15A or B, 17A and B

shanngord

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2010
Messages
195
Sorry people! I just got tired of a topic with close to 30 replies that implies that Escape makes 19 footers and 5.0 5th wheels only.

Although Glenn and RogerCH articulated replies that reminded readers of the benifits of the smaller sizes of Escape trailers, we were being lost in the roar.

As Glenn and RogerCH stated: two of the obvious benifits of the 17 and smaller trailers are the size of the tow vehicle and manueverabililty.
The other advantage is that there is only enough room for 2, maybe 3 in a pinch, so every relative or friend sleeping in a tent cannot move in on you when it rains outside (hence the outside shower as well).

As we like to camp in more remote Forest Service unimproved campsites, I heard (on an expedition-type forum) that tandem torsion-suspensions axels where prone to flex problems when on uneven ground: one of the other reasons we chose what we chose. Small also fits into a standard carport/garage.

Most of us have stated in previous posts perceived advantages, but what are your thoughts on small?
 
.... at 34 feet total length, tug and TT fit into 2 regular sized mall parking spots ;D
 
We used the shower every day for the last 9 days. Gotta love it!

I can go a few days without showering when hunting, fishing, backpacking, etc, but when urban camping that is distinctly uncivilized.

Out of 9 nights, we used paid commercial campgrounds twice - both times on Indian reservations. The rest where stealth and Walmart.
 
The smaller trailers are more nostalgic - reminiscent of the Boler era.

Can a 19 or 5.0 truly be called an "egg"?
 
shanngord said:
The smaller trailers are more nostalgic - reminiscent of the Boler era.

Can a 19 or 5.0 truly be called an "egg"?
Hi: Shanngord...YEP!!! GRADE A EXTRA LARGE double yolkers ;D Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie ;)
 
escape artist said:
shanngord said:
The smaller trailers are more nostalgic - reminiscent of the Boler era.

Can a 19 or 5.0 truly be called an "egg"?
Hi: Shanngord...YEP!!! GRADE A EXTRA LARGE double yolkers ;D Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie ;)

Had a duck as a kid that would consistantly lay "double yolkers". Poor girl!
 
I bought the 17B because I wanted an indoor bathroom and I wanted a length that I could maneuver all by myself :). I also wanted a bunk bed. I have GMC pick up that I use as a tow vehicle.

Talkng about yolkers....here's my 'egg' story...my 5 year old son and I named our trailer "Free Range Egg" when we brought it home....recently, on one of our camping trips, my son woke up in the early morning and the first words out of his mouth were "are we in Scrambled Egg"? So, our 17B is now known as "Scrambled Egg". ;D
 
Looking at all the reasons (Quality no. 1) why people buy different sized Escapes, I'd say you were all eggonomically correct! Peter
 
Initially I was looking at the 13 and 15 because I was fearful of towing and thought that it would be easier to tow something smaller. In the end, through lots of discussion with friends that had both a 17B and a 19, I chose a 17B. I definitely wanted a bathroom, otherwise, I may as well be camping in a tent :)

But my friends brought up great points like whether or not I wanted to put away my bed every day in order to use a table when it was raining? And where would I store my blankets in the meantime?

Also, with a shorter trailer, it was actually harder to park because of the turning radius. It would turn a lot quicker. Having said that, I'm sure I would have gotten used to it... but still one of the factors in my decision.

I'm really happy with my 17B. I can back it up and park it without a lot of problems. Last night, I backed it up right up to the fence and right on the the boards I had set up earlier to make the back level. Now that's awesome!!

I enjoy that I have a nice bed to stretch out on and don't have to put away or stuff somewhere and enjoy having a little table to set my laptop on so that I can sip coffee while playing a morning game :)

Ahh how I'm going to miss camping for the next four months :'(
 
You might consider 2 axles like the 19ft has. 2 Axles are easier to back up and I like the made up bed and the 4 person dinette.
 
I thought I wanted a 19 for the four person dinette and bed always set up. They don't show up used very often.

Fortunately the 2005 17B appeared for sale here in town. Impulse buy later and we have a trailer.

On the three trips we made since Sept it has been great. As has been mentioned earlier we use our trailer like a hard sided tent, doing most of our cooking and recreation outdoors. Since we are older the bathroon is great in the middle of the night even if it is a bit cramped for me. (6ft 210lbs)

Maybe our 2nd trailer will be a 19 although Ellen likes the 5ers
 
Interesting post, coming from a teardrop trailer to a "standie" I can say my struggle to tow something larger is very real. Our needs are a double bed, toilet, and small sitting area. Sounds like a 17 until we saw the rear bed size. Guess that moves us to a 19 and getting comfortable with yet a larger trailer, or looking at other trailers with larger rear bed.
Dave
 
Since I travel solo & can leave the rear dinette/bed set up for sleeping, the 17B fits my travel style. I tow with a RAV4 which gets 24MPG (US) and 15 MPG towing. 20,000 miles so far & the combination works for me. The bathroom was critical after getting lost walking back from the campground bathrooms at 3:00AM in a 700+ site campground when we were tenting!
 
Vermilye said:
The bathroom was critical after getting lost walking back from the campground bathrooms at 3:00AM in a 700+ site campground when we were tenting!

Jon, you forgot the part about sitting up until 2:00 and killing of a bottle of rum. ;D
 
Boy I wish I could use that as an excuse. We were sober, just walking along talking when we realized we had walked a lot longer going back to the tent than going to the bathrooms. A bit of the wrong time to be knocking on doors (or tent flaps) or shining around with a flashlight to figure out where we were. Eventually we hit familiar ground & made it back, but that is when the decision that a self contained bathroom was a necessity!
 
True though, I rarely ever use the bathroom in the trailer except for those middle of the night callings. It is nice to have it then.
 
Jim Bennett said:
True though, I rarely ever use the bathroom in the trailer except for those middle of the night callings. It is nice to have it then.

Ditto...
 

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