I've had the box from the beginning, so I have nothing to compare it to. But I can tell you, it gets a ton of use, and in the 19 it gives you a great place for the batteries too.
Why not use the trunk instead of the front storage box?
One additional consideration. With some tow vehicles it is easy to exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating yet still have a fair amount of Trailer Weight Rating left. Moving weight from the tow vehicle to the trailer may be a practical solution.
NW Cat Owner
Senior Member
That must be one big truck! Newfies?
front box
we thought about the box but declined I'm hoping to get a northern tool metal box smaller profile ? Once we get the trailer home we will see.
I also have access to a metal fabricator that made my front box for my Snoozy so I might use them again .
we thought about the box but declined I'm hoping to get a northern tool metal box smaller profile ? Once we get the trailer home we will see.
I also have access to a metal fabricator that made my front box for my Snoozy so I might use them again .
The bed of a pickup is not secure (the tongue box really isn't either but it gives the impression of such with a lock). You can do things to secure the bed of a truck (tonneau cover or canopy) but they'll cost somewhat less than (or well over) what the tongue box would cost.
Not all pickup tailgates can open when hitched up. My Tundra tailgate hits the standard tongue jack. There are things you can do about that (removable jack) but I haven't, so getting things in and out of the bed while hitched up is a bit of a hassle (the Tundra bed is deep making it difficult to reach the bottom from the outside)
What goes in the tongue box stays in the box and is always there. I could see if a person dedicated 2 or 3 totes to camping they'd fill up quickly then there likely would be other misc. things you'd have to remember to grab in addition to the dedicated totes. I'd easily forget those additional things. When the tongue box gets full it forces one (me) to prioritize as to what gets a place in the tongue box and what truly isn't needed. Or one would have to remember those now additional misc. things to grab for camping and I'm back to forgetting those misc. things.
Not all pickup tailgates can open when hitched up. My Tundra tailgate hits the standard tongue jack. There are things you can do about that (removable jack) but I haven't, so getting things in and out of the bed while hitched up is a bit of a hassle (the Tundra bed is deep making it difficult to reach the bottom from the outside)
What goes in the tongue box stays in the box and is always there. I could see if a person dedicated 2 or 3 totes to camping they'd fill up quickly then there likely would be other misc. things you'd have to remember to grab in addition to the dedicated totes. I'd easily forget those additional things. When the tongue box gets full it forces one (me) to prioritize as to what gets a place in the tongue box and what truly isn't needed. Or one would have to remember those now additional misc. things to grab for camping and I'm back to forgetting those misc. things.
craiginpetaluma
Senior Member
Totally agree. As well the protection of the front of the trailer.
All our "dirty" stuff goes in there when packing up. And when you actually think about it, it's quite a bit: ax, wheel blocks, levelling locks, light tools, quick connect hose, outside mat, table cover and holders, dish pan and dish brush, wet stuff like last used tea towel, little propane bottles.
Mostly all this stuff you need first when parking, and last when leaving. Very convenient to have it in one place close by.
Very well worth spent money having ETI's storage box. (my opinion)
Rossue
Senior Member
I found my taligate would easily open when I bought a Reese 3215 shank that was needed for enough drop. It is 13.5" from the center of hitch pin hole to center of ball. My previois Andersen was 10.5" and opening it was difficult. A Curt model that would give enough drop was 17" out- pushing the trailer too far back for my liking.
Poll those that either bought used or ordered a custom build from ETI without the front storage box and how many have regrets? There's been several posts from those "back east" that want to purchase the ETI storage box and found out shipping is/was prohibitive. Yes you can buy something else and it may work. But if you're buy new... really consider "now" or "later."
When we were at our orientation last Wednesday I saw 3 of the front storage boxes being carried out to vehicles. They certainly weren't crated for shipping so maybe owners are driving up to get them?
Gary
After 3 week trip, I can't say enough positives about front storage box. Folks on the road commented more on this than my beautiful trailer!
Loren & Cathy
Senior Member
That storage box just looks like it should be there. And as others have said, it is the permanent home for all of the stuff that goes with the trailer. Loren
Ljswany
Senior Member
We haven't added the storage box to our Build Sheet yet and we've got a couple of questions...
1. What are the dimensions of the box for a 19 footer?
2. We understand our battery would sit inside the box. Hubby is thinking it might be pretty difficult to pull the battery out to put it on the trickle charger after every trip as we currently do.
I kinda drool when I look at that box and think about all the items we carry in the rear of our SUV that could be hidden in it but I also worry about the tongue weight and any additional "sag" it might cause for us.
1. What are the dimensions of the box for a 19 footer?
2. We understand our battery would sit inside the box. Hubby is thinking it might be pretty difficult to pull the battery out to put it on the trickle charger after every trip as we currently do.
I kinda drool when I look at that box and think about all the items we carry in the rear of our SUV that could be hidden in it but I also worry about the tongue weight and any additional "sag" it might cause for us.
Yes, it would be. You would need to remove anything stored on top of the battery (or batteries) - and the fans of the box insist that a big advantage of the box is that you never need to unpack it between trips - then remove the panel which separates the battery from cargo, then lift the battery out.
The battery does not need to be removed for charging. Linda, why would you take it out? Are you storing the battery somewhere without power for the charger, and taking the battery home?
Patandlinda
Senior Member
We have the box in the 19 . Love it ! It is so easy to check the batteries .We never remove the batteries and just hook up a charger with batteries still installed in box , check water level etc. our npbatteries will probably never be removed unless we need to change them out . We also very easy hook up a portable panel to batteries while they are in the box . Pat
gbaglo
Senior Member
Even if you keep it in a storage lot with no power, you likely have fully charged the battery while towing it home.
Just flip the battery disconnect switch and you should be good to go weeks later.
I'm not speaking from experience, but that's my understanding.
I keep my trailer plugged in the house mains year round, but it's in my driveway.
Just flip the battery disconnect switch and you should be good to go weeks later.
I'm not speaking from experience, but that's my understanding.
I keep my trailer plugged in the house mains year round, but it's in my driveway.
John G.
Advanced Member
We are picking up a new 21 next month with storage box. My last 21 did not have one and I never really thought about it. I didn't really like the looks of it. But, in Feb we were camping in Florida and while walking in the evening a new arrival rolled in. He had a 21 with the front storage box. For whatever reason seeing the box while in motion and hooked up to the tow vehicle really spoke to us. So we called Escape soon after and told them to put a box on our new Escape. Just another way of looking at it.
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Ljswany
Senior Member
Thanks for your replies. About the battery issue... We store the camper in a lot with no electricity so we couldn't charge the battery while in storage. It is our understanding that we need to keep it on the trickle charger when not camping, so hubby currently has to lift it off the camper to hook it up at home. Do we not need to do this during camping season to maintain our battery charge? That would be lovely! The battery is very heavy and awkward to move. We certainly would want to put it on the charger in off-season. This battery thing is really complicating the box thing for us! So many "things" to think about!
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