Forum Discussion

S_Davis's avatar
S_Davis
Explorer
Jul 02, 2019

Escape 5.0TA fifth wheel

Anyone have one or know someone that does? I have been planning on a truck camper because I could not find a small enough fifth wheel. But this looks like it would still get into most of the older parks with smaller sites.

https://escapetrailer.com/trailers/the-5-0-escape/
  • 's avatar
    Anonymous
    Jan 23, 2025

    With the 1500watt space heater, it was in the low 30s outside.

  • Durb's avatar
    Durb
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2019
    Sometimes small shops like Escape that sell direct keep track of a local customer that would have no problem with you coming by to take a look and talk about their trailer. Also, look on fiberglassrv.com, they have a separate section on Escape trailers with plenty of info.
  • S_Davis's avatar
    S_Davis
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2019
    Marv,

    Thanks for the info, one of the things I was worried about was insulation. I had seen a video of their construction and saw what looked like bubble foil reflectix insulation, I had hoped that was in addition to other insulation but it looks like it is used on the whole trailer. R-1 insulation is a deal breaker for me, i would bet they have high condensation problems.
  • marpel's avatar
    marpel
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2019
    In our search for a light trailer/5th wheel, the wife and i visited the Escape factory and took a tour of the facility and production line (we're about a half hour drive away). Also chatted with the co-owner while there. A couple comments:

    - 5th wheel and trailers are intended to be light, but I found them to be less "solid" than anticipated. Any movement by anyone inside makes the whole trailer shake. They appeared security set up in the lot, but perhaps they weren't (and we went through a half dozen).
    -site says the 5th is v6 towable, but I sure wouldn't expect to tow 5100 lbs on the freeway and uphill with a v6. I tow a 4300 lb trailer with a 6.2l Sierra and it has to be in 5th gear on the flat. I expect, though the narrow footprint would mitigate some of that issue.
    - expected the insulation to be more substantial. Perhaps naively, I thought they would have something like expanding foam between the walls but I found a thin sheet of that silver reflective stuff (not sure of the name) with an air space on either side).
    - quite narrow, at 7'4" wide. Great for towing mph though and I didn't find it that confining.
    - wet bath, so you don't get a separate shower. May not be a big deal to some.
    - quite pricey for the size, and a lot of options come at a price (i.e. insulated windows are in the multiple hundreds). Take a look at the list.
    - and weird thing, I have since seen a number of these trailers in my area and being pulled down the road. Almost every one had the exterior with that "hazy" surface, as if the gell coat had lost it's shine. This may be older models that may have had a different exterior treatment than the current models.
    - during the tour, the workmanship looked good and because it is still a relatively small shop, the QC is pretty high.
    - impressed with the co-owner and staff that I met. Committed to a good product and knowledgable.
    Having said all that, except for the price, I likely would have purchased one (travel to/from Denver Co a lot on interstates and the narrow size would be much better to tow than the wind sail we have).

    Regards,
    Marv
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Jul 03, 2019
    S Davis wrote:
    Gjac wrote:
    Coincidentally I just started looking for short 5th wheels also because I could not find a TC that had room or storage without having to buy a dully truck. I saw this on the web but not in person. It looks like it can be towed with a 1/2 ton truck which is another good feature. The only down side it did not have a slide. Let us know what you learned from the MFG.


    I originally started looking at 28'-30' fifth wheels but after hauling a 30' gooseneck trailer and seeing how limited the maneuverability was I decided I could not get into the places I wanted to go. This could be a viable option, the other thing I need to ask is they use two 3500lb axles but it only has a 5500lb GVWR, why not 7000?


    Most likely, they would have to either strengthen the shell or strengthen the frame to have a higher GVW and they are trying to keep it as light as possible for smaller trucks. Don't forget, that the tow vehicle carries a good portion of the weight. I'm frankly surprised that they use even that heavy an axle.

    Lyle
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Jul 03, 2019
    S Davis wrote:
    Gjac wrote:
    Coincidentally I just started looking for short 5th wheels also because I could not find a TC that had room or storage without having to buy a dully truck. I saw this on the web but not in person. It looks like it can be towed with a 1/2 ton truck which is another good feature. The only down side it did not have a slide. Let us know what you learned from the MFG.


    I originally started looking at 28'-30' fifth wheels but after hauling a 30' gooseneck trailer and seeing how limited the maneuverability was I decided I could not get into the places I wanted to go. This could be a viable option, the other thing I need to ask is they use two 3500lb axles but it only has a 5500lb GVWR, why not 7000?
    I am wondering if the tires are the limiting factor not the axles them selves.
  • S_Davis's avatar
    S_Davis
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2019
    laknox wrote:
    S Davis wrote:
    Anyone have one or know someone that does? I have been planning on a truck camper because I could not find a small enough fifth wheel. But this looks like it would still get into most of the older parks with smaller sites.

    https://escapetrailer.com/trailers/the-5-0-escape/


    Don't know of anyone that has one, but I actually =saw= one this past week at Campland in San Diego. First one I've ever actually seen. Didn't have time to stop and gab, or I certainly would have. :B

    Lyle


    I have not seen one either, I am about 90 minutes and a border crossing south of where they make them. I might have to make a trip up to check them out.
  • S_Davis's avatar
    S_Davis
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2019
    Durb wrote:
    There is a member on this forum who used to be a frequent poster that had the 2.0TA. As I recall, he liked the trailer a lot. I've seen them on the road, they're small. Should be able to get it into just about anywhere. I've owned a travel trailer with the fiberglass clamshell construction like the Escape. It doesn't take much heat to warm one up.


    They are tight I plan on a lot of winter camping and moisture is a big issue, I am planning on installing a small ERV air exchanger to help with moisture and venting with losing the least amount of heat.
  • S_Davis's avatar
    S_Davis
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2019
    Gjac wrote:
    Coincidentally I just started looking for short 5th wheels also because I could not find a TC that had room or storage without having to buy a dully truck. I saw this on the web but not in person. It looks like it can be towed with a 1/2 ton truck which is another good feature. The only down side it did not have a slide. Let us know what you learned from the MFG.


    I originally started looking at 28'-30' fifth wheels but after hauling a 30' gooseneck trailer and seeing how limited the maneuverability was I decided I could not get into the places I wanted to go. This could be a viable option, the other thing I need to ask is they use two 3500lb axles but it only has a 5500lb GVWR, why not 7000?
  • Durb's avatar
    Durb
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2019
    There is a member on this forum who used to be a frequent poster that had the 2.0TA. As I recall, he liked the trailer a lot. I've seen them on the road, they're small. Should be able to get it into just about anywhere. I've owned a travel trailer with the fiberglass clamshell construction like the Escape. It doesn't take much heat to warm one up.

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