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Post edited 1:50 pm – March 2, 2011 by Mike Magee

Update: KZ would not install a different axle on the Classic 14RB. 

I've looked at the Classic and the Escape side by side.  I've been in the new Skyline RV 140 which is the same floorplan.  I've considered the specs of the Starcraft and the AmeriLite.  And I've concluded that the Escape is probably the trailer for me.  So I've started seeking best price from some dealers.

What won me over to the Escape was the 14″ wheels and higher trailer stance over the others… I'm convinced that I would rip off the water drain the first time I tried to back one of the lower-riding trailers over the curb on the way to my back yard.  The Escape is about 4″ higher and should clear ok, which means I'll also be better off when boondocking down some trails.  And the fiberglass sidewalls seem like they'll be more resistant to stones, hail, and the occasional wandering bear.  The Classic is mighty nice looking on the outside (and inside too), but a big part of that cuteness is the low stance… if I flipped the axle I'd lose much of the looks, I think… so I may as well go fiberglass instead of retro.

I think my second choice might have been the AmeriLite, despite their stupid awning support placement, because they provide 14″ wheels (standard) with a 3500 lb. gross weight rating, and the thickest aluminum skin of the bunch.  And the price was a fair bit lower from an Ohio dealer.  But I'm pretty excited about the Escape.

I've made a deal on an Escape E14RB.  Pretty excited to get away camping in it, but first I'm having them add a TurboMaxx fan unit over the rear vent and a MaxxAir cover over the front vent.  Larry at Bell Camper Sales of Bartlesville has been a pleasure to deal with.  I'll pick it up in about 10 days.

Only one problem: since this is the Classic forum, what are we Escape owners to do?

Hi There Mike,

Not to worry about this being a classic forum.  I asked that same question went I purchased my E19SB.  Rec'd many favorable replys.  One of the replys stated that the Escape was still a Sportsmen Classic — just on STEROIDS!  I really thought that was great.

Enjoy your Escape.  Ken

Great, thanks.    A Classic on steroids, I like that.   

In the end the Escape really wasn't that much more money than the Classic.  Although the dealer wanted $1000 more than the Classic sitting next to it, that Escape had a furnace, 14″ aluminum wheels, and radio that the Classic did not have.  Then I was able to get the dealer to drop the Escape's price a bit and add about $400 worth of add-ons.  I've never had a fan with a thermostat before, so I got them to include the TurboMaxx 1200T.  Plus a cover over the other vent, so I will be able to leave them open any time I want… while driving, while parked in the yard… without fear of rain intrusion. 

I just hope it's not possible to overdose on indoor paneling.   

Walked into a credit union today and obtained a loan at 3.95%, woohoo!  Looking forward to picking this trailer up soon.

I concur with Mike's post about the shower, having just used it this very morning! Oh yeah, and my first mod was to cut through the loop holding the shower head hose halfway up the wall.

I went to my dealer yesterday, Mar 24, to compare the Spree Escape to the Sportsmen Classic.
They both had 13″ wheels, both had the same 6.5″ clearance to the ground, from the clean-out ports.

I am quite confused, as several posts refer to the Spree escape sitting higher off the ground. But I am just not seeing it.

Very strange!!!  Well Chris, you saw it with your own eyes and I don't doubt you.  This brings up something I had in the back of my mind all this time: I wonder if by chance the Escape might have standard 13″ steel wheels with the optional aluminum wheels being the 14″ ones?  Either that or… huummmm… maybe the one you viewed was one of the very first Escapes off the line, and the first few were shipped with 13s?  Just speculating.  I can tell you, though, that if you get one with the aluminum wheels you almost certainly will get 14s along with the required additional clearance. 

If you really like these trailers (other than the clearance issue), you can always contact KZ directly for clarification.  Or find another dealer who lists an Escape with aluminum wheels, and look, and buy.

Post edited 1:06 pm – March 26, 2011 by Karsty

sandersmr said:Also, I wonder if Canada is getting a slightly different configuration than the US.

No … We are getting the 14″ wheels in the Niagara area … at least at my dealer.  There is some confusion with the specs as noted on KZ's brochures and spec sheets. The last I saw on-line they listed 13″ wheels. The hard copy I have has 14″ aluminum wheels.

I have also seen them at the dealers and they are definitely 14″. I take delivery in about 3 1/2 weeks. If for some reason it came with 13″, I would not accept delivery.

Post edited 3:14 am – January 14, 2012 by kayaknut