Escapod TOPO2 User manual

Escapod Trailers TOPO2 Owner’s Manual
Version 2023.03
Disclaimers
The information contained within the manual including specifications, illustrations, and
content are based on the latest production information available at the time of publication
approval. Improvements to product, changes in manufacturing techniques, and changes to or
substitution of product due to experience improvement or physical availability may not be
wholly represented in this manual and such changes are at the sole discretion of Escapod
Trailers LLC (Escapod). In addition, Escapod Trailers LLC reserves the right to make changes to
the equipment, form, technical systems or layout of the TOPO2 as it sees fit to be innovative
and beneficial. Therefore, no legal claims may be filed against Escapod Trailers, LLC based on
the contents of this manual. Escapod Trailers LLC is not responsible for the observance or
nonobservance of this instruction manual. Any given specifications may be subject to change
without notice. Recorded tongue weights, overall weights, fuel, liquid capacities, consumption
rates, and dimensions may also be approximate.
Operating Procedures
All operating procedures contained within the manual are described under ordinary conditions.
It is the responsibility of the TOPO2 owner to perform safe operations of their trailer and all
systems contained therein. Escapod Trailers cannot be held liable for any injury or loss which
is a result of the user improperly using or the non-observance of any procedures or safety
warnings supplied in this manual or any other third-party manuals or documentation
referenced herein or provided with the trailer.
External Websites
The third party websites and documentation referenced in this manual are meant to assist in
the acquisition of additional knowledge of products contained within your TOPO2. The
information presented through these links are subject to change without notice and Escapod
Trailers LLC has no control over the content accessed unless Escapod Trailers is the creator of
the content. Therefore, no liability whatsoever shall be assumed by Escapod Trailers in
connection with these websites, be it information, external links, third-party links, errors,
omissions, inaccuracies or any other content on the websites. These websites are for use
strictly at your own risk. Most of the information is meant to be of a general nature and may
not pertain to your circumstances. Escapod Trailers has no control over third-party vendors
and supplier websites and therefore will assume no responsibility for any type of loss or injury
sustained from its actions, omissions or negligence. It is not considered legal advice.
1

Optional Items
The TOPO2 oers multiple areas for optional items to be added or substituted for parts
included in the base build. Some of these optional things may be added after the build has
been completed, while others may only happen during the original manufacturing process and
cannot be added once the trailer has come o the manufacturing line. Operation and
troubleshooting of all options are included within the manual. The presence of this
information does not imply availability or application/installation of any optional feature.
Installation of optional items not approved by Escapod or by a shop not authorized by
Escapod Trailers may result in voiding the warranty.
Orientation
Throughout this manual we refer to the “driver” or “passenger” side when referring to
orientation of features or points of interest on your trailer, as opposed to “left” or “right.” This
allows the description of the orientation to remain consistent and be anchored to the fixed
trailer rather than the variable position of the person (or looker). Driver and passenger side
orientation refers to the side of the trailer that corresponds to the tow vehicle when it is
hooked up.
2

Table of Contents
Disclaimers 1
Operating Procedures 1
External Websites 1
Optional Items 2
Orientation 2
Table of Contents 3
Introduction 9
Welcome 9
Manual Notes 10
Owner’s Packet 10
General Safety 11
Introduction 11
Reporting Safety Defects 11
Fire Safety 12
Carbon Monoxide 13
Carbon Monoxide Detector 13
Emergency Preparedness 13
General Maintenance Toolkit 14
Towing 14
Tow Vehicle Requirements 14
Loading and Load Distribution 14
Towing Considerations 15
Electric Brakes (Optional) 17
Vehicle Hitch and Trailer Coupler 17
Fully Articulating Hitch (Optional) 18
Maintenance 19
Driving Lights and Electrical Connections 20
7-Pin Round Connection 20
Junction Box 20
Tires/Wheels 21
Lug Nuts 22
Tire Maintenance 22
Storage 24
Spare Tire (Optional) 24
Accessing Your Spare 24
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Safety Chains 26
Hooking Up 27
Hooking Up - Trailer Check 29
Check Prior to Hooking Up 29
Check Prior to Departing 29
Towing Troubleshooting 30
Leveling and Camp Set-Up 30
Unhooking Your Trailer 31
Stabilizing 32
Awning Set-Up 33
Quick Set-up 33
Warranty 34
Awning Annex Room (Optional) 34
Quick Set-up 34
Warranty 34
Rooftop Tent Set-Up (Optional) 34
Setup Considerations 35
Warranty 35
Leveling and Camp Set-Up Troubleshooting 35
Frame 36
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 36
Fenders 37
Frame Maintenance 37
Rock Rails (Optional) 38
Maintenance 38
Rear Hitch Receiver (Optional) 38
Maintenance 38
Suspension 38
Independent Arm Suspension Overview 38
Maintenance 39
Suspension Maintenance Schedule 39
Alignment 41
Quick Alignment Check 42
Checking Suspension Bolts 45
Hubs and Drums 45
Maintenance 45
Body 46
Paint 46
4

Roof Rack System 46
Exterior Lights 47
Maintenance 47
Washing/Cleaning 47
Repairs 47
Tongue Box 47
Cabin 48
Headboard/Nightstands 48
Mattress 49
Cabinet Storage 49
Side Mud Room/Coat Closet 50
Stargazer 50
Doors/Handles 51
Locking/Unlocking 52
Door Bug Screens (Optional) 52
Door Window Covers (Optional) 53
Cleaning and Maintenance 53
Galley 53
Hatch 54
Galley Face 54
Cabinets 54
Table 55
Set-up Option 1 55
Set-up Option 2 56
Cutting Board/Knife Board 56
Countertop/Sink 57
Drawers 58
Removing/Replacing the Utensil Drawer 58
Food Preservation 58
Yeti Tundra 75 59
ARB 63Qt Classic Fridge Freezer (Optional) 59
Cleaning and Maintenance 60
Cooling/Ventilation 60
Maxxfan 61
Fan Quick Start 61
General Information 61
Dometic RTX 1000 Coolair Air Conditioner (Optional) 61
A/C Quick Start 61
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General Information 62
Ventilation Troubleshooting 62
Cabin Heating 63
Benefits of the Truma Combi 63
Quick Access to the Truma 63
Truma Quick Start 63
Vents 64
Internal Vents 64
External Vent 64
Heating Troubleshooting 65
Plumbing/Water System 65
Truma Combi Water Heater 66
How the Water Heater Works 66
Quick Access to the Truma 66
Water Heater Quick Start 66
Water Tank 67
Accessing the Tank 68
Filling the Tank 68
Monitoring Levels 69
Water Consumption 69
Water Pump/Plumbing 69
Accessing the Pump 69
Shower 70
Shower Mixer 70
Shower Head Quick Connect and Storage 70
Sink and Gray Water 71
Sink and Faucet 71
Gray Water 72
Winterizing 73
Cleaning and Sanitation 75
Truma Recommendations 75
Escapod Recommendations 75
Plumbing Troubleshooting 76
Cooking/Propane 77
General Propane Safety 77
Propane Tank 78
To open/close propane tank 79
To remove the propane tank for exchange or fill 79
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To reinstall a newly filled propane tank 79
Filling the Propane Tank 80
Propane Consumption 80
General Propane Tank Safety 81
Stove 81
Lighting the Stove 81
Stove Safety 82
Stove Cleaning and Maintenance 82
Stove/Propane Troubleshooting 82
Electrical System 84
Utility Cabinet 84
Accessing 84
Contents 84
Fuse Block 85
Shore Power 86
On-Board Battery Charger/Converter 87
Inverter (Optional) 87
Inverting Mode 87
Charging Mode 88
Xantrex Specific Information 88
Kisae Specific Information 89
SiMarine Systems Monitor 90
Programming Settings 91
Batteries 92
Battery Cut-o Switch 93
Removal 93
Solar Panel 93
Mounting/Unmounting 93
Solar Controller 94
Lights 95
Power Plugs 95
Electrical System Troubleshooting 96
General Troubleshooting 98
Warranty 99
Overview 99
Owner’s Responsibility 99
Escapod’s Responsibilities 99
Coverage 99
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General 99
Component Warranties 100
Parts and Design Changes 100
Paint 100
Disclaimer of Consequential and Incidental Damages 100
Exclusions 101
Defect vs Damage 102
Owner Warranty Procedure 103
Statute of Limitation 103
Attorneys Fees 104
Addendum A: Component Warranties 104
Appendix 104
Component Manuals 105
8

Introduction
Welcome
Congratulations on your recent purchase of an Escapod TOPO2, made by Escapod Trailers LLC
in Coalville, Utah.
Escapod was born out of necessity. A need to escape the daily grind at a moment’s notice, to
be unbounded by terrain and free to roam.
We believe that time is too precious to spend it tracking-down and packing-up camping gear.
We wanted a tent on wheels, always ready for our next adventure. The teardrop trailer seemed
like the right solution, but nothing on the market checked all our boxes. So, we designed and
built our own - the Original TOPO. The need for innovation and improvement drove us to the
creation of our TOPO2, of which you are experiencing now.
Our mission was simple: build the best damn camper known to man - a teardrop trailer that’s
gentle on the eyes, rugged enough for the craziest adventures, and suitable for year-round
fun. Our Original TOPO met those needs and the TOPO2 takes it up a notch.
Blending the concept of a sleeping pod with the thrill of an escapade, the Escapod name was
formed. And after fumbling our way through some napkin doodles, we refined & digitized the
now-iconic “e” logo. In June 2016, Escapod was ocially born when the first pods were built
in our mom’s garage.
Our goal is simply to maximize our customer’s connection with the great outdoors by
providing dependable, hand-built teardrop trailers. Life’s demands may require you to change,
but your adventure doesn’t have to. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-time
vagabond, there is an Escapod for you.
In this guide, you will find general knowledge about our trailers as well as some helpful hints
to make your experience with Escapod the best it can be. We are very excited you have joined
the Escapod family, and look forward to providing you with the best teardrop trailer
experience known to man.
Chris Hudak, Founder
9

Manual Notes
This manual is designed to provide you with foundational knowledge and understanding of the
operations of the TOPO2 as well as provide quick troubleshooting assistance should
something not go to plan. It is to be used in conjunction with the operational videos on the
Escapod Trailers’ YouTube channel and component specific instructional manuals provided to
you when you took possession of the trailer. Should you have further questions, please check
out the Knowledge Base section of our website (https://escapod.us/knowledge-base), or
contact our after-sales Service and Warranty Team at suppor[email protected] or 435-565-6329.
Support hours are Monday through Friday 8:30AM-4:30PM MST, excluding major holidays.
Please read and understand this entire manual focusing your attention on areas labeled
“DANGER,” “WARNING,” “CAUTION,” and “NOTICE” as they contain information related to your
safety and well-being and call out specific hazards within your trailer.
Sections labeled “Camping Tip” or “Helpful Hint” or “Note” are some best practices we have
discovered over the years and wanted to share them with you. These are exactly as described,
hints or tips to make your experience more enjoyable, and should not be considered ocial
directives. Escapod will not be responsible for the outcome if you do or do not follow them.
Separate instruction manuals for appliances, special components, or accessories are included
with your TOPO2, many of which can also be found in the Document Center of the Escapod
website (https://escapod.us/document-center) as well as linked in the Appendix of this
manual. These manuals provide part specific information and additional troubleshooting not
necessarily covered in this manual. Please refer to these manuals for components whose
warranties are not covered by Escapod. See the “Warranty” section of this document for a list
of these parts.
All information in this manual should be considered part of the trailer and needs to be
transferred to new owners should the trailer be sold. We suggest downloading this manual to
a smart device or printing it so the information is easily accessible while you are enjoying your
TOPO2. The manual will be updated as needed to ensure it has the most accurate information.
Make sure you have the latest version by noting the version history formatted as Year.Month.
This manual is not intended to teach you how to camp or enjoy the outdoors. Rather it is
designed to show you how to use your TOPO2 and provide helpful tips so you can maximize
your enjoyment of your purchase.
Owner’s Packet
When you take possession of your trailer from an Escapod Sales and Rentals Facility or
authorized dealer, you are provided an owner’s packet. This packet contains component user
10

manuals and warranty cards, temporary registration and relevant DMV paperwork. With the
exception of any information related to individual owners, this packet needs to be passed to
new owners. If you damage or misplace any of the individual component manuals,
replacements can be found in the Appendix of this document, online or linked in the Escapod
Documents Center (https://escapod.us/document-center).
General Safety
Introduction
PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW ALL RELATED OPERATIONAL MANUALS AND THE INSTRUCTIONS
IN THIS OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE USE. THIS OWNER’S MANUAL IS INTENDED TO ACT AS A
GENERAL GUIDE FOR OPERATION. THIS MANUAL IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
AND MAY/MAY NOT INCLUDE INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR TRAILER. ALWAYS REFER TO
THE SPECIFIC MANUFACTURER’S OWNER, OPERATIONS, AND SAFETY MANUAL FOR OPTIONAL
EQUIPMENT WHICH INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO INVERTER, AIR CONDITIONER UNIT,
ROOF TOP TENT. SAVE ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
Reporting Safety Defects
If you believe that your vehicle/trailer has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Trac Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Escapod Trailers LLC. If NHTSA receives similar
complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group
of trailers, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or Escapod Trailers.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll free at 1–888–327–4236 (TTY:
1–800–424–9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator NHTSA
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
Washington, DC 20590
To contact Escapod Trailers LLC and report a safety defect, please contact our Service &
Warranty Team at: [email protected], Call [phone], or submit a claim on our website
via the links below.
Service & Warranty Form
11

For more information about motor vehicle safety, please visit http://www.safercar.gov
Fire Safety
Your TOPO2 is not standard equipped with a smoke detector, fire alarm, or fire extinguisher.
However, we recommend that you purchase small fire extinguishers for placement in both the
cabin and the galley. While the TOPO2 structure is composed of flame-resistant fiberglass
materials and HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), it is not fireproof. General fire safety practices
need to be observed and avoid these common causes of fire safety hazards:
●Smoking or having an open flame in bed
●Leaving children unattended with fire sources accessible
●Using flammable cleaning products
●Leaving food unattended while cooking
●Having faulty wiring
●Using damaged electrical devices
●Having propane or gasoline fuel leaks
●Placing hot objects (pots/pans) directly on the stainless steel countertop or against the
galley walls can lead to damage
●General carelessness
Camping Tip: It is also important to observe fire safety while at the campsite. Good habits
include but are not limited to:
●Be aware of campfire safety knowledge provided by the National Fire Prevention
Association.
●Never leave an open flame unattended.
●Supervise all children around any type of flame. This includes open flame stoves,
grills, and campfires.
●Have fire suppression materials easily accessible and be able to use. This includes,
but is not limited to, fire extinguishers, sand, and/or a water bucket.
●Make sure all campfire areas are clear of debris and overhanging branches. Never set
up a campfire under your extended awning or in the optional awning annex room as
flame or smoke damage can occur. This type of damage voids any warranty for the
awning or awning annex room.
●Use common sense and don’t be that person - don’t be careless with fire as the
impacts of misuse can be disastrous.
12

Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and
poisonous gas that will disperse evenly with the surrounding air. It
is the result of incompletely burned fuel most commonly from
propane powered appliances, diesel or gas exhausts. In the TOPO2,
CO can come from the propane powered Truma water and space
heating unit, as well as the propane stove. Even small amounts of
CO can he harmful to your health and CO poisoning symptoms
include:
●Dull headache
●Weakness
●Dizziness
●Nausea or vomiting
●Shortness of breath
●Confusion
●Blurred vision
●Loss of consciousness/drowsiness
●Brain damage
●Death
CO poisoning can come on quickly and once individuals are aware they are not feeling well are
too disoriented to be able to get to fresh air or call for help. Pets, babies, small children, and
sleeping or intoxicated individuals are at the highest risk of death due to CO poisoning.
Carbon Monoxide Detector
To prevent CO poisoning, check to make sure all appliances are working properly, be sure to
have exhaust fans or windows cracked so fresh air can circulate through the cabin and a
functioning CO/Propane Gas detector if you are running fuel operated appliances. If your
TOPO2 was built prior to March 2023 your trailer does not come standard with a carbon
monoxide detector. If your trailer was built in March 2023 and after, your TOPO2 will come
standard with a carbon monoxide and propane gas detector. The installed CO detector which
should be tested regularly for proper functionality. The CO detector is located in the cabin
near your feet.
Please refer to the RVSae CO/Propane Gas RV Alarm component manual for important feature
and functionality information not listed here.
Emergency Preparedness
While the pre-travel checklist (see “Towing - Hooking Up” for the full list) and recommended
tongue box item list (see “Tongue Box”) is designed to help you get ready for your Escapod
adventures, it is important to keep emergency preparedness items in your tow vehicle as well.
The TOPO2 is designed to get you o the beaten path at any time of the year, so it is
important that you are able to be self-sucient, should something unforeseen happen, until
you can get to safety. We highly recommend keeping an emergency car kit in your vehicle.
Depending on your activities, the contents of the car kit may change slightly. Check out this
13

article from the National Security Council about what to keep in your car and a quick online
search will point you in the right direction.
General Maintenance Toolkit
Proper maintenance of your trailer is one of the most important aspects of safety. A
maintained trailer is a safer trailer. While the majority of maintenance can be done with
standard household tools, below is a list of all recommended tools to have on hand so you
can properly maintain your trailer yourself. The links are provided as general guidelines to help
direct in what to look for.
●Grease Gun
●Torque wrench to 200 ft-lbs
●Standard phillips head and flathead screwdrivers
●Micro phillips head and flathead screwdrivers
●Impact driver
●½” drive x 19mm drive thin walled deep socket
●½” drive x 21mm socket
●½” drive adapter for the impact driver
●Torx bit set
●12” crescent wrench
●Floor jack (if you anticipate having to remove tires)
Towing
Tow Vehicle Requirements
Before taking your Escapod TOPO2 out on an adventure, it is important to ensure your tow
vehicle is well maintained and equipped to handle the towing. Maintenance needs and
recommendations vary from vehicle to vehicle so we recommend utilizing your specific vehicle
owner’s manual for any vehicle related questions. However, we recommend using the following
specifications of the TOPO2 when guiding your tow vehicle needs. Please note: the following
numbers are for base TOPO2 trailers with no add-ons.
●Dry Weight: 2000 lbs.
●Tongue Weight: 250 lbs
●Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): 2990 lbs (1356 Kg)
When choosing a tow vehicle it is important to understand weights of your add-on selections
as well as individual vehicle tow capacities.
Loading and Load Distribution
Proper loading and load distribution is one of the keys to safe towing. When packing your
TOPO2, you want cargo to be roughly evenly distributed from side to side and the total weight
14

should not exceed the following:
●Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
○Maximum permissible weight of the trailer when fully loaded. Fully loaded
includes water, accessories, gear, add-ons, etc
●Maximum load rating of tires
○The maximum weight each tire can support safely
●Your tow vehicle’s tow capacity
○The maximum amount your vehicle can safely pull
●Cargo carrying capacity
○The maximum additional weight your trailer can carry. Found by subtracting the
trailer dry weight from the GVWR.
●Tongue weight
○The static downward force exerted at a vehicle-trailer coupling point when your
trailer is hooked up for towing. Check out this article from one of our vendors
describing tongue weight and why this number matters. This number can vary
as it is a percentage of your total trailer weight.
More details about locating the weight numbers on your TOPO2 can be found in the “Frame -
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)” section.
Helpful Hint: Things to consider when loading your trailer:
●What do you want easily accessible when you get to camp? What needs to be the
first unloaded, and therefore last loaded?
●What can you do before you leave to make arrival at camp smoother? What can
“present you” do to help “future you”?
●Are the heaviest things able to be as close to the trailer center line and suspension
as possible?
●If you are interested in the weight for your individual trailer-specific configuration,
take it to a public scale to get your dry, loaded, and tongue weights.
Towing Considerations
Towing a trailer of any size behind a vehicle aects the vehicle performance and requires
special considerations from the driver. When towing a trailer, you will or may experience:
●Increased turning radius - This means you will need more space as your turn will be
wider so you won’t hit curbs, other vehicles, or any other obstacle found on your inside
radius of the turn. Restaurant drive-thrus are not a good idea.
●Increased stopping distances - when stopping, your vehicle is not only stopping itself,
but also another object with its own momentum. It is good driving practice to start
slowing down earlier to allow more space for the slow down to happen. Note: the
15

optional addition of electric brakes will assist you in stopping. However, those brakes
are designed to help stop the trailer and not the tow vehicle. See “Electric Brakes” for
more information.
●Dierent vehicle handling dynamics - Your trailer is sensitive to weather conditions and
steering, especially steering in windy conditions. Larger vehicles passing you while
towing will also have a greater eect on the control of your vehicle.
●Slower acceleration - Remember, your vehicle engine is not only accelerating itself but
also trying to accelerate additional weight. Allow more space and time for passing
other vehicles due to the slower acceleration and increased length.
●Trailer Sway - If your trailer begins to move side to side behind the tow vehicle, it is
called trailer sway. This may be caused by excessive swerving, wind gusts, roadway
edges, the trailer’s reaction to the force created by passing trucks and buses, or
improper loading or balance of cargo in the trailer.
●Road/Weather Conditions - It is good practice to remember that any outside force
aecting your vehicle is magnified when towing a trailer. Be sure to use hazard blinkers
if you are traveling slower through rough weather.
●Inclines/declines - When beginning long uphill climbs, pay attention to the eort
exerted by your vehicle’s engine. If your TOPO2 is close to your vehicle's towing
capacity, your vehicle will work harder going up hills. Be sure to use hazard lights and
stay in the right lane if climbing at a slower speed than the posted limit or surrounding
trac. Use a lower gear when driving down long or steep grades. Do not ride your
brakes, but rather use your brakes to gently reduce your speed then have your vehicle
engine maintain the slower speed. Riding your brakes can cause them to overheat and
lose ecacy. See “Electric Brakes” if your trailer is equipped with them for additional
braking information.
●Ramp Angles - When hooked up, be aware of the TOPO2’s departure angle when
entering or exiting any area where you will cross a ramp angle. This includes parking
lots, driveways, campgrounds, designed road dips, etc. If the ramp angle is severe
enough, you may “bottom out” where the vehicle hitch or tongue hits the ground
before the trailer can match the angle of the vehicle. If you do hit, get the trailer on
level ground with the tow vehicle and verify the security of the trailer coupler to the
vehicle hitch prior to continuing on your journey.
●Backing up - Backing up while attached to a trailer requires more space and time for
turning to happen. The length of the tow vehicle in relation to the length of the trailer
also has an impact on the responsiveness of the trailer to turns initiated by the tow
vehicle.
Helpful Hint: Practice makes perfect! Practice backing up your tow vehicle while attached to
a trailer prior to adventuring. We found this article from Curt, one of our vendors,
16

particularly helpful. But key things to remember:
●Small steering wheel movements can have big impacts but may also take longer to
develop
●Turning the steering wheel clockwise makes the trailer turn toward the driver;
turning the steering wheel counterclockwise makes the trailer turn toward the
passenger
●Shorter trailers will turn faster and sharper than longer trailers
Electric Brakes (Optional)
Electric trailer brakes do not come standard and are an optional add on for all TOPO2 trailers.
Meaning, your trailer may or may not have them. If you have added electric brakes you need to
make sure your tow vehicle is equipped to receive a 7-pin round connector plug and has a
properly installed and configured brake controller. Escapod will not program or adjust your
vehicle’s brake controller, but we will make sure the electric brakes engage prior to departing
if you have a functioning brake controller installed.
The hubs we use on the electric brake upgrade package are self-adjusting. Please refer to
your individual controller for adjusting processes.
It is important to keep your electric brakes and the controller in good working order and
properly adjusted. If your electric brakes are not functioning properly, refer to the “Towing
Troubleshooting/FAQ” and your brake controller’s operating manual for further information and
troubleshooting.
Vehicle Hitch and Trailer Coupler
Every TOPO2 comes with a straight 2” ball coupler. This means the coupler will fit on a
standard 2” ball attached to the tow vehicle. When the trailer is completely level, the top of
the coupler sits around 23” from the ground. Therefore, the top of the ball on your vehicle
should be between 25” - 27” from the ground. This allows for squat when the trailer weight is
lowered onto the ball and creates a level towing plane. We recommend purchasing hitches
that either raise or lower the level of the ball. These are called adjustable hitches. To
determine any needed rise or drop, use the following steps:
1. Find your hitch height - measure the height from the top of your vehicle’s hitch
receiver tube to the ground.
2. Find your coupler height - level your trailer and measure the height from the bottom of
the coupler to the ground. This measurement in TOPO2 is around 21”.
3. Measure the dierence - Subtract the height of the trailer coupler from the height of
the receiver.
a. If your hitch height is greater than your coupler height you need a ball mount
17

with a drop.
b. If your hitch height is lower than your coupler height, you need a ball mount
with a rise.
Coupler measurements on a level trailer with a straight coupler assembly
We also have the ability to provide a trailer coupler attached to a tube with either a 4” or 8”
adjustment if your vehicle has an external accessory that blocks the ability to properly use the
hitch height with a straight coupler, such as a rear-mounted spare tire. At your trailer hando,
the Escapod sta can determine if your vehicle requires this raise/drop coupler assembly.
In order to tow an Escapod TOPO2, your vehicle must be equipped with a Class III hitch, which
means the receiver is at least 2” x 2”. Remember, the class of hitch you have on your tow
vehicle must align with the towing capacity of the vehicle. Having a Class III hitch on a vehicle
that can only tow 2000 lbs won’t do much good besides give you a 2” x 2” receiver.
Check out our blog post, Get Your Vehicle Ready for Towing for additional information.
Fully Articulating Hitch (Optional)
A fully articulating hitch is an optional purchase to complement your TOPO2. This improves
the towing experience as it allows the hitch to have three axes of movement and 360 degrees
of rotational movement which allows the trailer and the vehicle to move in opposite directions
while still maintaining a secure connection. If you are traveling over uneven terrain, a fully
articulating hitch allows for more stability and security in the connection. Using a fully
articulating hitch is a direct replacement of the standard 2” coupler connecting the trailer to
your tow vehicle. However, as long as the coupler is compatible with a 2” trailer side receiver
and your tow vehicle’s hitch receiver, you can purchase the brand of your choosing. While
other brands may have small variations below are pictures of what a hooked up fully
articulated hitch looks like.
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Hooked up fully articulating hitch
Pieces of the fully articulating hitch from left to right:
1. Yoke (attaches to the vehicle side hitch)
2. Articulating coupler (trailer side),
3. Locking pin to connect the two pieces.
Maintenance
To keep your fully articulating hitch functioning properly, you will want to ensure it is properly
greased annually so it can easily move in all directions
Tools Needed: Grease gun ready with bearing grease, rubber gloves, paper towels
1. Insert the full grease gun fitting over the exposed zerk on the articulating coupler,
circled in the above photo.
a. We use the Lucas Oil Red N’ Tacky grease
2. Start pumping grease in until it comes out the of the bushing ends or zerk itself
3. Take a paper towel and remove any excess grease
a. If you start pumping grease and the grease coming out is dark and dirty, keep
wiping and pumping until the grease is clean.
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Driving Lights and Electrical Connections
7-Pin Round Connection
All TOPO2 trailers are equipped with a 7-pin round connector to plug into your tow vehicle's
driving lights. Below is a diagram of our trailer plug wiring. If your plug becomes damaged, or
you need to replace it for any reason, follow the diagram to ensure that the plug is wired
correctly. Disregard any color indications on the plug with the exception of the white wire.
White notation on the plug should match the white wire connecting into it, then follow the
diagram clockwise. The diagram below is oriented looking at the back of the connector after
you have removed the black plastic cover.
The 7–pin connector plug allows your vehicle to provide power to the trailer to power lights
indicating braking, turning, standard running/driving lights, reverse/backup lights as well as
your electric brakes (if present). This connection can build up debris and corrosion over time;
it is good practice to inspect the plug regularly. If you need to clean it, you can use a pipe
cleaner sprayed with contact cleaner. If everything is hooked up and functioning correctly, the
trailer lights should mimic the vehicle lights. If not, see the “Towing Troubleshooting” section.
NOTE: Not all vehicles come with a trailer/towing wiring hookup, especially if you’ve had
your hitch installed aftermarket. Please double-check you have wiring that is set up for a
trailer connection in the rear of your vehicle. Trailer wiring is specific to the vehicle's make
and model, so the easiest way to get the right setup is to talk to your local dealership or
garage.
Junction Box
The junction box is located in the front side of the tongue box and is the connection point for
integrated wiring between the trailer and the tow vehicle. Below is the schematic for the
wiring within the junction box. It’s helpful to understand how the junction box works in case
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