URL Encoding Error

URL Encoding Error

I am populating a string field on a form via an email with some text from another system.  I am then using a URL to open another form and default this data on that form.  This works great EXCEPT when there are line feeds or other non-allowed characters in the initial string feed (e.g &).  I have tried to use the encodeUrl function, but instead of converting the spaces in the string field to %20 (as I would expect) they are being converted to "+" and passed to the new form this way.   Am I doing this incorrectly?  Following are samples of the code:

String Field on Initial Code (Field Name = Comments)

  Please let us know if this is available. We are a family of tidy, clean-freaks that will take care of it very well. Thanks Jay

Script to load new form:

VRBOComments = encodeUrl (recs.Comments);
   quoteurl = "https://creator.zoho.com/carlgifford/vacation-rental/#Form:Quote?Name=" + recs.Name + "&First_Name=" + recs.First_Name + "&Guest_Email=" + recs.Email + "&Property=" + Property_Name_String + "&CheckIn=" + CheckInDate + "&CheckOut=" + CheckOutDate + "" + "&VRBO_Id=" + recs.ID + "&Guests=" + recs.Guests + "&VRBO_Comments=" + VRBOComments;
    openUrl(quoteurl, "same window");

URL created:

https://creator.zoho.com/carlgifford/vacation-rental/#Form:Quote?Name=Jay%20Coombs&First_Name=Jay&Guest_Email=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX&Property=712%201/2%20San%20Luis%20Rey%20Place%20%281B/1b%29&CheckIn=07/27/13&CheckOut=08/03/13&VRBO_Id=116668000008135023&Guests=6%20%282%20adults,%204%20children%29&VRBO_Comments=Please+let+us+know+if+this+is+available.++We+are+a+family+of+tidy%2C+clean-freaks+that+will+take+care+of+it+very+well.++Thanks++Jay