15' Escape Update

[escape artist]

Hi: All... I hope ETI continued success in what ever they deem necessary to build. We are looking at an economy of scale, and ETI is trying to balance the scales!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
FMB. Florida for now

[Slickheadhunter]

When we first ordered our trailer I had my heart set on a 15a, and that's what we ordered initially. My wife talked me into the next size up, so that's what we did. As far as I'm concerned, we basicly only sleep in it.
A smaller trailer is easier to handle while driving,easier to store, clean, and maintain. I compromised for my wife and she is happy, but personally like the 15a.

[Snadry]

The Escape 15 was the first Escape that we saw-had not even heard of an Escape before that. It was at Point Hudson in Port Townsend about 2 years ago and we thought it was the cutest trailer we had ever seen. The owners were not there so didn't see inside. That evening also had a double rainbow so the stars were aligned! :-)
Fast forward to now, we have a 19 waiting for us at ETI. I think they are all great!

Sandi

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Slickheadhunter

A smaller trailer is easier to handle while driving...

I don't think that's so simple - a shorter trailer is easier to maneuver simply because it takes less space, but a shorter ball-to-axle distance can also make it maddening to avoid over-controlling. Out on the highway, weight, stability and width are all that matters - the Escape 15' and 17' are the same length and either could be more stable depending on options and loading.

[Slickheadhunter]

That's true, I should have said in my particular situation regarding handling. My tow vehicle is a full size F-250.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I don't think that's so simple - a shorter trailer is easier to maneuver simply because it takes less space, but a shorter ball-to-axle distance can also make it maddening to avoid over-controlling. Out on the highway, weight, stability and width are all that matters - the Escape 15' and 17' are the same length and either could be more stable depending on options and loading.

The Escape 15 and 17 are the same length only between axle and rear, but the ball-to-axle-centers dimension is about 24 inches longer on the 17.

[dave macrae]

It is sad to see the 13 and 15 phased out. However we all want this company to prosper and be around along time. There is a long list of companies that have failed because they were not willing to adapt to the market place and make needed adjustments.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I don't think that's so simple - a shorter trailer is easier to maneuver simply because it takes less space, but a shorter ball-to-axle distance can also make it maddening to avoid over-controlling. Out on the highway, weight, stability and width are all that matters - the Escape 15' and 17' are the same length and either could be more stable depending on options and loading.

Sorry - that was supposed to be the same width. Don's right of course, the 17' is two feet longer (and all the extra is ahead of the axle).

[tmorris]

hi dave if the 15 was a favourite why are you pulling a 19. there is a saying you can't be all things to all people. economically for the masses this is probably a very sound decision. if you are honest would you rather have the additional space of a 17 versus a 15. not only that it makes room for the quicker manufacture of other trailers

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by tmorris

... would you rather have the additional space of a 17 versus a 15...

I think most people would like - or at least not mind - more space. The question is normally whether or not it is worth the extra cost, weight, and bulk... because life is always a series of compromises. It looks like so many more people can make the compromise of the larger sizes work that it no longer makes good business sense to continue the 15'.

[Cozy Rosie]

We love our little 15 A. Being small, we have to consider carefully what we take on the road and how we pack. Camping represents simplicity to us rather than an extension of our "home" lifestyle. It's easy to envy others' fancier options/conveniences and we've been sucked into that trap on occasion. However, each time we return to our "less is more" philosophy. (Sure seems like a palace after tent camping!)
Sorry the 15 is no longer being produced although we understand from a business point of view.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Cozy Rosie

We love our little 15 A. Being small, we have to consider carefully what we take on the road and how we pack. Camping represents simplicity to us rather than an extension of our "home" lifestyle. It's easy to envy others' fancier options/conveniences and we've been sucked into that trap on occasion. However, each time we return to our "less is more" philosophy. (Sure seems like a palace after tent camping!)
Sorry the 15 is no longer being produced although we understand from a business point of view.

Though 4' longer, this is the same attitude we use with our 19. I very much prefer the simplicity of the lifestyle. I prefer to keep what we bring to just what we need, and less of what we want or think we might need.


Those of you with a 15 will have a classic, and with it being no longer produced, likely make resale an easy thing.

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by tmorris

hi dave if the 15 was a favourite why are you pulling a 19. there is a saying you can't be all things to all people. economically for the masses this is probably a very sound decision. if you are honest would you rather have the additional space of a 17 versus a 15. not only that it makes room for the quicker manufacture of other trailers

If I was honest , I would say that I think the 15' has a great layout and it would suit me perfectly if I was traveling alone, but it does not suit my needs at this time. I also love the 19' we bought, and it best suits our current family travel/camping needs. My wife and I usually travel/camp with 1 or 2 of our 4 kids (3 of them are +18yr). Other times we have camped with all 4 of our kids, with 2 or 3 staying in tents on our site. When I am retired and traveling more, it is quite possible that my needs may change yet again, but I will evaluate that a few years from now.

[Donna D.]

We haven't seen where ETI has screwed up anything yet. Building molds is an expensive undertaking. I'd bet there's a shelter at the back of the ETI yard that's holding the molds for the 13', 15' and the 5.0 classic. They may not use them anytime in the next couple of years or 5 years or 10 years.... but those molds are part of the ETI assets and as such are probably being treated as such. But, what do I know...

[J Mac]

Should the discussion, "15' Escape Update" blend with the discussion, "What Happened to the 15??"? The two discussions seem to be heading in the same direction.

[thoer]

The end (at least for now) of the 15 gives me mixed feelings. Sad, in that it was a beautifully conceived little trailer that is the perfect size for some. But, I very much want to see Escape Trailer Industries survive and thrive. Reace and Tammy are very smart people, and this apparently is a business decision they have made to help insure the continued success of our favorite trailer builders.

[FMLNM]

Does anyone know how many of each model have been manufactured?

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by FMLNM

Does anyone know how many of each model have been manufactured?

This question came up in Escape sighting? and although the last three digits of the VIN indicate the total count (of all models), it seems like only ETI knows the distribution between models.

With the 15' in production for less than five years, and never the most popular model, I would guess it represents a pretty small fraction of the total. Ironic, in a way, given that I understand that Reace created the original 17' Escape design as an evolution and stretch of the 15-foot Surfside...

[KarenH]

I would be terribly interested in the count on both the 13s and the 15s and hope that Tammy or Reace will come through; I can't think that this is proprietary info that they wouldn't be willing to share. (Or at least I wouldn't understand since the total number is public information.)

I figure that since these little guys are going extinct, my son won't have any trouble whatsoever selling it from my estate. Maybe it'll be worth $100k by then.

[LeonardS]

Karen, or other 15a owners: if you had to do it all over again, would you consider the 15b?

Did you order the little portable Thetford and have the under seat storage door put in ( ETI's $200 option for this)?