My Purchase Chronology starting 09/09/2020

[7Gentex]

I may have missed it, but are you having the trailer delivered to Denton for pick-up?

[Centex]

Yes, Denton delivery, details TBD.

[Ryanb-72]

Originally Posted by Centex

Yes, Denton delivery, details TBD.

I am anxious to hear how the Denton delivery process goes. We have a GCD of 10/01/21 and will be having it delivered in Denton.

[Centex]

Continuing the purchase-process chronology for those interested ....

Yesterday afternoon, Friday August 6, I got a call from ETI delivery specialist Amanda Rahn followed by a couple of emails, all to get the last of the info they needed to nail-down documentation and delivery ...

The phone call was just to describe the remaining steps and see if I had any questions. IMO it's smart of Amanda to call before sending the emails required for the 'paper trail' and it was very appreciated, it gave me an opportunity to understand how several of the particulars to my situation will be handled as well as formalize the request for the 'video walk-through' mentioned by Karl on a YouTube recently. It's not an interactive walk-through requiring my real-time participation, it's a ~4 minute video they shoot for me to download - it'll be done just before load-up on the transport and will show my trailer as it will 'travel' with all the 'loose items' inside - that works great for me!

The first email documented the delivery schedule and location we had just discussed (reply confirming acceptance of the details is required):

• Trailer is scheduled to leave Chilliwack Thursday/Friday (August 19/20)
• Delivery at Denton HUB the following Tuesday or Wednesday (transporter possession days are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances)
• I was provided the HUB company name and address in Denton which I will not post here. It's the main yard of a towing and recovery company which assists in getting the trailer from the transport flatbed to the ground; on the NE side of Denton, readily found on Google maps, I've no idea if the specific Denton HUB location I will use is subject to change over time.
• Sometime after they have it across the border the transport driver will contact me at my cell number to confirm the exact date and time of delivery (thence we can communicate directly if needed).

The second email transmitted the Adobe E-sign USDHS CPB Form 5106, a US Customs form required for import of the trailer to the US containing certain of my personal information and an easy 'click to E-Sign' which triggers automated reply and confirmation. Done, easy-peasy, I instantly received a PDF final version in return.

On Monday, August 9, ETI will email scans of all of the final paperwork except the DOT Form HS-7 which is completed by US Customs as the trailer crosses the border. I declined ETI's offer to FedEx overnight ($50 fee) the original forms sans the HS-7 as I can't get a Texas title and tags without an eyes-on local-LEO trailer inspection anyway - I'll be given all of the original forms including the completed HS-7 when I pick up the trailer in Denton. All that works just fine for me, I've no concerns whatsoever about the trip home without a license tag displayed on the trailer.

BTW I'll be 'resting' the night before and after pickup at friends' house with a very generous driveway apron in Ft Worth, about 50 miles from the Denton HUB; very convenient for me, we've not been together since pre-covid and they're anxious to see the new trailer, so a nice win-win all around. It's about 3.5 hours from their house to mine via I-35.

So, all seems finally 'set', next update should be when I get final post-PDI pics on 'transport day in Chilliwack'.

[kathytony1985]

I would be interested to know what condition your trailer arrives in, ie. dirty interior. sawdust, loose appliances? I saw a thread on here, I believe it was yesterday or day before, from someone who received their trailer from the transport company that had dirt and sawdust in it and a microwave that looked like it was about to fall out! He received an explanation of rough ride caused these things?? Also, there was a different post that indicated some sort of blue vinyl that was used to cover the front of the trailer had flapped in the wind and the trailer arrived with surface blemishes that had to be waxed out by the new owner.
We are planning on having our trailer delivered and want to know what to expect.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by kathytony1985

... We are planning on having our trailer delivered and want to know what to expect.

I've of course seen the posts you mention and personally I expect those sorts of things will vary depending on each individual trailer and transport situation. IOW I don't rely on those anecdotal specifics as basis for any particular expectation on my part.

Me, I understand that ~3400 miles crossing the Rockies with the trailer cinched-down on a hard-sprung flatbed freight-truck is bound to shake things up a bit, likely a bit more than the same trek with the trailer rolling on its own un-fettered suspension hitched to my F150.

I'll expect to find things needing a bit of a vacuuming and tightening just as I would if I towed it from Sumas myself. As long as the effects will 'buff out' it's not gonna create an "" response on my part, I'll find that unremarkable (not worth remarking) and acceptable (I try to not 'sweat the small stuff' of this sort).

Having said that, IF I observe any IMO improper/inadequate component installations or 'permanent' transport damage, I'll certainly share those observations.

[kathytony1985]

Thank you!

[Centex]

Just received from ETI as promised: pdf scans of the completed "Bill of Sale" and "Certificate of Origin for a Trailer", along with the US Customs form HS-7 completed to the extent possible (HS-7 will be finalized and stamped by customs when crossing the border).

All looks in great order, though the originals delivered with the trailer will be required for registration in Texas it's reassuring to receive the scans and confirm all the info required in Texas is clearly and precisely presented on ETI's forms.

[cpaharley2008]

Escape's paperwork is exemplary as I have never had any issues registration wise in the past.

[Centex]

Looks that way to me, too, Jim, and I've every reason to anticipate an easy registration in TX when mine arrives.

[Donny A]

Check out this Everlanders mini split, I found it interesting.

Don

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woZH85EiHNY

[Lorraine Pittsburgh]

May your travels be safe & your new home-away-from-home be everything you have hoped.

[Oldtimer]

It’s interesting others here in Texas cant get their tags until the trailer is inspected. Here in Decatur,Tx,I walked in with all the required paperwork and the tags were handed to me after emptying my wallet lol. No inspection and trailer need not be present. In and out in 5 minutes. Guess I was lucky.


David

[JStelly]

Originally Posted by Oldtimer

It’s interesting others here in Texas cant get their tags until the trailer is inspected. Here in Decatur,Tx,I walked in with all the required paperwork and the tags were handed to me after emptying my wallet lol. No inspection and trailer need not be present. In and out in 5 minutes. Guess I was lucky.


David

You were! [emoji6]

[Centex]

Originally Posted by Lorraine Pittsburgh

May your travels be safe & your new home-away-from-home be everything you have hoped.

Thank You, Lorraine!

Originally Posted by Oldtimer

It’s interesting others here in Texas cant get their tags until the trailer is inspected. Here in Decatur,Tx, I walked in with all the required paperwork and the tags were handed to me after emptying my wallet lol. No inspection and trailer need not be present. In and out in 5 minutes. Guess I was lucky.

David

Noting your trailer year if that was circa 2018, things may have changed even in Decatur. In any case, I'm all set, the authorized County Investigator is doing VTR68 inspections the day after I return home

Aside - having fun today, just finished test of two tiny EBay cube-cams and passive video switchbox .... one cam under a bed rail, the other in my rear window, I can toggle between a side and front view of my Andersen ball displayed on my aftermarket in-dash head unit. Works in forward or reverse travel, should help make solo hitching alignment a bit easier

Also got a 3rd cube-cam and a 5.8GHz video transmitter/receiver that we're gonna try out as a rear-view cam on the trailer through the same switchbox.

It's amazing how inexpensive (and probably 'cheap', lol) these video bits are, I'm into it for ~$80 for everything

[camp4528]

Hi Centex,

I’m very excited for you for your imminent delivery!

I spent an unsuccessful few hours a month ago trolling Amazon (didn’t think of eBay) and online electronics stores looking for a video setup similar to your $80 investment. That was about my price tolerance as well. i expect readers would appreciate knowing the component details but would understand if you prefer to wait until you’ve finished the solution.

Will be looking forward to the next installments of “My Purchase Chronology”

[Centex]

Originally Posted by camp4528

... I spent an unsuccessful few hours a month ago trolling Amazon (didn’t think of eBay) and online electronics stores looking for a video setup similar to your $80 investment. That was about my price tolerance as well. i expect readers would appreciate knowing the component details but would understand if you prefer to wait until you’ve finished the solution.

Will be looking forward to the next installments of “My Purchase Chronology”

This thread will come to an end when the new trailer arrives home, but then we'll start the modifications thread

In the meantime, here's a 'teaser' on the cam setup, the rough schematic along with sources (I bought this stuff several months ago)
Switchbox
This is the cam I bought but the price has gone up a lot and I bought on a 4-item discount offer
Video transmitter/receiver, not yet installed or tested

The 'key' to this is to recognize that "Audio" jacks are used for 'power' and the labels on the schematic are those used on the respective components ("Audio", "In", and "Out" on the switchbox don't really represent what those connections are used for).

[Centex]

Though delayed by a very late tow truck required to unload the two trailers, the pickup in Denton yesterday was uneventful. I made the short 50 miles to a friend's house in Ft Worth as the sun was setting, then trekked home via I-35 this morning. I met David Murphy at a Walmart on the way home where he took the attached pic. With David as 'spotter' we confirmed the rig will accommodate a full 90-degree angle without cab-conflict. I'm much happier than I look in that bright hot sun!

Check those lug nuts. folks, mine definitely needed retorque after those first 50 miles but were good thereafter.

Gee whiz, this thing tows like a dream, the trusty 2005 F150 and the 5.0 are a match made in heaven it seems.

Haven't yet been through the detailed look-over but all seems as promised with a casual check.

As David said it seems like only a month ago I first visited his trailer in advance of my deposit, time in retrospect is funny like that. So, this thread started on September 9, 2020 now draws to a close on August 26, 2021.

I'll soon enough start my modifications thread, it'll be a single ongoing saga unabashedly modeled on Ed's epic Modifications to Eggscape.

Thanks to the countless folks here who contributed to my purchase process with insights and information, and especially the ever-patient and supportive local owner David Murphy and Linda Fedoruk at ETI.

YaaaaHoooo, now the real fun begins!

[kathytony1985]

Wow, that sure looks good!

Our 21NE is scheduled for delivery the week of September 13th. Can't wait!

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by Centex

Though delayed by a very late tow truck required to unload the two trailers, the pickup in Denton yesterday was uneventful. I made the short 50 miles to a friend's house in Ft Worth as the sun was setting, then trekked home via I-35 this morning. I met David Murphy at a Walmart on the way home where he took the attached pic. With David as 'spotter' we confirmed the rig will accommodate a full 90-degree angle without cab-conflict. I'm much happier than I look in that bright hot sun!

Check those lug nuts. folks, mine definitely needed retorque after those first 50 miles but were good thereafter.

Gee whiz, this thing tows like a dream, the trusty 2005 F150 and the 5.0 are a match made in heaven it seems.

Haven't yet been through the detailed look-over but all seems as promised with a casual check.

As David said it seems like only a month ago I first visited his trailer in advance of my deposit, time in retrospect is funny like that. So, this thread started on September 9, 2020 now draws to a close on August 26, 2021.

I'll soon enough start my modifications thread, it'll be a single ongoing saga unabashedly modeled on Ed's epic Modifications to Eggscape.

Thanks to the countless folks here who contributed to my purchase process with insights and information, and especially the ever-patient and supportive local owner David Murphy and Linda Fedoruk at ETI.

YaaaaHoooo, now the real fun begins!

Really looks good! I wish I had the supercab model.. Much better for my use than the screw... Sounds like your pickup was a success all around! Enjoy