General questions

kevin · 03-25-2015, 07:15 PM

I guess I am nervous person much like when my daughter was born many years ago, simply don t know what to expect but somehow it works out. I initially thought about having the trailer delivered to pa where a member here agreed to have the trailer delivered to his address and he would help me with initial walk thru but I would like to save the cost of delivery by picking the trailer Washington as I use to live there. I use to own a Casita truly loved it My question is the Anderson hitch. I simply don't understand how that works. Also, when they deliver the trailer do they give some guidance on how things work or do they just drop it off and say here you go. I have made a lot costly mistake in the first chapter of my life just trying avoid costly mistake in the future. Escape is the perfect trailer for me being single really looking forward to ordering one in june. thanks for reading this and your answer (pls be kind) would be appreciated.

**cpaharley2008** · 03-25-2015, 07:31 PM

You can go to the factory and they will install the hitch and give you your walk thru. You then leave and they will follow you with your trailer across the border to a parking lot and hook up you and you are good to go. They are real close to the border. Good luck.

**Donna D.** · 03-25-2015, 07:36 PM

I can understand your apprehension. Buyers remorse. I've been there myself a time or two. Not with my 5.0TA. Besides, if you run into any issues, we're right here for YOU. There's a wealth of knowledge about the brand and RVing in general on the EscapeForum.

But like any all molded towable brand, you'd gain a bunch of things you don't even think about by picking up your trailer at ETI.

float5 · 03-25-2015, 07:38 PM

Welcome, Kevin. If you go to Chilliwack, they will give you an orientation. You do not have to get an Anderson. There is a standard hitch they also sell that we have.

azjack · 03-25-2015, 07:41 PM

We have had two other eggs delivered to us, the driver said here it is, I just drove all night and he was gone. Since we had lived in trailers before, no big deal. With Escape we have picked up two trailers at the factory, after a 2000 mile drive and enjoyed meeting everyone and someone to explain anything that we questioned. When the water pump continued to run, the owner got down there and readjusted the pump. The trip home in a new trailer is exciting, go for it.
Jack

Catchlight · 03-25-2015, 07:50 PM

Kevin, others have commented on your overall decision; here's a comment specifically about the hitch.

I don't know how the Andersen hitch works, either, but I'm sure glad we have one between our Escape 21 and our tow vehicle. Over the four weeks of our inaugural trip we drove on pavement of varying quality and experienced no sway or other undesirable behaviours.

The ball mechanism is a little sticky to hitch and unhitch at first, but that could have been caused by our inexperience.

BCnomad · 03-25-2015, 07:50 PM

re: Andersen hitch. Like FC said, not necessary but (imho) oh so nice to have. The short version of how it works is that the chain tension "raises up" the hitch ball. The longer version is in this here thread I'm sure: http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f1...itch-2050.html

One of the reasons I got an Escape was that the resale value is amazing, making exiting the RV hobby/lifestyle/mistake much easier to financially justify.

My two cents is to order (put deposit down) asap, as you might get lucky and have a trailer before the snow season comes around again. Then again, you might grab a used one/demo from ETI too. I did.

edit: my coupler lock was also sticky but a good shot of lube helped a lot in freeing it up.

gbaglo · 03-25-2015, 07:55 PM

For what it's worth, I don't experience sway and have a secure ride with the Pro Series weight distribution hitch that ETI also sells ( and for less money ).

Bill and Earline · 03-25-2015, 07:59 PM

Kevin,
St. Louis is farther than most, but we drove to pick ours up from East Tennessee and others have done the same from Florida, Pennsylvania and New England. I'd encourage you to make the trip. If you order in June, I assume your completion date would be in the spring. The annual owners' rally is around the first of June each year (except this year--late May). That weekend could tie in with your pick up and is not only great fun but it is most useful in learning about Escapes, but also seeing the novel improvements made by all the owners. We actually went to the rally before we completed our build sheet last year.
And remember, with the current exchange rate you're getting about a 20% discount.

**rbryan4** · 03-25-2015, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin

I guess I am nervous person much like when my daughter was born many years ago, simply don t know what to expect but somehow it works out. I initially thought about having the trailer delivered to pa where a member here agreed to have the trailer delivered to his address and he would help me with initial walk thru but I would like to save the cost of delivery by picking the trailer Washington as I use to live there.

As others have mentioned, you cross the border, do an orientation at the factory, then leave without the trailer. You cross back into the US and they deliver it to you there, in the town of Sumas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin

I use to own a Casita truly loved it My question is the Anderson hitch. I simply don't understand how that works. Also, when they deliver the trailer do they give some guidance on how things work or do they just drop it off and say here you go.

Depending on your tow vehicle, and also on the model of Escape trailer you buy, you MAY need a weight distribution hitch (WDH). A WDH redistributes weight from the rear to the front axle of your tow vehicle. That is sometimes needed because the weight of the trailer tongue on the back of the tow vehicle takes too much weight off the front of the tow vehicle. The WDH balances it back out, so that you have better handling and control. Its that simple.

An "Andersen Hitch" is simply ONE type of WDH, but there are several others. Escape offers either the Reese conventional WDH or the Andersen. The Andersen has a completely different design than the more conventional "bar" design, but they both perform essentially the same function. Don't worry about a WDH until or unless Escape tells you that you need it.

The orientation you take at the factory is very thorough, and covers every system on the trailer. They're very nice people too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin

I have made a lot costly mistake in the first chapter of my life just trying avoid costly mistake in the future. Escape is the perfect trailer for me being single really looking forward to ordering one in june. thanks for reading this and your answer (pls be kind) would be appreciated.

I've never met or heard of a person who purchased an Escape and thought it was a mistake. We are currently on our maiden voyage with ours and we love it. We could not have made a better decision. Reace stands behind what he builds, and ask around on the fiberglass forums and you'll quickly find they have a stellar reputation.

Best wishes on whatever you decide, and please, use this forum, ask questions and learn. That's what we did and it worked out very well. Cheers.

Robert

**cpaharley2008** · 03-25-2015, 08:33 PM

Kevin,
What type of tow vehicle do you have and what model Escape are you interested in?

kevin · 03-25-2015, 08:38 PM

So many thanks for your quick responses. I was amazed how quick my casita sold, to a very nice person who took her grandkids camping in the trailer. I am not looking for re sale Just looking for place to camp and hang with fellow campers. I cannot cross in Canada because I made one of many mistakes in my youth and I have a dui. It can t be that hard, to obtain a trailer, just lot more careful in my decisions then then past. I suppose as long as does not leak and I have a bed to sleep on that's all that matters Bill and Earline thanks for your note as I am huge vol;s fan. I am still not sold on the hitch selection, but I will figure it out I told my girlfriend over dinner, the cool kids have accepted me. I have said many times, I will by buy this product because of the people that own them. Again thanks for all your replies means a great deal to me and I cannot wait to go camping again! Have a blessed night and safe travels!

kevin · 03-25-2015, 08:40 PM

jim 19 with the options you recommended

**rbryan4** · 03-25-2015, 08:47 PM

Kevin, I don't know for sure, but I'd bet that Escape would agree to meet you in Sumas and do your orientation there. They use contract drivers to bring the trailer across, but if it were prearranged, they would probably agree to have an Escape employee take the trailer across -- someone who has the product knowledge to give you a proper orientation. I would call and ask.

kevin · 03-25-2015, 08:49 PM

could not figure out how to edit my post

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin

jim 19 with the options you recommended

float5 · 03-25-2015, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin

could not figure out how to edit my post

You have to be signed in and then you will see "edit" at lower area of post for a short time.

Yes, it would be a good idea to have a WDH with your towing capacity of 5000.

Bill and Earline · 03-25-2015, 09:46 PM

Kevin,
As a mostly retired attorney, I couldn't help looking up the Readmission process for Americans with an old DUI.

The attached link gives some possibilities, especially the Deemed Rehabilitation status when the DUI and its related events are more than 10 years ago.
Resolving Criminal Inadmissibility to Canada » ezbordercrossing.com

Brian B-P · 03-25-2015, 10:53 PM

I see no connection between the towing capacity of the tug and the level of need for a WDH. If the vehicle is a compact SUV with short wheelbase and soft suspension, it will likely need WDH; if it is a long-wheelbase truck with towing capacity limited not having the biggest engine, there's nothing to suggest a need for WDH.

Kevin, there are a lot of Ford models, and an F-150 truck is very different from a "crossover" SUV... what do you have?

7th Heaven · 03-26-2015, 12:00 AM

Hi Kevin,
So first the disclaimer .. I have only installed/used the Anderson hitch and am reasonably mechanically inclined. Your Experience may vary ...

OK that out of the way Install of the Anderson Hitch is Quick and Easy .. i can't imagine using anything else.

If you have not looked at the YouTube Video do so, you will then know if you are capable of doign the install.

the Original .. gotta love the Accent!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLlxSmQae9U

An updated and much improved Install demo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FhIEc62mKA

AND how to get the hitch straight:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO_QTxnJVN8

Loren & Cathy · 03-26-2015, 11:09 AM

Thanks 7th Heaven. Kevin isn't the only one wondering about the Anderson hitch. The first major accomplishment is that we have it on the build sheet. Loren

You may also like: