How late is too late for pickup?

[Tony N]

Our 17B will be finished mid September and we would like some guidance on when would be the latest we could reasonable pick up. It's so nice in Wisconsin in September, and pretty much everywhere else, that we hate to burn 10 days at that time of the year. The major concern is mountain passes that time of year,although we could wait a day or two if conditions warrant. Circumstances ordain that we not dawdle on the return trip. We actually plan on using the Bigfoot in late fall and then store both with the intent of selling the BF in the spring. Looks like early October would be our best bet, but the later the better. Any thoughts from The group is appreciated.
Tony

[rbryan4]

My thoughts are to ask Escape. They'll let you know how long they can store it.

[NW Cat Owner]

From their website:

"If you are unable to pick the trailer up once it is finished we will be more than happy to store your trailer free of charge for 3 months ($100.00cdn/month after that) until you are able to pick it up or have it delivered. Please note with this option your trailer warranty does not take affect until you take possession of the trailer.


"We do offer trailer delivery throughout North America for those owners who are unable to pick their trailer up. Combine your trailer delivery with other owner’s for a reduced rate."

[Tony N]

I should have added that we're a bit concerned about a potential border adjustment tax, so we thought it wise to import sooner rather than later. Escape will store for three months free with $100 CAD/month after that.

[caddoster]

On the website they now said they will store it free of charge for 3 months and after that there will be charges. On the paperwork we just received (we pick up in August) they also said we need storage insurance if we are storing the trailer with them. something to consider...

[Steve Clark]

Tony, I think you are right about the weather and October. The general rule of thumb for traversing snow free mountain passes in the lower 48 is the end of October, or Halloween.
I wouldn't cut it that close, but instead plan on being east of the Rockies by October 20 and you should be fine.

Good Luck

[DonF]

Originally Posted by Tony N

Our 17B will be finished mid September and we would like some guidance on when would be the latest we could reasonable pick up. It's so nice in Wisconsin in September, and pretty much everywhere else, that we hate to burn 10 days at that time of the year. The major concern is mountain passes that time of year,although we could wait a day or two if conditions warrant. Circumstances ordain that we not dawdle on the return trip. We actually plan on using the Bigfoot in late fall and then store both with the intent of selling the BF in the spring. Looks like early October would be our best bet, but the later the better. Any thoughts from The group is appreciated.
Tony

In our case, we left Mississippi on 12/29/13, spent 4 days in Yellowstone, and arrived in Chilliwack on 1/9/14. Our route was I-80 across NE, I-25 and I-90 in WY, and then I-90 to Seattle. I monitored the weather and tracked the forecast and road conditions but we didn't have any travel delays or road closures due to weather conditions. Sure was glad to cross Snoqualmie Pass and see the green on the western side of the mountains though!

[DonF]

Originally Posted by DonF

In our case, we left Mississippi on 12/29/13, spent 4 days in Yellowstone, and arrived in Chilliwack on 1/9/14. Our route was I-80 across NE, I-25 and I-90 in WY, and then I-90 to Seattle. I monitored the weather and tracked the forecast and road conditions but we didn't have any travel delays or road closures due to weather conditions. Sure was glad to cross Snoqualmie Pass and see the green on the western side of the mountains though!

I forgot to note that our return trip towing our Escape was completed using a much different route. We basically followed Highway 101 down the coast of OR and CA to avoid any chance of snow and didn't head east until we reached the San Luis Obispo, CA area. We had lots of time and spent 60 days getting back home.

[cpaharley2008]

We took delivery in October 2016 and had no weather issues at all. Just try to avoid I5 traffic if possible when returning with the trailer. Since you are in Wisconsin, you will be taking the northern routes. I'd not worry until past Thanksgiving or later for weather issues since it was above freezing everywhere and a quick storm would not lay until much later.

[jking1224]

Hmm. My completion date is Nov 22, day before US Thanksgiving. Plan would be a direct shot back home to Colorado, no 60 day return for us. At this point, my plan is to watch the weather. If conditions seem good, go and pick up. If early winter hits, I guess wait until spring.

[skyfree]

We picked ours up in mid February and had no problems. There was some snow over Siskiyou summit and rain everywhere else, but as long as you watch the weather for big snowstorms you should be able to pick up any time of the year and get home safely. Your biggest concerns would be Steven's pass and the higher elevations in Montana.

Next year we will intentionally drive our 17B through Idaho, Montana, and eastern BC in February for a month-long trip. Wish us luck :-) We are certain to run into some interesting weather.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by skyfree

We picked ours up in mid February and had no problems. There was some snow over Siskiyou summit and rain everywhere else, but as long as you watch the weather for big snowstorms you should be able to pick up any time of the year and get home safely. Your biggest concerns would be Steven's pass and the higher elevations in Montana.

Next year we will intentionally drive our 17B through Idaho, Montana, and eastern BC in February for a month-long trip. Wish us luck :-) We are certain to run into some interesting weather.

We'll be picking up end of November, 2017. Were from Minnesota and we're planning to drive up to Winnipeg and head west on the Trans Canadian Highway to Chilliwack. Anyone see a problem with this? I haven't been that way in decades but I recall that the TCH is pretty much an easy trip. Or, does it go over thee mountains on the way to Chilliwack? On the way back we may reverse the route with the trailer 'in tow', or head south into California over thru Arizona, New Mexico, and back to Minnesota on Interstae 35. Thoughts please. Thanks

[blhvet]

Just so you know, I asked Tammy about the storage insurance because mine was ready the end of Jan (early) and I didn't pick up until April. Tammy said that it was covered under their insurance until I registered the trailer, so I just didn't register it until just before I left to pick it up.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Dan S

We'll be picking up end of November, 2017. Were from Minnesota and we're planning to drive up to Winnipeg and head west on the Trans Canadian Highway to Chilliwack. Anyone see a problem with this? I haven't been that way in decades but I recall that the TCH is pretty much an easy trip. Or, does it go over thee mountains on the way to Chilliwack?

There is no way to get from Alberta to Chilliwack without crossing multiple mountain ranges - the only choice is which highway, and therefore which passes. At the end of November it seems likely that you'll drive through winter conditions at least at higher elevations, but without the trailer yet I wouldn't consider that to be a problem... assuming that you have winter tires.

• The TransCanada (which goes through Calgary and then Rogers Pass and Kicking Horse Pass, and more) is the most major route. Revelstoke is west of Rogers Pass, and is known for its snowfall... I just looked it up and apparently 62.4 cm (24.57 inches) falls in a typical November (and then it starts really snowing).
• You can also veer south at Medicine Hat and use Highway 3 to go through Lethbridge and later the Crowsnest Pass; I like that road, but it is the most twisting of the routes and probably not the best choice in winter.
• The only other major route is the Yellowhead (Hwy 16 in Alberta then Hwy 5 in BC), and it has the least severe mountain roads, but it would be hard to justify going that far out of the way (through Edmonton!) to use a different highway.

[TallyHo]

Originally Posted by Dan S

We'll be picking up end of November, 2017. Were from Minnesota and we're planning to drive up to Winnipeg and head west on the Trans Canadian Highway to Chilliwack.

Hi Dan S, We picked up early March of this year driving across 90 all the way from Maine. We left end of Feb. and were lucky and had storms behind us the whole way but got across in great weather aside from one day of freezing fog in S. Dakota. Both the trans Canada and route 80 were both under worse weather at the time. I'd suggest NOT planning and just watch the weather and choosing your route at the time, speeding up or slowing down or changing routes as the weather dictates. And when you get to Chilliwack, Whoo Hoo so much fun!

[Jim Bennett]

I picked up late January this year, and drove back to Calgary. We were fortunate to have just about a perfect weather window for the two day return trip, and did it without any problem.

However, during the dead of winter like that, we could have been hit with ugly weather. There is no way of telling. If you are willing to wait out any storms, you will always get a chance to go through, folks do it with all kinds of trailers year round.

I picked up one set of chains just in case, but never needed them.

[jennykatz]

We had our 21 Escape delivered to Chicago in Early November .and then drove down to Naples Fl. We did not want to drive through the Cascades or Rockies in November never knowing the weather . ETI charged us $4000 CD ($3000) US it worked for us .

[BCnomad]

Thinking out loud, but I wonder if there are more "open year round" campgrounds on the TCH route? In case one has to wait out a storm.

The Blueberry-Paulson run seemed to bear the brunt of the southern winter storms, at least this past year and when I looked on the BC traffic website.


Jim, welcome to the "chain gang". So far I've avoided being drafted into that club but my time will come, no doubt.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

We took delivery in October 2016 and had no weather issues at all. Just try to avoid I5 traffic if possible when returning with the trailer. Since you are in Wisconsin, you will be taking the northern routes. I'd not worry until past Thanksgiving or later for weather issues since it was above freezing everywhere and a quick storm would not lay until much later.

Why avoid Interstate 5? Traffic density, weather, mountain passes, twisty? This is the way we'd be heading after leaving Chilliwack.

[LeonW]

We picked up in late September (22nd?) and then took a month travelling back to Minnesota. Spent most of the time in the mountains and I really really liked travelling that time of year. The aspens on the mountainsides had changed color and it made for beautiful scenery. I understand your desire to pick up later, and Wisconsin is beautiful any time. But lots of beauty to be found on the trip back too.