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Old 09-04-2017, 01:58 PM   #1
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Metric Question

I am puzzled why Escape trailer lengths are listed in feet instead of meters. I reside very close to the border and have slowly learned how to order meat at a butcher shop ("x" grams of this and "x" grams of that) and to determine liter to gallon volume equivalency but I do not understand why the trailers would be listed in feet instead of in a metric measurement. I had always thought that Canada was 100% metric - then this morning while being inside on a holiday because the smoke from wildfires is way too dense - this question entered my mind. I am sure a few friendly folks will be able to enlighten me about this pressing question.
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Old 09-04-2017, 02:15 PM   #2
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Hi new adventures, nope we here in Canada never went 100% metric. We still have 2x4 lumber, 4x8 plywood, 8 1/2 x 11 paper etc. and that's just some of it. What can I say, it was or government at the time [emoji23].


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Old 09-04-2017, 02:17 PM   #3
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Officially, Canada uses the S.I. (metric) system. Legally, values for trade must generally be expressed in S.I. units, although there are exceptions and other units can always be provided as well... but trailers are not priced by the foot so it doesn't matter so much in this case.

There are a few factors which keep old unit in use, but mostly it's reluctance to change. In this case, Escape Trailer Industries is in a business which is dominated by the U.S., so for comparison with other products (other brands of travel trailers) it is convenient to use the same units of measure.

Ironically, the Escape design is derived from the original Trillium design, and Trillium sold their two larger models with model names based on their length in metres (the 4500, about 4.5 m or 15' long; and the 5500, about 5.5 m or 18' long). The Escape equivalent to the 4500 was sold as the Escape 15', and the nearest Escape to the 5500 is the Escape 19'.

Bigfoot is the other manufacturer of moulded fiberglass travel trailers in British Columbia; they list their trailer specifications in both systems.
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Old 09-04-2017, 02:22 PM   #4
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Thanks to PGDriver and Brian B-P for the quick responses. Now what else can I ponder today? :-)
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Old 09-04-2017, 03:10 PM   #5
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And then there is the 5.0 TA.
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Old 09-04-2017, 04:43 PM   #6
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If ETI were to put the trailer and other measurements into metric the USA market would drop like a rock. [emoji3]


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Old 09-04-2017, 04:59 PM   #7
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The Metric System Is .... - Ruthless Reviews
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Old 09-04-2017, 05:06 PM   #8
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If ETI were to put the trailer and other measurements into metric the USA market would drop like a rock. [emoji3]


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A very true statement - few would make the effort to figure it out.

I'm not going to add to any confusion by bringing up Imperial gallons.
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Old 09-04-2017, 05:24 PM   #9
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Funny: our drivers license is in metric.
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Old 09-04-2017, 06:17 PM   #10
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I solved the metric / US measurement problem by purchasing a combination measuring tape where one edge is in Metric and the other is in inches /feet . The ruler does the conversion for me , leads to less mistakes and I don't need a calculator.
I do own a metric hammer and a couple of metric screwdrivers but seldom have a use for them.
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Old 09-04-2017, 06:52 PM   #11
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If you ever find a left-handed metric hammer on sale please let me know. I'm always looking for left-handed things as birthday gifts and such for my brother... )
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Old 09-04-2017, 06:58 PM   #12
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We (Canadians) wimped out when converting, given in to the US pressure where we do so much trade. Too bad though, as the US is pretty much the only country to not adopt the metric system. I am quite comfortable discussing in both. Temperature is about the only thing I need to convert to understand now.
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Old 09-04-2017, 07:00 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Doug & Betty View Post
If you ever find a left-handed metric hammer on sale please let me know. I'm always looking for left-handed things as birthday gifts and such for my brother... )
Don't be silly, there is no such thing as left-handled hammers. Just screwdrivers used for loosening.
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Old 09-04-2017, 07:07 PM   #14
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And then there is the 5.0 TA.
I always keep an eye out for that other decimal component of a fifth wheel.
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Old 09-14-2017, 10:32 PM   #15
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We (Canadians) wimped out when converting, given in to the US pressure where we do so much trade. Too bad though, as the US is pretty much the only country to not adopt the metric system. I am quite comfortable discussing in both. Temperature is about the only thing I need to convert to understand now.
Temp is easy (except for negative temps), its pressure conversions that stump me.
A pascal is such a useless unit in day to day life.

And if America would get its game together (the uk too) we could all forget about non SI units.

Equipment from Europe and Asia comes with SI specs, and the majority of equipment still comes from the USA or US markets at least, and thus my trade is forced to know both. Thank goodness for smart phones
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Old 09-24-2017, 08:02 PM   #16
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Where is the metric?

When I went up to pick up our 21 in August, I took only metric tools, thinking "made in Canada, everything would be metric". This was a mistake! I had to pick up a set of English sockets because I have yet to find a metric bolt.
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Old 09-24-2017, 08:29 PM   #17
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Ninety percent of customers are American. That might be the reason.
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Old 09-24-2017, 09:07 PM   #18
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Old 09-24-2017, 09:22 PM   #19
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Ninety percent of customers are American. That might be the reason.
I don't think the issue is that customers are American. It's likely that suppliers are American.
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Old 09-25-2017, 12:02 AM   #20
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I don't think the issue is that customers are American. It's likely that suppliers are American.
Absolutely. Nearly the only Canadian content in an Escape (or any other RV made in Canada) is what is done by the RV manufacturer itself (in this case, moulding the shell, building cabinets, and assembling). Both vehicular components (axles/suspension, wheels, tires, lighting, coupler) and RV components (appliances, plumbing parts, electrical devices) are either from the U.S. or from overseas suppliers selling the same parts which they sell to RV manufacturers in the U.S.

Having said that, even a U.S.-designed and U.S.-manufactured car has metric fasteners, and that has been true for decades. RV stuff is in inch sizes because it's mostly antiquated. Seen any drum brakes or non-hub-centric wheels or zero-offset wheels on a car in this century? No, with the exception of some rear drum brakes on economy cars. But if it worked 40 years ago, it's good enough for a trailer.
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