15' Escape Update

[reace]

Effective February 1, 2015 Escape Trailer Industries will no longer be accepting orders for the 15’ Escape.
Over the past two years Escape Trailer Industries has added two new larger trailers, expanding the product line to five models. With the addition of these new trailers we have adapted our facility to accommodate the manufacturing requirements needed to produce these larger, more popular models. These modifications to the production line combined with; increased manufacturing costs, the changing economy, and increased demand for the Escape Trailer overall has resulted in our decision to suspend production of the 15’ Escape Trailer.
We believe this decision will assist us in balancing the needs of our customers with our ability as a manufacturer. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Reace & Tammy

 

[gbaglo]

Well, damn.

 

[Karen H.]

While I understand the reasoning behind this business decision, I find it a sad commentary that, in general, bigger has gotten to be seen as better and more desirable in the trailer world. I've seen a change even in this forum during the last few years as the tenor of many discussions has changed with regard to the options race.

I second the above expletive.

 

[kvermeulen]

Sorry to see it go the way of the old 13. But if demand is not large enough then so be it. The buyers of the larger units will get delivery sooner then. Maybe my delivery date for the 5.0ta can get pushed ahead. Keeping fingers crossed.

ken

 

[Dave Walter]

Not too late to get one. Escape has three 15's for sale on their website.

It is a sad day. The 15b is one of my favorites of the entire lineup.

 

[dfandrews]

While I understand the reasoning behind this business decision, I find it a sad commentary that, in general, bigger has gotten to be seen as better and more desirable in the trailer world. I've seen a change even in this forum during the last few years as the tenor of many discussions has changed with regard to the options race.

I second the above expletive.

I concur, and ditto the expletive.
Wow! I really don't know what else to say.
So, I'll have a 17A this summer, yet unnamed. I could call it
The Lesser Escape.

 

[gbaglo]

Escape has three 15's for sale on their website.

Guess that says something.

 

[Oregonian-ESC]

While I understand the reasoning behind this business decision, I find it a sad commentary that, in general, bigger has gotten to be seen as better and more desirable in the trailer world. I've seen a change even in this forum during the last few years as the tenor of many discussions has changed with regard to the options race.

I second the above expletive.

I see your point. If it were just me I would be happy with the smallest trailer I could fit in. With four of us , that is either a 19 or a 21. I did notice that when I started to shop options I quickly developed "option fever". I kept thinking "if I'm already spending $$$, why not just spends $$$$$". Sad to see the 15 leave the lineup, but businesses survive, and thrive, by best meeting the needs of their customers.

 

[Loren & Cathy]

Change is hard but touring the Escape plant last September, it was quite evident that Rease was running out of room. And so many times when you log on to this forum, someone is announcing their order for a new trailer in one of the larger sizes. I have also taken notice that a 15 has been for sale for a while but a 21 was snapped up hours after it was posted. I am also sure ETI can feel the pinch from the falling value of the Canadian dollar as a lot of its materials must come from the US. If you do not constantly monitor your bottom line you won't have a business. You've got to do what you have to do to survive and prosper. And I think we all want ETI to stick around and take care of us. Loren

 

[Karen H.]

It's amazing how expectations change so much. Back in the late 1950s, my family was thrilled to rent a small trailer for the four of us (I don't know where my sister was in this pic) as an upgrade from a surplus canvas army tent. You know...the four-person umbrella tent? What luxury! And now some wonder how we can survive without a bathroom in the trailer. We had the best of times in rental trailers. Absolutely silly what we think we have to have now.

 

[padlin]

Same goes for the sticks and bricks, we had 6 of us in a 2 bedroom home, today it'd by 6 bedrooms and 6 baths.

We graduated to a VW camper for 4 of us after the army tent.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Sad yes, but very understandable. I sure have not heard of anyone buying one lately, and even very few 17's now too.

As I have mentioned here many times before, that if one was willing to forgo the washroom, the layout of the 15A is one of the most efficient layouts out there.

I just wish Tammy and Reace continued success.

 

[gabeck]

So glad we got one before they became extinct !

 

[Ron in BC]

I don't know where my sister was in this pic)

Hmm, who took the photo?

The demise of the 15 does make sense given that Scamp and Casita have offerings similar in size but for some reason have never seen the need to offer a little larger size. Escape seems to have that market cornered now so continuing on with a low volume size wouldn't really make sense.

Ron

 

[Oregonian-ESC]

Thinking of buying the last three and auctioning them on EBay, my investment guy is always telling me to diversify!

 

[BCnomad]

At least the mould is still viable and "could be" used again.


RIP 15. I never knew ya.

 

[rbryan4]

It's amazing how expectations change so much. Back in the late 1950s, my family was thrilled to rent a small trailer for the four of us (I don't know where my sister was in this pic) as an upgrade from a surplus canvas army tent. You know...the four-person umbrella tent? What luxury! And now some wonder how we can survive without a bathroom in the trailer. We had the best of times in rental trailers. Absolutely silly what we think we have to have now.

Absolutely wonderful picture Karen. Brings back alot of memories. We camped for years when I was growing up in a 69 Cardinal. I still remember the wood paneling and the screen door with the slider you had to remember to open if you wanted to shut the door. We thought we were living like kings - and we were!

 

[Brian B-P]

There seems to be an unlimited supply of entrepreneurs introducing moulded fiberglass trailers about the 13' to 15' size, although most don't do it nearly as well as Reace and Tammy so they don't get past one or two models, and never really succeed. Anyone who really wants that size can restore an old one, or take their chances with one of the newcomers.

It's always tough when you want something that most people don't.

It's amazing how expectations change so much. Back in the late 1950s, my family was thrilled to rent a small trailer for the four of us...

Yes, I agree that expectations have escalated with wealth and technology - this is clear in both houses (as already mentioned) and particularly in cars. Any cheaper-than-average common compact car that you can buy today (such as mine) would be a first-rate sports car and decently luxurious by the standards of a few decades ago.

On the other hand, there were huge RV trailers in the 1950s, too.

 

[strawbarry]

Of all the responses so far only two are 15 owners, the rest are a mix of the larger trailers. That alone supports their decision to suspend manufacturing of the small model.

Don't forget that their largest model is not what the industry calls big, & it can and is being towed by small trucks and cars.

They are flexible and reactive to consumer demand, more companies should approach the industry with such enthusiasm.

Take scamp for instance, making the same models as ever, no passion to improve and respond to consumer demand. It simply exist on the name and reputation. People who put more time into researching what is available will move on to a more active manufacturer.

Change is always not well received but is necessary to a growing company.

 

[reetired]

Of all the responses so far only two are 15 owners, the rest are a mix of the larger trailers. That alone supports their decision to suspend manufacturing of the small model.

Don't forget that their largest model is not what the industry calls big, & it can and is being towed by small trucks and cars.

They are flexible and reactive to consumer demand, more companies should approach the industry with such enthusiasm.

Take scamp for instance, making the same models as ever, no passion to improve and respond to consumer demand. It simply exist on the name and reputation. People who put more time into researching what is available will move on to a more active manufacturer.

Change is always not well received but is necessary to a growing company.

This forum is also frequented by those who havent decided on the size or items on their build sheet.

Guess it's one less option to consider.