Just starting to look

[wayne_m]

Hello all,

It is a bit ironic. I've driven past a farmers field in Chilliwack for several years now with 2 trailers parked at the edge. It wasn't until I discovered this phenomenon called 'Escape Trailers' that I learned that they weren't abandoned.

My wife and I have only just decided to start looking for an RV and are already seriously looking at what Escape has to offer. We are leaning toward a 5.0 as a fifth wheel has the practicality we are looking for. As many of you know and as I have recently discovered it is nearly impossible to find a used Escape, they rarely show up on Craig's list or any of the other on-line resources and you never see them on a dealer's lot. A definite testimony of how obsessive Escape owners are about their trailers. A good thing.

A quick unscientific straw poll if you will indulge me. How many of you bought new? How many used? If you bought new how long did you wait? If used, how long did you search?

My TV is a Dodge Dakota 4x4 pick up with a 4.7 V8 and factory installed towing accessories including a transmission cooler and wiring harness for electric brakes. What has the experience been with this vehicle?

I'm hoping to start my build sheet soon and have an order placed before the end of the year.

I'm looking forward to getting to know all you Escapees in the future, on-line at least for the time being.

Wayne M.

 

[Donna D.]

Hi Wayne, welcome to the EscapeForum. BTW ETI opened the build schedule for 2015 the end of May. The longer you wait to get on the schedule, the longer you'll wait for your trailer. If you wait until the end of the year, the 2015 build schedule may be full...

To add to your poll. I am buying a 5.0TA new. I've waited more than seven years for it

 

[padlin]

New TA, ordered 11/18/13, completion in a couple days. Completion date moved up from original mid August.

 

[wayne_m]

Thanks for the info Donna,

I of course would like to get things going sooner rather than later. We have a hectic summer due to some other issues and will be in a better position in the fall to sit down and determine and decide what we want. I'm content to wait.

I am fortunate to live not too far from Escape's facilities. I have an appointment in Chilliwack in the next couple of weeks, so I plan to drive by ETI and at least look over the fence. I have popped off an email to them, if I have time I'll go in and take a look around.

Wdm

 

[7th Heaven]

I did research for 8 months to figure out what maker and model would be the best fit for our lifestyle.

I lucky (and very thankful) to become the 2nd owner of our 21.

 

[tractors1]

I did research for 8 months to figure out what maker and model would be the best fit for our lifestyle.

I lucky (and very thankful) to become the 2nd owner of our 21.

You found a USED 21???

WAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good on ya.

 

[LeonW]

We bought a new 17b (the Lark) in 2012. Liked it so much we have a new 21 (the Skylark). We bought the 17 because we could tow it with our existing vehicle. And we were new to the RV world (except for a series of VW vans) and we weren't sure how we would like it. The nice thing about buying new is that you get exactly what you want

 

[SpokanEscape]

Wayne - we have a 2005 Dodge Dakota 4x4 4.7 liter v-8 without the tow package and are towing a 21.

 

[dave macrae]

We have a 2012 19 ft currently and have ordered a 21 to be completed dec 31,2014. We waited about 3 months for the 19 and will be waiting 9 months for the 21

 

[FMLNM]

We had two Scamps (16 and then 5er) and were watching the Escape for about a year and wishing we had one ... when a used 2008 5.0 came upon the Escape website in 2013 we jumped on it.
No regrets!

 

[CADreamin]

Ordered our 19' in May 2013 and picked it up in March 2014 (it was ready in January). Sitting in it now, looking out over a beautiful Idaho sunset.

 

[JaimeA]

After much research, we placed our order for a new 19' mid-May this year and have a completion date at the end if this November. We were lucky to get an added spot this calendar year as we believed we would be waiting until a few months into 2015. Someone in front of us didn't confirm in time. When I got the call, it took me less than 5 minutes to confirm and pay the deposit. We couldn't be more thrilled and we're having a blast working on our build sheet.

 

[Allan Bornestig]

Hello Wayne M
We found the Escape ad with picture and some info on the Buy and Sell back in 2004.We had been trying to find Trilliums and Bolers used and in good shape.
When I saw the ad I said to my wife , lets go and check these guys out.
We went to the planrt loved what we saw and Tammy and Reace seem to be really good people to deal with so we placed an order in July but did not want delivery until Jan 2005.Put down the down payment and that was it.Since then many more options have surfaced and gradually with the help of Reace and Tammy we have updated our 17 B so it is pretty well at par with the new products.At the time the 17 B was the only option.Once in a while we get 2 foot itis but it passes pretty quick and we are very happy with our trailer.The 17 B is not for everybody but for us two and a foxterrier it is perfect.We realized right off the bat that Reace and Tammy cared about their customers and always sort of walked the extra mile to make sure we were happy.
I am sure you will have the same experience.Take care.
Raili and Allan.

 

[wayne_m]

Forgot to add that my truck is a 4 door. Will the shorter bed length be a problem?

 

[FMLNM]

We tow a Classic 5.0 with a short bed (5') Frontier Crew Cab 4x4. Using the B&W Patriot hitch set back a little behind the tow axle. Seems fine. Reace apparently has a 5.5' bed and tows both the Classic 5.0 and the new 5.0TA.

 

[wayne_m]

Thanks for the info. I remembered after the post that the pictures on the web site do show a short box truck. I'll research the product you suggested.

 

[FMLNM]

Thanks for the info. I remembered after the post that the pictures on the web site do show a short box truck. I'll research the product you suggested.

Check out this thread for some discussions involving short bed P/U and photos of our hitch setup.
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f10/towing-in-the-frontier-2530.html

 

[wayne_m]

Thanks!