Moving up from a T@B

[Steve F]

Hello group. What a great site!
I have a 2005 T@B that has been great but it's time to get something bigger. My TV is a Mercedes ML350, with a 5,000# rating and I still want to stay as light as possible. I've looked a Airstream 16', (too expensive and afraid of the aluminum skin), Oliver 17, (very cool, very high quality, but you pay for it), and Casita 17, (not bad, but they seem to be low on the quality side). I've been lurking here and the Escape seems like the best value and quality mix. I like the idea of a 17', but they would be available for a year! (Frustrating) It looks like I could go to the 19' though and stay well under my tow limit.
I do need to see them in person though. A trip to the factory might be the thing to do. I get to Bellingham on business, so that would make it easy. Any tips, ideas or thoughts will be appreciated, as I do my research. Thank you in advance!

 

[gbaglo]

I'd just order the 19 and get it over with.

 

[Greg A]

The 19's will be sold out shortly, only two production dates left for 2016. Then we don't know when they'll take orders again. If you want a new one next fall there probably isn't time to go find one to see.

 

[Steve F]

Ok, I didn't even notice the 2016 fall dates. I was thinking THIS year. Oh well..... This is really going to test my patience.

 

[Loren & Cathy]

Welcome to the forum Steve. The good news is that as far as trailers are concerned, you have it all figured out. The bad news is if you put money down today, your trailer won't be ready until Dec. of 2016. There are just a few dates left in 2016 and then ETI is not taking any orders until Jan of next year with delivery who knows when. We placed our order Last Sept. and could have gotten the trailer this spring but due to work, our build was set for this last month. We pick up a week from today. So it was a whole year but the time went flying by. Good luck with your decision. Loren

 

[Bill and Earline]

Steve,
If you're not getting to Bellingham soon, contact the Escape office to get the contact info for trailers of various sizes in your part of California. Once you see a couple, it'll make your decision much easier.
Bill

 

[Jim Bennett]

Your rational with quality vs costs with the various brands is spot on, as most others here obviously believe, Escape is the winner.

I do need to see them in person though.

No you don't, I bought my 19 sight unseen, with zero regrets. It does not hurt to see them in person though, so either attending a rally, or getting references from Escape for trailers near you, would not be a bad idea.

Yeah, the wait can be long, but worth it in the end.

 

[rbryan4]

Steve, I'd get in line now. If you put a deposit down on say, a 19, you've locked in a production date. Once you've seen different models, if you want to change to a different model, Escape is usually pretty accommodating in allowing the switch and keeping your production date.

When we first considered Escape, we put a deposit on a 17b. Once we saw the 19, we knew that was the one. Escape let us switch to a 19 and keep our original production date.

 

[Dave & Penny Smith]

Steve:
Like you, we had a 2005 Tab for some 9 years. We enjoyed it very much! We made the decision to buy a 17B Escape last Dec. and recently returned from our pick-up trip. We choose the 17B (in part) because I wanted to stay well within the 5,000 lb. tow limit of our 2008 Toyota 4Runner. On our return trip, (some 1500 mi. mostly towing), we averaged over 15 mpg. This is essentially the same mileage we got towing the Tab, which was a pleasant surprise! We love the Escape, particularly the convenience of the toilet and not having to change the dinette to a bed each night. So far, we're leaving the larger dinette made up as our bed and find the small dinette fine for eating.
As far as the time delay in getting a new Escape, it is certainly a factor. However, the exchange rate right now makes any Escape a great buy! So far, we think will be very happy with our decision to upgrade from the Tab. Good luck with yours!
Dave

 

[nathanj04011]

We didn't even know what trailer we wanted, but I think it was 7/27/15 that we put a deposit down for a June 22, 2016 completion date. In just over a month, the available date went from June to the end of 2016. Just sayin'

 

[sturski]

Likewise, I was 99% sure we wanted a 17a. Then I found out that ETI would make a 19 without a bathroom and we figured we'd get the twofootitus out of the way up front. My avatar and wife both appreciate it, they aren't laying on top of each other.

All of the trailers you list are reasonably good, you just need to decide which price/performance/layout/weight works best for you. Waiting a year stinks; but most folks here have done it. The ability to "have it my way" was worth it. to me.

 

[Jim Bennett]

For those of us on the northern part of the continent, rushing to order for the remaining spots on the 2016 schedule is not such a big deal. I imagine once they come to grips on the schedule, and reopen ordering early next year, you could still get a spot for early 2017, and not much camping happens up here during the winter anyway.

 

[Steve F]

Wow, thanks for all of the replies! So much good advice. I think putting a deposit down NOW is the way to go. It will a lot of fun deciding what options, etc to get. We do most of our trips to the Sierra's in the summer and the coast in California in the winter. We have taken long trips as well though. Sacramento area to Banff, through Crater Lake and Nelson BC. Back through Glacier and Yellowstone. That trip was in October and we have never used our furnace. We don't have AC and have never wished I had it. (Must be the dry heat). We do enjoy dry camping, so solar is very attractive. I'm anxious to pour through the threads to learn more.

I guess I do wonder how the 19' tows compared to the 17'. Does the dual axle effect the maneuverability? I assume the ride is better.

Thanks again to all. I'm open for any advice and feedback!

 

[Jim Bennett]

I guess I do wonder how the 19' tows compared to the 17'. Does the dual axle effect the maneuverability? I assume the ride is better.

Towing forward manoeuvrability is just fine, tight corners reversing see the tandems scuffing a wee bit, but this is not much of an issue. I prefer the ride of a tandem, but the single axle will still do just fine.

I would base your decision on how the specific model best works for you.

 

[rbryan4]

I guess I do wonder how the 19' tows compared to the 17'. Does the dual axle effect the maneuverability? I assume the ride is better.

Your'e going to love how the tandem axle tows. Very smooth. As for maneuverability, its actually easier (at least for me) to back in to a site with a tandem axle trailer, because the trailer doesn't react as quickly to steering inputs.

Sounds like we convinced you to take the jump. So let me be the first to say, welcome future Escape owner.

Oh, and you're going to love the exchange rate right now. It's like getting thousands of dollars worth of free options for US buyers.

 

[bouterse]

Jim: You better get your deposit in if you're still dreaming about that 2016 5.0 TA

 

[luckyone-ESC]

You can also bet on another price increase for 2017 production dates.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Jim: You better get your deposit in if you're still dreaming about that 2016 5.0 TA

Not a bad idea.

 

[sturski]

I guess I do wonder how the 19' tows compared to the 17'. Does the dual axle effect the maneuverability? I assume the ride is better.

Another former T@B owner ... I find the Escape 19 to tow much nicer than my T@B ever did. It tracks perfectly behind my Tacoma at any speed, with no noticable sway and backing it up is considerably easier. I've never pulled a 17 and have no idea whether the dual axle factors into that.

I do need to watch curbs closely on tight corners; but it seems a small price to pay for the backing ease.

 

[Greg A]

Steve,
You are not too far from the NorCal Gathering starting in a week.
Northern California: Nor Cal Roundup | Scamp Owners International

Trailer tour time is 1-3:00 Saturday Sept 12, and Earl the host said come on down.
There will be 3 Escape 19's, 1-Escape 17, 1 Escape 21, and 1-2014 5.0TA
This makes all the current models available to see.