Something Small is Coming...And It Packs a Punch!

[Ron in BC]

While it is true that many manufacturers have backed away from EVs and have “unsold stockpiles” of them,

I don't know about other jurisdictions but our EV purchase rebates have been scraped and that also has reduced public appetite for EVs.

OK Samuel, about time to tell us about "something small".

Ron

 

[Escape Trailer]

I don't know about other jurisdictions but our EV purchase rebates have been scraped and that also has reduced public appetite for EVs.

OK Samuel, about time to tell us about "something small".

Ron

Patience is a virtue, Ron.

 

[EscapingDan]

Tesla's quality stats are scraping the bottom of the barrel.

Who is talking about Tesla? And is false anyhow

EVs on average tend to have more problems & repair needs than the average internal combustion vehicle.

I’m sorry but just … no, this is trivially disproven

EVs in general aren't selling worth a hoot,

you’ll have to explain why sales keep increasing YoY

and manufacturers have unsold stockpiles of them.

I guess not … OK whatever you say, by the way that was a news item months ago about a slowdown in Lightning and Cybertrucks but those are first gen trucks I’m not talking about, and by the way look again at actual numbers of YoY sales would you?

500 mile range probably works out to half that distance while towing a trailer; how long does it take to fully recharge the Sierra to tow another 250 miles?

Less time than it takes to have lunch. It has 359kW 800v charging

Look if you want to hate on EVs - while having zero experience with them I’m sure, fine by me but do keep me out of it. If you’re honestly interested then go to any number of EV truck forums - in particular the Silverado/Sierra, and you can learn how people are happily towing just like any ICE driver. Up to you but I’m not in the education dept. anymore.

peace -

 

[Ron in BC]

Patience is a virtue, Ron.

Patience isn't my middle name. And I'm still wondering if I'll ever see something else in the 23.

Ron

 

[Genebuilder]

Samuel’s quote about “patience” reminded me of a poster I had depicting two hawks perched on a tree branch saying: “Patience my _____! I want to _____ somebody!” No offense, Samuel.

 

[Mike G]

Who is talking about Tesla? And is false anyhow

I think it was Consumer Reports, as referenced in a recent Youtube video. Might have been totally wrong, though. I have nothing against Teslas per se, and was surprised by the video's claims in that regard.

 

[EscapingDan]

I think it was Consumer Reports, as referenced in a recent Youtube video. Might have been totally wrong, though. I have nothing against Teslas per se, and was surprised by the video's claims in that regard.

My point was I wasn’t talking about Tesla so why bring them up? But truly, having a little accurate information - or experience - before bashing something goes a long way

peace -

 

[HABBERDABBER]

In 3 years and 20K miles of ownership of my Bolt EUV, I've had to top off the tire pressure, add windshield wiper fluid and replace the wiper blades.
More problems with EV's?
Try that with an ICE.

 

[Mike G]

I'm sure the new trailer will be very interesting.

 

[Mike G]

My point was I wasn’t talking about Tesla so why bring them up? But truly, having a little accurate information - or experience - before bashing something goes a long way

peace -

I don't appreciate being castigated and accused of offering inaccurate information, but I guess that's what I get for trying to be conciliatory (admitting that my info source might have been wrong). So I retract my white flag, and here we go with some better sources.

Several reputable sources consistently rate Tesla's reliability poorly. Consumer Reports has ranked Tesla near the bottom in multiple years, placing it 14th out of 30 brands in 2024, 27th out of 28 in 2021, and 19th out of 24 in 2022, with its vehicles often cited as among the least reliable. In a 2024 study, Tesla's Model 3 was ranked last in reliability for newer cars in Germany's TÜV tests for the second consecutive year, particularly due to frequent issues with lights, brakes, and suspension. J.D. Power also ranked Tesla 30th out of 33 brands in its 2021 Vehicle Dependability Study, below the industry average. Additionally, a 2024 analysis by TopSpeed.com noted that Tesla was ranked 27th out of 28 automakers by Consumer Reports for dependability, citing recurring issues with electronics, body components, and suspension. These findings are supported by a 2024 study from ADAC, which showed Tesla's Model 3 had a defect rate of 14.2% in the 2–3-year-old category and 19.7% in the 4–5-year-old category, the highest among all tested models in those age groups.

As for EVs in general, According to CR's 2023 and 2024 surveys, EVs on average have nearly 80% more problems than gasoline-powered vehicles. Torque News and J.D. Power verify CR's findings.

There will always be some people who've had good experiences with their EV and who can offer anecdotal 'evidence', but that is not really evidence at all because it's statistically insignificant.

Saying "peace" after expressing unfounded criticism is not at all peace-inducing, so I won't do likewise.

 

[Donna D.]

Enough already from everyone. Get back on topic. I don't want to get out the hammer.

 

[Iowa Dave]

Conscientious examination of lifestyle, which includes transportation patterns, available free time, and with vehicles even critical space requirements would seem to me to be a prudent requirement in any vehicle purchase. Two years ago this week we purchased a Chevrolet Bott EUV. We have 30,000 miles on it. It has been totally trouble free. We use it basically every day for errands, driving for pleasure, visiting friends and family and trips of about a maximum of 200 miles.
It’s big enough for the both of us and to put the dog kennel in the back and still haul the groceries from a Costco trip. That’s plenty for us. We charge it at home 99.9 percent of the time. The first year we made 4 200 mile round trips in the winter. We charged four times at a public charger in Ames, Iowa before returning home. While charging at $.17 a kilowatt hour, that took about 40 minutes, I opted to walk to an adjacent Dairy Queen. The Dairy Queen stop cost me considerable more than the top off charging. At home, our 7.6 kWh solar array is large enough and efficient enough to pay all of our electrical costs ($15 monthly transmission fee excepted) and the charger and electrical installation came with the car.

Solar installations, geothermal heating and cooling and EVs are not for everyone. For our lifestyle they work as a system for us. We have a gasoline powered SUV, propane appliances and grid electrical service as complimentary options for daily living also.

The sun is cheaper than the electrical, propane and oil companies and the way to go for us.
We like our Escape 21, My daughter, husband and two elementary school age kids love their 1974 Boler. Different strokes for different folks. YMMV
Iowa Dave and Rita

 

[Teresa G]

It's been a month since the teaser video. I've been checking the Escape site to see if there has been any update, but nothing.
Any thoughts as to how long they'll keep us in suspense?
I don't know why I'm being so impatient because I'm not interested in a smaller trailer. I think maybe it's because I'm really curious if the new model will have the Truma Combi heating and hot water combination unit it. I'd really like to have that unit in the 23 that we've ordered. As part of our build, we indicated that if the Truma Combi became an available option before ours is built that we'll have the opportunity to consider adding into our build. Based on other new features (eg., the acrylic windows), they started them in a new model (the 23), then added them as options to existing trailers. So, by that same progression, if the new little trailer has the Truma Combi, then maybe we'll be able to get it in the 23 as an option. I'm definitely overthinking this.

 

[Ron in BC]

I'm definitely overthinking this.

Don't we all. Of course some folks overthink it so much that they think that it's related to EVs.

I went back to the first teaser video to scrutinize if once more for give away details. It's now blocked. Maybe it's my computer. Could that be a sign of something?

Ron

 

[Teresa G]

Don't we all. Of course some folks overthink it so much that they think that it's related to EVs.

I went back to the first teaser video to scrutinize if once more for give away details. It's now blocked. Maybe it's my computer. Could that be a sign of something?

Ron

The video still played for me.
The video definitely has the acrylic windows with the combined shade & bug screen. It has the smallest window by the dinette. So, small that the shade and bug screen are mounted vertically.
Beyond that, it doesn't show much.

 

[Selkirk]

To me, the shape of shell suggests that the mold design might be a Boler descendant, rather than the Trillium/Surfside-inspired lineage of other small ETI trailers (past-and-present). In other words, it does not appear to be a resurrected version of the discontinued E13/E15.

There also appears to be a fridge vent, so an old-school 2 or 3-way absorption fridge will likely be offered.

It will be interesting to see where ETI positions this trailer in the market. It could be a basic, ultra lightweight unit that competes with the new Scamp Lite series.....or perhaps more full-featured with some innovative options.

I guess we will have to stay tuned......

 

[Ron in BC]

The thing is that my first blush thought was a layout similar to the Scamp13FB, front bath. It did have a small window up front in the bathroom. But this mystery trailer appears to have a dinette with a small window in front.

Ron

 

[Selkirk]

I wonder if that unusual window size was selected because it can accommodate both a front-dinette or optional front-bathroom floorplan......

 

[Ron in BC]

Interesting theory. I looked up the Scamp Lite. They're still selling a 13 without a bathroom. I'm wondering what the market would be like for a trailer without a bathroom. It seems that folks have come more and more to want more amenities in trailers. I guess we'll see.

Ron

 

[Selkirk]

I think the essential amenities wholly depend on the market that ETI wants to target.

From what I've read, Scamp is marketing the Lite series to younger, budget conscious campers who own smaller tow vehicles with limited towing capacity and are looking to upgrade from a tent. A bathroom probably isn't critical to those customers.

Retirees looking for a small trailer to tow behind their Tesla will probably demand (and are willing to pay for) something more fully featured.

Given ETI's reputation for customization, I suspect this new model will be capable of meeting the needs for a wide variety of potential customers.

IMHO, the variety of floorplans offered by Quebec-based Helio's "O Series" models serve as a good benchmark for trailers in the 13' size range.