Will 2017 production be sold out on April 1st 2016?

[Richard in Georgia]

Hi, all -
My wife and I are 98% sure we want to buy an Escape Travel trailer. We've previewed the Escape 19 and are planning to visit the factory in May 11.
I understand that April 1 Escape will start accepting orders for the 2017 production season. Two percent of me would like to place our order at the factory (I'd like to see the 5.0TA to be sure I want the 19)

Will that be too late? Will Escape sell capacity by then? Your thoughts?

 

[paulw]

Maybe put a deposit on a production slot in April and confirm the model in May at the factory?

 

[gbaglo]

ETI is increasing capacity, but only they would know what the pressure will be.
I'd be ready to call April 1, even if you aren't ready to make a final decision.

 

[BCnomad]

If I was giving myself advice, I'd say 5 things:

- be real clear about the deposit that is non-refundable (if you hit the 2% for SO

- be ready for exchange rate volatility (seems to change every time someone sneezes in OPEC)

- my trailer must be ready by X date

- 2017 model or 2016 model (if given choice?)

- one used to be able to switch order from model to model, with subsequent birthdate change. I assume they still do that, but you know what assuming leads to.


Good luck whatever you do. Have a build sheet in mind, in case you get a chance for an early build.

 

[thoer]

My guess is that 4/1 will be a huge sales day for ETI but that there will still be plenty of open dates after it. I think that Reace is looking to double production capacity

 

[NW Cat Owner]

If I was giving myself advice, I'd say 5 things:

(snip)
- 2017 model or 2016 model (if given choice?)

My understanding is that all orders taken on April 1st and thereafter will be for the 2017 version, which will be unveiled on March 24th.

Those getting their trailers pretty soon (such as Nathan in June) aren't able to get the 2017 version since they won't be ready for production by then. However, those with a later date (such as ourselves) can choose between a 2016 or 2017 version. It'll be interesting to find out what the cutoff date will be for someone getting to choose which version they want.

I'd suggest that you keep hitting refresh on ETI's site for their production schedule (and hopefully their site won't crash; it was down the other day). Hopefully one of the crew will be updating that throughout the day. If you see that the dates are getting pushed back farther and farther, give 'em a call.

In the meanwhile, contact ETI to see if there's anyone in your area that would be willing to show you their trailer. Tell ETI the areas you can drive to, such as AL, northern FL, SC, etc. and go from there. That way you could hopefully decide with 100% certainty before April 1st.

We were in the same percentile before we saw our first Escapes in person. We now have one on order. And I'm accumulating a huge pile of stuff for it. Thank goodness we have room in the attic! (for now - HA!)

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Brian B-P]

Maybe put a deposit on a production slot in April and confirm the model in May at the factory?

Although details for the build sheet (options and factory customizations) don't need to be finalized until long after ordering, I don't think you can get a specific production slot without choosing a model. At least in the way the factory worked a few years ago, the production cycle is specific to the model - presumably due to managing the use of the moulds - so a slot allocated to one model cannot arbitrarily be changed to another model.

 

[Donna D.]

Yep, start working on the build sheet, even if you don't have the official one in hand. It won't matter which trailer you end up deciding to buy. For instance, you may know whether or not you want custom upholstery and Formica.... solar is solar, you either want it or not. I can't think of too many things on the build sheet that don't transfer between models... electric plug placement... maybe.

 

[BCnomad]

Absolutely Laura couldn't agree more. I was referring to the small small chance of getting a calendar year 2016 completion date. As Brian expanded on.

 

[Jim Bennett]

- 2017 model or 2016 model (if given choice?)

As Laura alluded to, there will be no choice, you will be ordering a 2017 April 1st. Only those with a 2016 order can upgrade as soon as the moulds (and Escape) is ready.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Absolutely Laura couldn't agree more. I was referring to the small small chance of getting a calendar year 2016 completion date. As Brian expanded on.

Even though there is that likelihood, any new orders will be limited to the 2017 model. Processing both at the same time will not be all that time effective for them.

 

[cpaharley2008]

If you get a slot in April and visit the factory in May there should not be any issue switching models.

 

[cpaharley2008]

be ready for exchange rate volatility (seems to change every time someone sneezes in OPEC)

I'll second this statement, my build sheet is already higher due to the rate change over the past 4 weeks.

 

[Iowa Dave]

With all the interest being shown and the combinations of old and new models, I think it would be extremely entertaining to see a time lapse without sound of the Escape office on the first of April. Say all hours 10 in 2 minutes. I bet it would be zany.
Dave

 

[BCnomad]

The chocolate consumption alone would be staggering.

 

[cpaharley2008]

I was planning on sending some Hershey chocolate the day before to get some brownie points...

 

[Greg A]

I hope sales do well, but I'd be cautiously optimistic on it being similar to last years sales. There is some pent up demand since orders have been closed that will cause large initial volume, but there are a couple of wait and see issues long term. Last year most of the models were mid $20s US, mid $30s CA. We still don't have final pricing, but looks like they will be in the $30s US - $40s CA if you get good selection of options with the current exchange rate. Anytime you move a luxury item to a new pricing tier there will be waiting buyers who can no longer purchase, and some that won't become buyers because it's out of their economic feasibility to consider. Of course, if the exchange rate goes back over 40% like in Jan, they get back closer to last years pricing levels and that changes the whole dynamic. Then again, if the exchange rate falls into the 20's or teens, affordability gets even more challenging. Adding exchange rate roulette into the 2017 sales scenario makes it very difficult to predict how the response will go.

 

[GRINGOandTICA]

Hi, all -
My wife and I are 98% sure we want to buy an Escape Travel trailer. We've previewed the Escape 19 and are planning to visit the factory in May 11.
I understand that April 1 Escape will start accepting orders for the 2017 production season. Two percent of me would like to place our order at the factory (I'd like to see the 5.0TA to be sure I want the 19)

Will that be too late? Will Escape sell capacity by then? Your thoughts?

Have you tried seeing a 21 in your area?

 

[Brian B-P]

If you get a slot in April and visit the factory in May there should not be any issue switching models.

I would certainly want to confirm with Escape before planning on being able to do a model switch for the same production slot.

 

[freespirit]

I hope sales do well, but I'd be cautiously optimistic on it being similar to last years sales. There is some pent up demand since orders have been closed that will cause large initial volume, but there are a couple of wait and see issues long term. Last year most of the models were mid $20s US, mid $30s CA. We still don't have final pricing, but looks like they will be in the $30s US - $40s CA if you get good selection of options with the current exchange rate. Anytime you move a luxury item to a new pricing tier there will be waiting buyers who can no longer purchase, and some that won't become buyers because it's out of their economic feasibility to consider. Of course, if the exchange rate goes back over 40% like in Jan, they get back closer to last years pricing levels and that changes the whole dynamic. Then again, if the exchange rate falls into the 20's or teens, affordability gets even more challenging. Adding exchange rate roulette into the 2017 sales scenario makes it very difficult to predict how the response will go.

agree...would be interesting to know the perspective of potential Canadian purchasers and at what point the Canadian price is considered too high...this prospective USA buyer would probably consider other vendors if the exchange price hovers above $30K+ US as it would then unfortunately be considered an overpriced DIY trailer .