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

[gbaglo]

Just watched the last two episodes of House of Cards, season four.
Looking forward to season five.

 

[Marry-ESC]

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 .

Totally agree. A 15% increase is not nothing. Hopefully new features and option list will balance this out a little for us "poor" Canadians.

 

[Bobbito]

After experiencing 2 devastating slow leaks in our 2002 Nash trailer that finally made it a write-off, we decided to go for a fiberglass trailer, as we saw so many Bigfoot trailers that seemed impervious to water and long lasting. We hesitated because they went out of business briefly, and we found the Escape trailers. Before buying our Escape I compared it with similar Bigfoot models and found the latter to be a lot heavier and about $10,000 Canadian more. Despite the announced price increase the Escape is still cheaper and lighter than the Bigfoot, and the customer service no where near as good as ETI (according to owners I spoke with). If we were in the market for s trailer right now I wouldn't hesitate to go with the Escape again. I continue to gush about these trailers even with the price increase. We spent a ton of money on our stick built and watched it rot away in 12 years. Our Escape is a far better investment!

Bob K
2015 Canadian purchaser

 

[cpaharley2008]

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

It has been done and noted here on the forums several times. In the past Escape, made different models by week, so a change before the final build was easily converted. But , yes you need to check with them. Since this change is within the first 30 days I fail to see any impact over a 6-12 month term.

 

[steve dunham]

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.

The price increase drove us out of the market for a new Escape
The recent drop in the value of the US Dollar just drove us farther away. At the present price , it is a luxury I could, but choose not to purchase. I hope Escape does well but if the exchange rate goes back to more historic levels , their backlog of orders may soon disappear. We really like the Escape 21 but not at $30K+ price !!

 

[Richard in Georgia]

WOW - thanks for all of the input. I tried to keep my inquiry general because I didn't think my personal "stuff" was very interesting.
#1 - I really don't "need" a camper until 2018 or even 2019. I am still serving time and have minimum leave. This opens up a whole "pick up or deliver" bag of kittys that I shan't discuss here.
#2 - Having worked with CDN customers over the years I have watched the CDN/USD exchange rate swing crazy. In January I bought shares of Vanguard FXC at a low price so I have a buffer against a CDN$ rebound. The CDN$ was at the lowest in forever when I bought - I wish I bought more. If you are pondering a purchase in the next few years you may wish to review a 5 year chart.
#3 - I have a build sheet about 80% finalized in my head. AC, insulated windows, beer wench and cabana boy. My biggest quandary is solar or not. Geeze, it's expensive and we haven't done any boon docking. I think we're more "glampers." I think a Honda generator that runs AC might be more our style. When at a National Park I can juice up the batteries before lights out.
#4 - It's either the 19 (98%) or the 5.0 TA (2%) ... The beer wench and cabana boy ain't young & svelte and need a bigger bed than in the 21.

 

[Richard in Georgia]

additionally ... I found the base price increase inevitable. I'm not rocket surgeon, but I'd love to find a way to figure Escapes price sensitivity curve. With increased capacity and x% fallout because of the price increase, my guess it April 1 will be busy, but lead time will shrink considerably. While I don't want to pay a higher price, I applaud the courage to do so. Anytime I see people standing in line to buy something the first think I say to myself is "that guy/gal needs to raise his/her prices - just not for me, anyway"

 

[Jim Bennett]

There is no doubt that US customers are getting extremely good value with buying an Escape at recent exchange rates. If the exchange rate gets closer to par somewhat in the next while, it will still be a great value compared to any comparable option, at least in my opinion. Sure, US customers may not get as good of a deal as when their dollar was strongest, but nonetheless, they will still be getting a good deal.

For Canadians, I still believe an Escpae to be a good deal for what you get. I have looked at comparable options in the past, and even when our dollar was closer to par, and for what I want in a trailer, there just was no comparison. Costs to Canadians in Canadian dollars really hasn't changed, other than factors of inflation. Canadians on average also earn more for equivalent jobs (which we need to help compensate for our higher costs) especially those in the blue collar and lower to middle class range. While this still does not give us more buying power, it is what it is, and we must make our purchasing decisions based on reality.

Value is determined by what you get for what you pay, NOT for how much you have to pay. Where else can you get the combination of features that Escape offers? Things like the ability to choose from as many standard options that they offer, PLUS to be able to may custom modifications to suit your needs. This alone has huge value. Add to the fact that the quality for the cost is high. Sure there are higher quality components being used in some makes, but you most certainly have to pay more money for them. While other manufacturers may have good quality service, I doubt that any is better than Escape.

Even with the proposed price increase, you still get good value. We do have to wait until all the details of the 2017 models is released to fully determine this, but I don't doubt the improvements will justify it. Part of the increase is no doubt due to the increase of component costs coming out of the US, which for US buyers, means they will be paying closer to par on these components only, and still getting a great deal on Canadian products and services. For Canadians, it kinda sucks, but it is the reality of having to purchase product originating for sale in the US.

The price increase drove us out of the market for a new Escape
The recent drop in the value of the US Dollar just drove us farther away. At the present price , it is a luxury I could, but choose not to purchase. I hope Escape does well but if the exchange rate goes back to more historic levels , their backlog of orders may soon disappear. We really like the Escape 21 but not at $30K+ price !!

I am curious as to what other manufacturer you are now going with, that will give you a better value for something equivalent (or comparable) to the 21?

 

[Bear101]

I am with Jim B on this. Becky and I have been researching quality light weight travel trailers for over a year. I really like the Camplite trailers as a comparable non-fiberglass option but the insulation will not be as effective and, with the current exchange, the camplites are at least the same price range as the Escape for this Canadian buyer so Escape it is. Besides the dinettes are so much more comfortable in the Escapes, and with a real Queen bed and plenty of windows the 19 is where we are leaning. What a great combination and value.

 

[GRINGOandTICA]

I am with Jim B on this. Becky and I have been researching quality light weight travel trailers for over a year. I really like the Camplite trailers as a comparable non-fiberglass option but the insulation will not be as effective and, with the current exchange, the camplites are at least the same price range as the Escape for this Canadian buyer so Escape it is. Besides the dinettes are so much more comfortable in the Escapes, and with a real Queen bed and plenty of windows the 19 is where we are leaning. What a great combination and value.

I was pretty much in the same shoes, just throw in a Airstream Bambi to the mix. Resale and demand were big selling points. Let's see if that holds up with the expansion. I expect it will, cause there still really is no secondary market of Escapes. My trailer is a toy, and if I ever need the cash in an emergency, I'm pretty sure a private sale will be fast. People drive distances for these trailers. If I bought an SOB, I know the depreciation would be greater, and the market harder to crack.

 

[rbryan4]

In total agreement Jim. Escapes are in my humble opinion, the best fiberglass trailer for the money - on either side of the border.

 

[steve dunham]

There is no doubt that US customers are getting extremely good value with buying an Escape at recent exchange rates. If the exchange rate gets closer to par somewhat in the next while, it will still be a great value compared to any comparable option, at least in my opinion. Sure, US customers may not get as good of a deal as when their dollar was strongest, but nonetheless, they will still be getting a good deal.

For Canadians, I still believe an Escpae to be a good deal for what you get. I have looked at comparable options in the past, and even when our dollar was closer to par, and for what I want in a trailer, there just was no comparison. Costs to Canadians in Canadian dollars really hasn't changed, other than factors of inflation. Canadians on average also earn more for equivalent jobs (which we need to help compensate for our higher costs) especially those in the blue collar and lower to middle class range. While this still does not give us more buying power, it is what it is, and we must make our purchasing decisions based on reality.

Value is determined by what you get for what you pay, NOT for how much you have to pay. Where else can you get the combination of features that Escape offers? Things like the ability to choose from as many standard options that they offer, PLUS to be able to may custom modifications to suit your needs. This alone has huge value. Add to the fact that the quality for the cost is high. Sure there are higher quality components being used in some makes, but you most certainly have to pay more money for them. While other manufacturers may have good quality service, I doubt that any is better than Escape.

Even with the proposed price increase, you still get good value. We do have to wait until all the details of the 2017 models is released to fully determine this, but I don't doubt the improvements will justify it. Part of the increase is no doubt due to the increase of component costs coming out of the US, which for US buyers, means they will be paying closer to par on these components only, and still getting a great deal on Canadian products and services. For Canadians, it kinda sucks, but it is the reality of having to purchase product originating for sale in the US.



I am curious as to what other manufacturer you are now going with, that will give you a better value for something equivalent (or comparable) to the 21?

" I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH THE QUALITY OF ESCAPE TRAILER'S "
The concept of value is a personnal decision. . Rolls Royse builds a quality vehicle and it may be of great value but I have no intention of buying one.. At the old price and at the higher exchange rate we were at the limit of what we willing to spend on a luxury ( Non Essential) purchase..Most people when purchasing any item have a price they are willing to spend for that item and Escape has surpassed our limit. I am in no way questioning anyone's decision to own or purchase an Escape Trailer. My point was that as Escape raises it's price ,no matter how justified the price increase was and
as the exchange rate gets less favorable for US customers , they will eventually reach a point of price resistance .. We have viewed several Escapes and really like their trailers but there is a limit on what we are willing to spend on something that in our climate is only used 6 months out of a year. I would venture to say that I am not alone in believing that an Escape Trailer has risen to a price point where purchasing one is no longer in our / their future.

 

[Ruthe]

Bottom line, if you can't afford it, it doesn't matter how great the trailer is. However, it's been said before that even with the slight rise recently in the Canadian dollar, U.S. people buying an Escape in 2017 are mostly going to be paying less than those of us who bought two or more years ago. I think what's happened is that people who just started looking at Escapes in the last year and thought they could afford one at that price are being priced out of the market with the present increases.

I am learning just how tricky it is to run a business from this forum. if the Canadian dollar were to go back to its value of two or three years ago, then U.S. buyers would probably be thinking twice. And Escape is probably factoring that into the equation as they determine pricing.

 

[Jim Bennett]

" I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH THE QUALITY OF ESCAPE TRAILER'S "
The concept of value is a personnal decision. . Rolls Royse builds a quality vehicle and it may be of great value but I have no intention of buying one.. At the old price and at the higher exchange rate we were at the limit of what we willing to spend on a luxury ( Non Essential) purchase..Most people when purchasing any item have a price they are willing to spend for that item and Escape has surpassed our limit. I am in no way questioning anyone's decision to own or purchase an Escape Trailer. My point was that as Escape raises it's price ,no matter how justified the price increase was and
as the exchange rate gets less favorable for US customers , they will eventually reach a point of price resistance .. We have viewed several Escapes and really like their trailers but there is a limit on what we are willing to spend on something that in our climate is only used 6 months out of a year. I would venture to say that I am not alone in believing that an Escape Trailer has risen to a price point where purchasing one is no longer in our / their future.

Say what? Methinks you misread my query.

I was just curious as to what brand you were considering instead, now that an Escape does not give you the value you are looking for.

 

[Ruthe]

Glenn, I'm not sure what this has to do with anything, but I finished season four too.

 

[Marry-ESC]

Long term investment: making more money buying an Escape then having it at the bank. The Escape does keep its value: used ones up 10% .....

 

[Iowa Dave]

When my son and I went to Ontario in 2010 to hunt bears I trusted Clay to make all the arrangements and to " let me know what my 1/2 is". I cannot tell you what the exchange rate was or even how much money we spent. I vividly remember the fishing, the other people in camp, the outfitter and his employees. And I remember the shot I made on my bear. Every day I look at the two mounts, his and mine hanging on our great room wall. Probably couldn't afford it then and probably not now, but we did it. We made some memories that will last both of us for the rest of our lives. I look at camping with the Escape the same way. Memories for the rest of our lives. My Dad's best friend from the 1930s died this past weekend. He was 103. My dad however, only made 49. Life can be fleeting. Live every day as if it is your last and someday you will be right.
Dave

 

[Ruthe]

Dave I agree with most of what you say, but if someone has to get into debt to buy an Escape that could lead to trouble. That said, I am someone who often will not buy something I can afford because of that depression era mentality about money that I inherited from my parents of blessed memory. We had the money for the Escape, we took the plunge and are happy we did. But there are less expensive ways to make memories.

 

[sturski]

We really like the Escape 21 but not at $30K+ price !!

I paid that for a 19. It's the cost of having it built the way I wanted.

I've owned a few trailers and spent an incredible amount of time fixing and modifying them. I'm willing to spend more to get things right the first time. My Escape19 is imperfect; but it's the best price/performance that meets our needs. If something else works better for you, you ought to go for it,

 

[escape artist]

Dave I agree with most of what you say, but if someone has to get into debt to buy an Escape that could lead to trouble. That said, I am someone who often will not buy something I can afford because of that depression era mentality about money that I inherited from my parents of blessed memory. We had the money for the Escape, we took the plunge and are happy we did. But there are less expensive ways to make memories.

Hi: Ruthe... Every morning that I wake up...I make memories. I have a photographic memory, it's just that my film card is full!;D Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie