New Trailer Pick-up

[Ray B.]

Just wanted to let everyone know that we picked up our new Escape 19 in Chilliwack on July 7. The group at Escape Industries was fantastic. The orientation by Velora and Dennis was well done. We learned a lot. I was a little nervous as our plan was to tow directly from Chilliwack to Kenora over the weekend. 2500 km in three days. My 2016 4Runner performed flawlessly. Towed at 105 km/hr in 4th gear with transmission temperatures at 170 F. On some of the big hills in the moutains we went 80 km/hr in 3rd gear with the transmission maxing at 250 degrees F. When I got home I asked the service manager at our local Toyota dealer about this and he told me to chill. He said that short forays above 220 F are not a problem as long as you keep up on the transmission oil changes. Our original build sheet did not include air conditioning. When we arrived in BC it was 35 degrees. I sent Escape an e-mail on Wednesday and asked if they could add air conditioning for our pickup on Wednesday. They called me Thursday morning and said that it could be done so we had air conditioner installed for Friday morning. We love the trailer!

[rbryan4]

Congrats on taking delivery! Good to hear your tow vehicle worked out so well.

Originally Posted by Ray B.

I sent Escape an e-mail on Wednesday and asked if they could add air conditioning for our pickup on Wednesday. They called me Thursday morning and said that it could be done so we had air conditioner installed for Friday morning. We love the trailer!

That's great. Not too many companies would have added AC at the last minute.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Ray B.

Towed at 105 km/hr in 4th gear with transmission temperatures at 170 F. On some of the big hills in the moutains we went 80 km/hr in 3rd gear with the transmission maxing at 250 degrees F.

Wow, pretty fast paced. Glad it all went well.

Interesting that you're in 4th gear at 105 kph. On my Ranger, from a little below 100 kph up I can tow comfortably in 5th. That's why I'm always speeding a little bit in California because 55 mph is just a little too slow to stay in 5th. At first I used to lock out O/D but now I don't. Have you tried 5th on level sections?

Ron

[Ray B.]

I have not tried 5th. That is something that I can experiment with going forward. At 105 kph the engine is running at 2500 rpm and I am using approximately 14.4 litres per 100 km. Going 80 up the grades we were running at 3000 rpm. Across the prairie I used cruise control in 4th and would just kick out of cruise whenever approaching a grade and just modulate the throttle with my foot otherwise if would downshift to third. Worked well.

[gharper]

I think a 4 Runner or Tacoma would be a great tow vehicle for a 19. We have a 2011 5 speed Highlander and it does pretty good towing our 19 and we like to travel around 105 kph as well and tow in 4th gear. When in the mountains we find ourselves downshifting to 3rd, even 2nd on very steep grades. We replace the transmission fluid early and have had no problems with the vehicle and have used it to tow a 3,500 lb boat and trailer since early 2011. Congratulations on your 19, and good choice going with the AC, comes in handy when you don't think you will need it.

[Bill and Earline]

Originally Posted by Ray B.

On some of the big hills in the moutains we went 80 km/hr in 3rd gear with the transmission maxing at 250 degrees F. When I got home I asked the service manager at our local Toyota dealer about this and he told me to chill. He said that short forays above 220 F are not a problem as long as you keep up on the transmission oil changes.

A couple of years ago when we were towing with our older 4Runner, I checked with a Valvoline tech, who said he'd use 240F as a temp that he would back off or downshift. You're not far off that, so you should be fine with more frequent fluid changes. He said the synthetic fluid would be fine at higher temps but the transmission components might suffer.

Does your nearly new 4Runner have its own readouts, or did you add something aftermarket?

The truck we tow with now has plenty of gauges, but runs higher oil and coolant temps (220 and 205F), presumably due to it being a diesel, but has never topped 200 on trans temps.

[Ray B.]

After a lot of back and forth on this forum, I added a scan gauge. The advice that I have received here has been very helpful.

[escape artist]

Hi: Ray B... After 145,000 Km's and towing both model escape 5th wheels I have yet to change the transmission fluid. Have my mechanic check it and his report is always clear.
BTW does it say "Wipe your feet" Next to the door? LoL Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: Ray B... After 145,000 Km's and towing both model escape 5th wheels I have yet to change the transmission fluid. Have my mechanic check it and his report is always clear.

90K miles and no trans fluid change? That might be one way to overcome a spouse's objection to a new F150

Change mine at 45K, which is recommended interval for extreme driving conditions, which towing is and we tow approximately 80%. Cheap insurance IMO.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Rossue

90K miles and no trans fluid change? That might be one way to overcome a spouse's objection to a new F150

Change mine at 45K, which is recommended interval for extreme driving conditions, which towing is and we tow approximately 80%. Cheap insurance IMO.

Hi: Rossue... Shush!!! My plan's not all together yet!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[cpaharley2008]

Alf,
Maybe your mechanic needs glasses.....

[Ray B.]

Mon Chez Nous - translation: my home

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Alf,
Maybe your mechanic needs glasses.....

Hi: cpaharley2008... My wife says I need glasses cause we don't see "Eye to eye"!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie