Towing our new (to us) 15B

[Effie]

We picked up the Escape 15B in from EstateOfMind in Utah on March 18th. I do have to mention the great hospitality of Dale and his lovely wife (we got bed & breakfast included in the trailer price). Early the next day we hitched it to our 2011 X3 3.5i and after 744 miles made it home to Santa Rosa Ca. I know my towing vehicle is not very common so I thought some of you may be interested in our experience. Before going into the numbers let me say that having no weight distribution or sway control did not create any issues, I could easily drive at 75 on the freeway without any sway when passing or being passed by the big rigs. We also crossed the Sierra Mountains with heavy traffic, no issues.
The numbers: 744miles, 18mpg, 63mph (should have been higher if not for some slow bay area traffic)
Just as a reference I usually will expect about 24mpg on a similar drive without the trailer but my average speed will probably be around 75mph.
Last weekend we took one short “shake up” trip to Mendocino, about 220miles round trip and got about 17mpg. About 140miles of this drive is going through some beautiful but winding roads, again the car trailer combo behaved great but I’m sure it didn’t help the fuel consumption.
Another interesting number, I checked the tongue weight on a bathroom scale and it showed about 250lb, more than I expected for the empty trailer with one battery and one LP tank.
The wife say I need to mention the Escape, I thought this is obvious, we love it.

[KarenH]

Welcome to the Escape owners' world! And 15s rule...

[Steve Clark]

That is one sweet combo! You must be quite the sight rolling down the road!

[Marry]

Yep, don't forget to mention your Escape!
Looks great! Enjoy!!!

[California Dreaming]

Hi Effie,
Welcome to the best life - the trailer life! I have the same year and model. Love it!!!! I'm in the Sacramento area. I trailer as much as I can. Usually within a 2-4 hour radius. You're in a great area to trailer - Napa and Sonoma to the east and Bodega Bay, Mendocino to the west. I'm curious why'd you buy a 15'er? I know why I did - I can camp any PLACE without hookups for a fair amount of time. Okay, affordability may have played a small role but I love how I can slip into a spot another rig can't even drive to! I also like to camp at state parks - New Brighton (Santa Cruz), Half Moon Bay, SugarLoaf Ridge (Sonoma), Sugar Pine Point (Lake Tahoe). Wright's Beach (near Bodega) is nice in the fall. I'd also like to mention, I have a weight distribution hitch and can't imagine towing without it (if nothing but the peace of mind). I also keep my speed well below 65 MPH (CA Law is 55MPH when towing a vehicle). I could go a lot faster but along with safety and risk of getting a ticket, I don't want to tax my car unnecessarily. I've been pleasantly surprised that my fuel consumption is relatively the same when I'm towing because I drive at a much slower speed than I typically do (I've got a lead foot). Anyway, congrats and if you have any questions feel free to contact me. I may not know as much as some but happy to say I'm no longer a newbie.
Jen H.

[Bobbie54]

Yes, I love my 15A, and I also love being able to go no hookups and fit in small spaces. Love your car, too!

[Effie]

Thanks to all for the warm welcome.
It’s just me and my wife now and we wanted to keep things simple (we had a 27 feet stick trailer in the nineties towed with a V8 Grand Cherokee, not fun). I also didn’t want a large towing vehicle. But even if we wanted a bigger unit our challenging driveway could be a problem. We are also thinking of some long trips and easy towing and maneuvering is high on my list.
I am thinking of few upgrades, will post in “modifications and alterations” at a later time.

[Effie]

Thanks for the camping tips, I'm already checking out those locations in your post.

[StarvingHyena]

Ok Ok ... you guys have me convinced. I'm going to cut off two feet from my trailer .... just can't decide which end.

Tom

[Viajante]

StarvingHyena,
You are lucky, some people would have to cut off 4 or 6 ft, not to mention those unsightly overhangs.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Viajante

StarvingHyena,
You are lucky, some people would have to cut off 4 or 6 ft, not to mention those unsightly overhangs.

Yeah, but just don't cut off that unsightly overhang when I am sleeping in it, that would be a bit scary.

[Duer]

I just love the cut-off comments. Too funny

Duer

[Donna D.]

If anyone hacks off a couple of feet, send the parts to me. I'd like my trailer to be several feet longer. I'll graft them on. I'd like to have a living room.

[gabeck]

Congratulations , it is so nice when one finds the ....Perfect ..... trailer . Yes 15s rule !

[gabeck]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

If anyone hacks off a couple of feet, send the parts to me. I'd like my trailer to be several feet longer. I'll graft them on. I'd like to have a living room.

But you have living room ....it's the one with the high ceiling !

[BCnomad]

Originally Posted by gabeck

Congratulations , it is so nice when one finds the ....Perfect ..... trailer . Yes 15s rule !

I'm detecting bias....

[kkinna]

Welcome to the Escape 15 club! We have a 15A and are in the Bay Area. We love to go to Cassini Ranch in Duncan Mills - right on the Russian River. Other favorites are (no hook ups) Calaveras Big Trees, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Hope to see you as we travel about. Maybe we should have an Escape 15 California meet up (of course everyone is also welcome).

[gabeck]

Originally Posted by BCnomad

I'm detecting bias....

Oh..... no no Bruce .....just the wisdom that comes with age !!!!!

[Effie]

Thanks Kkinna, I'm taking note of all the recommendations, I know I'll recognize your unit if I see it, great color (any picture?)

[kkinna]

Here we are at Monterey KOA last weekend (pricey, but nice).