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Old 11-12-2008, 02:23 PM   #1
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Mileage Towing

Just thought people would like to know.. We have completed our second trip with the 17ft Plan B and here's kind-of what we are getting in MPG.. We're pulling our Escape with a 2008 Toyota Highlander w/towing package.. 3.7liter V6 270HP AWD.. (the sticker says 17 city 23 Hwy .. which is pretty right on..sometimes we get 24 Hwy..)

These are approximate..

Climbing Hills high elevation 7000ft up & down about 13MPG ( during the actual climb we get 8 MPG..this was the Cascade Mts)
Climbing Hills lower elevation 1400ft winding road (CA HWY 1) about 15MPG
Flat Straight shot keeping the speed around 60MPH, RPM approximate 1700, we get 17MPG

The deal for our car seems to be keep the RPM under 2000 and the gas mileage is excellent.

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Old 11-12-2008, 11:38 PM   #2
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Re: Mileage Towing

Hi ,
I am presuming you went down I5 with your new Escape. How was the uphill and downhill trip over the Siskiyous? I have ordered my new Escape and will be towing with a 2005 Sienna w/tow pkg. Are you two going to the rally in July? Looks like fun!
Peace and Sunshine,
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Old 11-13-2008, 12:26 AM   #3
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Re: Mileage Towing

Sandra:

It was freezing/raining in BC so we headed out down I5 to Everett WA.. Then followed the sun to Yakima WA hwy 90 (WA wine country ) then headed down to Bend OR (Hwy 97) .. which was a great drive..and then continued down 97 to I5 ( Weed CA) then headed down to Mt Shasta (a great place to hang out) then basically headed back home to the SF Bay Area ..

I think we would like to do the rally in July.. we haven't made any reservations as of yet.

jeff

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Old 01-07-2009, 10:59 AM   #4
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Re: Mileage Towing

My Escape 17 is highly modified with 4" of lift and 30" tires and probably is a bit on the heavy side because I am full timing and carry a lot of stuff and toys. I am towing with a Toyota FJ Cruiser with 4.0 V6 and getting about 11-12 MPG which I consider pretty good under my set of circumstances. I have found that speed is the primary factor, get much over 60 MPH and the mileage drops significantly. If I could keep it under 60 I estimate 12-14 MPG.

This is my first post and I will be adding much more in the future. I am full timing in my Escape for almost a year now so will have some thoughts to share.

Ace

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Old 01-07-2009, 11:18 AM   #5
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Re: Mileage Towing


Great!
I'm sure I'm not the only one looking forward to what you have to share. What other modifications did you request? Is there any other things, now that you've had it for a bit, that you'd change or add? Is your bathroom door hinged on the right or left? If it is hinged on the right, does the door hit the table on the small dinette when you open it?
Thanks and Welcome,
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Old 01-07-2009, 02:45 PM   #6
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Re: Mileage Towing

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace Brown
My Escape 17 is highly modified with 4" of lift and 30" tires and probably is a bit on the heavy side because I am full timing and carry a lot of stuff and toys. I am towing with a Toyota FJ Cruiser with 4.0 V6 and getting about 11-12 MPG which I consider pretty good under my set of circumstances. I have found that speed is the primary factor, get much over 60 MPH and the mileage drops significantly. If I could keep it under 60 I estimate 12-14 MPG.

This is my first post and I will be adding much more in the future. I am full timing in my Escape for almost a year now so will have some thoughts to share.

Ace

I would love to see photos - sounds fabulous

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Old 01-07-2009, 07:34 PM   #7
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Re: Mileage Towing

Ace:

I'm sure your insights will be invaluable to the forum.. I echo the "show the pics"!!

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Old 01-07-2009, 07:51 PM   #8
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Re: Mileage Towing


I think that's 13 inch, not 30 inch tires. I also have the high axle, since my original plan was to get a Tacoma, not a Rav. From all I've read, that four inch lift probably doesn't affect mileage all that much, especially if you carry a canoe on the tow.

In my experience, and I posted all this to FGRV, my mileage on the same route for the same distance, was at least 1/3 better when I reduced my speed from 110 / 120 kph to 90kph or less. More than anything else, reducing speed is going to improve your mileage, whatever your combination of trailer and tow and as a bonus can reduce your stress level.

baglo

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Old 01-09-2009, 10:18 PM   #9
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Re: Mileage Towing

No, it is truly 30" diameter light truck tires on 15x7" aluminum rims. I have done a lot to make my Escape capable of handling rough dirt roads, even off-road on trails with enough width. Height does certainly affect mileage, more drag and more air turbulence underneath. I am currently carrying a canoe on the FJ and it should help split the air around the top of the trailer. However I am getting about 1 MPG less than I was w/o the canoe, but that may be my driving, or weather, or who knows. Be nice to have a Scan Guage.

I won't go into much on my mods in this thread as there is a better place for that but let me just say that mine is enough significantly different that Escape gave it a new model name "C".

Hopefully I can figure out the posting of photos, but I have not had much luck with that on other forums.

Ace

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Old 01-09-2009, 10:35 PM   #10
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Re: Mileage Towing


OK, diameter. So I have the same 15 inch tires, or tyres if you are in England.

Anyway, enough of the teasing. We need more info and pix on the "C" model.

baglo
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Old 01-10-2009, 12:09 AM   #11
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Re: Mileage Towing

I posted a long-winded list of my changes in factory mods thread.

Hopefully not to beat this to death, but 30" tires added 2-3" more height which will affect mileage. Stock tires will measure around 26" or 27" depending on size Escape installs. Reace would not install the tires/wheels that I wanted, probably liability concerns, so I had it done after delivery. Anybody need three perfectly good stock tire/rims? Actually I am kidding as two are in Tulare, Calif and one is in Montrose, Colo, or where when last seen.

BTW if anyone else is considering oversized tires, 30" is the absolute biggest that will fit in the wheel wells and then ONLY with the 4" lift. They don't hit or rub, but its close.

Ace

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Old 01-10-2009, 12:39 AM   #12
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Re: Mileage Towing


Why did you want the 30" tires?

baglo
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Old 01-10-2009, 08:36 AM   #13
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Re: Mileage Towing

Hi: Ace... Are you "Off Roading" with your Escape
Escape Artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 01-11-2009, 07:57 PM   #14
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Re: Mileage Towing

The reason for 30" tires is partly eplained in reply 8 above, but heres more info:

Larger diameter tires roll over rough terrain easier, pictue skate board wheels versus a bicyle.
Added about 2" more ground clearance, now 6" total.
Bigger light truck tires can be "aired down" safely, lower pressure helps greatly on rough roads. I carry an on-board air compressor under the hood of my FJ for quick airing up. Chatter board roads are possible w/o driving at crawl speed.
Wider tires will float on sand roads easier and won't sink in soft ground so quick.
They just look so COOL.

Yes, I go off-road to a limited degree, the biggest obstacle being "what lies ahead" that may force a difficult or impossible retreat. But as last resort I can unhook and winch it around. Haven't tried that yet and hope I never have to, but have assisted others in same predicament.

Ace

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Old 05-19-2014, 12:30 AM   #15
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I am buying a 17b in Sept my tow is a highlander I'm thinking its plenty of tow so I could tow the trailer and put my kayak on top of the tow and maybe a bike at the end of the trailer -now if I could just figure out how to tow the horse too I would have it all!
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