|
|
04-12-2017, 06:56 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Santa Rosa, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 15B sold, 2019 Escape 19
Posts: 367
|
Towing our new (to us) 15B
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.
|
|
|
04-12-2017, 07:35 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Bellingham and Glacier, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15A
Posts: 2,051
|
Welcome to the Escape owners' world! And 15s rule...
__________________
Karen Hulford
2013 Escape 15A, "Egbert"
'93 Ford 150 XLT or
'22 GMC Acadia Denali
|
|
|
04-12-2017, 08:06 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Fremont, California
Trailer: 2016 21. '15 Ford Explorer V-6
Posts: 1,560
|
That is one sweet combo! You must be quite the sight rolling down the road!
__________________
Steve and Debbie
2016 - 21'
“Get out the map and lay your finger anywhere down” -Indigo Girls
|
|
|
04-12-2017, 08:22 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Ponoka, Alberta
Trailer: 2016 19 classic "outta sight", jeep rubicon unlimited
Posts: 1,645
|
Yep, don't forget to mention your Escape!
Looks great! Enjoy!!!
__________________
"never lose hope, never lose faith"
|
|
|
04-12-2017, 08:31 PM
|
#5
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ione, California
Trailer: 2014 15B Escape Trailer
Posts: 72
|
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.
|
|
|
04-12-2017, 09:38 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Trailer: 2020 Escape 17B "Voyager"
Posts: 2,681
|
Yes, I love my 15A, and I also love being able to go no hookups and fit in small spaces. Love your car, too!
|
|
|
04-12-2017, 10:14 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Santa Rosa, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 15B sold, 2019 Escape 19
Posts: 367
|
Keeping it simple
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.
|
|
|
04-12-2017, 10:46 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Santa Rosa, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 15B sold, 2019 Escape 19
Posts: 367
|
Thanks for the camping tips, I'm already checking out those locations in your post.
|
|
|
04-12-2017, 10:55 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Juneau, Alaska
Trailer: 2015 17A - Ready for more Maiden Voyages ....
Posts: 881
|
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
__________________
Consciousness: That confusing time between naps
|
|
|
04-13-2017, 12:21 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: n/a, Texas
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 728
|
StarvingHyena,
You are lucky, some people would have to cut off 4 or 6 ft, not to mention those unsightly overhangs.
|
|
|
04-13-2017, 06:15 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,544
|
Quote:
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.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
|
|
|
04-13-2017, 07:01 AM
|
#12
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Glenelg Center, Ontario
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19’ Sold in 2023
Posts: 87
|
I just love the cut-off comments. Too funny
Duer
|
|
|
04-13-2017, 07:24 AM
|
#13
|
Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,043
|
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.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
|
|
|
04-13-2017, 08:57 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2012 Escape 15 A
Posts: 1,505
|
Congratulations , it is so nice when one finds the ....Perfect ..... trailer . Yes 15s rule !
__________________
All things in life are easier to swallow with a good cup of tea .....
|
|
|
04-13-2017, 08:58 AM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2012 Escape 15 A
Posts: 1,505
|
Quote:
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 !
__________________
All things in life are easier to swallow with a good cup of tea .....
|
|
|
04-13-2017, 12:22 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: O town, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 "Lightning"
Posts: 1,467
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gabeck
Congratulations , it is so nice when one finds the ....Perfect ..... trailer . Yes 15s rule !
|
I'm detecting bias....
|
|
|
04-13-2017, 01:41 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Alameda, California
Trailer: 2010 Escape 15A
Posts: 105
|
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).
|
|
|
04-13-2017, 02:49 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2012 Escape 15 A
Posts: 1,505
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BCnomad
I'm detecting bias....
|
Oh..... no no Bruce .....just the wisdom that comes with age !!!!!
__________________
All things in life are easier to swallow with a good cup of tea .....
|
|
|
04-13-2017, 04:09 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Santa Rosa, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 15B sold, 2019 Escape 19
Posts: 367
|
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?)
|
|
|
04-13-2017, 05:45 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Alameda, California
Trailer: 2010 Escape 15A
Posts: 105
|
Monterey KOA
Here we are at Monterey KOA last weekend (pricey, but nice).
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|