Newbie from West Texas

[phlbua]

I'm a long time lurker of this forum that started when I ordered a 5.0TA last year. I will be picking my new Escape on thursday next week.
My name is Phil and my wife's name is Patty. We live in Odessa/Midland here in west Texas. I retired last May and bought a used Casita and this got me on the slippery slope. When I posted my Casita on Craigslist Saturday night, the first person that called on Sunday morning bought it on Tuesday morning because he drove from Austin to pick it up.
I upgraded my TV to Ram ecodiesel from a 2009 Silverado because the best mpg I was getting on the chevy is 11 towing the Casita. The Ram was getting 17/18 with the same Casita.
Like most Escape newbies, this forum has been a very big help for me in so many ways. THANK YOU ALL!

[PGDriver]

Hi Phil and Patty and welcome to the forum. I like your taste in trailers.
Please post pics once you pick up for those of us who are still waiting for our 5.0TA trailers.

Cheers
Doug

[cpaharley2008]

You can now change your avatar to show your trailer and tug, also, WELCOME !!

[Codeman]

Welcome! It's great to finally have more Escape owners in west Texas - so excited for y'all.

[Donna D.]

Hey Phil! I'm a bit partial to the 5.0TA ETI build myself. Can't help it, love the one you're with! Since you're a former Casita owner, are you going to Bluebonnet the end of the month? That rally is on my bucket list.

Safe travels, always.

[sokol]

Welcome Phil and Patty. Always nice to see new Escape owners join the clan. Hope to meet you in person at one of our rally's and I know you will be thoroughly satisfied with your decision. Happy Travels!

[phlbua]

Hi Donna,
I wanted to go soon as I saw the post but I'll be out of the country by that time for 50 years High School reunion. I'll be without my 5.0TA for a month - bummer :-)

[SpokanEscape]

Did you graduate from Lakenheath High School by any chance? We are having a reunion in England in that time frame I think��

[phlbua]

No, I'm from the other side of the globe - Philippines.

[Hawaiian Escapees]

Aloha Phil & Patty,
Lucky you. Welcome aboard! We also have the ecodiesel and will be picking up our 5.0 TA the end of June. Curious what route you are taking to Chilliwack?
Steve & Eileen

[CADreamin]

"Did you graduate from Lakenheath High School by any chance? We are having a reunion in England in that time frame I think"

Small world, my husband graduated from Central High in England (1965).

[phlbua]

Hi Steve &Ellen,
From west Texas, I'm taking the shortest route to Chilliwack - Via New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington. Halfway through this trip and here is the MPG I'm getting with the ecodiesel with 3 people and full load on the bed:

[phlbua]

No tow yet. I can't wait to see the ecodiesel with the 5.0TA

[Hawaiian Escapees]

Impressive! Thanks for the update.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by phlbua

Hi Steve &Ellen,
From west Texas, I'm taking the shortest route to Chilliwack - Via New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington. Halfway through this trip and here is the MPG I'm getting with the ecodiesel with 3 people and full load on the bed:

That's excellent. I suspect you will get around 20 to 21 with the 5.0TA. I think your route is the same as ours was going up: Roswell, Clines Corners, Albuquerque, Cuba, Aztec, Farmington, Shiprock, Cortez, Monticello, Moab, Price, Provo, SLC, on to Boise, eastern Oregon then Yakima and Seattle, Bellingham to Sumas then Chilliwack.

Our route back to Texas (so far) has been a "little" different.

[phlbua]

Robert, same route. The 80mph speed limit in Idaho cut the mpg down to 26.1

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by phlbua

Robert, same route. The 80mph speed limit in Idaho cut the mpg down to 26.1

Interesting. We did 75 in the 80 zones on the way up as opposed to our regular 65 and it knocked our mileage down by 3/4 of a mile per gallon.

[MarksAlot]

I have a Ram Ecodiesel 4X4 and am getting about 19-20 MPG towing my 19. Torque is great (420 foot lbs at 2000 RPM) in the hills, which I see quite a bit in California. Been very happy with my Ram so far.

[cpaharley2008]

That is good to hear, I vacillated between the hemi and the ecodiesel. My 2009 would get 12 mpg, towing or not. But over the long term I'm still not sure about the smaller 3.0 durability and $1 premium on fuel cost. I had a 4 cyl diesel Jeep Liberty and after 80K miles major repairs were starting. LSS, I went again with the hemi, but it now has a 8 speed and I got the 3.21 rear end. I'm averaging 18 around town and 14-15 towing, which is a lot better than the old one. Both models are great to drive and look smart.

[Hawaiian Escapees]

Aloha Phil,
I was wondering how everything went on you return trip from Chilliwack. We leave with our new ecodiesel in about a month. Can't wait to see how everything works out with our 50 after all this time and planning.
Mahalo Steve