Chainplate
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After 55 years of tent camping, my wife and I decided to purchase a trailer that could be pulled by our 2016 Kia Sorento (V6, all-wheel drive). I spent way too much time analyzing and comparing the different models of trailers that could be pulled by our car and that we could afford (unfortunately, we have very little money). Like most people, we wanted something really nice but for not much money. Fast forward several years: I see an ad on the internet for a 2023 Escape 17B with the exact layout that we wanted and, while the price was out of our budget, it seemed worth giving the dealer a call. First Thing We Did Wrong: The dealer was on the opposite side of the country. We called him anyway and did a FaceTime tour of the RV. It was everything we wanted. He said that the people who bought it originally picked it up at the factory and drove it to Jacksonville, Florida, only to discover that it was too small for them (he mentioned that they were of ‘size’) - they traded the Escape for something larger. We thanked the salesman for his time but said it was out of our budget, to which he replied, “Make me an offer . . . “ Embarrassed, I divulged that all we could afford was almost 20% less than he was asking. He said, “Sold.” My wife and I collectively gulped. Second Thing We Did Wrong: Bought an RV without looking at it (in person). The logistics were going to be tough as November is a busy month for us (our youngest daughter is getting married in November plus 18 people for Thanksgiving dinner at our house). The dealer said, “No problem, pay for it now and pick it up in December.” But we really didn’t want to make a Third Thing We Did Wrong: Sending a significant percentage of our meager savings to someone we had only met on the internet. Okay, we’ll just drop everything we’re doing (or were supposed to be doing) and go pick up our new-to-us trailer that’s 2,800 miles away. Smart.
But, first I have to get our 8-year old Kia ready to tow a 2,800-pound trailer. I research and install a trailer hitch and brake controller. I discover a suspension support device and decide that it’s essential and install it also. I run the wires for the 7-pin connector and install a wiring harness. Before we leave, I’m confident that we’ll have taillights, turn signals and brake lights but I have no idea if the trailer brakes will work.
It takes us 36 hours of driving to get to Jacksonville, we grab a few hours of sleep and show up at the dealership. There sits our newest prize possession, gleaming, looking like new. A technician walks us through everything, proving everything works and educating us on how to use it. There were a few adjustments to be made but he did them in minutes. We backed the Kia up to the trailer and connected it: Everything works! Taking care of the paperwork is quick and they wave us goodbye.
For our first night out, we picked a state park that was about an hour’s drive from the dealership. We were exhausted and excited. Setting up our camp for the first time was interesting but not difficult. This was a whole new level of camping! No ice chest - we now have a refrigerator! A regular mattress - no inflating an air mattress! Air conditioning! A bathroom! We were giddy with the comforts of our new portable home.
After a good night’s sleep, we were up early and got back underway. I found that the Kia seemed to run better if I left it in fifth gear and kept it at 60 miles per hour although I would frequently have to downshift for an overpass or to climb a grade. The only grade where I had to downshift into third gear was to climb over the Laguna Mountains, which is a 7% grade (but, even in third gear, I was able to keep the speed to 45 miles per hour and the intake manifold vacuum was high). We routinely did 500-600-mile days (one night we arrived at the campground after dark and had to back into our assigned space - not easy but didn’t take too long). I calculated our fuel consumption to be about 15 miles per gallon (15.7 liters per 100 kilometers for my Canadian friends) which isn’t great but I didn’t have to spend US$80,000 for a new truck. Besides Florida, we camped in Alabama, two different places in Texas and once in Arizona before we got home. Nothing broke. My wife and I are still best friends. Now, no more goofing off! We need to get to work!
Safe travels, everyone.
But, first I have to get our 8-year old Kia ready to tow a 2,800-pound trailer. I research and install a trailer hitch and brake controller. I discover a suspension support device and decide that it’s essential and install it also. I run the wires for the 7-pin connector and install a wiring harness. Before we leave, I’m confident that we’ll have taillights, turn signals and brake lights but I have no idea if the trailer brakes will work.
It takes us 36 hours of driving to get to Jacksonville, we grab a few hours of sleep and show up at the dealership. There sits our newest prize possession, gleaming, looking like new. A technician walks us through everything, proving everything works and educating us on how to use it. There were a few adjustments to be made but he did them in minutes. We backed the Kia up to the trailer and connected it: Everything works! Taking care of the paperwork is quick and they wave us goodbye.
For our first night out, we picked a state park that was about an hour’s drive from the dealership. We were exhausted and excited. Setting up our camp for the first time was interesting but not difficult. This was a whole new level of camping! No ice chest - we now have a refrigerator! A regular mattress - no inflating an air mattress! Air conditioning! A bathroom! We were giddy with the comforts of our new portable home.
After a good night’s sleep, we were up early and got back underway. I found that the Kia seemed to run better if I left it in fifth gear and kept it at 60 miles per hour although I would frequently have to downshift for an overpass or to climb a grade. The only grade where I had to downshift into third gear was to climb over the Laguna Mountains, which is a 7% grade (but, even in third gear, I was able to keep the speed to 45 miles per hour and the intake manifold vacuum was high). We routinely did 500-600-mile days (one night we arrived at the campground after dark and had to back into our assigned space - not easy but didn’t take too long). I calculated our fuel consumption to be about 15 miles per gallon (15.7 liters per 100 kilometers for my Canadian friends) which isn’t great but I didn’t have to spend US$80,000 for a new truck. Besides Florida, we camped in Alabama, two different places in Texas and once in Arizona before we got home. Nothing broke. My wife and I are still best friends. Now, no more goofing off! We need to get to work!
Safe travels, everyone.
