Towing mileage - Escape 17 vs 19

[HABBERDABBER]

All this analog recording of mileage and gas consumption brings me back to "the old days" when I drove a Renault Le Car. The drivers side window crank broke and was not easily repairable so I adjusted the height of the window with a strip of clear packing tape strapped to the window and door frame. Redneck, but it worked. No AC in those days.

I tracked mileage from last fill up as the gas gauge was kaput in that Le Car. A 3M sticky note pad next to the odometer gave me an idea of required fill up time. I recall, after running out of gas once and implementing my mileage tracking system, I didn't run out of petrol again.

Weird French built Le Car. The spare tire was stored in the engine compartment, paper-like hardboard panels lined the inside of the doors......I could go on. But it got me where I wanted to go.

 

[Chamberman]

Just before covid I met someone pulling an ETI 19 with the same truck as mine but two years newer and his mileage was about 2 or 3 miles per gallon less than mine.

Its far more likely that a good portion of this mileage difference is due to vehicle configuration, driving habits and/or primary regions visited (high elevation mountains versus flat plains) or a combination of those than due to the size of the trailer. The driver of the vehicle, how they drive it and where they're driving it is one of the biggest variables in any mileage comparison. I was a member at a Mustang forum for about 20yrs and from time to time the subject of gas mileage would come up. Mind you, these are mostly all the same cars with either an auto or manual tranny and the differences in mileage would at times be stunning. People would be thinking that there's something wrong with their car when in fact its all about how they're using it. I remember one members mileage was particularly bad and after a lot of investigation we found out that his wife would sit for 20+ min every day with the car idling in the elementary school parking lot waiting for their daughter to be released from school. Its for this reason that I dislike MPG comparisons, there's just too many variables.

I've seen that there are a few members on the forum here that have moved from a 19 up to a 21. The 21 has a further increased frontal area compared to the 19 and increased weight that is probably comparable to moving up from a 17 to a 19. It would be interesting to also ask one of those members if they have seen a large reduction in mileage, especially if their tow vehicle is unchanged.

One other factor to keep in mind is the lifted vs non-lifted trailers. Adding the lift kit pushes the trailer up higher and out of the tow vehicle air stream and worsens air drag. Comparing trailers its best to find out if the lift kit is present or not. It may not be a big factor, but it all adds up...

It would be interesting to run a MPG poll, showing tow vehicle year/model, engine/drivetrain, final axle ratio, trailer model, lift kit present or not, typical highway speed, primary region of use, etc. Not only that but show a best/typical/worst MPG. I've found that some times people like to post their "best" MPG when people need to know their typical MPG. Some people feel MPG #'s are a contest, when it should be treated as information.

 

[WillyB]

All in all I seem to average 12-14 MPG with our 2016 F150 3.5 EB 4x4 and our 2022 standard height 21C. But I’ve also traveled straight into heavy winds and luckily got 8 MPG.

For me wind is the main factor. Plus, having owned F150’s over the years their 3.55 gears start noticeably sucking fuel over 65 MPH. My happy speed is 62.

 

[Mike G]

Yep, wind direction and wind strength have a dramatic effect on my fuel economy. That factor makes direct comparisons difficult.

 

[Ron in BC]

All this analog recording of mileage and gas consumption brings me back to "the old days" when I drove a Renault Le Car.

Whoa, the Le Car is a real blast from the past. Yes, the French had some innovative cars that seemed a little strange at the time but they did the job. Usually quite gutless but they got you there.

It would be interesting to run a MPG poll, showing tow vehicle year/model, engine/drivetrain, final axle ratio, trailer model, lift kit present or not, typical highway speed, primary region of use, etc.

Maybe we should have a stickie entitled "Best gas mileage" which people could list those items after they've completed a trip.

Ron

 

[occer]

Yes the truck has the 4-8 engine, the engine goes from 8 cylinders to 4 cylinders when cruising. With a 140,000 miles on it the 4-8 is still working great. When empty and running on 4 my mileage gets close to 28 mpg. With the trailer and on 4 cylinders it’s about 18.3 mpg for an average of 16.1.
Wish I didn’t have to slow down for stop signs.

 

[Mike G]

FWIW, I used to oversee a table for the fiberglass rv forum that contained tow rig and mpg data. It hasn't been updated in the past 4 years but it might be worth a glance for some.

 

[Flat Lander]

Several pics of trips from Regina Sk to Smithers B.C. with no bobtailing (one with the higher mileage is to Smithers the other two are from Smithers). This is a combination of driving in the prairies and mountains, at a max of 104 kph in the 110 kph posted zones other zones are driving at posted speeds.

Our 2017 5.0 is towed with a 2017 Chevy Silverado Z71 with a 5.3 and 3.42 rear end, it was in 2 wheel drive along with the six speed transmission in tow haul mode.

 

[iamunique127]

In my experience speed is a large factor in gas mileage. This past summer my brother and I went fishing at the same lake on two subsequent days, towing the same boat behind my Tundra. All conditions were the same including the wind, which was negligible, except one day I drove and the other day he drove. Round trip was about 300 km.

I maintained 100 km/hour the day I drove and he maintained about 110 km/hr. We didn't record the actual mileage or gas usage but it did cost noticeably more to fill the tank on the day we got to the lake 8-10 minutes quicker.

My truck seems to get optimal gas mileage at about 100 km/hr (~62 mph) regardless of towing or not towing. I know this is all just anecdotal evidence so take it for what it's worth.

 

[Centex]

Its far more likely that a good portion of this mileage difference is due to vehicle configuration, driving habits and/or primary regions visited (high elevation mountains versus flat plains) or a combination of those than due to the size of the trailer. The driver of the vehicle, how they drive it and where they're driving it is one of the biggest variables in any mileage comparison.

All of the above plus other variables (MPG reported from dashboard display vs from 'calculated' gallons/miles at fill-ups; variance in fill levels; gas octane; etc) make mileage comparisons between different drivers meaningless, IMO.

Though capable, I don't have my dashboard display set to show 'real time MPG', it's just not of interest to me. I only check and reset the displayed average MPG at each fill-up.

I do keep diligent records (excel spreadsheet) of fill-up data, for the primary purpose of watching for long-term trends indicating a potential vehicle issue, the secondary purpose being personal curiosity as a data geek.

In the latter category I found it interesting that over my first 15 fills the displayed MPG between fills averaged an optimistic 6% higher than my calculated MPG (-2% to +8% for individual fills). After making a calibration adjustment (using F150 'engineering mode' on the dashboard display) that average difference dropped to <1% for the 15 fills subsequent.

I haven't made any attempt to discriminate between towing and non-towing MPG, mainly because I've not taken any weeks-long towing trips requiring multiple fills of my 36-gallon tank, so I lack long-term towing-only data.

FWIW, driving in Texas's mix of rolling hills, occasional steep grades, and flatlands, my 2022 F150 (4x4 Lariat SuperCab, 6.5ft box, 3.5 EcoBoost, 3.55 axle), at ~13k miles / 31 fill-ups to date (all values based on gal/odo miles at fill-ups):

• overall avg MPG = 17.3
• min MPG between fill-up = 9.2
• max MPG between fill-up = 20.1

BTW, as far as fuel cost per gallon for 87octane Top Tier, 06/09/2022 to date:

• overall average = $3.20
• min = $2.359
• max = $4.699

Bottom line for me, MPG 'is what it is'. For me other factors relating more directly to my comfort and enjoyment drive my decisions about my rig choices and its use.

Long ramble just FYI, YMMV as always

 

[Perry Butler]

Its far more likely that a good portion of this mileage difference is due to vehicle configuration, driving habits and/or primary regions visited (high elevation mountains versus flat plains) or a combination of those than due to the size of the trailer. The driver of the vehicle, how they drive it and where they're driving it is one of the biggest variables in any mileage comparison. I was a member at a Mustang forum for about 20yrs and from time to time the subject of gas mileage would come up. Mind you, these are mostly all the same cars with either an auto or manual tranny and the differences in mileage would at times be stunning. People would be thinking that there's something wrong with their car when in fact its all about how they're using it. I remember one members mileage was particularly bad and after a lot of investigation we found out that his wife would sit for 20+ min every day with the car idling in the elementary school parking lot waiting for their daughter to be released from school. Its for this reason that I dislike MPG comparisons, there's just too many variables.

........................................................​

It would be interesting to run a MPG poll, showing tow vehicle year/model, engine/drivetrain, final axle ratio, trailer model, lift kit present or not, typical highway speed, primary region of use, etc. Not only that but show a best/typical/worst MPG. I've found that some times people like to post their "best" MPG when people need to know their typical MPG. Some people feel MPG #'s are a contest, when it should be treated as information.

Depending on how you even record your gas mileage can make a huge difference. I record every gallon of gas that goes into our vehicles. Did I run the truck without the camper goes into a 90% pulling. For this thread I will only post my mileage where 100% of the miles was with the camper hitched.

We drive 62 mph on interstates/4 lane roads, and 57 mph on two lane roads. Only in an urban area where we would impede traffic will I drive over 62 mph.

With our 2015 F150, 6.5' box, XLT, 3.5 EcoBoost, 6 speed automatic tranny, 4wd, with a CCC of 1970#'s pulling our 5.0 for around 10,000 miles of traveling, but probably only 2,000 miles when pulling 100% of the time, we got 13.3 mpg, using the paper/pencil method, not a couple of fills using the Lie-O-Meter.

In December 2019 we traded the 2015 F150 for a 2019 F150 Lariat, 6.5' box, 3.5 EcoBoost, 10 speed automatic tranny, 4wd, with a CCC of 1730#'s. We pulled the 5.0 for 35,000 miles down the road with perhaps 7-10,000 miles pulling 100% of the time, and we averaged 13.6 mpg, again, using the paper/pencil method. This truck also had the newer version of the 3.5EB along with the 10 speed tranny probably accounting for the three tenths mile per gallon improvement in gas mileage.

Currently the same 2019 F150 gets 11.3 mpg pulling our 25' Bigfoot, a full foot wider, a pull-type not a 5th wheel, and 1,500#'s heavier.

Our friends drive the same as us, but they have a 23' Airstream and pull with a 2014 Toyota Tundra with the big engine and 6.5box only get between 9-10 mpg. He will no longer figure out his gas mileage because until he trades for a new truck it will just depress him.

In other words, unless we are all identical, this thread is about many people, with different vehicles, highway speeds, weight of camper, and how you accelerate, for different results.

Food for thought,

Perry

 

[marklund]

Hi - does anyone have a sense for how much worse their mileage is with a given tow vehicle on a 19 vs 17? I currently have a 17ft Casita and would like to upgrade to an Escape. My tow vehicle is an F150 (V6 EcoBoost TT 3.5L), I get about 13mpg pulling the Casita and I'm guessing that I would get about the same with the Escape 17. I would like the roominess of a 19 but I have no idea how the extra weight, height, width and road friction from 2 more tires (2 axles vs 1) might affect mileage.

Any thoughts or experiences would be much appreciated!

I've been towing an Escape 19 since 2011, with a 2011 F150 with the 5 l V8. Milage varies with wind and hills as you might expect. I'm in Alberta/Canada, and work in l/ 100 km. I keep accurate records of milage, especially for long trips. Mileage varies from as low as 15 l/100, to as much as 25 l/100 km when pushing into a big head wind (I usually have a canoe on top of the truck too). On long trips mileage averages to about 17 l /100 km. about 14.5 mi/gal (US). With 270,000 km on my F150, mileage remains the same, with or without the trailer.

 

[VicS]

All this analog recording of mileage and gas consumption brings me back to "the old days" when I drove a Renault Le Car. The drivers side window crank broke and was not easily repairable so I adjusted the height of the window with a strip of clear packing tape strapped to the window and door frame. Redneck, but it worked. No AC in those days.

I tracked mileage from last fill up as the gas gauge was kaput in that Le Car. A 3M sticky note pad next to the odometer gave me an idea of required fill up time. I recall, after running out of gas once and implementing my mileage tracking system, I didn't run out of petrol again.

Weird French built Le Car. The spare tire was stored in the engine compartment, paper-like hardboard panels lined the inside of the doors......I could go on. But it got me where I wanted to go.

Lots of good information here. I totally agree with comments regarding sail area/drag of the trailer being a big factor. We towed an Aliner pop-up with a Toyota Highlander and saw decent milage numbers. Traded to a Casita and saw those numbers drop significantly. Currently own an Escape 19 towing with an F150 Powerboost. Average 23mpg not towing and ~15 when towing. These are not scientific measurements, rather the onboard info. From a power perspective, the truck doesn't even notice the trailer back there.

 

[VicS]

Lots of good information here. I totally agree with comments regarding sail area/drag of the trailer being a big factor. We towed an Aliner pop-up with a Toyota Highlander and saw decent milage numbers. Traded to a Casita and saw those numbers drop significantly. Currently own an Escape 19 towing with an F150 Powerboost. Average 23mpg not towing and ~15 when towing. These are not scientific measurements, rather the onboard info. From a power perspective, the truck doesn't even notice the trailer back there.

I should add that we are in the western states and these numbers reflect traveling over all the western passes in Colorade, Wyoming, Montana California, etc. and on trips of 3-5 weeks duration.

 

[Davin]

I get 16mpg towing a fully loaded E19 with a Lexus GX. I accelerate slower than without a trailer and don't speed (too much). I have noticed that lighter trailers with squarer corners (like a normal utility trailer) reduce mileage by almost 2mpg vs E19. Wind resistance (and speed) are far more significant factors than weight. Rolling resistance of 2 axles may have a small effect, but I doubt it's much.

 

[Radar1]

I didn't have a Casita before, but I did have a 16' Scamp that usually weighed about 2,700 lbs loaded.
My 19' 2020 Escape weighs 4,500 loaded, about a 65% increase compared to the Scamp.
I towed both with my two vehicles, a 2019 Ford Ranger with the 4 cyl turbo, and the other is a 2017 Dodge Durango, with the V-6 and 8 speed transmission.
Coincidentally, both get about the same MPG and both tow the 19' nicely, although the truck is probably stronger in the mountains due to the turbo.

Pulling the Scamp at speeds 65 MPH or less, I averaged 17 MPG on each tank on either vehicle.
Pulling the heavier and wider/taller/more friction due to tandem axle Escape, I average about 14.5 MPG on each tank.

These are MPGs based on using the Fuelly app, which requires you to enter your odometer and gallons at each fill up. (Both the onboard MPG estimates were overly optimistic on both vehicles although I discovered a way that you can adjust the Ford readout so it has a better estimate. The MPGs vary based on winds and gradients, but the averages take that into account.

I miss the better MPG hauling the Scamp, but not so much that I would want to give up the extra room I have in the 19' Escape.

 

[DT6]

I have the exact same truck and was getting 14 mpg pretty steady when towing the 19. We sold the 19 a couple of years ago to buy the 21C and now we are getting a fairly steady 13 mpg with the same truck.

My guess is you won't see much difference between the Casita and the Escape 17 in terms of mpg. As one of the other members noted, comfort is important and having considered the Casita prior to the Escape 19, I think you will find the Escape to be a whole lot more comfortable and worth it. We enjoyed the 19, but we enjoy the trailer and have started taking longer winter trips, so with that and our big dog the 21C works better for us now.

I will say one thing additional that someone may have mentioned already. If you think you may want to upgrade at some point to a 21 or 23, just do it now if you can. We came really close to buying the 21C instead of the 19 six years ago, but thought the 19 would be "fine". It was, but we quickly noticed that the 21 would be large enough for us to live in for a month or two at a time and the 19 was just a tad too small for that. Hope this helps, and good luck with your decision!

 

[NorCal Ellen]

Thanks to all for your quick and helpful insights! I originally contacted Escape with this question and they suggested this forum might be a better source for information - they got that right!

What I did not want to have happen.... I buy a nice roomy camper and then find I'm only getting 5 mpg. But it sounds like the big mileage hit is between towing nothing and towing something material, but as you go up from there the mgp differences are marginal. Good to know!

Hope to identify as an owner soon.

Thanks again to all.

Just to add another comment into the mix… Husband and I moved up from our 17’ Casita, which we loved, to a used 2009 19’ Escape. Once we saw Reese bringing his new Escapes to the Oregon Gathering of Fiberglass Trailers we knew we wanted one and have never looked back. The safety/security of the tandem axel, a queen size bed, and the dinette for four have made all the difference for us. We love our older Escape, hubby Bret takes great care of it, and she tows like a dream. We started pulling her with a 2013 F150 Ecoboost and just last year changed to a 2023 F150. Bret prefers pulling the Escape much better than the Casita because of the smoother dual axel. A bit more work when backing up, but so very worth it in every other respect.

 

[GregColdewey]

Weight is less of a factor than frontal surface area of the trailer you are towing. I could only speculate, but the mileage between a E17 and an E19 would be minimal or nearly the same.
If you're that concerned about gas mileage, remember, you'll spend some tens of thousands of dollars for a rig, and a few dollars difference on MPG doesn't matter much, to me.

My favorite bumper sticker was on a 40 ft 5th wheel..."Gas mileage, don't know, don't care"

 

[DT6]

What I did not want to have happen.... I buy a nice roomy camper and then find I'm only getting 5 mpg. But it sounds like the big mileage hit is between towing nothing and towing something material, but as you go up from there the mgp differences are marginal. Good to know!

I do have a friend that purchased a small but high profile trailer to tow with his Subaru. I don't recall the make of his trailer but it was taller than an Escape, and about 17ft long. However because of the high profile of the trailer, he was complaining about only getting 8 to 9 mpg. Also, several years ago when towing our 19 against some fierce head-winds driving into Idaho, we only got 9 mpg. So wind resistance does play a factor in mpg for sure, and its much better with Escapes and Casitas than the taller stick-built trailers.