Hi from Edmonton

[andix]

Hey everyone.
We're a couple in their late 30s - Andy and Joanne - and we've just got ourselves a fixer-upper - a 17" 1986 Bigfoot. There's going to be some work ahead, as the unit was not sold as defective but then again, you get what you pay for.
We're towing with an '08 V6 Escape AWD. Not sure if the trailer axle is shot (that wouldn't come as a surprise given what we found so far in the Bigfoot) but the mileage was really crappy for the maiden voyage, at 11 MPG or 19l / 100km. Granted we did the Rockies and I could not make more than 80 kph upslope, but still.
This is our first trailer. We had motorhomes and camper vans before, but we're fairly new to towing. In that regard, any tips and tricks (especially for a smaller vehicle) are more than welcome.
That's about it. If I'm missing anything in this introduction, let me know

[David Tilston]

Welcome Andy! You are definitely in the right place. There are several threads on all the subjects that you mentioned. There are also quite a number of people from Alberta here.
The Google search on the blue menu bar above will let you find anything on this site.

[Carol H]

Welcome Andy! Always nice to see another Canuck on site.

The mileage you got seems a bit on the low side but considering where you where towing and the fact that the Bigfoot is on the heavier side of most of our small fiberglass trailers and a bit wider (trailer wider than the tug will impact MPG more) it may not be all that bad. Another thing that can seriously impact your MPG is a head wind..... had one trip one winter down the I5 were I was only getting 9 mpg on a stretch of road I have done many times and would expect to get about 20 mpg towing. Cause of the low mpg was a head wind even though it was hardly noticeable when driving.

[Jared J]

I got 11.5 pulling the scamp back when i bought it.

[Donna D.]

Hi Andy and Joanne, to FiberglassRV. We're glad you're here

You'll find lots of kind and helpful people here on FiberglassRV.

Any chance you can post some pictures? We really like pics

[Ian G.]

Welcome Andy and Joanne, great to have another Albertian join the forum.
As others have mentioned depending on the road and headwind which your mileage very dependent on, probably the biggest factor towing a larger trailer by a smaller tow vehicle is patience. Keeping the gas full throttle during acceleration or tryiny to maintain the posted speed limit will really drop MPG vs. accelerating gradually but steadily. Pulling the hills or mountain passes you may have to gear down and just keep a steady speed (like you said the speed went down to 80 on some hills, drive at 80 and don't try to accelerate). The best thing about camping is taking your time and not rushing to destinations, enjoy the journey.

[Jim Bennett]

Hi Andy, welcome aboard. Lots of great info abounds on this site. Searching will find you lots of knowledge, and fire away with any questions you still may have, lots of great members here willing to help out.