Tow Vehicle for an Escape 21' - Fiberglass RV
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Old 06-12-2017, 12:36 PM   #1
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Name: Chuck
Trailer: 2018 Escape
Texas
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Tow Vehicle for an Escape 21'

We are looking into an Escape 21. Have not purchased yet, but we are wondering what TV would pull it best. Any suggestions would be appreciated as we are looking to tow it back from Chilliwack. Thanks all!
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Old 06-12-2017, 01:47 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck G. View Post
We are looking into an Escape 21. Have not purchased yet, but we are wondering what TV would pull it best. Any suggestions would be appreciated as we are looking to tow it back from Chilliwack. Thanks all!
Hi: Chuck G... Probably what ever you tow your current trailer with... for now.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie
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Old 06-12-2017, 01:56 PM   #3
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Chuck, what are you currently towing your 2011 Casita FD 17' with?
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Old 06-12-2017, 01:56 PM   #4
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Trailer: Escape 21, behind an '02 F250 7.3 diesel tug
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most any pickup truck with a factory tow package, even a smaller truck like a Toyota Tacoma, can pull that just fine. dry weight is 3200 lbs, max is 5000.

ditto most any ladder frame rear wheel drive van or SUV. I'd stay away from crossovers and front wheel drive, however.
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Old 06-12-2017, 03:21 PM   #5
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Trailer: Escape 19' sold, 21' August 2015
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A loaded 21' is liable to be around 4300 lbs.-4600 lbs. although yours may be less or more depending upon your options and what you load. You need to look at the GCWR, GVWR, and towing capacity on any vehicle for starters and figure out your numbers.

Plenty of people use SUVs.
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Old 06-12-2017, 09:18 PM   #6
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Trailer: 2018 Escape
Texas
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Tow vehicle for 21 ft Escape

I currently tow my Casita (we now have a 2017 SD 17' with a 2013 Chrysler mini van. It has been great for the Casita but the Escape needs a tow vehicle with a larger tow capacity than the mini van (3800 lbs.). I believe a 5000 lb tow capacity is needed. I am looking for something that gives good gas milage and can readily tow this trailer possibly with 4 wheel drive?
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Old 06-12-2017, 09:31 PM   #7
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Trailer: Escape 21, behind an '02 F250 7.3 diesel tug
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my 2008 tacoma 4x4 has a tow capacity of 6500 lbs, and I'm considering an Escape 21 as an upgrade for our Casita... I figure the Escape would typically weigh in the mid 4000s so thats a reasonable fit.

the 2008 Tacoma 4x4 v6 does NOT get very good gas mileage, at best I get 18 MPG on the highway when not towing, and 13 or so when I am towing, also I get 13 mpg running around town. My Taco has a 6 speed stick shift, but the autos get similar mileage. About the only thing that would give decent mileage towing is a diesel.
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Old 06-13-2017, 12:16 AM   #8
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Ours is a 2013 Ford F150 Egoboost. (I think it's the 3.5L) We average about 20 mpg not towing, and about 16 when pulling the 21' Escape, on a good day (depending on head wind, altitude, etc.)
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Old 06-13-2017, 06:58 AM   #9
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Ours is a 2013 Ford F150 Egoboost. (I think it's the 3.5L) We average about 20 mpg not towing, and about 16 when pulling the 21' Escape, on a good day (depending on head wind, altitude, etc.)
Hi: Mary F... I've been thinking of getting one of those "Egoboosts" too!!! Probably the 2.7L. No matter what I look at it's $pendy.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie
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Old 06-13-2017, 07:43 AM   #10
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We're looking to upgrade from our 2000# egg with about 900# net capacity to maybe a 3,000# trailer with 1,000# net capacity and then maybe a 4,000# trailer with a 2,000# net capacity. I'm looking to buy a 3/4 ton pickup for the latter one, and probably a 1/2 ton pickup for the former.

And doing this just before I retire!

Frank
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Old 06-13-2017, 09:34 AM   #11
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Name: Dick
Trailer: '15 17' LD Casita and '17 Tahoe LT
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We tow our 17' Casita with a '12 Tahoe with the 5.3 liter engine and 3.08 gears. Probably plenty of power but I hate the way it is always looking for another gear to downshift when going up an overpass, etc. even in tow haul mode. I'm old school and think bigger is better in the hp department. My next tow will be a 6.2 liter in a GM Tahoe/Yukon with 3.42 gears or lower if I can find one. Can't beat cubic inches and hp. I have a 430 hp 6.2 Corvette and would love to have that engine in our Tahoe. Wish I had kept my Chevy Duramax Diesel when we down graded from a 10,000 lb. 31'. Buy big if you can afford it, even for a smaller trailer...
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Old 06-13-2017, 09:49 AM   #12
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We tow our 17' Casita with a '12 Tahoe with the 5.3 liter engine and 3.08 gears. Probably plenty of power but I hate the way it is always looking for another gear to downshift when going up an overpass, etc. even in tow haul mode. I'm old school and think bigger is better in the hp department. My next tow will be a 6.2 liter in a GM Tahoe/Yukon with 3.42 gears or lower if I can find one. Can't beat cubic inches and hp. I have a 430 hp 6.2 Corvette and would love to have that engine in our Tahoe. Wish I had kept my Chevy Duramax Diesel when we down graded from a 10,000 lb. 31'. Buy big if you can afford it, even for a smaller trailer...
I have an awesome 406 cubic engine in my hot rod built for torque that would be great in a TV. I've dallied with the thought of taking that entire drivetrain (700R4 trans and jag IRS with 3:54 gears) and swapping them into an old truck. Problem is finding a crew cab or at least an extended cab of the vintage I would like. I have the mechanical skills, but not the sort of body work skills necessary to just make a bigger cab in a vintage pickup!

I agree with big inches, but it's not hp I want for towing, it's torque!
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Old 06-13-2017, 10:18 AM   #13
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Hi: frank_a... You're right. Torque tows!!! Fuel mileage and trailer towing should never appear in the same paragraph IMHO!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie
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Old 06-13-2017, 10:34 AM   #14
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Hi: frank_a... You're right. Torque tows!!! Fuel mileage and trailer towing should never appear in the same paragraph IMHO!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie
Ha ha ha! Thanks Alf.

Fuel mileage is appropriate for my Ford Fiesta commuter. I get 39.1 mpg!

My old F150 mileage would hardly change towing an RV or not. It might go from like 13 not towing to 12 towing, LOL.

I hope a newer truck could do better on mileage, but it is not my primary consideration. I want a sizable cushion for tow capacity, as we hope to crisscross the continent with an RV in tow. I really don't want to be in other people's way, even though you generally will not find me exceeding the speed limit.

Frank
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Old 06-13-2017, 10:39 AM   #15
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Trailer: Escape 21
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Not inexpensive but the Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon with the new diesel is an awesome TV for the eclipse. Rated for 7700 lbs / 900 lb tongue weight. Comfortable ride with 30 mpg on the highway and around 18 mpg towing my 21 Eclipse. More than adequate to get the job done without the full size.
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Old 06-13-2017, 10:43 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by CJ Johnson View Post
Not inexpensive but the Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon with the new diesel is an awesome TV for the eclipse. Rated for 7700 lbs / 900 lb tongue weight. Comfortable ride with 30 mpg on the highway and around 18 mpg towing my 21 Eclipse. More than adequate to get the job done without the full size.
CJ
I agree CJ, great little trucks that grew up. I had a new Canyon years ago that was the original dog.

My only concern is the diesel. They're great for mileage, but pricey on tune ups. Plus I've been working on my own vehicles a long time and would not know what to do with a diesel. I suppose old dogs can learn new tricks?

Frank
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Old 06-13-2017, 11:02 AM   #17
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What is this about Diesel "tune up"? I have had diesel since 1996 and no tune ups ever. I did have to change some glow plugs and flush the injector with Sea Foam on the '96 and replace (under warranty) exhaust sensors on the 2011, but otherwise I just add fuel and change the oil and keep on going. Never have to worry about enough torque.
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Old 06-13-2017, 11:13 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by pete_britt View Post
What is this about Diesel "tune up"? I have had diesel since 1996 and no tune ups ever. I did have to change some glow plugs and flush the injector with Sea Foam on the '96 and replace (under warranty) exhaust sensors on the 2011, but otherwise I just add fuel and change the oil and keep on going. Never have to worry about enough torque.
From Gas vs. Diesel: The Bad Investment Only Fleet Managers Know About - Articles - Fuel Management - Articles - Government Fleet

Maintaining diesel engines is made more costly than gasoline engine maintenance by routine maintenance costs and frequency, higher diesel engine hard parts cost (starters, alternators, water pumps, batteries, etc.), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emission system maintenance and repair, turbocharger maintenance, and other factors not present in gasoline engines. Although no hard data exists, some fleet managers say that diesel vehicles average 2.5 to 4.5 more downtime days per year. This is primarily due to either the lack of parts availability or to a shortage of qualified technicians, either at the dealership or fleet level.
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