My new space saving eco-hauler

[locknut]

Been wanting to get something smaller and better fuel economy for a while now.I've had several Explorers but the economy is not good with city driving and they take up a lot of space in my small 1-car garage.So,I found out recently that the Escape Hybrid can be fitted with a hitch and makes a very good tow vehicle.Also traded in my rusting 4-year old steel trailer with a huge gate/wind sail on the back for a light weight tilt aluminum trailer with basically no wind drag.I was hoping the new ride would use about half the fuel,and so far that seems to be about right.Pulled the loaded trailer(1300 lbs) to Grandma's to mow and on the 42 mi round trip the computer was reading 27.8 mpg.Some pics;








I redone the tiedowns on the new trailer,using a 4-point setup with 2" retractable straps.I really like these straps compared to the chain setup/ratchet binders.Much easier to use and lighter weight.

 

[RoMad]

Very nice looking set up. I think we will see more and more Americans going to sensible tow rigs. Like the rest of the world already does.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Very nice and that includes everything in the photos.

I do agree with RoMad that more and more in the USA will start thinking differently about our excessive ways.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Very nice looking set up. I think we will see more and more Americans going to sensible tow rigs. Like the rest of the world already does.

I do not know how you can say this is sensible and other vehicles are not, that vehicle would find our roads here challenging without the trailer and can not get anywhere close to hauling my L3130 on trailer, 14K dump trailer or toy hauler.

David Kb7uns

 

[Gale Hawkins]

If it works for lucknut and others so be it. We tend to go with lower price older stuff being into recycling.

 

[Piston]

Very nice Locknut! Hopefully you get as much service from your escape as I've gotten from mine.

246,000 miles and still goin on my '02.

 

[newbury]

I do not know how you can say this is sensible and other vehicles are not, that vehicle would find our roads here challenging without the trailer and can not get anywhere close to hauling my L3130 on trailer, 14K dump trailer or toy hauler.

David Kb7uns

And that's part of the US's problem. We have not weaned ourselves off cheap energy and want to have and haul big toys.

Locknut looks like he has the appropriate mix of tools. Now how about some chains?

 

[CHDinCT]

And that's part of the US's problem. We have not weaned ourselves off cheap energy?

Where's that cheap energy you're referring to? Oh, maybe my cut, split and stacked firewood that will heat my house all winter. Put in a wood stove when heating oil went over $3.00 per gallon. Use to cost me under a grand to heat the house. That would be $3K-$K now. And don't compare US oil prices to Canada or Europe. Most if not all of the difference is self imposed taxes. We don't have an energy problem, we have an energy policy problem. Sorry to go off topic. Ok, off my soap box now. :soapbox:

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Many of our mindsets was formed around $0.30 per gallon for gas I think was what he was referring to.

In high school the price of gas or MPG was seldom mentioned then it was by someone who geared low for the quarter mile and was still driving it on the street. Most any truck got like 10-15 top MPG.

Now with much of the world approaching $8-$10 a gallon for fuel and the USA at half of that minds may be changing.

 

[Piston]

I can see this thread going waaayyyyy off topic.

Locknut, what make is your new trailer? That looks like a quality built aluminum trailer, not not like those cheap snowmobile trailers you see sometimes.