Hi all- need some help gauging the crazy-factor for planning an extensive winter towing expedition with an Escape 17B, my TV is MX100D. I've searched the forums for Escape mentions and they are few with no published Tesla-tow accounts that I can find. Projected route will be a circuit thru Rocky Mtn ski resorts, across Canadian Rockies, west coast tour CA-CAN, and across desert southwest. I'm particularly concerned about consumption in winter due to aero and temp, weight doesn't seem to be too much of an issue. If @
JimVandegriff, @
ohmman, @
mengwong, and
@Atlantian could weigh in with their Airstream wisdom, and if
@fortytwo and
@ecarfan could weigh in with extensive Alto travel would be much appreciated. I need to extrapolate your knowledge to this trailer in colder temps.
Reasons for Escape 17B (
The 17 Foot Escape):
- 4 season winter camping (extra insulation/thermal windows, insulated/heated tanks & spigots)
- sleeps 4 with bunks for 2 boys
- wetbath for managing wet ski gear moisture
- reasonable weight
- fiberglass roof can handle roof snow
- reasonable aero profile (?)
The last item is my biggest concern, due to sub-freezing temps, potential for more winter (head)winds, snow tires. I have extensive winter driving experience as a pro driver (old life) and managing range several winters in 75D, have towed extensively in all environments (I don't underestimate the significant challenge of trailer tire grip in winter mtn roads, btw). We will have a VERY flexible schedule to await better weather during transitions, but cold temps will be unavoidable. I plan to draft extensively as safety and trucker patience allows.
Aero/consumption is the thing I need the most help with:
Escape 17B dimensions:
width: 6'8"
height: 8'6"
Ttl length: 17'8"
Hitch weight: 250 lbs (adjust to 300 with front cargo)
Dry weight: 2500 lbs (w/LP, solar, Batts)
GVWR: 4000 lbs
Body Length: 13'8"
Body gap to Tesla: ~4'10" (ref
@ohmman CD insights here)
Radiusing of corners seems more abrupt than AS22FB (ref
@ohmman trailer vehicle shape CD discoveries)
AS Sport 22 dimensions:
width: 7'4"
height: 9'3"
Ttl Length: 21'8"
Body length: ?
Hitch weight: 422 lbs
Dry Weight: 3634 lbs
GVWR: 4500 lbs
I'm not sure how to estimate a rough CD based on the smaller frontal area of the Escape vs AS22 Sport.
My experience with winter range loss has been roughly ~20% loss due to cold temps, mitigated somewhat by insulating pano roof and use of seat heaters. Snow tire range hit has been negligible on my MS and MX (Michelin X-Ice), which is remarkable! Remains to be seen how extra weight of trailer will affect tire loss due to extra pressure on tread.
Re: EVTO, can I reasonably plan Model X HP with 15-20 Power Setting? I'd be surprised if this Escape trailer required a 30 Power Setting...
MX100D battery size: ~102.4kWh total capacity, 98.4 kWh of usable capacity (ref: wk057 data)
MX90D battery size: ~85.8 kWh total capacity, 81.8 kWh usable (ref: wk057 data)
My car should have 20% more base range than ohmmans MX90D. Sub-freezing temps should subtract ~30% with battery pre-heating at RV stops, and supercharging will take 15% longer due to battery heating.
Mitigations planned:
- Ritualistic battery pre-heating, range mode for most of each segment
- Minimize gap distance between trailer/tesla with hitch mods and aero cargo box on the tongue
- remove unnecessary exterior camper drag items (awning, steps, etc)
- Winter-appropriate clothing for drive segments
That's a lot to unpack in one post, any insights appreciated. This expedition may be too audacious and unrealistic, which is why I'm polling the collective wisdom first.
But skiing is our first love and sole addiction, and the outdoors are calling during a unique and substantial window of opportunity in our lives. Thanks so much for weighing in on these various forums, your wisdom and insights are proving invaluable to planning this adventure!
The Airstream Flying Cloud 19 has a hitch weight of 550 lbs. which is over Tesla's limit of 500 lbs. I don't have experience with the Safari Condo trailers but I did briefly look at buying one until I found out delivery times were 16 to 18 months.
I finally bought the Airstream Sport 22FB (same as @
JimVandegriff, @
ohmman and @
mengwong) for the following reasons:
- Has a full bathroom with separate shower (not a wet bath).
- Is only 7' 3" wide which makes it more aerodynamic than 8' wide trailers.
- Has a base weight of 3600 lbs. (4500 GVWR) and a hitch weight of 422 lbs. which is within Tesla's limits.
- Has a separate main sleeping and dinette area.
- Can sleep up to 4 people.
I was able to fit 3 solar panels on the roof. One 100 watt and two 50 watt for a combined power of 200W. If you like I can take a picture of the roof so you can see the layout. I believe there is room for additional panels.