2015 Yukon Denali, Escalade, or similar?

[DaddysBus]

Wanted to jump back in and give a quick update since I've now had a couple of trips under my belt pulling with an Escalade.

Pulls like a champ (granted it's been in cool Texas 100 degree weather and not the mountains), averages 12 mpg going 55-60, 11mpg at 60-65, and 9 mpg at 65-70 mph.

The rig is 2018 Serenity 27FB loaded with an Equalizer 4 hitch.

[subfan1]

Good looking combination

[Craignlenin]

Originally Posted by DaddysBus

2017 Escalade owner here! Installing the trailer brake controller was literally a breeze. There are great videos as well on it on YouTube (under Suburban and Yukon) but the box etc are all in the same place. I ordered the Tekonsha P3 with the cadillac (GM) adaptor and it was a plug and play. You literally take one end of the adapter and plug it in the fuse box and the other end in the back of the unit and are good to go from there. I'll try to post some pics this weekend if time allows.

Have yet to pull with the Escalade yet. Our 27FB Serenity is coming off the line 6/29 and going to see how it goes before committing to a more robust TV, which will cause me to get rid of my 911 for a pick up as a daily driver, and effectively end the midlife crisis!

Hello Daddysbus. We want to get a 27fb flying cloud and how with 2018 escalade. How has your experience been? I do not want to make mistake of getting trailer and then having to change vehicles. The escalade 4x4 says towing capacity at 8100 pounds. The dry weight of the 27fb is sound 6000. It is going to be close

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by johncook

2500 HD for power, Trailor Control, Safety and Stoping
It's an easy choice. Do you want the AS to be the boss or do you want the TV to be the boss?

You couldn’t be more wrong in those assertions.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by DaddysBus

Wanted to jump back in and give a quick update since I've now had a couple of trips under my belt pulling with an Escalade.

Pulls like a champ (granted it's been in cool Texas 100 degree weather and not the mountains), averages 12 mpg going 55-60, 11mpg at 60-65, and 9 mpg at 65-70 mph.

The rig is 2018 Serenity 27FB loaded with an Equalizer 4 hitch.
Attachment 290982

That’s a genuinely bad hitch in design. The two most knowledgeable Airstream houses won’t sell them.

A Hensley-patent hitch is dirt cheap for what it does. (That name, plus the improved Pro Pride). These are state-of-the-art. The rest are so far behind as to obsolete.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Craignlenin

Hello Daddysbus. We want to get a 27fb flying cloud and how with 2018 escalade. How has your experience been? I do not want to make mistake of getting trailer and then having to change vehicles. The escalade 4x4 says towing capacity at 8100 pounds. The dry weight of the 27fb is sound 6000. It is going to be close

A Ford Expedition is a MUCH better choice due to suspension & steering design. If safety matters and this is otherwise the best solo vehicle.

TT weight and TW are non-starters. Setting up the WDH properly is what matters.

The hitch rigging is EQUAL in importance to TV & TT choice:


1). The AS is the best TT choice for stability.

2). The Hensley style hitches are best for stability.

3). A short rear overhang TV with fully independent suspension is best for stability.

“SAFETY” may be hard to define, but STABILITY isn’t.

An AS will stay upright and lane-centered longer (behind a better TV) than the antiquated GM trucklet can do SOLO.

So far as performance is concerned, “best” would be a Porsche Cayenne Turbo. From there it’s downhill. Every question about design.

There are other choices as well. A Dodge Durango. A Chrysler 300. Etc. The mechanical details take precedence.

[MandDinSpgTX]

Originally Posted by DaddysBus

Wanted to jump back in and give a quick update since I've now had a couple of trips under my belt pulling with an Escalade.

Pulls like a champ (granted it's been in cool Texas 100 degree weather and not the mountains), averages 12 mpg going 55-60, 11mpg at 60-65, and 9 mpg at 65-70 mph.

The rig is 2018 Serenity 27FB loaded with an Equalizer 4 hitch.
Attachment 290982

We have now towed a 2018 AS FC FB with a 2017 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury 4x4 for 20K+ miles now around the US. No issues. Flawless. Comfortable. Towing and stopping became super easy with the addition of a Hensley Hitch and Hensley Brake Controller in mid 2018. Once set up properly and dialed in, effortless and hitch up takes all of about 5 mins. Completely stable and braking works flawlessly. Hensley will assist with the set-up via the phone (Terry is awesome). Gas mileage went up a little bit, noticeable, but then again, who cares in the RV game. Braking is better with the Hensley controller, but it is all about setting it up right. We were going to spring for a new TV - a 3/4t or 1t truck with similar comforts for the road - but then saw the sticker on them and decided to stay with the Escalade. Taking new 2019 Cadillac Escalade 4x4 Sport model (Satin Steel) on Monday and will tow to St. Louis this week with it. Never an issue. We've had it in the mountains of TN and that region all the way up to Cleveland, OH and back down through TX and even in the dead of August heat in South Texas. Escalade has a TOW/HAUL option and it pulls effortlessly. You would almost swear that you don't feel the 27' FC behind you with the Hensley Hitch - in fact you watch yourself on the speed since you don't feel it. We also carry a ultra quiet generator in the back that can run the AC's. Drawbacks - no cruise control when towing (that we know of) and a smaller than desired fuel tank. We go about 250 miles between fill ups when towing versus 500+ miles when not towing. No big deal since the need to stretch is also good thing. Wish they offered a larger aftermarket fuel option, but we will stick with what we have. We only tow about 10 times a year and those are longer trips, but not enough to warrant a beastly truck. So far, no issues. Just wanted to add that in to the discussion.

[MandDinSpgTX]

Here is a picture of the set-up to go with that last post.

[LuvHut]

Thanks for the info! Just got a 1985 Excella 31’ and have the same Cadillac - 2017 Platinum ESV...hoping it has enough to pull her!

[MandDinSpgTX]

Originally Posted by LuvHut

Thanks for the info! Just got a 1985 Excella 31’ and have the same Cadillac - 2017 Platinum ESV...hoping it has enough to pull her!

Call Terry at Hensley. He’ll hook you up properly. We just took delivery of the new 2019 Platinum Sport Escalade. Wow. And the Hensley makes ALL the difference. Tows perfectly.

[rmkrum]

Or call Sean at ProPride and get a stronger setup at a more reasonable price, IMHO.

[MandDinSpgTX]

Originally Posted by slowmover

You couldn’t be more wrong in those assertions.

Very wrong. Amazing about the hype of these trucks. Never once felt out of control with a Escalade hauling a 27’ FB FC. and the Hensley hitch only made it more stable and easier with their brake controller added on.

[MandDinSpgTX]

Originally Posted by DaddysBus

2017 Escalade owner here! Installing the trailer brake controller was literally a breeze. There are great videos as well on it on YouTube (under Suburban and Yukon) but the box etc are all in the same place. I ordered the Tekonsha P3 with the cadillac (GM) adaptor and it was a plug and play. You literally take one end of the adapter and plug it in the fuse box and the other end in the back of the unit and are good to go from there. I'll try to post some pics this weekend if time allows.

Have yet to pull with the Escalade yet. Our 27FB Serenity is coming off the line 6/29 and going to see how it goes before committing to a more robust TV, which will cause me to get rid of my 911 for a pick up as a daily driver, and effectively end the midlife crisis!

It will tow just fine. Escalade #4 now and no issues. Hensley or ProPride are best.

[MandDinSpgTX]

Originally Posted by slowmover

That’s a genuinely bad hitch in design. The two most knowledgeable Airstream houses won’t sell them.

A Hensley-patent hitch is dirt cheap for what it does. (That name, plus the improved Pro Pride). These are state-of-the-art. The rest are so far behind as to obsolete.

Agreed. Started out with what you’re using and it wasn’t optimal. It was noticeable with the Hensley how much better the Escalade performs. Hensley or PP, but don’t skimp on the hutch when you’ve already spent $100K on the Escalade and $100K on the Airstream. Best investment you’ll make for your Escalade and your trailer. There’s a bit of competition between Hensley and PP. Jim left Hensley for PP and of course there is the normal stuff that goes along with that. They both work great. You can’t miss.