I just got home from my 11 day trip and read through this thread.
Some comments:
Yes, I originally had the Teardrop built for towing with my MINI Cooper and towed it about 5,500 miles. When I had it built MINI-USA was not recommending that anything be towed so I had it built as light as I could. Latter MINI-USA did establish a tow rating of 1,430# and DA SHOO is about 675# loaded to travel.
This trip was 2,600 miles under tow - I added a few more miles unhitched. Total MPG for the entire trip was 32.5 at speeds of 55 to 60 using cruise control. Any long grade of 6% will require shifting into 4th and speed will drop to around 50 mpg. Grades of 8% may require a shift into 3rd if they are long and speed will drop to around 40. In all of the climbs that I did I never heated up and it was climbing and running great when I toped out at 9,910' in the Cedar Breaks Nat. Mon. I never exceeded 4,000 RPM in any gear at any time to the best of my knowledge. On a nice flat smooth pavement without cruise crontrol set I found that my speed would creep up to 70 mph with ease - however, it is much slower to accelerate.
Most Teardrops will weigh 900-1300# and I would NOT suggest that they be towed with an xB. The TAB is also above that weight.
The comments about paint are well taken and I will be repainting to match my xB, money is a restraint at the moment. I know the fenders will be repainted but the body will only have a different design on the sides and possibly the hatch - just don't know what that design is yet.
Thanks for posting the pictures from LV and for your kind words.
