Ford Escape & other options

I had a 2012 Escape built before the cut off. I had the transmission fluid lowered per the TSB and checked it every so often. I was religious about going through the gears while holding the brake for 5 minutes before each trip and at each gas stop. I also did it after being stopped a while since the fluid may have settled?? I was also very adamant about staying under 65 mph. I never had any issues whatsoever towing the vehicle. I always knew that something could happen at any time. I even kept an email from Ford in my glove box stating that my specific model and VIN was towable. Eventually we got tired of worrying about it and traded it on a jeep wrangler. I know that may not be the help or advice you are looking for. Had I known then what I know now about the Escape issues, I would have steered clear of that vehicle. I don't know that there is a greater chance of something happening to your transmission while flat towing, but switching to a vehicle without any "known" issues sure helps give you peace of mind.