Ford Escape Flat Towing

I've had my 2010 Mercruy Mariner now since 2009. I've towed it 4 down for about 30,000 miles since then with no issues. But I am a fanatic about the procedures and TSB's associated with it.

The TSB is #12-11-3. When I took my Mariner in 2 months back for a routine tranny fluid flush, I printed that out for the techs, then checked it myself to be sure I was happy with the level.

While the owners manual says to warm for 5 mins every 6 hours, I do it every 3 to 4, and hold the tranny in gears about 30 seconds before finally turning it off.

So at 55,000 miles driving and 30,000 towing, I'm still pleased.

Had and 09 Escape. Manual said it was towable 4 down. Found a number or post here about transmissions overheating, blowing out fluid. Followed all the quidelines in the manual, speed, time, pre-trip etc.

Had to have a new transmission put in by Ford. (reported to be a modification due to the towing issues) A Ford Rep visited the dealer (not mine, we were traveling at the time) and he told the dealer, Ford Lied in its manual.

I contacted Ford Customer service and after numerous calls they argeed to pay 1/2 the cost of a transmission pump.

Before that I read here about some who had numerous replacements. In either 11 or 12 (not sure which year) Ford revoked the position it was towable 4 down, retroactively.

No longer have the car, it burned up in a house fire.

Samcar53, I can't get technical as I haven't a mechanical cell in my body but .....

We actually have 2 x 2010 Ford Escapes and we would absolutely love to flat tow one of them as they are the perfect vehicle for us for hubby's fishing cart and stuff and just love the flexibility but we have read and heard of so many folks that have towed them of various years of build and the transmissions have gone, even some with the aftermarket fix to tow.

Many even quoted that their owners manual stated they could flat tow and after they had problems Ford didn't want to know.

Like I said I'm not knowledgable in the slightest on much to do with RVing systems, towing vehicles etc but just sharing. One that comes to mind off the top of my head is Maliasmiles.com if you go to her website and read her experience towing one and now she has a different vehicle with zero problems towing apparently.

We are challenged right now on which toad to get ourselves - new model CRVs are no longer flat towable, so we are generally left looking at the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawks which still is really what we want at all. We are hitting a brick wall wishing to be under 5000lbs as well.

According to the FMCA towing guide you should be able to flat tow your 2011 Ford Escape without modification. The more recent Escapes can no longer be flat towed. As Bumpy said, check your owner's manual for detailed information on pulling it behind a motorhome.

Moved to Dinghy Towing forum from Towing.

what does your owner's manual say about towing 4 down? I put a drive shaft disconnect on a S-10 pu to tow it, hated it. seeing you are a new member, be aware that somebody will come in here and say that "I towed my ?????? for 400,000 miles and it didn't blow up. ask them if they will warranty your towing it.
bumpy