Ford Escape & other options
I am currently leasing a 2012 Ford Escape Ltd. The car is loaded and I like to drive it and everything about it. When we leased the car I made a point to look for one that was made before the cut of...
Forum Discussion
JL7456,
Our Escape is a 2010 and flat towable according to Ford. I, too, went above and beyond Ford's recommendations, i.e. all TSB's complied with, would tow no longer than 3 hours without stopping and starting it up etc., etc.
Our transmission blew at just over 4800 towing miles. Ford replaced it under warranty. I inquired about the Remco pump and they would not provide any financial assistance. I purchased the pump myself (Aug 2011) and had it installed (just under $1500.00 total). I was not happy about footing the expense, but the Escape is a fully decked out "limited" and was fully paid for. I really could not afford to take the depreciation hit.
We have since towed the car an additional 12,200+ miles with the Remco pump with no issues at all (I still also follow Ford's flat tow procedures - run through gears, etc.)
I was disappointed to find out that Ford had purchased exclusive rights to the Remco pump for the Escape and then more than doubled the price to obtain one. I have been a die hard Ford guy for 25 years and do not plan to ever purchase another Ford based on how they have handled this particular issue. (Some owners had been successful at getting Ford to either partially or fully fund the pump - no consistency at all in Ford's handling of the problem).
I guess it comes down to your particular financial situation. The added cost of the pump now is fairly significant. That, and the cost of a baseplate and braking system will result in a sizable additional investment in that vehicle. Base plates are car specific. I have never leased a car, so I don't know how much you would have in the car between the leasing expenses and the purchase price. You might come out ahead to start over with a vehicle known to be towable and have it properly equipped from the get go.
I tend to keep vehicles much longer than most people, so I felt my expense in the pump was worth it as long as it keeps me from burning up another tranny. So far, so good - I even used my pump to pump out the transmission fluid so I could replace the fluid at 30,000 miles (combined driving and towing) - The Escape does not have a replaceable tranny filter, so the Remco pump worked great in getting all of the fluid out, even what normally won't come out with a simple draining of the tranny - did not spill a drop!! Measured what came out and put in the exact amount, so I know I am at the same level as the TSB calls for.
Good Luck…...
Our Escape is a 2010 and flat towable according to Ford. I, too, went above and beyond Ford's recommendations, i.e. all TSB's complied with, would tow no longer than 3 hours without stopping and starting it up etc., etc.
Our transmission blew at just over 4800 towing miles. Ford replaced it under warranty. I inquired about the Remco pump and they would not provide any financial assistance. I purchased the pump myself (Aug 2011) and had it installed (just under $1500.00 total). I was not happy about footing the expense, but the Escape is a fully decked out "limited" and was fully paid for. I really could not afford to take the depreciation hit.
We have since towed the car an additional 12,200+ miles with the Remco pump with no issues at all (I still also follow Ford's flat tow procedures - run through gears, etc.)
I was disappointed to find out that Ford had purchased exclusive rights to the Remco pump for the Escape and then more than doubled the price to obtain one. I have been a die hard Ford guy for 25 years and do not plan to ever purchase another Ford based on how they have handled this particular issue. (Some owners had been successful at getting Ford to either partially or fully fund the pump - no consistency at all in Ford's handling of the problem).
I guess it comes down to your particular financial situation. The added cost of the pump now is fairly significant. That, and the cost of a baseplate and braking system will result in a sizable additional investment in that vehicle. Base plates are car specific. I have never leased a car, so I don't know how much you would have in the car between the leasing expenses and the purchase price. You might come out ahead to start over with a vehicle known to be towable and have it properly equipped from the get go.
I tend to keep vehicles much longer than most people, so I felt my expense in the pump was worth it as long as it keeps me from burning up another tranny. So far, so good - I even used my pump to pump out the transmission fluid so I could replace the fluid at 30,000 miles (combined driving and towing) - The Escape does not have a replaceable tranny filter, so the Remco pump worked great in getting all of the fluid out, even what normally won't come out with a simple draining of the tranny - did not spill a drop!! Measured what came out and put in the exact amount, so I know I am at the same level as the TSB calls for.
Good Luck…...
