Towing a Ford Edge

I know this is regarding an Edge, but our friends pulled an 012 Ford Escape for a couple of years. He checked with a Ford dealer about towing and they said it was ok as long as he started every it so often and ran it thru the gears (which he did). But the trans still went out last summer in Spokane. I don't think it was an AWD but it was a V-6 but probably has the same trans a Ford Edge, (don't know for sure).

Anyway something to think about before pulling the Ford Edge. I'll stay with pulling my Rubicon! (Even though my Wife drives a Ford Escape!)