05 Ford Escape

“really a 15 year old escape id start planning that regardless.“ x2

Wasn't the transmission kind of weak on those models? Would it be possible to trade for a used truck? It might be cheaper in the long run to upgrade to truck and look for used trailer that wouldn't limit your choice to a pop up. Short wheelbase is not conducive to a good tow vehicle.

stay small and light with the popup, keep the OD locked out and watch your temps. it will do it for a bit but its not going to like it. Id start planning the next tow vehicle soon, really a 15 year old escape id start planning that regardless.

I'm gonna add another trans cooler in line as well as a temp gauge just flushed trans and pulled the pan to see what was on the magnet. Mechanically it's sound, and I live on the east coast so not many real mountains. Also won't be for any far away travels just local trips. I'm a mechanic by trade, so that stuff doesn't scare me, I'm more concerned about the "tail wagging the dog" problems.

It’s barely ok, IF you know the vehicle is fully capable and well maintained. Otherwise you’re asking how capable a 15 year old impact suv is. It could be 200k miles and on it’s last legs or grammas car with 40k miles and like new.
Has more to do with miles and condition than ratings.

I have an 05 V6 AWD. I've towed about 1800lbs (my 800lb VTX, 300lb XR, on a steel deck single axle). Hills required 2nd with not much throttle to spare. The cooling fans ran a lot with that load, and my trailer wasn't catching much wind. Economy was about 15mpg (vs 24 empty running the same route) on a 600mi round trip. I ran 65 towing on the flats and whatever it could manage on the climbs.

They have a separate trans cooler stock, but it is still going to get hot; you just can't keep the converter locked enough as you add more pedal. Personally, I wouldn't approach 3k if you were wanting to travel very far from home. The stability was there, the drivetrain just isn't up to the task. Ther nice thing about the 3.0L is that it is overbuilt, it is hard to kill. I think a FWD 5spd man trans would make a better tow vehicle.

I sold that trailer and made a really little trailer just to relocate one bike at a time, that was bearable.