I know there has already been a lot said about this, but here is my 2 cents. We were in the same boat back in 1997 and had a 1992 Ford Explorer 4.0L that we used to tow a TT. It towed it, but it was hell. Fine on flat surfaces, but white knuckle getting passed by semis on the highway, and literally cooked the tranny over time. Engine overheated, brakes faded away on hills - I could go on and on. I know the Escape may be a better vehicle than a 92 Explorer, but not so different.
Traded the Explorer for a 2000 Chev Silverado 1500 PU and it was like the trailer wasn't even there. Night and day.
Fast forward to today. Have a 2010 Escape. Want to get back into trailer camping. Want what you want - nice trailer with bed, kitchen, washroom - you know the drill.
Thought for a bit about going the compromise route, but learned from experience, so dumped my wife's old rusty yet dependable 2001 Windstar (even considered using THAT for towing...) and gave her the 2010 Escape and bought a new 2013 F150 3.5L Ecoboost w Tow Package.
You want to enjoy your camping - you have to do it right or you are going to regret it or end up doing it right later anyway.
