Tow vehicle - 2013 ford escape ecoboost
Hello, This is my first post and joined as i can't find to seem many posts for this new vehicle. I purchased a 2013 ford escape SE and have some questoins about towing. I'm in the market to purcha...
Forum Discussion
Fordlover wrote:Francesca Knowles wrote:
That Escape towing guide is certainly informative about the vehicle, but...I have a real problem with its language as to proper braking during a sway event.
Since WHEN is this good advice???:Ford wrote:
– If your trailer starts to sway, apply brake pedal gradually. The sliding lever on the TBC should be used only for manual activation of trailer brakes when adjusting the gain. Misuse, such as application during trailer sway, could cause instability of trailer and/or tow vehicle
:h
The bolded above is great advice. Smooth inputs are ALWAYS a good idea, wether racing a sports car, or towing a trailer.
Applying trailer brakes only at the wrong time could certainly cause instability, so it is in there as a CYA, lawyer speak.
The language against control knob use is contrary to everything I've ever been told by other RVers and professionals alike, and to my own experience as well. Nothing stops a sway event faster than manual application of the trailer brakes. It's like magic.
Trailer-braking-first is such a well-understood principle in Europe that there's an automatic braking system that detects sway and stops it by applying trailer brakes only. Link to product
Here quoting from that site
Al-Ko wrote:
AL-KO ESC continuously evaluates the data and when critical lateral movements are recognised, ESC activates and applies the brakes immediately to bring the vehicle back into line in a smooth and controlled manner. Applying the brakes on the caravan immediately straightens the car and caravan and prevents any further oscillation.
That's what I've done for years, only my "sensing system" is the seat of my pants, and the manual control knob's the activator.
What am I missing here????
