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 purchase a hybrid, i've been looking at light weight models and wondering if i can tow is safetly. I'm fine with getting a WDH or sway bar (don't know much about towing sorry if i got this wrong). I was looking at this model : Jayco Jay Feather Ultra Lite SLX Travel Trailer 16 XRB Model Specifications 16 XRB UVW 2575 Hitch Weight 315 GVWR 3500 Cargo Carrying Capacity 925 Exterior Height w/ AC 117" Interior Height (Living Area) 78" Fresh Water 20 Gray Water 15 Black Water 9 Exterior Length 18'4" Another concern i have is the dry weight and tongue weight, does anyone own this model and have the wet weight? or will have i have to track one down and look at the sticket on the door. My model of escape is the 2.0L ecoboost, 4WD, automatic. It states it can tow 3500LBS, with max 350 tongue weight. Also i opted not to get the tow package as all it includes is a Class 2 hitch receiver and Trailer Sway Control. Once i find more information and choose a trailer i will have this added after market. With the smart people on these forums, i was hoping to get some input, will i be okay? i just can't figure this all out. This will be my first time ever having a camper, always tented. Thanks for the help

You should have gotten it with the Tow package because they are usually more then receiver and the sway control was most likely an electronic stability control not any weight distribution stuff. What is your vehicles tow rating without the factory tow package?? It may not be the numbers you posted. Things usually installed with tow packages also include extra cooling ( Larger Radiator ) and trans coolers and might have had a different axle gearing.

Hello, thanks for the reply. i was basing that off the ford towing guide and other posters i found about the tow package. Is there a way i could find out for sure? I saw some posts saying a lot of those extra items were added in my trim SE.could i call ford perhaps? thanks for the info!

Although everything I've read/heard about your Escape indicates that you're probably right about the tow package being mostly external, I think you should ask a Ford dealer directly just to make sure. From what I can make out in specs/other conversations, it looks like extra cooling/torque/rearend enhancements have been made standard in that trim/engine level.That's assuming we're talking about a NEW Escape.One thing I'd caution about, though:Aftermarket hitches often differ substantially from those that come from the factory installed. I don't know about the Escape, but in the case of the Subaru Forester, for example, the factory hitch is an "integrated"-type system that includes more than a dozen mounting points, some of which actually are internal to the vehicle's frame structure. By contrast, a supposed 3500 pound aftermarket hitch for the same vehicle from E-trailer has many fewer mounting points and all of them are external, mostly to sheet metal.Hitches are not all created equal, and if such differences exist with the OEM Escape hitch they may well account at least in part for the very clear "only with factory tow package" language attached to that 3500 pound max.I recommend that you clear this point up very carefully with a competent Ford technician before proceeding with your shopping.

When I first read your post, I was thinking "no way...". I've driven a new Escape with the 1-point-something Eco, and it couldn't get out of its own way. But after doing a bit of Googling, I see the 2.0 Eco in the Escape has much more power. Still, I have some reservations, you're right at the edge of the allowable weight limit. As you stated, the factory tow package in the Escape only gives you a hitch, wiring attachment, and sway control. No trans cooler or large radiator or bigger springs or better tires. Put on a good hitch (if one is available, no real frame on the rear of that Escape), proper weight distribution bars, and a sway bar, drive smart, and you should be OK.HERE'S a link to Fords say on the Escape tow package.

Thanks for the advice guys. I will call my local ford dealership in the morning and talk to the service department and see if they can provide me more details on what the option includes. As far as receiver installing, ya the back of the escape has plastic covering the frame, ive seen pictures and video's of E-trailer cutting the plastic and then there is space. As far as the equipment, i will have to start researching more about good hitches, weight distribution bars, sway bar. Perhaps ill open up another topic for advice on this? If anyone can offer some assistance with this i'd appreciate it.I wonder if i could ask the dealership to install the OEM escape version if it's superior?Thanks for the help. If anyone has this vehicle and has towed something similar to what i'm thinking please help! Also to note it will just be me and my wife, with little to nothing packed (used to tenting)

Tow vehicle - 2013 ford escape ecoboost | Good Sam Community

carringb
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
And here's one the specifically says "works with handsfree tailgate":
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Ford/Escape/2013/87627.html?vehicleid=20138730
Rycamp
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
Thanks for the links ill check that out. I was hoping I could use this as my tv but not sure anymore. I can find lighter hybrids but the comments on here alarm me about payload and tongue weight. Ill have to try and run more numbers.
patperry2766
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2013
You're looking at way too much trailer for that vehicle. I have the 2009 Escape with V-6 and the factory 3500 lb trailer tow package.

We just bought a Flagstaff high wall pop up that weighs close to 3300 lbs dry. We used the Escape to pull it home,, there would be absolutely no way I would ever consider the Escape as the primary tow vehicle. If I were going maybe less than 15-20 miles away on FLAT ground, I might consider it, but going up hills.....NO WAY JOSE.

you not only have to consider the weight of the trailer, but the frontal surface of the camper being a horsepower drag. I think that the most important part of the trailer tow package isn't the hitch, but the sway control. Since the Escape is such a short wheelbase vehicle, it wouldn't take much to get a trailer whipping behind the car, and you would be having to hold on for the ride.

I would be surprised if the max tow is still 3500 without the factory package. Since I can give you some solid advise, I wouldn't suggest a trailer over 2000-2200 lbs max.
Mike_Up
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
We have a 2012 Escape because the newer Escape was to much like a car, basically like her older Focus. The reason is that the 2013 has payload similar to the wifes old Focus, around 700 - 800 lbs. Her 2012 has around 1030 lbs so when we take a family road trip, we aren't overloading the car.

So what I'm getting at, while it may have the same 3500 lbs tow rating, you won't be able to have any passengers or have a heavy tongue weight. For that matter, you are limited to only a 350 lbs tongue weight anyhow. With a single axle travel trailer, they usually have a heavier 14%. Dual axles usually have a 13% tongue weight. So at 14%, your loaded trailer can be no more than 2500 lbs. (350 lbs / .14 ) .

Your best bet is sticking to an 8' or 10' pop up with a light tongue weight due to the low tongue weight rating and the low payload. The Ford Edge is just as bad with very low payload and a 350 lbs tongue weight.

The best bet would be an Explorer with a 500 lbs tongue weight rating and a much higher payload for a very small travel trailer.
tempforce
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
i would stick with a tent/ foldout camper with the escape.
the unibody frame will have issues with any load over it's rating…
load the vehicle and camper light… use a sway control, brake control and a light duty load equalizing hitch...
spoon059
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2013
Gdetrailer wrote:
If the listed trailer tongue weight is correct you are only 45 lbs from your vehicle MAX tongue weight of 350 lbs.

Basically IF the numbers listed are TRUE (most published brochure weights are not accurate and often do not include battery, propane (or tanks) you can only add in 400 lbs of gear.

So if you want to haul 20 gallons of water that will be 160 lbs which leaves you 240 lbs of gear you can add in.

20 lb propane tank filled weights about 40 lbs.

Group 24 battery will weight about 65 lbs.

This leaves you about 135 lbs of personal gear you will be able to take..

Food, drinks, pots/pans, dishes, clothing, bedding, electronics most likely will take you over the 350 lb tongue weight..

To me not worth the effort... Find another vehicle which has a tow rating of say 5K lbs, you will be happier with the results.

OP, something else to consider is what YOU bring with you.

I have NEVER hauled my camper with full water tanks. If we go somewhere without water hookups, it usually has a filling station at the campground. Otherwise, we buy a couple gallon jugs of water for drinking and use the facilities at the park. I just saved 160 lbs in water weight there.

If you are going for a weekend trip and satisfied with hot dogs, chicken etc then you can get away with buying that at your destination (if there is a grocery store nearby) and save youself the weight of hauling food.

Again, 2 days of camping you can probably get away with wearing one outfit on the way up and bringing 1 change of clothes with you. If you are cooking over the firepit or bring a small grill with you then you don't need a ton of pots and pans.

You will be pushing the limits of your tow capabilities, but if you aren't taking any huge mountains you should be okay. You are used to tent camping, so you are used to being a minimalist. Some people on this forum have more stuff in their camper than I have in my house. Their isn't any reason that you can't enjoy your hybrid with the smaller tow vehicle that you have.
Fordlover
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
Escape towing guide

Read this. Specifically read about required equipment, frontal area, tongue weight, etc.

I'd stick with a Tent camper too. It's good to keep in mind that RV's are just about the most difficult type of trailer to tow. If you were talking about a 3,000 lb. boat or utility trailer, it would be easier to say no problem!
bikendan
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
Fordlover wrote:
Escape towing guide

Read this. Specifically read about required equipment, frontal area, tongue weight, etc.

I'd stick with a Tent camper too. It's good to keep in mind that RV's are just about the most difficult type of trailer to tow. If you were talking about a 3,000 lb. boat or utility trailer, it would be easier to say no problem!

exactly, very few owners read their owner's manuals/inserts and don't realize all the info they need is in there.
small SUVs and minivans have frontal area limitations, yet very few owners of these vehicles are aware of it.
that's so auto companies can put up bigger towing numbers to draw in customers, but fail to divulge that that those numbers are for boats and flat trailer, not full-height travel trailers.

glad you posted that link.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
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
TugCE
Explorer
Jul 25, 2013
A friend of mine is a GM for a Ford Dealership here and we were just talking about this last week.

The one and only thing he said about the Escape Towing was DON'T Do it. He did not get into why but this is a Guy that usually Bleeds Blue so I was shocked to hear it come out of his mouth.