Change of plans! Now I want a teardrop!

[GaiaGoddess]

Some of you may remember me from a year ago when I was asking advice on towing with my Ford Escape. I previously decided to screw it and buy any TT I wanted and have a friend tow it to a campground for me. But I realized that came with too many issues. So after a few months of deliberation, I decided what I want is a teardrop, specifically the Little Guy T@B S model (with a bathroom)! It's only 1500 pounds so I'll be able to tow it with my Escape! Since it's so small, I thought I could get one of those big tents that connects on to the side to expand my "living" space!

These are not cheap (the least expensive one i've found was $14,000 but that one sold after 2 days and the rest of them are $17,000-$20,000), so I was thinking about this even more and realized, if I really wanted to save money, I could just buy a base model, empty, with nothing in it, for a few grand, and buy everything else seperately. The stove/oven, port a potty, solar shower, etc. Which leads me to a few questions. Can you even do that? Why spend the extra money with all that stuff built in when you could just buy the empty shell and buy camping accessories seperately and use them in the camper? You can buy a hot plate or a one burner camping stove and just plug it in or use propane and be able to cook, right? And how about the water/shower thing, could you plug the solar shower into the water connection in a campground and fill up the bag and take a shower that way? (I'd have to get one of those privacy shower tents just for showering though).

The difference in price would be a whopping $10,000+ at least, so why doesn't anyone do this? What benefits are there to the built in ones, from the pictures they look just like regular camping equipment anyway just built right into the trailer. The bathroom is a bit more modern and convenient obviously but I think overall saying myself 10 grand plus would be worth it!

[2012Coleman]

Bumpyroad wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
A factory tow package includes a place to plug in a brake controller, a trans cooler, wiring ending in a plug and a hitch receiver. It may also include upgraded suspension and larger brakes.

other than larger brakes, why can't the rest be retrofitted by a Ford dealer? I added the brake controller, hitch receiver, and wiring to my Highlander that had the tow package.

bumpy

Your asking me? The OP can take the advice of several on this thread and find out for herself by not asking an internet forum, buy calling/visiting a dealership, but all she seems to want is for someone to say "its OK - you'll be fine!"

Not saying it can't be done, but I surely am not saying it can be...

I'm betting nothing will come of it anyway.

[PAThwacker]

I had blocked the author over the clueless trolling on the last thread.

[PAThwacker]

same thread/same bull

[Bumpyroad]

2012Coleman wrote:
A factory tow package includes a place to plug in a brake controller, a trans cooler, wiring ending in a plug and a hitch receiver. It may also include upgraded suspension and larger brakes.

other than larger brakes, why can't the rest be retrofitted by a Ford dealer? I added the brake controller, hitch receiver, and wiring to my Highlander that had the tow package.

bumpy

[opnspaces]

GaiaGoddess wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:
You think that is a tow package?
what will control the trailer brakes?
what will control the trailer lights?
what will provide extra cooling to the engine?
what will provide extra cooling to the transmission?
what will provide extra heavy duty braking on the Escape?
what will provide the heavier load capacity springs on the Escape?
what about a heavy duty power steering pump?
what about a larger output alternator?

Those are just a few of the upgrades likely to be in a tow package and do not include small things like heavier grade bolts that might be included in a tow package.

A trailer hitch receiver is NOT a tow package.

You're not listening and have already made up your mind based on erroneous information and assumptions. I'm going camping.

As you know I have no idea the answers to those questions (except I know my Escape already has a transmission cooler)...but what i'm wondering is why does this exist if it doesn't do the job then? I mean why have this at all if it's nowhere near what you need to tow? What purpose do these after market "towing packages" serve?

You are correct the your car has an engine cooler and a transmission cooler. Every car with an automatic transmission has both of those coolers installed from the factory. What you are missing is that your car will possibly have SMALLER coolers than one that was built with a tow package. We have no way knowing what the Ford factory changes on a car when they put a tow package on. Read Beemerphiles response above again, I added some red highlighting to help reinforce his point.

Here's a different way to look at it that may or may not help.
Think about your car as a piece of kite string. You can lift 10 pounds with this piece of string before it breaks. Now grab an aftermarket tow package rated at 50 pounds that consists of a piece of rope. You tie this rope to the end of your piece of kite string. If you now try to lift 50 pounds the rope will be fine but the string will break. So in effect you have not changed the rating of your string by adding a rope to the end, the string is still the weak point.

In one sense both a string and a rope are the same thing consisting of woven fibers, just one has thicker fibers than the other.

When Ford sells your car without a tow package it is a piece of kite string. You can tie a rope on it but it's still a string.

When Ford sells your car with a tow package they sell you a piece of rope. You can tie another rope onto this rope and you will be able to tow more.

Best advice anyone can give you is to call a Ford dealer and ask them if they can add a tow package (not a trailer hitch but a tow package as the car would ship with) to your car. Tell them you want to change your tow rating up from whatever it is now to 3,500 lbs. They might be able to look it up and it's easy. Or they might look it up and it's cost prohibitive. You won't know unless you call them.

[azrving]

Lol.I'm glad you guys bit.

[westend]

Hey, I resemble that!:B

Also, the stock transmission cooler on 2008 Escape has a Technical Service Bulletin and Customer Care program on it. They are prone to cracking so that me be something the OP want's to have looked at prior to towing.

[B_O__Plenty]

AirForceAngler wrote:
Give it up, guys. You can't have a battle of wits with an unarmed person. :S

Couldn't agree more! This has already gone on too long. I'm thinking this forum is a substitute for a lonely hearts club. I doubt if there will ever be a trailer purchase but it gives her someone to chat with..She is giving the good people of Minnesota a bad image.

B.O.

[westend]

GaiaGoddess wrote:
Check out this forum post I found...this person wants to add a tow package, they have the same exact model I have, and they are telling him it's possible!

http://www.escape-city.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7357

I think you have SRD (Selective Reading Disfunction). Here is a quote from that Forum discussion: " As mentioned earlier, the tow capacity of the Escape is probably going to be less than the capacity indicated on the hitch, so check your owners manual to find out exactly how much your Escape is capable of towing."

[2012Coleman]

GaiaGoddess wrote:
Why can't I just buy this?! It says complete towing package, and this is my EXACT model of Escape, that's what my bumper looks like.

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Ford/Escape/2008/13650.html?vehicleid=20089838

THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE TOWING PACKAGE!

[2012Coleman]

GaiaGoddess wrote:
Check out this forum post I found...this person wants to add a tow package, they have the same exact model I have, and they are telling him it's possible!

http://www.escape-city.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7357

Are you reading the responses here???

This link describes a person wanting to add a receiver in order to tow a jet ski. The TT you are referring to weighs a lot more! A factory tow package includes a place to plug in a brake controller, a trans cooler, wiring ending in a plug and a hitch receiver. It may also include upgraded suspension and larger brakes.

Stop looking at the internet and take your vechile to a dealer (or call one and ask to talk to the service manager) and tell them what you want to do. Don't go to a place like UHaul. Take their advice and be ready to scrap your plans on towing anyhing with this vehicle. IMO, your asking too much of it. To put it bluntly, you have an inadequate tow vechile - think about getting a mid sized pickup like an older Tundra, or a newer Tacoma, or even a used full sized 1500.

Even if you are scraping by, it won't be a pleasant towing experience, and you will wear components out quickly - like the transmission.

It's not going to happen any way else - even if you wish very hard for it.

[GaiaGoddess]

Check out this forum post I found...this person wants to add a tow package, they have the same exact model I have, and they are telling him it's possible!

http://www.escape-city.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7357

[beemerphile1]

GaiaGoddess wrote:
...why have this at all if it's nowhere near what you need to tow? What purpose do these after market "towing packages" serve?

Aftermarket sellers are in business to make money. If misleading the consumer is a result then so-be-it as long as they get the money.

I have nothing to gain, the seller does. I am just sharing many years of knowledge and experience. Believe what you wish.

Like I said, I'm going camping and won't be wasting anymore keystrokes on this futile effort.

[GaiaGoddess]

AirForceAngler wrote:
Give it up, guys. You can't have a battle of wits with an unarmed person. :S

I'm just telling people what I have learned and asking why this information & products are out there if they don't do the job, that's all.