Is my Ford Escape worthless for fullfilling my dream? :-(

[GaiaGoddess]

I've had this dream to live in an RV (travel trailer, specifically) for about 5 or 6 years now. I was drawn to the Ford Escape and was happy to learn they can tow up to 3500 pounds. I bought one last year. Step one complete!

Now i've run into a problem...people are telling me my Escape shouldn't tow that much, it's not safe. I heard horror stories about Escapes not being able to handle it. They recommend I stick to 2000 pounds or less, but what trailers weigh that little?! I want to live in this thing which means it needs to be self sustainable, with a full kitchen, bathroom, and at least a full size bed. All the trailers I found with that stuff are at least 3000 pounds. And then you have to figure the weight of the fluids and cargo, which would be a lot since i'd be living in it. I cannot live in a pop up camper or a teardrop camper.

Are there any decent trailers I can safely tow? Is my Escape worthless for what I wanted to do with it? I bought it specifically for this reason! By the way, it's a 2008 6-cylinder automatic transmission, front wheel drive. There is no towing package on it yet but I was planning on having one put on, IF I can even find a trailer I can tow! Any advice?

[GWolfe]

Does the thought of driving a small class A or C scare you? You could get something like that and tow your Escape behind it.

My niece has a lime green Escape, good looking ride I can see why you like it.

[challeno]

GaiaGoddess wrote:

challeno wrote:

I don't know which Escape you have BUT if have the right engine and towing accessories on yours IMO it is doable with the TT I posted .

Oh sorry I thought I gave the specs...it's a 2008 6 cylinder front wheel drive. Not sure on the engine size but 6 cylinder is all I know about that. And I WOULD get the right towing accessories, I would go all out and prepare for the maximum!

Here ya go G_Goddess , go to page 23 to the very bottom section under Escape , this may help ya out a little .


http://www.ford.com/assets/pdf/towing/07RVTTgdeMay07.pdf

[rjstractor]

GaiaGoddess wrote:

Whoa!! Those are CARS, not even CUV's or SUV's, right?

How can there be this many differences of opinion on a subject that should be pretty black and white?

Because it's not at all black and white. Those trailers in that photo may look big, but look more closely. They have a single axle, which means they are likely under 3000 lbs. They look to be a European design, which typically have ligh tongue weights. They are also relatively narrow and aerodynamic which makes them tow much easier. A trailer like that or an Airstream might be a good match for your Escape. There is much more to a particular trailer than just the weight. That's why some folks on this forum have had good success towing Airstreams with small, lower powered vehicles. If they were to try towing, say a mid-70s full profile Prowler of the same weight, their towing experiences would be drastically different.

[GaiaGoddess]

rjxj wrote:

What I'm saying is that adding those items may not increase its towing capacity. It didn't on the traverse models. Not sure about Ford's. Need to research it first.

Well other people have done it successfully, so I think it's safe to say it works!

[GaiaGoddess]

Michael in MN wrote:
A 13' Scamp will be well under 2000lbs, a 16' a few hundred lbs more. I'd look at those first. You are in their neighborhood. 🙂

Ahh you're in MN too! Cool!

I was coming home from work on 94 this weekend and saw 2 Scamps and 2 Casita's! I thought that might have been a sign, since I think i've only seen one Scamp in the last 6 years i've been interested in RVing!

[GaiaGoddess]

rjxj wrote:
You better take notice of what piano tuna said. Google 2008 escape transmission failures. Ford had major trans problems on the escape. Chain wear? Valve bore wear. sounds like gm trans that spools wore in the valve body and smoke the trans. OP, you better do a lot more research first. I noticed trans prices of $3800.00

Speaking of the transmission, in 2 days I am having a flush done. So that might help if I were to make this happen soon.

As for research, I have been doing research for about 6 years now. I am even a member of a few RV clubs (Workamper dreamers being one of them).

[GaiaGoddess]

karyj wrote:
Safari Alto

It ain't cheap, but it's light and it's awesome. 🙂

It's also in Canada, but while you're there, you could visit Can-Am and discuss the towing specifics of your vehicle.

There aren't any for sale in the US right now...I don't have a way of getting to Canada, no passport.

[azrving]

GaiaGoddess wrote:

rjxj wrote:
So it doesn't have a factory tow package? If its not factory equipped the tow rating my be even less.Just because they bolt a hitch on doesn't mean it has a tow package. I had a Chevy traverse 2009 no tow pkg 2200 lb (pretty sure). Had a traverse 2012 with tow pkg 5200 lb. Pulled a 4000 lb TT and I wouldnt want anything heavier. And the RV dealer was saying I could pull a 26 ft 5000 lb TT. Also as someone above mentioned, it may need an equalizing hitch too. My equalizing hitch itself weighs about 80 lbs.

No the Escapes don't come with the towing package unless you order it that way brand new (as far as I know). And i would definately get an equalizing hitch, and a sway bar, anything else you can possibly add

What I'm saying is that adding those items may not increase its towing capacity. It didn't on the traverse models. Not sure about Ford's. Need to research it first.

[GaiaGoddess]

rjxj wrote:
So it doesn't have a factory tow package? If its not factory equipped the tow rating my be even less.Just because they bolt a hitch on doesn't mean it has a tow package. I had a Chevy traverse 2009 no tow pkg 2200 lb (pretty sure). Had a traverse 2012 with tow pkg 5200 lb. Pulled a 4000 lb TT and I wouldnt want anything heavier. And the RV dealer was saying I could pull a 26 ft 5000 lb TT. Also as someone above mentioned, it may need an equalizing hitch too. My equalizing hitch itself weighs about 80 lbs.

No the Escapes don't come with the towing package unless you order it that way brand new (as far as I know). And i would definately get an equalizing hitch, and a sway bar, anything else you can possibly add!

[Michael_in_MN]

A 13' Scamp will be well under 2000lbs, a 16' a few hundred lbs more. I'd look at those first. You are in their neighborhood. 🙂

[azrving]

You better take notice of what piano tuna said. Google 2008 escape transmission failures. Ford had major trans problems on the escape. Chain wear? Valve bore wear. sounds like gm trans that spools wore in the valve body and smoke the trans. OP, you better do a lot more research first. I noticed trans prices of $3800.00

[karyj]

Safari Alto

It ain't cheap, but it's light and it's awesome. 🙂

It's also in Canada, but while you're there, you could visit Can-Am and discuss the towing specifics of your vehicle.

[azrving]

So it doesn't have a factory tow package? If its not factory equipped the tow rating my be even less.Just because they bolt a hitch on doesn't mean it has a tow package. I had a Chevy traverse 2009 no tow pkg 2200 lb (pretty sure). Had a traverse 2012 with tow pkg 5200 lb. Pulled a 4000 lb TT and I wouldnt want anything heavier. And the RV dealer was saying I could pull a 26 ft 5000 lb TT. Also as someone above mentioned, it may need an equalizing hitch too. My equalizing hitch itself weighs about 80 lbs.

[GaiaGoddess]

Wow this Escape forum is full of people who tow with them!! Here's another person who regularly camps with this set up:
http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/6209/imag0008800x600.jpg

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Be sure to put money aside for the new transmission that you may need in the middle of the first trip. DAMHIK