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?

[GaiaGoddess]

fickman wrote:
Be careful of the vernacular. Some dealers off a "trailering package" and a "tow package".

You need:
- Hitch receiver
- 7 pin wiring with 12-volt line installed
- Transmission cooler
- Possibly a heavier duty fan clutch
- Brake controller (best to buy a decent one, not whichever one they offer to include. In my experience, they will likely throw a cheap timing-based controller on for you. You want something like a Tekonsha P3 or Prodigy at least.)

Thanks for the list! I was told that all Escapes come with a transmission cooler though. I also wanted a weight distribution and stabilizer bar.

I've gone down the road of trying to transition a vehicle that was not equipped as a tow vehicle from factory into a tow vehicle. It felt like there was always something else to do, and that was with a 1500 pickup. I was on the verge of changing our the gear and pinions when I just traded the truck in for one that came from factory properly equipped. It was an expensive lesson that I know a few others on here have learned from experience. We're just trying to save you these same headaches.

That said, if you're going to stick with towing a Teardrop, the list above should be sufficient. Make sure your trailer has a forced-air furnace and plenty of propane capacity for the climate you're talking about.

Yeah I think when I get my next vehicle, I'll get one already equipped for this, this is a headache for me just LEARNING about all the stuff I have to do! I'm not a do it myself kind of girl and without a husband or boyfriend it's hard to know what I need to do and to get it done so most of the time with anything I tend to go for the "already ready" version.

[GaiaGoddess]

PAThwacker wrote:

google forest river rv
look at popups
find mac/ltd pups
one is a 10ft non slide pup with a bath within your ratings. Fulltime in a pup? Good luck!

I'm familiar with the Forest River site, they make the Vibe which is the main trailer i am interested in. I didn't spend a lot of time looking at the pop ups, because I want something sturdy, not with flimsy walls that move with the wind. I want to live in this during the winter. I will check them out again though, the ones with bathrooms.

[GaiaGoddess]

hertfordnc wrote:
GG,

Are you the same person who posted on the TCT facebook page?

I think so, not sure though! If I did, it was only once!

I know in the past 15 pages you were deluged in information.

Which is ok, I'm getting lots of varied opinions which is good. It is just overwhelming and confusing but at least I am glad I didn't rush out and impulse buy the first trailer I fell in love with.

First, don't be so intimidated about towing. And don't try to fit your trailer and tow vehicle choices into your experience and comfort level. Get more experience and get used to being uncomfortable. You could get in my Expidtion pulling my 6000 lb 30 foot vintage trailer and you'd be comfortable with in a day. (might be a long scary day)

Well I don't want to get into an accident or wreck my Escape or my future trailer, I would rather work my way up and get comfortable with small then maybe move up to medium in a few years.

Join Sisters on the Fly and get some other women to help you figure it out.

I have never heard of that group, I will check it out! Thanks!

Consider changing the car. Like all of these popular crossover things the Escape is just a tiny little car with some macho lines and the soul of a mazda 626. No matter what trailer you put behind it, the car will always be begging for mercy and the MPG will rival a city bus.

If you move up to a six cylinder truck like a Isuzu Rodeo, Foreunner, Explorer, etc then you can put any number of 4000 lb trailers behind and travel in relative comfort and security.

Not sure if you knew, but my Escape is a V6. I understand something bigger (same size engine though) would be better, but I just got this car a year ago and I love it more than words can say and it's been more reliable than any other vehicle I've ever had and I've owned probably 20 vehicles in my life. I am not saying I'll NEVER upgrade, but for now, since I just bought it and love it so much, I want to get a few good years out of it. I know i'll eventually have to get something else years down the road, and that will be a good time to upgrade my trailer too since I will have already gotten comfortable and more experienced with towing.

[WoodGlue]

I think this OP and the "no-off-gassing 5th wheel lady" are the same person

WoodGlue

[fickman]

Be careful of the vernacular. Some dealers off a "trailering package" and a "tow package".

You need:
- Hitch receiver
- 7 pin wiring with 12-volt line installed
- Transmission cooler
- Possibly a heavier duty fan clutch
- Brake controller (best to buy a decent one, not whichever one they offer to include. In my experience, they will likely throw a cheap timing-based controller on for you. You want something like a Tekonsha P3 or Prodigy at least.)

I've gone down the road of trying to transition a vehicle that was not equipped as a tow vehicle from factory into a tow vehicle. It felt like there was always something else to do, and that was with a 1500 pickup. I was on the verge of changing our the gear and pinions when I just traded the truck in for one that came from factory properly equipped. It was an expensive lesson that I know a few others on here have learned from experience. We're just trying to save you these same headaches.

That said, if you're going to stick with towing a Teardrop, the list above should be sufficient. Make sure your trailer has a forced-air furnace and plenty of propane capacity for the climate you're talking about.

[PAThwacker]

GaiaGoddess wrote:

PAThwacker wrote:

GaiaGoddess wrote:
I just watched this video and I think i'm convinced a teardrop would be good enough for me! Although I have one major question...where do they go to the bathroom!? lol Especially for females, sometimes we NEED bathrooms every few hours!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Lm7dAx15M

10ft box mac pup with cassette pottie.
next problem
Can not use a wdh on a flagstaff mac popup!
Give up or get a new tow vehicle.

Sorry I have no idea what you mean by 10ft box mac pup, or a wdh.

I'm not getting a new tow vehicle, I am pretty sure my Escape can handle a teardrop, some of these get towed by MOTORCYCLES even!

google forest river rv
look at popups
find mac/ltd pups
one is a 10ft non slide pup with a bath within your ratings. Fulltime in a pup? Good luck!

[krobbe]

challeno wrote:

krobbe wrote:
If you believe Ford's published capacities, then with a 300LB hitch receiver capacity(Ford Escape Towing Guide pg2 and only 30sqft frontal limitation(2008 Ford Escape Owners Manual pg176, I could only go with a PopUp that weighs less than 2300Lbs. Most TT's have a frontal area around 60sqft. A 300Lb receiver hitch only supports a trailer of 300x7.7 = 2310Lbs.

If your reply was aimed toward my above reply , let me clear it up a bit ,,,,,,, I should of put a rolling eyes smilely :R at the end of the frontal area comment .,,,,, If you go back into the thread I expressed my feelings on that rule of towin'.

challeno - Not at all. I just found some published info and wanted to share. 🙂

[hertfordnc]

GG,

Are you the same person who posted on the TCT facebook page?

I know in the past 15 pages you were deluged in information.

I'm a dreamer and a road warrior and a romantic so i will take one more stab at advice from that perspective.

First, don't be so intimidated about towing. And don't try to fit your trailer and tow vehicle choices into your experience and comfort level. Get more experience and get used to being uncomfortable. You could get in my Expidtion pulling my 6000 lb 30 foot vintage trailer and you'd be comfortable with in a day. (might be a long scary day)

Join Sisters on the Fly and get some other women to help you figure it out.

Consider changing the car. Like all of these popular crossover things the Escape is just a tiny little car with some macho lines and the soul of a mazda 626. No matter what trailer you put behind it, the car will always be begging for mercy and the MPG will rival a city bus.

On the other hand, cute little cars are popular and easy to sell.

But cute little campers are ridiculously expensive.

So if you get used to the idea of pulling somethign a little bigger and then look at the total cost of car and trailer it opens up a lot of options.

Forget about MPG. Vehicles that are working too hard are not very efficient. We towed a tiny Scotty with a Chrysler minivan- minivan was rated at 3500 lb, had the tow package. Scotty weighed 1400 lb. We got 11 MPG.

We got about the same mileage pulling a 27-footer with the Expedition.

If you move up to a six cylinder truck like a Isuzu Rodeo, Foreunner, Explorer, etc then you can put any number of 4000 lb trailers behind and travel in relative comfort and security.


Good Luck

[GaiaGoddess]

popupcamping wrote:

SO...when do you take delivery?

You mean when am I going to get my trailer? Well I am at work for another 5 weeks so I can't do this now. It will have to be a slow step by step process since i am only home for a few days every other month, and when I am home I don't have much free time. I was going to go to a Ford dealer and get the towing package put on though, at least. That will most likely be all I'll have time for when I go home in October.

[blt2ski]

rexlion wrote:
I had assumed that with 3500 lb tow rating would come a 350 lb hitch weight rating. Surprised to hear that it is only 300 lbs instead. That really is a limitation.

That is typical for European trailers and ratings over there. So one should be able to pull a trailer with less HW if they want too!

I would also swag, not sure if it was mentioned earlier or not, this rig in europe is probably rated to 4-5K lbs!

Frontal area, type of trailer siding, can have just as much effect on performance, which is what a trailer rating is, as weight can! 3sq ft of additional frontal area, is like adding 1000 lbs of wt to a rig.

Marty

[rexlion]

I had assumed that with 3500 lb tow rating would come a 350 lb hitch weight rating. Surprised to hear that it is only 300 lbs instead. That really is a limitation.

[popupcamping]

GaiaGoddess wrote:

krobbe wrote:
If you believe Ford's published capacities, then with a 300LB hitch receiver capacity(Ford Escape Towing Guide pg2 and only 30sqft frontal limitation(2008 Ford Escape Owners Manual pg176, I could only go with a PopUp that weighs less than 2300Lbs. Most TT's have a frontal area around 60sqft. A 300Lb receiver hitch only supports a trailer of 300x7.7 = 2310Lbs.

That is why I've decided on a teardrop just for travel and a Vibe (that someone else will tow to a permanent spot for me) to live in when I'm not travelling. I am already getting overwhelmed and frustrated enough to the point where I dont want to chance it and I will just stick with a teardrop since I know I can handle that.

SO...when do you take delivery?

[GaiaGoddess]

krobbe wrote:
If you believe Ford's published capacities, then with a 300LB hitch receiver capacity(Ford Escape Towing Guide pg2 and only 30sqft frontal limitation(2008 Ford Escape Owners Manual pg176, I could only go with a PopUp that weighs less than 2300Lbs. Most TT's have a frontal area around 60sqft. A 300Lb receiver hitch only supports a trailer of 300x7.7 = 2310Lbs.

That is why I've decided on a teardrop just for travel and a Vibe (that someone else will tow to a permanent spot for me) to live in when I'm not travelling. I am already getting overwhelmed and frustrated enough to the point where I dont want to chance it and I will just stick with a teardrop since I know I can handle that.

[GaiaGoddess]

Bumpyroad wrote:

the Escape without towing package is only rated for 2000#. with TP it is rated for 3,500. that is why.
now I don't know what is included in that towing package but the value of that vehicle is $10-14,000 IIRC. how much will she have to dump into it to make it with towing package vs. trading it off and getting a more capable vehicle. perhaps even another Escape with TP?
bumpy

Well of course I was going to get the towing package, the weight you can pull without one is only 1500 pounds! And my friend who had a towing package installed said it was $200. I realize I would need more than that since he has a bigger TV than I do, but even if I had to put a few grand into it, it would be worth it for me.

[GaiaGoddess]

Road Ruler wrote:

Sad actually Les.... All this talk and hardly no discussion on what is required to set it up to make it right. Connection type and hardware, brake controllers, appropriate tire options etc.

Without a doubt the success or failure of GG's project has to to with set up IMHO.

Well 90% of the replies said it was impossible without even considering those details, although I am clearly willing to listen. It would probably be necessary though to choose a trailer first and go from there so I know what I'm working with.