Tow vehicle - 2013 ford escape ecoboost

[Rycamp]

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

[Rycamp]

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.

[carringb]

And here's one the specifically says "works with handsfree tailgate":
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Ford/Escape/2013/87627.html?vehicleid=20138730

[carringb]

I recommend this hitch:
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Ford/Escape/2013/C13131.html?vehicleid=20138722

It's rated for 4,000/525 pounds, and is easier to install than the others. Main downside is visually it sticks out more. It has enough capacity for tongue weight as you don't try to pack the cargo area full at the same time.

If you want it, you should be able to get the dealer to upload the programming for trailer sway control.

[Francesca_Knowl]

Rycamp wrote:


I'll have to contact jayco and get the proper "wet" numbers, would they give that out if i called the dealer that sells it?

I think in your opening post you gave "GVWR" of the trailer as 3500 pounds. Assuming that's correct: "GVWR" is gross (total) loaded weight, not curb weight...that's the maximum load the trailer's expected/permitted to carry. For planning purposes that should be considered the "wet number".

[Rycamp]

Thanks for the information, that's the technical information i came here for. I was thinking the same thing. This would be mainly used for weekend camping, would not be filling the tanks or anything as it would be for 2 days here and there during the weekends with light loading (very light). Later on we will upgrade the TV and plan longer trip which would require more space.

I'll have to contact jayco and get the proper "wet" numbers, would they give that out if i called the dealer that sells it?

[Gdetrailer]

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.

[bikendan]

for one thing, you'll probably exceed the 350lbs. tongue capacity, since the bogus "dry" tongue weight is 315lbs.
and you'll need a type III minimum hitch receiver to use a WDH.

one problem is that, the Escape's towing capacity hasn't changed from the old v-6's rating, even with the extra power of the Ecoboost.
so, having the stronger engine really won't change what it can tow, it'll just make hills easier.

and you'll have to really look close at the Escape's payload capacity.
with passengers, cargo and a WDH, you may also exceed that when you add the actual tongue weight.

[Rycamp]

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)

[OH48Lt]

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.

[Francesca_Knowl]

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.

[Rycamp]

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!

[Trail-Mate]

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.