I have a 2013 Ford Escape 2.0L EcoBoost. According to Ford, it develops 240hp and has a tow capacity of 3500# and GCWR of 7626 lbs. What are your thoughts about using that vehicle to tow a Forest River rPod RP-179, with the following specs: hitch wt. 285 lbs., base wt. 2630 lbs., GVWR TBD lbs., load capacity 1155 lbs.I don't quite understand why the GVWR is TBD, when they give the base weight and load capacity. And I understand that the base weight and cargo capacity add up to 3785 lbs. We currently carry about 600# of gear in our TC. If transferred to the trailer, that would put us at 3230 lbs. Add 100 lbs for propane, battery and enough water to flush the toilet while traveling. That puts us at 3330 lbs. The Escape weighs in at 4000lbs with me and DW aboard.So, what do you think? Is this a reasonable idea?

I think you'd be really unhappy towing that close to the limit of your Escape. Although the r-pod is compact, you'll probably be over the 20 square foot trailer frontage limit that Ford suggests.Ford 2013 Towing Guide (see page 13)

Don't forget the towing capacity is reduced by everything in the vehicle except for a 150# driver.So, IMHO, not a good match.Escapes can make good toads, not towers!

mbutts wrote:I think you'd be really unhappy towing that close to the limit of your Escape. Although the r-pod is compact, you'll probably be over the 20 square foot trailer frontage limit that Ford suggests.Ford 2013 Towing Guide (see page 13)Actually, the guide says 30 sq.ft. for the 2.0L EcoBoost. I was wondering if that means total frontal surface or only the part that exceeds the frontal surface of the car. Do you know?

you need a nice pop up,like an Aliner.I had one for years with a 175 hp Tacoma

mbutts wrote:I think you'd be really unhappy towing that close to the limit of your Escape. Although the r-pod is compact, you'll probably be over the 20 square foot trailer frontage limit that Ford suggests.Ford 2013 Towing Guide (see page 13)Its actually 30 sq ft...Youll probably be fine IMO..R pod 179You will need a WD hitch though and watch your axle weights. That 285 lbs TW will be more. What you should do is fill the escape with gas, people, and cargo like going camping and take it to a cat scale. Get those #'s and post back. Compare that to the axle ratings of the escape. That will tell you if you have payload left for TW..Also a trans cooler is a must. Get the biggest you can fit... Then if you have engine heat issues after the trans cooler is installed then an oil cooler will be needed...Also your tire ratings are important because the tires carry the load. What are your tire weight ratings at max psi?That escape has similair specs to my old s 10 p/u. I tow 4500 lbs wet..

Towing with Ford Escape | Good Sam Community

rbbaldwin1
Explorer
Jul 23, 2024
4WD you should be fine. Use a weight distribution hitch and make sue the trailer has brakes. In the Front Wheel Drive Escape, traction will be a major issue. Also make sure you have the right amount of rise on your ball mount to keep the trailer tounge level.
- way2roll
  Navigator II
  Jul 24, 2024
  While I am sure this information would have been helpful, this topic is almost 10 years old.
PAThwacker
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
Having owned a pup, I'd recommend an 8 ft only pup for that car. Popup camping or any type usually adds loads of gear to the tow vehicle.
Mike_Up
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
Looked at the 2012 Escape and a 2013 Escape. We bought the 2012 Escape due to having a larger cargo area.

The 2013 was shorter in the cargo area which limited the size of cargo.

As far as limitations on towing go, the payload was only about 800 lbs with the 2013 Escape opposed to about 1050 lbs with the 2012 Escape. That low payload on the 2013 will not leave much, if any, payload left for a pop up tongue weight.

Yes it has a 3500 lbs tow rating and a low 350 lbs tongue weight rating, but the payload is what limits it the most.

I can't see anyone towing anything other than a small pop up with an Escape as short as the wheelbase is and how narrow the vehicle is.

I think the right size pop up can be done with a couple of passengers and gear, but not a small TT without going over the GVWR by a large amount. That affects handling under emergency swerves and such.
punomatic
Explorer
Jan 13, 2015
Thank you all for your feedback. I am not imminently in the market for an rPod, so I will chew on your advice and make a decision later.
CptSydor
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015
I towed a T@da with a 2013 Escape 2.0 Ecoboost AWD with tow package.

2200lbs dry, very light hitch weight. Very low profile (height and width).

Dutchman T@da

Did a bunch of 500-1000 km trips and a large eastern Canada/US trip of about 4000-5000km, including through some hills in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Quebec. Generally 2 people, moderate gear, a couple bikes, sometimes on the roof.

I used just a straight hitch. It towed okay. I never felt unsafe nor was I a hazard on the road to other vehicles. My partner was comfortable towing it as well. I'm quite sure I could have set it up to tow better with a more sophisticated hitch system, but never really felt the need.

Certainly wasn't lacking power, never overheated. The added weight of the R-Pod probably wouldn't mean too much, but any additional frontal area compared to the T@da certainly would.

My opinion, I was comfortable pulling our T@da. I personally wouldn't have wanted to go any bigger. While I was comfortable and never felt unsafe, I wouldn't have wanted to add any additional burden (weight, frontal area, length) to my experience.

And in saying that, knowing I was going to upgrade the trailer, I bought and F150 this year and towed the T@da 6000km round trip to Colorado. Obviously a much different towing experience. I could definitely 'relax' a little with the larger tow vehicle. That meant a lot on the longer stretches of hwy.
lawrosa
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015
rjstractor wrote:
I think what kills that Escape pulling the Coachman is the frontal area. The R-pod should pull much easier being more aerodynamic. It would be sad if the car could not pull its rated weight without overheating. So much for those new SAE towing standards....

Im sure there are ways to keep it cooler. My buddy has a jeep that runs hot towing a living lite.. He hooked an aftermarkey unit to put it in tow haul mode as his jeep did not have that.

Also he got a bigger fan and forced it to highspeed.

He is looking into a bigger radiator..

13 escape with r pod
rjstractor
Nomad
Jan 12, 2015
I think what kills that Escape pulling the Coachman is the frontal area. The R-pod should pull much easier being more aerodynamic. It would be sad if the car could not pull its rated weight without overheating. So much for those new SAE towing standards....
lawrosa
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
Seems cooling capacity is lacking. whether from trans or size of radiator.

Read here on real world towing of 13 escape

http://www.escape-city.com/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=21113

http://www.escape-city.com/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=21113

coachmen

living lite 13
RinconVTR
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
Many will poo-poo towing anything with any small or mid size SUV. Its unfortunate.

In my world, it matters where you are headed and how often. If you're staying in state, 5-6 weekend warrior summer trips, and not traveling more than say...2-5 hours from home, I think your good.

The issue is not being near max, or at max, that's fine. Its that when you're there, its not going to be the most comfortable tow. You will always know its behind you and that's stressful for many. If you can deal with that, your decision is easy.

I'd also advise using a WDH. The soft SUV springs will thank you, and you will feel more connected and in control of the trailer, not to mention it will level you out.
rjstractor
Nomad
Jan 11, 2015
I'm going to go against the grain and say you will have a good combo if the hitch is set up correctly. You've done your weight figuring conservatively and still under GCWR. The R-pod is an aerodynamic shape, not a box on wheels and this will make a big difference in how well it tows. With 240 hp and 270 ft./lbs of torque moving just 7500 pounds you will be able to keep up with traffic on any hill you can find. I used to have a Ford Aerostar and I towed a 1000 lb. heavier trailer with 110 less horsepower and 40 ft./lbs less torque and power was adequate to pull mountain passes at 50+ mph.