Towing with Ford Escape

[punomatic]

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?

[DownTheAvenue]

lawrosa wrote:
Jayco makes some light stuff. You can get 20 footer/ more trailer with a dry bath..

Just an example

Jayco


Coachmen clipper is an option too with dry bath...

http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=63&ModelID=301#Main

A square bodied conventional RV will push that escape all over the road! It will be way more than just the tail wagging the dog!

[rexlion]

A few people on another forum I frequent are towing with that Escape Ecoboost, and they say it does well enough for them. Most are towing molded fiberglass "egg" trailers, but one guy had a regular stick built TT and he said he had no trouble towing at 70 mph (not saying I approve, just relaying the info).

You will need to monitor your hitch weight closely to make sure it's under 350 lb.

[lawrosa]

Do you have the hitch on already? Was it the tow package from the factory? I think they only installed class II hitches and none WD...

I would be leery of that...

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/13flrv&tt_escape_oct1.pdf

[lawrosa]

Jayco makes some light stuff. You can get 20 footer/ more trailer with a dry bath..

Just an example

Jayco


Coachmen clipper is an option too with dry bath...

http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=63&ModelID=301#Main

[cummins2014]

punomatic wrote:
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?

Having ,and driving the 2013 Escape for over two years now, but have never entertained the thought of towing with it . Will be interesting to see how it works out for you

[blangen]

mbutts wrote:
I think you'd be really unhappy towing that close to the limit of your Escape.

X2. Even if you can get the numbers to work, I don't think the experience will be pleasurable. Take it to an equipment rental yard and rent something as close to that weight as they will allow. Take it for a drive. Let us know what you think.

[lawrosa]

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 179


You 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..

[RWDIII]

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

[punomatic]

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?

[kaydeejay]

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]

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)