Trailering w/a 2004 Escape?

[jimq26]

Hey North Star - let us know how you make out OK?

I'm picking up a 2008 Escape this week, and will be interested in what you find out.

 

[North Star]

This is all very interesting information.

The decision of what to do will be difficult. I wasn't going to buy a boat if I couldn't tow it with my vehicle...but can I live without it now that I found a good one? Hmmm. Maybe a beater truck is the best option. I will post an update when possible. In the meantime, if there is anyone out there towing approx 3500 lbs with an Escape please share your experiences. JIMQ26: Good luck with your 08 Escape, I love my 04. Thanks everyone!North Star

 

[Mike Misko]

I tow with my Escape

I have an '01 Escape AWD. It is rated to TOW 3500 lbs. We tow a camper and a H23 on a Trailer. I'm sure we've gone a bit past the 3500lb. limit, and never had any problem.

 

[Andy1237]

Trade for pickup

Hey Northstar-wanna trade? How bout a '99 Chev Silverado Ext Cab. Better than a beater and it has a tow package on it! I kinda like the looks of the Escapes but I like the name "Mariner" on the Merc!Happy Towin' & Sailing

 

[North Star]

'99 for an '04?

Andy, that's a sweet deal but I think I should pass;-). Check both (Ford and Merc...sometimes one offers a good deal when the other isn't.)

 

[aa.aunins]

How far and how often

How far and how often do you plan to tow the boat and under what kind of trafic conditions? Your truck is just like you or me, we can lift and move a lot of weight for a short distance but the further we have to go the less we can handle with any kind of grace, safty to ourselves or speed. I work consruction and pull a trailer every day. I used to use a 1/2ton Pick up that pulled my trailer with no seen problems, plenty of power and brakes. After two years of doing it every day both of the frame rails cracked and I switched to a 3/4 ton. When it comes to towing I find that it is safer and less stressful if you have more than enough truck for your needs. If you're just going from the ramp to the marina yard than I wouldn't worry a bit. 50 miles through heavy trafic, with panic braking do to bad drivers and driving at highway speeds every time you go out for a sail, well you might look for a bigger truck.

 

[watercolors]

Keep it cool!

Engine and transmission oil cooler will make this vehicle a boat hauler. I toed my loaded down Catalina 22 with a Ford Ranger, 3.0 V6, auto transmission and a very high 2. 73 rear end gears. The coolers kept the most important parts real cool even towing up and over the mountains here in central Pennsylvania. Averaged about 1000 miles a year for about 8 years and when sold used no oil at 110,000 miles. Just use come sense, I pulled this boat at about 45 with the Ranger and about 55 with a F150.http://www.autoanything.com/coolers/65A3050A0A0.aspx

 

[North Star]

Travel will be limited

to marina and ramp which are within miles of each other. Some day I would like to take it further (Lake Erie or south) but that will only come with experience. I will take everyone's advise and arrange for an alternative towing vehicle when that comes about.

 

[NautiDuck]

Heaven help you

...when you need to make an emergency stop or maneuver. No way should that vehicle tow a 22 foot sailboat. I would guess your trailer has a single axle. Blow a tire and you are toast. Sorry, but you will be an accident waiting to happen. Get a used pickup.

 

[Tim Welsh]

Your local transmission shop will love you

Hey, I run a transmission shop and the transmissions that are in a ford escape are the same as a mazda 626 of a ford contour. It is NOT a transmission that will take very much abuse. The torque converters are very small and will create a lot of heat. I don't suggest you tow very much at all with one.Tim WelshHunter 34S/V Cabo Wabo

 

[KAC222]

Transmission Cooler?

Even with a transmission cooler?

 

[TimCup]

hope i can help- I work for a ford dealer!

Northstar- 1st off, since you have no hitch, you don't have the trailer tow package. That means your vehicle, with the 3.0 V6 is rated for a maximum of 2000 lbs, not the 3500# others have suggested. But those others are right (more in a moment). I can attest that both dealer and manufacturers make a habit of advertising the maxs, whether your vehicle has the equipment or not! Now for the confusing part- what does the trailer tow package include? It actually varies on each vehicle (F series give you larger radiator, bigger alternator, trans cooler, class 3 hitch). On the Escape, the package is just the 4 pin wiring harness and the hitch receiver. So why the 2000# limit? That assumes a bumper hitch! As soon as you install a hitch, voila, you can tow 3500. Now you can install either a class 2 or a class 3. The difference is a 2 has maximum tow of 3500, class 3 is 5000. Those are facts, if it's okay, my opinion... if you live on flat terrain, if you trailer has working brakes, and if you aren't towing hundreds of miles, I'd use it if I were in your spot. And now, a post for jimq26!

 

[TimCup]

Hey jimq26-

in spite of the fact that the escape is "all new" for 2008, the towing is the same as the 04- 3500 with towing package. I'm sure you guys are aware, but I'll say it anyway- you can only put a 4 pin trailer connector for lights. Ford says the Escape is NOT equipted to handle the need of a trailer with electric brakes, so mechanical brake trailers only. (PS- if you get the 4 cylinder, the towing is actually benn lowered to 1500#). Hope this helps. Fair winds.

 

[TimCup]

And it's important to check EACH vehicle!

The Ranger IS rated for 6000#, but only for the 4.0 regular cab w/ 7" bed- good luck even finding one. The MUCH more common 3.0? Try 2500#, it's even less than the escape. Your short trips negate the need for trans cooler that you don't have (that thingy in front of the radiator is for A/C). Like I said, smartly, carefully, slowly driven, I'd do it.

 

[KAC222]

TimCup...thank you!!!

I was hoping to hear this. Yes, the terrain is relatively flat and the trailer will have hydrolic brakes once I fix them. One more little detail to ask about...I found information about the No Boundaries package (I do not have) which stated "Requires Class II Trailer Towing Pkg.. NA w/power sunroof." I have a powered sunroof. Is this something to worry about?

 

[TimCup]

North Star

you don't need to be concerned. The No Boundaries package can with a special roof rack- extra long to hold Kayaks, etc, and had steps that folded down from rear of rack so you could climb up. The rack actually blocked some of the power moon roof. That's the only reason you couldn't get both. Has nothing to do with towing capability. Good luck, amd fair winds!

 

[Bruce]

towing with a 2008 Escape

I just picked up my 2008 Escape 4wd Limited with the tow package and I am confused as to whether is has a transmission cooler sufficient for me to tow my boat and trailer (2500 lbs). I asked the dealer what it would cost to install an auxillary transmission cooler and the service department said they would have to pull the bumper to install and want $650 dollars.