06 Ford Escape Towing

[BigSling]

I know there was a thread back in April about towing with a Ford Escape and the big concern was the tranny in the 01-05 models. I have a 06 XLT with the tow package (tow capacity 3,500lbs and gvwr 4,640lbs). I've been looking at getting a new boat and figure the whole package with the trailer (which lists a gwvr at 2,960lbs) will be around 2,000-2,100lbs. How much do y'all think I'm pushing it? I've had the Escape for less than a year and would love to avoid needing a new vehicle.

[Scott K]

The tranny's on them are better then the 01-05's. But they still arent the greatest while towing larger loads. If it was a small boat, or just something you would pull once in a while, on short trips I would say no big deal, but if you are using it to pull 200 miles several times a year, I would be looking for a bigger tow vehicle.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Through in a couple of guys and gear and your really pushing it.

It may pull it just fine but it will never stop it. In an emergency stop that boat will push you right through what you are trying to avoid.

If you wouldn't pull it with a smaller front wheel drive sedan than you should think about towing it with a small front wheel drive suv which is nothing more than a small sedan with a lift kit and some extra glass.

[BigSling]

If it was a small boat, or just something you would pull once in a while, on short trips I would say no big deal, but if you are using it to pull 200 miles several times a year, I would be looking for a bigger tow vehicle.

Just for a bit more info to let you know boat size, I'm looking mostly at either the Alumacraft Classic 165 CS or Lund Rebel 1625 XL SS. I'd say 99% of trips with it would be between 30-70mi.

[delcecchi]

If you were worried about stopping you could get surge brakes on trailer. You are close to needing them to be legal (3000 lb gvwr on trailer)

[Powerstroke]

In a few minutes of checking I found that the setup will weigh closer to 1200-1500 lbs, but obviously you know better what you're planning on buying.

That being said, if it was closer to my weights I'd you're fine. If the setup truly is closer to 2000lbs, I'd be looking for something different, boat or tow vehicle.

Typically when you're planning a tow you want to have 5-10% for safety margin, but on a trailer like that you don't have brakes, so you're relying on the car to stop the whole works as well as handle that trailer on the road during a crosswind, bumpy road or a passing semi. I'd be thinking a 20% margin.

Your vehicle has a GCVWR of 7200lbs and the GVWR of 4640. The curb weight is 3350. Usually that includes a 150lb driver and a tank of gas. Add in the weight of anything else you plan on bringing in the vehicle, that adds to the GVWR as does the tongue weight.

I'm thinking that your vehicle will probably be fine although with a rear end at 2.93 it will be a dog until you hit freeway speeds. The numbers add up but inevitably the seat of the pants feeling might not be what you want.

[BigSling]

I'd rather overshoot the actual weight than be low so I added estimated weights for accessories such as the outboard/trolling motors, batteries, full tank of gas, etc. If I wanted a 20% safety cushion from the GCVWR, I'm looking at a total weight of 5760lbs. With a GVW of 3800 (added some for passengers/cargo), that leaves me with 1960lbs for tow load unless I'm forgetting something.

It gets a bit clearer after basically throwing that 3500lb tow rating aside. That makes me feel a bit better about the possibility of salvaging the Escape but I may still hook it up to a friend's boat and do some controlled experimenting. Thanks again for all the input.

One rig comes with a shoreland'r trailer that I'll definitely check for surge brakes to take some of the anxiety out of stopping.

[MJ1657]

One rig comes with a shoreland'r trailer that I'll definitely check for surge brakes to take some of the anxiety out of stopping.

Good plan.

[Powerstroke]

A trailer brake system will be money well spent if you want to keep the escape for a few years. The cost will be minimal compared to a new vehicle and will increase your safety margin.