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Old 07-23-2013, 03:44 PM   #1
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Towing vehicle - 2013 ford escape ecoboost

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 questions 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 to give you an example :

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
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Old 07-23-2013, 05:01 PM   #2
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Welcome to the forum. A few things to keep in mind,

The loaded tongue weight could be as much as 10-15% of the loaded trailer weight. The sticker will only give the dry weight as delivered from factory. Another consideration is the tow rating includes any passengers and gear in the car, along with the weight of the trailer. So if you load the trailer to GVWR (3500 LBS) and have 300 lbs of passengers, 200 lbs of gear in car you would be over by 500lbs. as your car`s tow rating is stated to be at 3500lbs.

Tow rating explained:

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...uot-Tow-Rating
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Old 07-23-2013, 06:04 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rycamp View Post
snip...... 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.......snip
The first thing I would do to reduce the weight guess work, is take your Escape under "loaded" going camping conditions (full fuel, passengers, simulated cargo weight, etc.) to a CAT scale and weigh it. Subtract the CAT scale weight from the Escape's specified GVWR located on the driver's door. The remaining weight is what you have for the "loaded" tongue weight of the trailer and any other weight not accounted for at the CAT scale.

Yes, the trailer's loaded tongue weight is supported by your Escape, not the trailer's axles.

Also, when looking at a any new trailer, think in terms of potential "loaded" tongue and trailer weights because not to many of us tow empty trailers. For future reference RV and WDH manufactures recommend that the "loaded" tongue weight be in the range of 10% to 15% of the loaded trailer weight.

If your specific Escape's tow rating is 3,500lbs, and maximum tongue weight is 350lbs......., a higher rated receiver hitch will not increase the Escape's specified maximum weights. Also confirm in your owners manual that your Escape can use a WDH, and if there are any restrictions.

A trip to your local CAT scale with your TV will help a lot with your trailer selection.

Bob
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Old 07-23-2013, 09:40 PM   #4
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Towing vehicle - 2013 ford escape ecoboost

I don't think you'd be happy with that setup. The escape is small and probably shouldn't be towing anything that large. An explorer or similar vehicle is much better suited for that camper.

Personally, a popup would probably be a better fit for your vehicle.
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Old 07-23-2013, 10:09 PM   #5
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Thanks for the replies! I have a few weights to consider

gcwr 7626
Escape gvwr 3952
trailer 2550 - or do we use 3500 as its the gmwr

I know this isnt the most ideal setup. More to get me started until I can get a f150 ecoboost as a second vehciles. We would be doing weekend camping dry, very light packing and no filling.

Thanks for the feedback as well on the pup. Thought about and looked at them but underwh3lming when thinhinking about the hybrids! I can only do what I can tow though your right.

as well I would get trailer brakes.


any thoughts on those number?
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Old 07-23-2013, 11:02 PM   #6
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IMO you are really asking a lot of an Escape.

Manufactures of smaller SUVs often reference a MAX frontal area as part of the tow specs too. Check you manual and see if there is any mention of this. Besides weight, the wind resistance from pulling a big box places a lot of strain on the TV and may be you limiting factor before even considering weight.

UPDATE:

I looked up your Escapes tow specs and as I suspected there is a 30 sq ft frontal area limitation. Ford defines this as the total number of square feet that a moving vehicle and trailer expose to air resistance.

The trailer is roughly 7'x9" or 63 sq ft. Although some of this will not be exposed because of the Escapes individual frontal area, but either way the TV plus exposed area of the hybrid will most certainly exceed 30 sq ft.

It doesn't appear Ford's engineers designed the Escape to tow a travel trailer. Maybe a popup or another option that doesn't have frontal area much greater than that of the Escape.
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Old 07-24-2013, 12:15 AM   #7
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Here is one test to see what your Escape can tow. Go to your local U-Haul rental store, see what they will let your rent (weight, GVWR, size - cubic feet) in nature of a trailer. You will see, they will not rent you a trailer that has even any comparison in weight capacity of what you are wanting to tow
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Old 07-24-2013, 05:09 AM   #8
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My opinion..... if you are interested in dry camping, that usually means a lot of extra gear.....water, extra batteries, generator, solar....etc. You'll also probably want to get to primitive sites - so ground clearance can quickly become a factor. Find a pop-up with decent ground clearance. The lighter weight and shorter overall wheelbase will suit your needs better and you'll have the extra payload and means to purchase the things you'll find you are going to want.

Good Luck!
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Old 07-24-2013, 05:34 AM   #9
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largest u-haul towable avail is 6x12 which is a dual axel, surge brakes and far lighter than the TT in question and I agree they wont let you rent even that. Im not too familliar with the Excape but is it normally FWD or RWD? FWD could be a sketchy ride with the added weight on the rear axel. If anything (and your set on buying this TT) see if the dealer will let you test tow it before signing so you atleast know what your in for then you can make the call. I cant see them sending you out the door with a new TT knowing your TV cannot safely tow it. Personally I'd look at a smaller or lighter TT.
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Old 07-24-2013, 06:09 AM   #10
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'tis a handsome 'lil booger......[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

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nice floorplan, too...
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Old 07-24-2013, 06:55 AM   #11
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Towing vehicle - 2013 ford escape ecoboost

IMHO don't know how far in the future the F150 is but you would be better off getting that first. That will give you a much greater range of possible TTs to choose from.
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Old 07-26-2013, 12:44 PM   #12
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Will it tow it - Yes - as I have towed a Starcraft 176 with one. If you have to go up any hills then you are in trouble with the Escape. It will get you there but you will drop gas millage to about 10-12 MPG and do not even try to go over 55 with it. Short distance you might be OK long distance is not a good idea. Get the F150 as soon as you can. Also you will definitely need a WDH with that even to get it home. good luck.
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