Maintenance & Restoration

Cillyputty61 · 02-27-2018, 08:42 AM

I am going on a cross-country trip towing my 13' Burro with a 4 cylinder Ford Escape. Should I expect any issues with the transmission as long as I avoid the Rocky Mountains and other higher elevations?

Thanks for your advice.

k0wtz · 02-27-2018, 08:45 AM

keep it out of o/d

bob

Cillyputty61 · 02-27-2018, 08:47 AM

I don't have overdrive so I guess I'm all set. Have you towed with a 4 cylinder before?

steve dunham · 02-27-2018, 08:54 AM

Don't know but hopefully Floyd will chime in. He towed his 13 ft Scamp DLX all over the US with his Ford Escape .
Floyd is a Ford Expert .

Cillyputty61 · 02-27-2018, 08:56 AM

That's good to hear. The Escape is getting a good overhaul before I go.

Jon in AZ · 02-27-2018, 09:14 AM

I would suggest a thorough read of everything your owner's manual says about towing. I would also suggest a chat with the mechanic who does your overhaul.

What is the year and drivetrain on your Escape? Ford has used several different 4 cylinder engines with different tow ratings. Do you have electric trailer brakes, and is your Escape wired with an electric brake controller?

Cillyputty61 · 02-27-2018, 09:39 AM

I will have to ask about the drivetrain. I am not mechanically savvy. There are no brakes on the Burro.

David Tilston · 02-27-2018, 09:45 AM

It is brakes that I would recommend. If you get down and look under the trailer, are there square plates behind the wheels? If so, adding brakes is fairly easy. In many cases stopping is much more important then going.

Cillyputty61 · 02-27-2018, 09:51 AM

I will take a look and yes....good point.

Darral T. · 02-27-2018, 10:10 AM

First of all, what does your Burro weigh anyway?

I pull a 13' Scamp with a 4-cyl Nissan Pickup. It weighs in at apx 1800lb ready to pull (loaded). My truck is a manual shift tranny. We live near the Smoky Mts. I would NOT pull my trailer over the Smokies with my rig. No way!...and I have trailer brakes. I would tackle Monteagle Mt. near Chattanooga and have pulled some pretty good hills. Do NOT let your motor bog down. Being automatic, it prolly wont. What alot of people get into with automatics that are not designed for pulling is the constant changing of gears. So DEFINITELY keep it out of O/D!!

Dont believe anyone has mentioned it, but a tranny cooler to me would be added insurance. I also would not pull without trailer brakes but that's my opinion.

Cillyputty61 · 02-27-2018, 10:15 AM

I def wont be pulling that much. The Burro is 800 lbs empty and I am not putting that much in it. I don't have overdrive in the Escape. I'm going to take the least hilly route possible.

Darral T. · 02-27-2018, 10:18 AM

That is VERY light. You shouldnt have ANY problems; especially avoiding steep hills/mts. Just be safe! Brakes would still be a nice additive to have. If you have to stop suddenly, you WILL be glad to have that additional "tug" back there!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cillyputty61

I def wont be pulling that much. The Burro is 800 lbs empty and I am not putting that much in it. I don't have overdrive in the Escape. I'm going to take the least hilly route possible.

David Tilston · 02-27-2018, 10:21 AM

Cilla, Why do you think your trailer is 800 lbs? Seems light to me. If this is based on the sticker inside the trailer, they notoriously underestimate the weight of the trailer. I think they might weigh it with no appliances, or maybe no windows. Take your trailer to a truck weigh scale. Either a free one on the side of the road, or a CAT scale at a truck stop. Then you will know.

Cillyputty61 · 02-27-2018, 10:23 AM

good idea

Jon in AZ · 02-27-2018, 10:28 AM

I'll add, best to load and weigh it as you will to travel- clothes, food, cooking gear, and all.

Darral T. · 02-27-2018, 10:34 AM

OUCH! I thought she had! Good suggestion. I took mine to our local "CO-OP" (farm/feed) place. I weighed each side, tongue, total.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Tilston

Cilla, Why do you think your trailer is 800 lbs? Seems light to me. If this is based on the sticker inside the trailer, they notoriously underestimate the weight of the trailer. I think they might weigh it with no appliances, or maybe no windows. Take your trailer to a truck weigh scale. Either a free one on the side of the road, or a CAT scale at a truck stop. Then you will know.

David B. · 02-27-2018, 10:55 AM

Since you do not have brakes on the trailer, it will be very important to keep your speed way down while decending a mountain pass and shift down a gear or two before any speeding up starts.
Dave & Paula