Anyone towing with a 2013 Ford Escape?

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I just looked at the picture and read the article, sorry about that, no offense meant to the sisterhood. I went back and edited my post.

O.K....I guess we'll let you live....for now.

I'm gettin' on the Hitlist Hotline right now with a standdown order. Not that we won't be standing by...

Francesca

[Rick Mooyman]

Still did not get the answer I was looking for, but did get a lot of interesting info along the way in this thread.

[cpaharley2008]

Reminds me of the Rolling Stones, "Can't always get what you want, but if you try hard enough you get what you need" song

[honda03842]

Rick,
I guess that not many own a new 2013 Escape but you did get a good answer from Floyd, a big supporter of the Escape.

[sbhtennis]

The specs says the Escape SE with 2.0L Ecoboost has the 3500 lb towing capacity. Do you know if the Escape S model with the 2.5 L Duratec I4 IVCT engine can tow.? I would hope to someday tow something like a Scamp 16' RV. The dealer showed me the 2.5L model and the price is right , but I don't know much about towing, cars and their engines. Should I be looking at the 2.0 L ecoboost instead?? ( more $$ though)

[Rick Mooyman]

The specs read as follows:
2.5 tows 1500#
1.6 tows 2000#
2.0 tows 2000#
2.0 with tow package tows 3500#

Yes it costs more to upgrade to the SE with 2.0 and tow package in the US is actually $4090 more for FWD and $5840 more if you go for the 4WD. And abit more here in Canada because we have to pay more for the same products here in Canada. I went with the SE 2.0 with tow package and 4WD. Everything I read tells me it was worth spending the extra money to get the right package for me. that 2.5 may be a good engine but I think it will not be around much longer. Rumor has it that it may not be offered for 2014.

I looked at all the comps and at 1500 to 2000# towing capacity limits you to what kind of camper you can tow. You have to remember that an empty 13' Scamp is 1200# and the 16' is 1750# so with gear and stuff in the trunk you are at the limits of most small SUV's.

The Escape SE 2.0 4WD with tow package at 3500# towing capacity is the package that was a no brainer for me. And being Ingot Silver with the Charcoal Black cloth interior it will look very nice too.

Rick

[Rick Mooyman]

Yes Norm I read the thread that Floyd has on towing with the outgoing Escape. He has some very good info. The New Escape is actually based on the Ford Focus. The only carry over from the old to the new is the base 2.5L engine, everything else is NEW.

I was told that my New Escape is being built on Monday March 25th. I can't wait to start driving it.

Rick

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Rick Mooyman

The specs read as follows:
2.5 tows 1500#
1.6 tows 2000#
2.0 tows 2000#
2.0 with tow package tows 3500#

Yes it costs more to upgrade to the SE with 2.0 and tow package in the US is actually $4090 more for FWD and $5840 more if you go for the 4WD. And abit more here in Canada because we have to pay more for the same products here in Canada. I went with the SE 2.0 with tow package and 4WD. Everything I read tells me it was worth spending the extra money to get the right package for me. that 2.5 may be a good engine but I think it will not be around much longer. Rumor has it that it may not be offered for 2014.

I looked at all the comps and at 1500 to 2000# towing capacity limits you to what kind of camper you can tow. You have to remember that an empty 13' Scamp is 1200# and the 16' is 1750# so with gear and stuff in the trunk you are at the limits of most small SUV's.

The Escape SE 2.0 4WD with tow package at 3500# towing capacity is the package that was a no brainer for me. And being Ingot Silver with the Charcoal Black cloth interior it will look very nice too.

Rick

I believe that with the tow package, the stability control system is somehow modified to prevent trailer sway. Other than that I would guess that one could upgrade a 2.0L lower trim model to tow 3500# by adding some options like a transmission cooler etc. For sure less than $4000.

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...scape_oct1.pdf

[Rick Mooyman]

The $4090 is the upgrade from the Basic S model to the SE adding 2.0 and the tow package. The Tow package is only $390 in the USA and $500 in Canada. I don't think you can do the upgrades to the vehicle any cheaper then that. Just the hitch and harness cost that much.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Rick Mooyman

The $4090 is the upgrade from the Basic S model to the SE adding 2.0 and the tow package. The Tow package is only $390 in the USA and $500 in Canada. I don't think you can do the upgrades to the vehicle any cheaper then that. Just the hitch and harness cost that much.

So, the tow package is an additional $390 over the price of an Escape with a 2.0L but no tow package?

[Rick Mooyman]

Yup

Can't buy a hitch, harness and trans cooler aftermarket for that price and add it on. And then you still have to figure out the reprogram of the sway control.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Rick Mooyman

Yup

Can't buy a hitch, harness and trans cooler aftermarket for that price and add it on. And then you still have to figure out the reprogram of the sway control.

Right, so the big price you pay is to get the 2.0L engine because you need to bump the trim level to get it.

[Rick Mooyman]

Yup I paid extra for the bump from S to SE then another bump for 2.0L and another for the 4WD option.

[sbhtennis]

thanks for the info

[David Tilston]

OK, sorry moderators, I am coping and pasting. I posted this in the wrong thread.

Originally Posted by David Tilston

If it doesn't include a brake controller and a seven pin plug, with a #10 power wire, what's the point? I'd prefer a 2" receiver anyway. If there are welders in your life, the install is a 24 flat away from done. The beer is definitely provided, after the install.
I looked at the tow package on the 2013 Ford Escape. $500. Is it more then a 4 pin plug and a class 2 hitch with the deletion of the foot operated hatch? I'd like to install a class 3 hitch, and try moving the sensors, or what ever. I think this would be a nice option. Is a transmission cooler at least part of it?

This traction control algorithm is interesting though. I wonder if it can be activated after the fact.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

OK, sorry moderators, I am coping and pasting.

You just paste away if that's what it takes to keep you coping, David!

Francesca

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

.........
This traction control algorithm is interesting though. I wonder if it can be activated after the fact.

I assume that you mean the stability control system. My guess is that the control unit can be re-flashed if you found a willing dealer.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

I assume that you mean the stability control system. My guess is that the control unit can be re-flashed if you found a willing dealer.

The traction control system,the electronic stability control, Tire pressure monitoring,and ABS are all federally MANDATED since 2008. No dealer is gonna be willing to modify any of these due to this heavy handed interference.

Logan... Absolutely NOTHING happens without government interference!

$16,000 divided by $4 per gallon then multiplied by 25MPG = 100,000miles of free gas for my 2008 Escape compared to the equivalent hybrid purchase. All that and only a 2MPG difference in rated highway mileage.
At the present rate I will have to start "buying" my own fuel in about another 5 years.
The 2013 Escape has a base engine which is a 2.5L version of my 2.3L Escape. My 2.3L has about 10% less power and has towed my 13 Scamp very well for 5 years so far.
The similarities start to fade at that point.

[jalanjen]

Tom,
As of today @ 3:00pm CST.... you are NOT alone!

We purchased a 2013 Ford Escape AWD Titanium 2.0L with Factory Tow package.

We were towing with a 2002 Ford Escape XLT 4x4 with Factory Tow Package. We lovingly cared for it for 11+ years! I hope to repeat the longevity with this one.

[LeonardS]

I for one am waiting to hear how the little eco boost engine does. I am sort of considering one myself, very glad there are some kind souls willing to be pioneers. Most interested in reports of mpg and power, as well as handling.

A contribution to the hybrid comments (partial hijack): If coasting in a hybrid turns on regenerative braking, I wonder if there would be any advantage to fitting motors in the hubs of the trailers themselves and, using a similar brake controller that the car has, turn the motors into generators to top off the tug's battery. Of course to do it right one would have to either have the cooperation of the vehicle manufacturer, or be good at hacking such things. Probably more trouble than it is worth...