Towing with Ford Escape

I would like to purchase the rpod 180, I have a 2012 Ford Escape with the tow package. Does anyone have any experience with this configuration? Does it tow safely?

That link is irrelevant to the Escape towing a trailer. That link was for a motorhome towing the Escape with all 4 wheels on the ground.
Agreed that the 3500 is marginal for a 180. I would not tow without a good weight distribution hitch with sway control. I towed with a 2016 Escape until we hit some ice. Even with the Equal-i-zer hitch, the combination of ice and wind was too much. We are now towing with a Nissan Frontier which has a 6100 lb tow rating.

I had a 177 that I intended to tow with the exact same vehicle (same year Escape with tow package.) My RV dealer seemed doubtful the Escape could really handle the weight, but I felt confident it would be fine since I didn't intend to haul with any full tanks or much gear. We went just 20 miles on our maiden voyage with a stiff wind before we turned around and headed back. I could tell the transmission was being stressed to it's limit and it wouldn't be more than a season or maybe two before I would likely end up needing to replace it. So I ended up buying a Tacoma tow rated to 7200 lbs. However, I know there are people on this board who have done it. I just love my Escape too much to do that to it! (We sold my wife's sedan for the Tacoma!)

My mechanic just told me he would never recommend towing with a Nissan Frontier, or a Toyota Tacoma. He said the rear end and the wheel bearings cant take it, and he wouldn't even recommend using it to pull a heavy utility trailer.  I personally think thats crazy talk, but its really hard to get people to agree on what is a good tow vehicle. My dealer told me his recommendation is " buy the biggest thing you can afford" when he is asked.

Originally posted by furpod To be honest, we VERY rarely have owners complain they have "to much" truck.. LOL. Buying bigger has at least one advantage.. if you go with a bigger camper later, you (hopefully) won't need a new truck also.