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LMS View Drop Down
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Joined: 16 May 2018
Location: Apopka, FL
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Posts: 3 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: New Everything... Need Advice
    Posted: 16 May 2018 at 1:48pm
Embarrassed  In two days we pick up our new 2019 RP-189.  Will be towing with a 2017 Ford Escape w/ tow package and load-leveling hitch.  This is a down-size for us... we have traveled the lower 48 in a 34' Winni-Sightseer but this is my first experience with a towable.  My wife is concerned about the "small space".  I'm concerned about the Escape having the ability to adequately tow.  Its going to require a lot of effort to keep our weight at 3,500#; we are accustomed to packing everything we think we might need.  We will be driving from FL to Indiana to pick-up our unit and expect to travel ~2500 miles over 3 weeks on our return trip.  Looking for words-of-wisdom for our shake down tour!Confused
Lew
RP-189
2017 Ford Escape
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texman View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Jul 2014
Location: TeXas
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Posts: 446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 May 2018 at 2:15pm
looks like that is the max load for the escape to tow?  is that correct? if you are driving to get it, you only bring what the escape can hold, which cant be much.  I would be very concerned with the ability of your tow vehicle. any way to change that at this stage of your plan? 
TexMan 2015 182g
2018 Sequoia
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Leo B View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 May 2018 at 2:38pm
Welcome to the group!, Congrats on your 189.

StephenH  towed with an escape, he should have some advise and words of wisdom for you.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 May 2018 at 4:31pm
I think you are at max for the tow vehicle selected. Personally I would consider a change. I agree with LEO, SH towed with an Escape, right up to point of impact.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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Ghosthawk View Drop Down
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Joined: 01 Apr 2018
Location: Fargo ND
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Posts: 128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2018 at 6:50am
Agree with texman.

2.5L I-4 FWD

1500
1.5L EcoBoost FWD

2000
1.5L EcoBoost AWD

2000
2.0L EcoBoost FWD

3500
2.0L EcoBoost AWD

3500


Not enough, not for me. And not enough horses either.  We recently bought a used 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee to get that capacity up over the 5000 mark.

Figuring 3,000 for the trailer, food, clothing and you and your wife puts you right at max. Take nothing else, make no extra stops.

That tail is going to be wagging the dog. Add in heavy truck traffic or crosswinds and you have a recipe for disaster.
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2627 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2018 at 8:41am
I'll add my voice to the chorus. I think you need a higher capacity vehicle. For a 189, I would be looking for something with ~~ 5,000(+) lb towing capacity.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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LMS View Drop Down
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Joined: 16 May 2018
Location: Apopka, FL
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Posts: 3 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2018 at 1:08pm
Thanks for the feedback.  Wow...Looks like I'm sending a boy to do a man's job.  I'll let you know how my Escape handles the return trip back to Florida (if it gets that far).  Worst case scenario, my RP-189 will be for sale ASAP.  Good thing I'm saving a lot of $$$ over Florida best offer... I might actually be able to breakeven on this ill-fated buy.  Best case scenario, it might be workable for a couple who is in no hurry to get from place to place.  Still looking for someone who has towed a Pod with an Escape...  seems like a rare breed. 
Lew
RP-189
2017 Ford Escape
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Bucky Dutchman View Drop Down
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Joined: 30 Jan 2017
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Posts: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2018 at 2:35pm
We tow with a 2L EcoBoost AWD 2017 Escape with a load leveler/anti sway hitch ... but we have a 172. We are relatively light packers, keep it under 60 mph max, have encountered pretty strong crosswinds and HUGE trucks (3 trailers!) passing us and never felt in peril.
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SqueakyToy17 View Drop Down
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Joined: 16 Mar 2017
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Posts: 21 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2018 at 2:45pm
STRONGLY SUGGEST - Borrow a truck to tow your trailer home. The DRY weight on the trailer ALONE is 2700. Your vehicle tow UP TO 2,000. Never want to max out your tow capacity!

Get AAA before you leave if you decide to tow it with your vehicle.   
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Happy Tripping View Drop Down
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Posts: 473 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2018 at 3:40pm
Originally posted by LMS

I'm concerned about the Escape having the ability to adequately tow.  Its going to require a lot of effort to keep our weight at 3,500#;  We will be driving from FL to Indiana to pick-up our unit and expect to travel ~2500 miles over 3 weeks on our return trip.  

I would definitely prefer more towing capacity but out east, if you stay away from mountains with long grades, and you keep your speed down to 60 mph and your total weight down as much as possible, I think you'll do just fine and have a good trip. 

Then you can start adding weight to it if you feel you are doing ok.
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