Towing with Ford Escape

Lot of good posts and experience with different models. I think one key issue is wheel base. The longer the t.v. the more stable. a Jeep CJ with a 4.0 in line 6 will pull the pod, but the short wheel base will be a factor during cross winds and semi's blowing past you at 75mph. My trailblazer has a long wheel base and weights 4200lbs. the 4.2 in line 6 puts out 295 HP at 6000 RPM. it like most modern cars is running at 1800 RPM at 60 MPH. I like the right lane and stay at 60mph on the flats and 45 to 55 up hills. If I have a long pull on a steep hill I will manually lock the tranny into 2nd or 3rd at hit a target RPM of around 3000 RPM, this will let me stay in the good torque range and keeps the temp down into the 210 range. I have never had an overheating problem pulling even with the temps at around 95 d/f. My t.v. has a towing package but I went ahead and added an external transmission cooler. the cooler is a heck of a lot cheaper than a tranny overhaul.

I towed my 176 for one year with my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.  Hills weren't pleasant, but windy days were the worst.  As Keith-n-Dar notes, drag is more important than weight, especially as speeds increase.  On a trip to CO, I climbed Raton Pass from NM with my Jeep, which was a white-knuckle affair, but didn't last as long as a windy pull across the TX panhandle.  I upgraded to a Ram 1500 (Hemi-powered) two years ago and I now tow in a much more relaxed state, though I still rarely tow above 60.  That said, there were days when 55 felt like my Jeep was taking a beating.

Sleepless:  Not pure sarcasm, but maybe a little!!! Sorry, no harm intended.   I guess I just have experience with the Escape 6 cyl/3.0 and as I mentioned, blew the tranny.  It definately struggled, and  by no means did I run it hard.    It will pull it however.  I guess once you have more power, it is a feeling of comfort and safety. 

Thanks for all the great advice. Based on what you all said, I am not afraid to buy one and tow with the Escape. I will limit my traveling to flat or minor hilly locations until i move up to bigger vehicle.

Thanks

See you out there

  We started with a Saturn View with the Honda V6 it had plenty of power in the Tennessee mountains but not sure of the horsepower or torque of the Ford V6. So I could have been wrong perhaps the Ford Escape would have enough power. I still think Outbound could give a reliable answer.   David