Towing with Ford Escape
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3776
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Topic: Towing with Ford Escape
Posted By: fjohnson
Subject: Towing with Ford Escape
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 5:19pm
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I was looking at a R-pod to purchase. One of the smaller ones like a 173. I have a 6 cylinder Escape to pull it with and wondered, if realistically, it will do the job safely. My limitations from Ford are:
3500 lbs GVWR 300 lbs tongue 30 sq ft frontal area |
Replies:
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 8:25pm
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the 3.0 liter will pull it, I feel it is a marginal package for long term or coast to coast pulling. In my opinion for short hauls and trips close to home you will do ok. I think if you are towing through mountains and steep terrain you will have to pace your self. After pulling ours for the third season I have found that on the interstate I pull at 60mph on flat or down hill. I stay in the right lane. uphill (of which we have plenty in southern Indiana) 50 or 55. don't like it, go around me. I think you will be ok as long as you are not in strong cross winds or extremely hilly country. ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: Racer|X|
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 8:54pm
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I wouldn't...would suggest more power. ------------- |
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 8:55pm
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Welcome. dsmiths said it all. Many of us started with 6's and have moved to something with a larger engine. It all depends on where and how far you want to go to camp. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 9:11pm
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Outbound, could give you a good answer he has the Mazda Tribute almost identical to the Escape and he tows a 171. As has been said on flat ground or small hills you will get by, but in the mountains it would put a lot of stress on your engine and transmission. David ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2013 at 10:50pm
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We returned from our 6000 mile trip to and from the Southwest in early June towing a 2800 pound (dry weight) travel trailer with our 2010 Santa Fe V6 274 hp AWD tow vehicle. It did great in the strong crosswinds, and did much better than I expected going up and down 6% grades and a 7% one. We did have to downshift on some of the grades, but never exceeded 3000 RPMs. We averaged 12.6 mpg, towing our trailer about 95% of the time. We traded that trailer (due to fiberglass delamination) in on a 2010 R-Pod 173, which is about 800 pounds (dry weight) than our old Dutchman Aerolite Zoom. I expect the pod to tow even better, although everyone seems to be getting very low gas mileage with them. In all my years of towing, I have always allowed my tow vehicle (or motor home) to pick up some speed going downhill or before approaching a hill, and letting the speed drop somewhat going up a grade. Unless we are on flat terrain I don't use cruise control, and find that by "feathering" the gas I get better mileage than when using cruse. I have also noticed and when towing in 5th gear rather than 6th, the ECONOMY light will actually come on. I have not towed our pod on a long trip yet. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2013 at 6:03am
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We were towing with a 6 cal. Grand Cherokee, and it was fine for the flat Florida back roads. I also used the "feathering gas" approach, with the goal of maintaining 1500 rpm, and taking whatever speed that resulted in. Gas mileage hovered around 13-15 mpg. Having said that, and with the ultimate goal of longer excursions, beyond the Florida flatness, we have up- graded to a Silverado 1500 V-8. I expect your experience will be fairly similar. Enjoy yourselves with the current TV, and go bigger and stronger when the time is right. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2013 at 8:29am
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I really think it depends on where you live and where you are going to go camping. I am perfectly fine towing our Pod around here in the Southeast with a 3500# tow capacity. And yes, if I was going to take a trip out west and/or into larger mountains and I took my time doing it I am sure it would be just fine. But if I lived in a more mountainous area or was planning on constantly going camping in mountains (not hills, mountains), then there is no way I would consider it with the TV I have and I would upgrade to something more powerful. ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2013 at 8:32am
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Several years ago I towed an enclosed motorcycle trailer with two bikes (total weight approx 2400 pounds) from St. Louis to Virginia Beach (round trip on Interstate 64) with the Escape. Blew the tranny!!! ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2013 at 9:25am
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I think you'll do fine with it for as long as you want to tow that way. Like others said LOTS of us started with v6's and have for our own reasons decided we wanted more oomph when towing. This will be the 3rd and final season that we tow with our v6 vehicle, upgrading next spring.
------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2013 at 11:23am
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We had 102,000 miles on our last 6 cylinder tow vehicle. Still had the original spark plugs, exhaust and brakes. Absolutely no problems towing. Replaced it with our current 2010 Santa Fe 6 cylinder and, again, no problems. Currently have 26K on the Santa Fe. I believe that driving habits while towing are the keys to success. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2013 at 12:38pm
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Are you pulling on that mountainous Florida terrain? Probably fine there, but anyone who tows with a small V6 will be sorry if going through any type of moutainous terrain. ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2013 at 5:25pm
I don't know if that comment is pure sarcasm or a serious question. Actually, I have not camped in Florida since we sold our Class A motor home. Our trip to and from the Southwest was full of mountainous terrain and the Santa Fe performed like a champ. I don't consider a 274 hp engine a "small" V6. Now that we are towing a lighter trailer, our R-Pod, I expect the Santa Fe to perform even better on our next extended trip. Don't knock an intermediate sized SUV until you know how they perform. I might add that in 2010 we were towing with a Triton V-10 and it was only rated at 310 hp. I do realize that torque does enter into the equation. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2013 at 5:39pm
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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 ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2013 at 7:01pm
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hogone, one reason we bought a 173 is because it does not have the extra weight inherent with those models that do have slides or are heavier due to being longer. Our R-Pod is the lightest hard-sided travel trailer we have ever owned, and is not much heavier than my fishing boat. And, as I mentioned earlier, a good part of efficient towing is attributable to driving habits. I don't think a 173 is really a good test of a TVs towing ability because of its relatively light weight. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: fjohnson
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2013 at 7:52pm
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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 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2013 at 8:59pm
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Weight is not as much of a problem as drag is. Don't plan on running at 70 MPH. Keep it at 50-55 and you will be OK. Also, get a good hitch. You will need it with that light a TV. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2013 at 8:45am
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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. ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2013 at 8:56am
That's good HP for your TV. That's the thing, our V6 is at the low end of HP and I feel that we suffer because of it. I would be much happier with what you have!  ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: david950
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2013 at 10:25am
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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. If you're not in a hurry, and can deal with the stress (on you and your vehicle) of occasional hills and windy days, you may be ok with your V-6. I just got to the point where I felt like I was putting too much "hurt" on my Jeep. Of course, now my wife wants a bigger travel trailer. Should we make that decision, I hope it doesn't mean a 3/4 ton diesel is in my future!
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Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2013 at 2:04pm
hogone, thanks for the comments. I don't want to belabor talking about the Santa Fe, but most people don't realize that the "new" models like mine with the largest engine weight in at well over 4000 pounds. It has plenty of hp, great 0-60 acceleration, but it is light on torque at lower RPMs. Unfortunately, it turns 2000 RPM at 60 mph, while its hp is rated somewhere around 6300 RPM. The only complaint I have about it as a TV is we need more room for storage on our extended trips. With my wife and 3 small dogs, it becomes a little tight near the end of our trips. I have mentioned before that I am an old coot, and I have a few medical problems that sometimes affect my patience and moods. I don't want to get on the bad side of you or anyone else on the Forum. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2013 at 4:24pm
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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. ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |