Introduce Yourself: Towing with Ford Escape

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Towing with Ford Escape

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9366
Printed Date: 25 May 2025 at 2:40pm
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Topic: Towing with Ford Escape

Posted By: Bobr
Subject: Towing with Ford Escape
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2017 at 10:44pm

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?

Replies:

Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2017 at 7:35am

3500 pound towing capacity is marginal but see -

http://rv-dreams.activeboard.com/t50334524/towing-2012-ford-escape

for transmission problems.

Good luck

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2017 at 9:03am

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.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: Bobr
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2017 at 4:12pm

Thanks

Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2017 at 6:06pm

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!)

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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport

Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 8:12am

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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding

Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 8:21am

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.

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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 9:38am

Originally posted by mjlrpod

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.

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.

But.. We have lots of owners towing with Frontier's and Tacoma's.. I don't remember any issues. The Tacoma is kind of famous for how robust it is actually. We had one, loved it. Only got rid of it because we really needed an SUV at the time. I would have had no issue towing the pod with it. It towed 3 tons of firewood several times.

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Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 10:52am

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.

When I bought the Tacoma I thought it was a better balance between power and fuel economy since it was also an everyday commute truck. That being said, sure enough, we decided the pod was just a bit too small after just one season. We don't regret the pod because it was a great way to learn the ropes with towing and camping and this board was invaluable! But we did regret the Tacoma because it definitely couldn't handle the new EVO 200rd. Furppd is right. Wish we had just gotten the F150 to begin with.

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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport