Does anyone have any personal observations on the Escape's towing ability? The main objective would be 20+mpg and also would be able to tow our 18' smokercraft behind it when we go on our fishing trips (300+ miles one way, 2-4 x per year). I'd assume we're looking at 2200-ish #s in boat, motor, and trailer, not adding in, gear, supplies, people, etc.

We have my truck, a chebbie 1500, or a reg. cab ranger right now to use. Both v8s are gas hogs, and the ranger, although better on gas, is a reg. cab. We used to use an older exploder, but the newer ones aren't getting that great of milage it seems. Any other ideas on an affordable yet reliable vehicle?

Thanks

 

Something to consider:
The 2009's come with a new 6 speed tranny and some extra horsepower that will come in handy.


My wife's 2006 Escape has taken her brothers 16ft boat, 4 people and gear with no problem. However, I would not make a habit of it since the CD4E transmission seems to be the weak link in these vehicles. We have never had a problem and always serviced the tranny fluid every 20K miles.

 

Something else to consider is it is uni-body construction. No true frame. I would not tow more than 2k with a uni-body.

 

Although I don't recommend this, I personally know a lady who tows a 2 horse bumper pull trailer with her V-6 auto Escape. Well, it was the Mazda version, but still. She'd pull it with 2 horses, too. It was an older trailer that was pretty heavy. Dual axle. It did surprisingly well considering the weight it was pulling. I'm not sure how it held up -- I haven't seen her in a year or two. She wasn't pulling the trailer all the time, maybe once a month or so during the summer. I do know that she still has the horse so if she still has the Escape then she's still towing with it.

 

At 75 mph my wife's 2005 Mercury Mariner (V6, AWD) gets about 22 mpg with 10% ethanol fuel, two adults and two kids.

Grim

 

Well I hate to tell you but towing anything with an escape you won't get 20+ mpg.. I tow a 1000lbs ATV trailer with 2 ATVs on it and I get horrible gas mileage.. As for the person towing 2 horses in a horse trailer I highly doubt that being that each horse probably weighted almost 2000lbs each along with the trialer being close to that weight also.. She would have been towing 6000lbs with an escape.. I don't think that is possible.. But if she did go for her.. But I wouldn't have done it..

James

 

James - Sorry, I wasn't clear as to what I meant (it was late). 20+ mpg was for DD, not towing. We honestly are only going to be towing with it 4x max per year.

Thanks guys - This is kinda what I wanted to hear about first-hand knowledge. I wasn't so sure it'd be the best choice either, and I think this backs it up. I knew about the uni (thanks King) - I just wasn't sure about the actual ability to tow. Like I stated, I gurantee we are pushing 2200-2500#s loaded, plus whatever in the vehicle.

Any other ideas as to a better vehicle? Thanks again

 

You can get the Escape with a class II towing pacage which will give you up to 3500lbs of towing..

 

Just did a check of the 08 owners manual for towing capacity. With the 2.3l, whether manual or auto, 1500lbs. With the 3.0l and auto, 3500lbs.

 

She did. I rode with her several times in the Escape while she towed the trailer (this was before I owned a truck). We had two 15-16HH quarter horses in the trailer, plus all the necessary tack. Each horse weighed around 1000-1200lbs.

 

I'd steer clear of the Escapes... with the CD4E transmission...

I blew through 4 of them.

They are more vulnerable than the M5OD-R2 at busting slave cylinders and input shafts.

At least I know I can get 200k out of a M5OD... those CD4Es would go once a year @ about 25k.

 

I would not tow anything just because of the CD4E.