I am thinking of possible getting a 2008 V6 Awd escape for my daily driver. I have a 64 mile round trip commute and put on around 22K miles a year.
I am wondering if anyone has towed a 2300# load with the Escape. I would likely be flat towing a CJ5. I know I won't set any speed records but I am wondering about the stopping capability with that load? I am only planning on pulling this load two to three times a year about 600 miles round trip.

 

A v6 with factory trailer towing is rated 3500lbs. I tow a 2800lbs popup with a v6 2001. It pulls wonderful. I added an electric brake control to my Escape to help the stopping (as the small brakes are the weak link). I would only pull if the Escape has factory towing(bigger tranny cooler, oil cooler, and a well built hitch). The only worry is the frontal area of what you are towing, such as a cargo trailer which puts additional drag on the tow vehicle.

 

I assume by your post that your CJ5 weighs 2300 lbs. (is it an older model?). I tow a 2300 boat rig with a 2002 Tribute FWD V6 with the factory tow package and probably average 4-5000 towing miles per season. One tip when towing - turn off the O/D switch and let the tranny stay in 3rd gear. The car will be happier for it and you won't lose any fuel economy.

 

Re-reading your post I see that you asked about stopping power. I don't have trailer brakes and haven't had any trouble with stopping but you do have to pay attention and begin slowing early. I have noted that the '08 models lag behind their competition when it comes to stopping power (see the most recent issue of Car and Driver) but for as seldom as you would be towing it should do fine. Just don't expect any neck snapping acceleration.

 

I hope you don't mind me crashing this thread but I monitor several webpages on behalf of Ford. The V6 Escape with the optional tow package can more than handle towing 2300 pounds. When braking follow the advice in your owner's manual, avoid sudden braking or, riding the brakes when going downhill.

I just sold my 2001 Escape and I used to tow several different campers and trailers without any braking issues. But I was also wondering about the 2300 pounds. Don't CJ5's normally weigh-in at well over 3000 pounds or is yours setup for serious off-roading? J Anyway, given your criteria, the Escape XLT or Limited with the towing package (look for package #536) would work well for you. Good luck with your purchase.

 

I thought I might add to this thread my weekend experience in towing with my 2002 FWD V6 Tribute. I've been towing a 2200 lb. boat for three seasons with this vehicle and I generally keep cruise set on 65 mph and the O/D turned off. If its reasonably flat terrain I get about 15-16 mpg and if its hilly (northeast PA) I get about 13-14. Yesterday my wife and I finished moving out of our house in flat southeast PA and drove the last of our posessions north and west to Danville, PA just off I-80 in the central part of the state. I had the Tribute loaded with work files and enough stuff to totally fill the cargo area plus the front seat. And I had a huge suitcase tied to the roof rack. My wife followed (very closely) in our 2000 Mustang GT. From southeast PA up the turnpike to I-80 it is a constant up hill drive. By the time we got to Danville I had gone through 13+ gallons of gas for a personal consumption record of 12 mpg. My wife, who had followed so closely that I could seldom see her, used a whopping 5.8 gallons for 29 mpg - gotta be a world record for a Mustang GT. Weight and wind resistance says it all.

 

thats because she was following close enough that she was actually drafting off of you. You pulled her most of the way, thus your mileage going down and hers way up.

 

I don't have a clue what your Jeep is, but I can guess. The Escape is rated for 3500 pounds with the tow package, but I believe that is assuming it is a trailer. I am sure it will pull it just fine. Afterall, I personally know of someone who used his 2.9 V-6 Ranger to haul his F-350 show truck with 44" Boggers on a tandem axle trailer(total weight appx 10,000#---NOT VERY SMART). However, flat towing is very different. I dont know what the weight of the escape is, but if that jeep has big off road tires,and is lifted, it is going to be a handful pulling it with a unibody chassis that isn't really designed for that application. It will want to push the little Escape all over the road. I would check with some people who have done flat towing with small vehicles.