Tow Package?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: NC
Tow Package?
Howdy everyone, my name is Anthony and I'm new to the Escape forum, used to use the F150 zone but sold it. Does anyone have the Tow Package on their Escape? My fiance' has a 2008 3.0L V6 FWD and I can't seem to find out what the Tow Package is? It has a trans cooler built in to the radiator and a 2 inch Curt hitch rated for 3500 lbs and a 4 pin trailer connector. We were given a trailer that weighs 2425 lbs dry or 3200 loaded. We won't be going on long trips but will use it, do I need the brake controller? What are ya'll towing and how do you have your Escape configured for towing? Thanks for reading this.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 135
From: Burleson, Tx
Our 2004 has the tow package. It consists of the cooler, hitch and wiring. Our cooler is external from the radiator so I guess it could have changed over the years.
The only thing of weight I have towed is our 21' pontoon (only once) a total of about 50 miles. I don't know the total weight but it is a giant wind sail and at 60-65mph the vehicle was not happy. If the trailer you have is more aerodynamic it may not be as bad. Honestly, I will never tow anything over 1500lbs with it again. That's two motorcycles and the trailer they sit on. I just don't think they can comfortably pull 3500lbs.
The only thing of weight I have towed is our 21' pontoon (only once) a total of about 50 miles. I don't know the total weight but it is a giant wind sail and at 60-65mph the vehicle was not happy. If the trailer you have is more aerodynamic it may not be as bad. Honestly, I will never tow anything over 1500lbs with it again. That's two motorcycles and the trailer they sit on. I just don't think they can comfortably pull 3500lbs.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 828
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I've towed extensively with a 2002 Escape (FWD, V6) and a 2009 Escape (4WD, V6). What I've towed is a 17'6" aluminum bass boat, 90 hp outboard, total weight of about 2200 lbs. Both came with factory tow packages rated at 3500#. The 2009 was a far better tow vehicle with the extra hp and two more gears but the 2002 did fine when used on level land - it worked very hard in the hills of NE PA. Although rated at 3500#, I think 2500# is a more realistic number and at that weight or higher I would want trailer brakes. The truck handles the weight pretty well but prior to 2009 the torque is pretty minimal. Never-the-less, we put 209,000 miles on the 2002 with no drivetrain issues and I towed a lot. The 2009 is up to 175,000 miles with no issues. The frontal area of the trailer is important.
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