Hello I'm a new owner of a 2009 Escape Sport V6. I purchsed the vehicle last june while I was home on R&R from Iraq. Originaly I purchased it for my fiance to drive but have been driving it more than here since it started snowing here in Kansas. I'm now on orders to move to Fort Knox, KY and since I purchsed this Escape off the show room floor I didn't get the towing package. I'm really hoping I can just add this for a reasonable cost now so I can use my vehicle to either tow my Honda Fit (can't beat 32 MPG) or a trailer with a lot of my Army gear (since I will need most of it as soon as I get to Knox and can not wait for the Army to get it moved).
My question is two part 1) is there a better place to buy this than at a dealer? 2) How hard is the install? I do have mechanical experiance being in the military and having been a car enthusiat for the last 12-15 years but that was all in go fast parts..... I have access to a great "shop" on base that will provide me with every tool I can imagine, a lift and some help. I also have a solider who ASE certified and used to be a mechanic at a Ford dealer until recently to help.
Thanks in advance for any input
Bradley Stevenson

 

Don't know about the 09-10 model.The older Models you had to get a wire module that you had to take off some interior parts to get at the plugs and plug in the module takes some time there so you don't break any parts. Hitches are very easier to mount.

 

I have the OEM tow package but some claim to have a square 4-pin capped connector near the rear bumper, some don't. A standard trailer wiring harness is a 4-pin flat connector. The catch is that you need three extra relays in the fuse/relay box under the hood but they claim that part isn't wired in or the plug-in type relay contacts aren't there. I can't verify any part of what others stated. I find it hard to believe that Ford would only put in part of the wiring in and only on some vehicles!!

 

Just remember that even if it has the plug you do not have the trans cooler. And I don't know if I would try and pull a car with it. I have an 04 with the tow package and it struggles to pull my 20' pontoon at anything over 60.

 

Not sure when it was added but the all '09s have a external ATF cooler wether or not you have the OEM tow package.

 

Thanks everyone, now is there a site sponsor or one preffered dealer?

 

The difference in towing ability between the pre 2008 models and 2009 and later is significant. I have 2002 and 2009 V6 models and the 09 tows so much better than the 02 there is no comparison. 40 hp and two extra gears make a big difference. Its no half ton pickup though.

 

Thanks for all the info, honestly I wouldn't have gotten a Ford if it wasn't for my fiancee.... She's from Houston, TX and her family is big time "blue oval" people
Talked to my local dealer and it looks like $450 installed so I think I'll be doing that soon, probably could do it myself but its cold in Kansas right now and the Army is moving me to Kentucky in a month so no time to wait...