Towing with a 2017 ford escape

Newtabber

We are purchasing a tab max S within the next couple of months and would like to purchase a 2017 ford escape 2.0L ecoboost (3500 lb towing capacity).  Does anyone know if this vehicle is capable of towing easily through the mountains?  Thanks for any help.

mash2

I have a 2013 escape 2.0 and it works fine in the mountains.

TabberJohn

Our 2014 Escape 2.0L Ecoboost (turbo) is rated at 240hp/270torque.
The 2017 model is 245/279 with an improved engine design (carbon deposit issue resolved).
There are a plenty of T@B owners pulling with a lot less power than that.
AWD is your best option (not technically 4WD).

tfire328

We pull ours with a 2016 Escape with the 2.0L and AWD. It handles the trailer great. The fuel economy hit is not too bad for towing a trailer. Very satisfied with the combo.

Cyclonic

TabberJohn said:

AWD is your best option (not technically 4WD).

Yes, this.  For some reason I kept thinking 4WD, but they dropped it when they changed the body style after the 2012 model year.  They also dropped the V6 in favor of the new ecoboost engines, a good choice on Ford's part.  I just don't like the new body style

Lil_Lucy

We tow our 2016 T@B Max S with a 2016 Ford Escape (2.0 Ecoboost, 3500 lb towing capacity, 4WD). Our daughter lives in Oregon and there is no way to get there from Michigan without crossing a mountain of some type. We've made the trip twice now and plan on doing it again this spring. No problems so far.

Newtabber

Thanks guys for all your comments. Makes the decision a lot easier

Newtabber

One last question. Do you all feel there's enough storage space in the escape to do an extended trip (10 days to 2 weeks)?

Cyclonic

I have done several two plus week trips with two of us with no problem, plenty of space.

sbhtennis

Any of you folks with a Ford Escape have some kind of back up camera system. My 2013 Ford Escape did  not come with one?

mash2

I have a '13 and mine came with one.  Makes hooking up really easy.  

dmerzbac

Nope, my 2013 didn't come with one either. I think it was only included in the parking package. A backup camera would be nice. I might take a look at a Garmin GPS w/wireless backup camera.

KBaggins1

I am pretty sure a backup camera is standard on all new 2017 Escapes. The high end models definitely have them. I test drove a few new escapes and I really liked them.

mash2

They are standard on all escapes in 2017

lapowers57

3500 pounds to capacity is fine.  You may need to get the vehicle with a factory tow package to get this capacity.  I started towing with a Ford Explorer with a 210 hp motor and thought it was usable but slightly under powered.  You should be good with 240 hp.   The explorer had a hitch rated to 3500 lbs but I found out the vehicle itself was only rated to 3200 lbs capacity.  That is why I would recommend a factory tow package and confirming with the dealer what the actual tow capaicty is for the vehicle you order.

bryce0lynch

Yes, you need to ensure you get the tow package from the factory with the Escape to get the 3500 tow capacity, otherwise you are at 2000 pounds.

For the 2013-2016 Ford Escape there was nearly no mechanical difference between the tow package and those without. Just the wiring, the hitch, and electronic sway control. A certain percentage of the internet thinks that you can add the wiring/hitch after you buy and still tow 3500.

On the 2017 Escape the actual radiator fan/cooling is different when you get the tow package. This would indicate that, unless it comes from the factory with the tow option, you won't be able to reach 3500 by just adding a hitch/wiring.

[Insert 800 caveats and 6432 Internet flame wars about how much you can safely tow under what conditions.]

KBaggins1

The only thing I don't like about the escape tow package is that it does not offer a built in trailer brake controller and only comes with a 4 pin harness. So you still have to go aftermarket for some of the stuff you need. Compared to most of the other small SUV's, the escape offers the highest towing capacity.

bryce0lynch

The baseline Jeep Cherokee, with v6 & tow package, comes in at around the same price as the 3500#-tow escape ... and it tows 4500# and comes with a 7-pin connector. Only about 2" longer than the Escape, I think. 

They are both pretty interesting & inexpensive for the small trailer cohort. 

T@Balong

I have the Jeep Cherokee (Latitude Model) with the 3.2L engine and factory tow package and couldn't be happier with its power and performance pulling the T@B.  I was considering the Escape but the Cherokee had more interior room as well.  

seiched

I am about to purchase a T@b.  I am baffled by towing even after all the research I have done. 
  
I have a 2014 Ford Escape Ecoboost -- I believe it is a 2.0 engine with FWD.

A. Do you think this car  can handle the T@B
B.  Do I need to get a brake controller?

Z_G

Not without factory tow package...

Z_G

With factory tow..u need a brake controller and wire run from brake and charge wire from alternator to a connector for tab... Believe factory tow for smaller ford suvs have only wiring for trailer lights

Marceline

seiched said:

I am about to purchase a T@b.  I am baffled by towing even after all the research I have done. 
  
I have a 2014 Ford Escape Ecoboost -- I believe it is a 2.0 engine with FWD.

A. Do you think this car  can handle the T@B
B.  Do I need to get a brake controller?

Pre-2014 T@Bs had surge brakes, so a controller isn't needed. Later T@Bs have electronic brakes and require a controller. One option is to get a wireless brake controller. Since it isn't hard wired into the vehicle it can easily be transferred to a different tow vehicle. 

Sharon_is_SAM

@seiched, you need to know your engine.  It will determine your tow capacity.  Link should help.  Do you understand GCWR?

https://www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/14prelimflrv&tt_escape_may13.pdf

seiched

I found the towing capacity of my Escape and it can handle it.
Thanks to all!
So I ordered a hitch today and I asked installer for 7 pin wiring 
He mentioned something about 7 Blade -- is this the same thing?

MuttonChops

seiched said:

. . . ordered a hitch today and I asked installer for 7 pin wiring 
He mentioned something about 7 Blade -- is this the same thing?

Yes, for North America the 7-Blade is the standard 7-Pin.  T@B's have a 7-Blade

Sharon_is_SAM

In additional to the 7 blade/pin, make sure they wire a charge line to charge your Tab battery while you tow.  Ask them to use 10 gauge wire for the charge line and ground.

Z_G

The escape can handle if factory tow package which I believe includes a trans cooler ... Believe the hitch is weight distributed as well... I wouldn't tow with an escape unless the escape came from the factory that way... Factory tow is 3500 lbs where the aftermarketctow capacity is 2000 lbs