Tow Vehicle for Escape 19 and Escape 17

[Mucram]

Originally Posted by Omi

I don't know about the 19 but we bought a 2019 Subaru Ascent to tow our 17B. Seems to do the job just fine. We averaged 18mpg towing and touched on 30mpg not towing.

Omi

That is awesome.

[Timbo1]

Hi, that is encouraging. Mine is a 2013 Tacoma. I pick up my 19 in Chilliwack in June. I was wondering if the tailgate can be lowered all the way when it is still hitched?

[yardsale]

Originally Posted by Omi

I don't know about the 19 but we bought a 2019 Subaru Ascent to tow our 17B. Seems to do the job just fine. We averaged 18mpg towing and touched on 30mpg not towing.

Omi

That is impressive towing mileage. How fast? Any hills? An earlier post mentioned the CVT is problematic for towing on hills. Your thoughts?

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Timbo1

Hi, that is encouraging. Mine is a 2013 Tacoma. I pick up my 19 in Chilliwack in June. I was wondering if the tailgate can be lowered all the way when it is still hitched?

my 2008 tacoma 4x4 TRD OffRoadd, with a 2" drop towbar, the tailgate could be fully opened when hitched on my E21.

[RTRadio]

I had a 2005 Tacoma with the E2 Fastway hitch and had no problem opening the tailgate while connected to my 2017 Escape 19.

[Timbo1]

Thanks for the tailgate feedback. I was going to order a Jack-e-up but it sounds as if that will not be necessary.

[jamason1113@gmail.com]

Is there a hybrid or EV that is capable of hauling the 19' Escape?

[John in Santa Cruz]

a highlander hybrid can tow 3500 lbs *max* which in my book means under 2000 lbs safely.

a 19' weighs about twice that loaded for a trip.

a tesla X with the max range options and 20" wheels can supposedly tow 5000 lbs, which gives you some safety margin at 4000 lbs, but there's no mention of what this does for your range. I expect the range per charge would be cut in half, maybe worse considering the frontal cross section of an Escape.... and fergit it if you need to go up any grades. I just skimmed a forum where model X drivers are talking about 100-130 mile total range while towing a boat on level ground. Most of my road trips with my escape out west here, we've gone 300-700 miles the first day to get where we're going, and there just aren't that many superchargers in the deeply rural areas we're heading to

[ColoradoSwany]

The new Ford Explorer hybrid, properly equipped has a 5,000 pound tow rating.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

a highlander hybrid can tow 3500 lbs *max* which in my book means under 2000 lbs safely.

What do you mean by "safely"? The Highlander and Highlander Hybrid are identical in dimensions, structure, suspension, and brakes, so they can control exactly the same trailer mass. The lower rating of the Hybrid is based on cooling capacity of the hybrid transmission components (the motor/generators and electronics), so a lower trailer mass is "safe" for the vehicle mechanically... but it can handle 3500 pounds of trailer.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

a tesla X with the max range options and 20" wheels can supposedly tow 5000 lbs, which gives you some safety margin at 4000 lbs, but there's no mention of what this does for your range. I expect the range per charge would be cut in half, maybe worse considering the frontal cross section of an Escape.... and fergit it if you need to go up any grades.

I agree with the general range reduction (due to massively increased aerodynamic and rolling drag), but performance up grades should be a non-issue (due to available power), and range may not be as severely affected as you expect, due to regenerative braking on descents (assuming what goes up eventually goes down).

Still, EV towing of a reasonably sized travel trailer is a losing proposition in most cases.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by ColoradoSwany

The new Ford Explorer hybrid, properly equipped has a 5,000 pound tow rating.

And the Lincoln Aviator is the same vehicle, offering a similar hybrid towing choice.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

What do you mean by "safely"? The Highlander and Highlander Hybrid are identical in dimensions, structure, suspension, and brakes, so they can control exactly the same trailer mass. The lower rating of the Hybrid is based on cooling capacity of the hybrid transmission components (the motor/generators and electronics), so a lower trailer mass is "safe" for the vehicle mechanically... but it can handle 3500 pounds of trailer.

frankly, I wouldn't tow anything bigger than a rowboat with a FWD predominant crossover SUV. Those things are for picking the kids up from soccer practice and Costco runs.

In my many decades of towing trailers long distances, I've had two towing related incidents which could have ended very very badly if I'd had a lighter tow vehicle.

[Eggscape]

One tiny malfunction in the brake wiring and a 19 is going to push you right through that red light. at the semi.

[yangstyle]

The Fast Lane Car has some interesting videos on EV's in general and while towing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjklex38lkQ

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

frankly, I wouldn't tow anything bigger than a rowboat with a FWD predominant crossover SUV. Those things are for picking the kids up from soccer practice and Costco runs..

We are taking our grandkids out today for a ride and then to get ice cream cones in my Wife’s FWD SUV . Her SUV works remarkably well when used for it’s intended purpose , like grocery shopping or running small errands.
It has a factory receiver hitch but I think it’s there more for looks , sorta like a hood ornament .
It looks nice but in reality serves no useful purpose

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

We are taking our grandkids out today for a ride and then to get ice cream cones in my Wife’s FWD SUV . Her SUV works remarkably well when used for it’s intended purpose , like grocery shopping or running small errands.
It has a factory receiver hitch but I think it’s there more for looks , sorta like a hood ornament .
It looks nice but in reality serves no useful purpose

Years ago, in late 50's, early 60's, hood ornaments were your handles to raise or lower the hood, which were very large back then...

[Sailingmiker]

We pull our 19 with a 2016 4WD Nissan Frontier King Cab with an Andersen WDH. Just returned from a 3000 mile trip up and down the left coast on hiway 101. Our 19 followed along very nicely. We averaged between 13 and 14 MPG while driving the speed limits. Very happy with the combo.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by salmo7000

No it just holds the truck and trailer at a constant speed, so there is no need to use the brakes. Anytime we go anywhere from our home in central Idaho, we have to contend with some seriously long and steep mountain grades, including an infamous one that's 8 miles in length and 7-8% grade. The exhaust brake holds the truck and trailer at a constant 55 mph the whole way down. I was amazed the first time. This grade is a serious test for any tow vehicle, and the Colorado passed with flying colors. I usually keep it around 50 mph going up though, although it could go faster. I don't want to fry my transmission.

I’ve driven the Harpster grade and Whitebird hill a number of times. Once
with a 1964 International stock truck with a trailer of mules on behind. Our packer was in the front seat with me and he loved those mules. I remember him saying “better stick her I that next hole down Davey, I believe we’re starting to cannonball a bit.” 5 speed transmission with two speed rear end. It’s all in the timing. I felt like Goofy in the Mickey Mouse cartoon when Goofy said “I brought you down safe and sound as we rolled into Kooskia. Towed a lot of miles since the summer of 1969 but was never more serious about attention to detail than that evening. A real experience by:
Iowa Dave

[salmo7000]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

I’ve driven the Harpster grade and Whitebird hill a number of times. Once
with a 1964 International stock truck with a trailer of mules on behind. Our packer was in the front seat with me and he loved those mules. I remember him saying “better stick her I that next hole down Davey, I believe we’re starting to cannonball a bit.” 5 speed transmission with two speed rear end. It’s all in the timing. I felt like Goofy in the Mickey Mouse cartoon when Goofy said “I brought you down safe and sound as we rolled into Kooskia. Towed a lot of miles since the summer of 1969 but was never more serious about attention to detail than that evening. A real experience by:
Iowa Dave

Ha, you know what I'm talking about! WB Hill is not your average mountain grade. The first time down with the truck and trailer was terrifying until I realized how well that exhaust brake worked. The first time up I worried too, except the truck didn't seem to be working very hard as long as I kept it under 60 mph. It doesn't usually drop a gear going up unloaded unless I goose it. Anywhere we go except south towards McCall we have to climb, then go downhill, then climb again. We'll see how the Colorado is holding up after a few years of that, I guess!