What are you towing your 21 Escape with?

[ykcamom]

I know the 21 is still new and not many out there yet. But those of you have one, can you please advise what tow vehicle you are using.

I am curious if anyone is pulling it with a Pathfinder, Highlander or other similar 5000lb tow capacity mid sized SUV.

Thanks!

[Sally P]

Won't have one until early November but the Highlander will be my TV.

[cpaharley2008]

I have a 2012 Toyota FJ cruiser with 500/5000 capacity and a 2009 Ram 1500 Hemi with has 500/8000 capacity.

[SpokanEscape]

We will pick up our 21 in April - or when the weather allows - and our TV is a 2005 Dodge Dakota - 7000 towing capacity, 10000 GCVW. It looks as if we will need the equalizer hitch and brake controller. We are in Chilliwack tonight and will have our first look at a 21 in the morning!

[RickM]

We plan on using our Highlander for the 21. The Highlander did a fine job towing the 19 Escape. Will know for sure in January. Hearing Reace and deadeyedan talk about their Ford pickups with Ecoboost, well . . . .

[fudge_brownie]

The Toyota 4Runner did well with our 19, I expect it will handle the extra 500 lbs from the 21. 5000 lbs towing rating with a CGWR rating of 10,510.

I think I am in the minority, I do not use a weight distribution hitch or a sway bar. I know there were a number of Toyota trucks that were leaving Escape Industries without a WDH, upon Reace's recommendation. Not sure if that is still the case. My lack of a WDH was a personal decision.

[bpjod]

Won't have a trailer until next spring, but will be using a VW Touareg TDI. 7700 lbs tow capacity. Was planning on getting a Highlander as a TV but my torso is too long to fit in one and after slouching to see out the front window of our Grand Caravan for the last 8 years, I swore I'd *never* do that again!

[paulw]

I'm going to try and get a couple more years out of our Chevy Trailblazer... The manual says it's rated for up to 5400#, but if you start weighing and doing the math, it's probably more like 5000.
Hoping for some more diesel options before I replace it

[Devil Dog]

If I was lucky to own a 21 I wouldn't pull it with anything less than a big V8 full sized 3/4 ton pickup. Going up a hill doing 50 km h with a V6 at 5000 rpm over and over again would be a bore to say the least.
And the ware and tare well that would be a nightmare.
Also would have to pull over every 10 min. to cool the engine and on the down side to cool the brakes .
Are we there yet...

[Ray N]

We're still considering the purchase - don't know if we'd use it enough to be worth getting, but if we do, we'll pull it with our 2011 Toyota Tundra. Small V8, 8200 pounds of SAE J2807 certified, towing capacity.

[TAfraser]

We'll get our 21 mid October and plan on towing it with a Honda Ridgeline. It has a 5000lb tow rating. I've talked to the Honda dealers and customer service before and have been assured that it will be fine. The issue here may be going over passes. Honda states (in their manual) that with every 1000 feet in altitude gain the towing capacity will decrease by 2%. Our last vacation took us over some passes at 11000 feet, or a 22% reduction in towing capacity (3900lbs). OUCH! The Ridgeline did fine with the Casita behind it, in fact it averaged 16mpg over the 3500 mile trip, but I wonder about pulling the 21? I'd rather not buy a new truck right now, so I'm going to try it out. We're going to use the Anderson weight distribution hitch that provides sway control automatically, and if it doesn't work out, we'll just move the hitch to the next truck. A side note; Honda recommends not using weight distribution hitches because of safety. Seems odd doesn't it?

Anyhow, wish us luck!!
Tom

[TAfraser]

I forgot to state that the 5000lb rating on the Ridgeline is with 2 passengers and 60lbs of personal items. So adding camping items, like generators, ice chests, etc. reduces that rating. I better learn to pack better??

[cpaharley2008]

Tom, you should be getting some pictures in next couple of weeks, I'm curious about the storage area between the bath and door, has Reace given you any preliminary info?

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by TAfraser

I forgot to state that the 5000lb rating on the Ridgeline is with 2 passengers and 60lbs of personal items. So adding camping items, like generators, ice chests, etc. reduces that rating. I better learn to pack better??

or a good excuse to leave your copilot home? just kidding

[SpokanEscape]

We just talked with Reace yesterday and he is working on a place to store toiletries in the space between the door and the bathroom.

[cpaharley2008]

Thanks Jan & Paul, you guys are about 30 days behind me and I'm a little more than 30 days behind Tom- I hate standing in line !!

[SpokanEscape]

It will hard to be patient from January 28th until the snow is gone and we can safely tow our trailer home. I had a ton of questions yesterday but keep thinking of new ones. I really liked the layout!

[Devil Dog]

A Tundra would be my first choice for towing a 21. A little pricey off the lot put the nice quiet interior and longevity is worth it. A friend of mine has a silver four door one with all the goodies. Nice ride...and a good tow.

[LeonardS]

Anyone towing a 21 with a Nissan Frontier? I see some are pulling the 19 successfully, but the 21 is a bit heavier.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Devil Dog

Also would have to pull over every 10 min. to cool the engine and on the down side to cool the brakes .

You're kidding, right? This isn't 50 years ago - two or three hundred horsepower and the cooling capacity to use it is routine equipment for the family wagon with a V6 these days. Descending is done with engine braking - even with a "3/4 ton" pickup - so brake cooling is not a problem.