Escape 23 towing questions Ford F150 Ecoboost 4x4

[ChampPilot]

I am thinking of the possiblity of ordering an Escape 23. I have a 2024 F150 with 4 wheel drive and a 3.5 Ecoboost pickup. And it has the tow package. They have a setup on them where the wheels brake on the pickup if you get sway. So I have two questions.

1. Is a stabilizer hitch still needed? I was thinking yes.

2. What mpg are you getting towing your Escape 23? With what tow vehicle?

 

[BobCS]

I have an E23 and 2022 F-150 PowerBoost (3.5 turbo + hybrid battery assist) with 4WD and tow package. When towing, the hybrid assist makes no difference, and I get 12-14 mpg. When NOT towing, the hybrid makes a big difference, and I get 20-24 mpg. Ford factory hitch is rated for 500 pounds tongue weight without WDH, so yes, the WDH is needed. I got the Fastway E2 from Escape, pre-installed and it works great.

 

[Centex]

I believe you'll find a sticker similar to this on your hitch receiver

Note that the limits on ^that sticker^ are the limits of the receiver, not the limits of the truck (which may likely be less insofar as max trailer weight with a WDH).

Yes, I agree with @BobCS , use of a WDH is recommended.

IMO one should always ensure that at least 10%-15% of the loaded trailer weight is on the tongue, and with that the trailer will inherently resist 'sway' (laws of vehicle dynamics in play), so there's no need or benefit in any sort of additional 'anti-sway' or 'stabilizer' device on the hitch.

With proper trailer weight distribution, the truck's 'trailer sway control' feature will never be activated because the trailer won't initiate any 'sway' to trigger it.

Just for your consideration.

 

[Perry Butler]

IMO one should always ensure that at least 10%-15% of the loaded trailer weight is on the tongue, and with that the trailer will inherently resist 'sway' (laws of vehicle dynamics in play), so there's no need or benefit in any sort of additional 'anti-sway' or 'stabilizer' device on the hitch.

With proper trailer weight distribution, the truck's 'trailer sway control' feature will never be activated because the trailer won't initiate any 'sway' to trigger it.

We had slightly over 15% on our Cougar with an Andersen hitch and in a perfect storm it swayed. Scared the $#!+ out of us!

It happened when we were approaching a overpass on the Interstate and the vortex wind put our Cougar in a wild sway situation, despite having an Andersen hitch installed. I was in the passenger seat and quickly hit the brake controller and the camper quickly came out of the situation.

I've run into a couple others who though just having 15% on the ball was enough but, like us, found the perfect storm. Like them, we make sure we have some sort of additional sway control. The Andersen was an early version and they have been improved since then. However, now our last three pull campers had/have a Blue Ox hitch. I'll take the additional sway control with a proper hitch, however, nothing is perfect.

Food for thought,

Perry

 

[CharlesinGA]

Referencing the weight sticker on the hitch above, the Fords with the 2-1/2 inch receiver may have a sticker with lower weights when using the 2 inch adapter sleeve.