My new Tow Vehicle

[MarineSTC]

I have to take it back to the dealership next week when all my extra's come in to get them installed. I added the hitch, vent visors, moon roof visor, bug shield, all weather floor matts, rubber protective matt for the cargo area, and the remote engine start kit.

So is the Tow Package just the hitch and the wiring kit or do they install anything else?

If its just those two I would probably do it myself. Particularly since its only a 1 1/4" hitch.

yea its just the hitch and wiring kit, but the bumper will have to be cut out. It's kinda like a hidden hitch. It won't cost me nothing to have them install it as it was included in the price at purchase.

[Verna]

MarineSTC:

My interior is black....your light gray will be cooler in the summer. My dealer put a darker tint on the windows to compensate for the black seats.

Looks great. I think both of us will be happy.

[S. Heisley]

I'm just a tad jealous; but happy for you. It sounds like it is a great car and it's bea-u-ti-ful!

[Verna]

Thank you, Sharon. The owner's manual says I need to wait until I have 1,000 miles on it before towing. That's fine--it's below 32* here and that's too cold to be camping for me!!

[MarineSTC]

MarineSTC:

My interior is black....your light gray will be cooler in the summer. My dealer put a darker tint on the windows to compensate for the black seats.

Looks great. I think both of us will be happy.

Tint will be one of the next things to come for it for sure. I had already decided that after seeing how good yours looked with the darker tint .

[Verna]

You don't want to use an adapter. It will reduce your tongue wieght rating by half. Always use the proper ball mount for the hitch. Adapters are alright for bike racks and such, but not for towing. Sounds like you have made the choice to upgrade the hitch. I saw an Explorer that had a dual hitch setup. The factory 1 1/4 hitch with an athermarket 2" mounted below. Not sure haw all that was mounted up.Congrats on the new TV.

Bill

Well, Bill, I now have the dual hitch setup. Apparently, this model of the Escape has the 1 1/4" hitch that is integrated into the frame of the Escape. They do not remove the 1 1/4" hitch. They install the 2" hitch right below it.

I'll have to wait until after these storms go through before I can measure what kind of a receiver I need. If I'm lucky, the one I used on the my pickup will work. If not, then I'll have to buy a new one that puts the trailer at the correct angle.

Thanks for the advice.

[07rascal]

You don't want to use an adapter. It will reduce your tongue wieght rating by half. Always use the proper ball mount for the hitch. Adapters are alright for bike racks and such, but not for towing. Sounds like you have made the choice to upgrade the hitch. I saw an Explorer that had a dual hitch setup. The factory 1 1/4 hitch with an athermarket 2" mounted below. Not sure haw all that was mounted up.Congrats on the new TV.

Bill

Well, Bill, I now have the dual hitch setup. Apparently, this model of the Escape has the 1 1/4" hitch that is integrated into the frame of the Escape. They do not remove the 1 1/4" hitch. They install the 2" hitch right below it.

I'll have to wait until after these storms go through before I can measure what kind of a receiver I need. If I'm lucky, the one I used on the my pickup will work. If not, then I'll have to buy a new one that puts the trailer at the correct angle.

Thanks for the advice.

Verna

I was just going to post that they will do a Dual hitch set up for you! I found when researching that anyone with the "tow pkg" on an escape with the 1-1/4" factory hitch was stuck with it and they add the 2" receiver below it. We bought a 2009 XLT in Nov of last year. Its a 4cyl with a 1500lb tow rating. I installed the Valley 2" receiver and adding the wiring converter so that I now have lights via a flat 4 way plug. Next job is going to be to install my Electric Brake Controller and associated wiring back to a 7-4 way plug. This way we will be able to, someday, tow a trailer with electric brakes. Personally I think the 1500 lb rating is a bit under rated, not to the extent of 3500 mind you! But I am thinking an ultra light TT would be an option if I person did not go crazy stupid and get its weight too far above the 1500.

Our TD (LG Rascal) tops the scales at about 550 lbs, loaded. So on our first test run of about 50 miles I averaged 27 mpg towing. We previously towed with a 2006 Ford Focus and got about the same mpg. We love the Escape. Its the first SUV we have owned and we would sure consider a 2012 in a few years if we were to replace it.

Terry & Lisa