My new Tow Vehicle

[Verna]

May I introduce my new Tow Vehicle. A 2012 Ford Escape Limited, 6 cyl, 4WD, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.



I like it!!! It has the most options that I've ever had on a vehicle, and I'm loving it!!! I had a 45 min lesson today on how to use the Sync system. Yeah, I need a lot of practice on that one. I'm loving the handsfree use of the cell phone. That is great!!!

So, come on some warmer weather!!! I wanna go camping!!!

Oh yeah, for those in the know, the Escape comes with an 1 1/4" receiver. All of my accessories need a 2" receiver. What do I do--just take it to a hitch place and have the 1 1/4" replaced with a 2"? Or use an adapter (if there is such a thing)? Thanks for your help on this question.

The 2004 GMC Canyon 4WD had 166,578 miles when I traded it in yesterday. Part of the transmission was going out, and a lot of things had been going wrong with it lately. I was beginning to feel it was getting undependable, and I need a dependable vehicle. I'll miss the Canyon after keeping her for 8 years, but I'm really liking this Escape!!!!

[chartle]

No fair I'm looking at the exact same vehicle.

But yes you can get an adapter but its a bit clunky. I have one for our bike rack because its 1 1/4 and the rack is 2. It adds 6 inches and if you don't remove it, its going to be an ankle killer.

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Hitch_A ... ander.aspx



I would look into a new 2" hitch. I checked at e trailer and it runs about 160- 170.

http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2012_Ford_Escape.htm

[mikeschn]

I like it. Awsome looking tow vehicle... So you can build a 2500 pound teardrop, and put 1000 pounds of beer in it! Perfect. Tell me which campsite you are on, I wanna be your neighbor!

Mike...

May I introduce my new Tow Vehicle. A 2012 Ford Escape Limited, 6 cyl, 4WD, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.



I like it!!! It has the most options that I've ever had on a vehicle, and I'm loving it!!! I had a 45 min lesson today on how to use the Sync system. Yeah, I need a lot of practice on that one. I'm loving the handsfree use of the cell phone. That is great!!!

So, come on some warmer weather!!! I wanna go camping!!!

Oh yeah, for those in the know, the Escape comes with an 1 1/4" receiver. All of my accessories need a 2" receiver. What do I do--just take it to a hitch place and have the 1 1/4" replaced with a 2"? Or use an adapter (if there is such a thing)? Thanks for your help on this question.

The 2004 GMC Canyon 4WD had 166,578 miles when I traded it in yesterday. Part of the transmission was going out, and a lot of things had been going wrong with it lately. I was beginning to feel it was getting undependable, and I need a dependable vehicle. I'll miss the Canyon after keeping her for 8 years, but I'm really liking this Escape!!!!

[Woodbutcher]

Beautiful car! Congrats on the new tow vehicle...

[KCStudly]

You're going to like it. I have a 2008 and I am a staunch Chevy guy, but am thuroughly pleased with this Ford.

My only two complaints are that with the seat slid and tilted back to where my feet are at a comfortable distance to the pedals, the steering wheel is just a touch far away to be comfortable, so I have to put the seat just a scoatch closer than I would prefer (if I were to loose a couple more pounds I would probably be fine with the seat tilted fwd just a bit more and would be able to put the base of the seat back a little more where it would be ideal). A small amount of steering wheel telescoping adjustment would be nice, even just an inch of adjustment would be more than enough. Probably not practical with air bags tho .

The other thing is it took me forever (and sometimes still mistake) to get the front drivers side window to go down instead of the rear. With the seat back at my setting my hand naturally lands on the rear window switch not the front.

Had to get used to pushing the turn signal fwd for high beam instead of pulling back, but I am guessing that this is common to all newer cars as it tends to result in less accidental high beam activations when using the turn signal. Also, there were a couple of times when I could hear the rear hatch clunking, or rear glass loose due to either false activation of the solenoid switch (the hatch button is in the middle and the glass button is to the right, both up under the rear license plate recess) but I think this was just an issue of getting used to the functions and making sure each were latched when closed; not a malfunction per se.

These are relatively minor ergonomic things and are surely just a compromise in design trying to suit the medium range fit of the target buyers; I am 6 foot tall and about 250 lbs. Funny that Fords are the only vehicles that I have found that the seat will go back further than required for me. Other cars that I have owned it was easy, put the seat all the way back and that's where it needed to be .

[canonsue]

Congratulations on the new Ford!

I am loving my 2011 F-150. (see pic in signature)

Sue

[TJinPgh]

I'm guessing the 1-1/4 is part of the factory tow package.

Does the tow package on the new Escapes come with the engine oil cooler?

The towing capacity on the older Escapes was significantly lower without it (2000 lbs vs. 3500 lbs).

[bobhenry]

Verna Just buy yourself a new ball mount and the appropriate ball . Most all 1 1/4" class 2 hitches are rated at 3500 pound. That's God a plenty for what we are towing. Level your trailer and measure into the ball cup
( most are set at 17" ) then buy the ball mount that will get the top of the ball to that height.
If you can't hit the height exact a tiny bit nose down is better than nose up.

U haul is a great place to get what you need at a good price should be around $35.00 +/- mount and ball

P.S. congratz on the new tow.

[Verna]

No fair I'm looking at the exact same vehicle.

But yes you can get an adapter but its a bit clunky. I have one for our bike rack because its 1 1/4 and the rack is 2. It adds 6 inches and if you don't remove it, its going to be an ankle killer.

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Hitch_A ... ander.aspx



I would look into a new 2" hitch. I checked at e trailer and it runs about 160- 170.

http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2012_Ford_Escape.htm

You're gonna love it when you get it!!! I love the power assisted power steering. The mood lighting is a change. The motor definitely has some umphmm!!!

Thanks for the links. I parked next to an identical Escape today in a parking lot (I guess it's not a unique vehicle and color) . It had changed to 2" hitch at a local hitch place. That's probably what I'll do. I found out in telephone work that the fewer connections there are, the fewer problems there are. So, my preference is no adapter, just a 2" receiver.

[Verna]

I like it. Awsome looking tow vehicle... So you can build a 2500 pound teardrop, and put 1000 pounds of beer in it! Perfect. Tell me which campsite you are on, I wanna be your neighbor!

Mike...

Now, Mike......1000 lbs of beer????? It would almost be worth it see how long it would take you to finish it

[Verna]

Beautiful car! Congrats on the new tow vehicle...

Thanks, Woodbutcher. I love the color, but the SideKick has absolutely no blue on it......oh well, if my sister moves to Florida I'll sell the SideKick and get a TD and maybe I can find a "Steel Blue Metallic" one!!

[Verna]

You're going to like it. I have a 2008 and I am a staunch Chevy guy, but am thuroughly pleased with this Ford.

My only two complaints are that with the seat slid and tilted back to where my feet are at a comfortable distance to the pedals, the steering wheel is just a touch far away to be comfortable, so I have to put the seat just a scoatch closer than I would prefer (if I were to loose a couple more pounds I would probably be fine with the seat tilted fwd just a bit more and would be able to put the base of the seat back a little more where it would be ideal). A small amount of steering wheel telescoping adjustment would be nice, even just an inch of adjustment would be more than enough. Probably not practical with air bags tho .

The other thing is it took me forever (and sometimes still mistake) to get the front drivers side window to go down instead of the rear. With the seat back at my setting my hand naturally lands on the rear window switch not the front.

Had to get used to pushing the turn signal fwd for high beam instead of pulling back, but I am guessing that this is common to all newer cars as it tends to result in less accidental high beam activations when using the turn signal. Also, there were a couple of times when I could hear the rear hatch clunking, or rear glass loose due to either false activation of the solenoid switch (the hatch button is in the middle and the glass button is to the right, both up under the rear license plate recess) but I think this was just an issue of getting used to the functions and making sure each were latched when closed; not a malfunction per se.

These are relatively minor ergonomic things and are surely just a compromise in design trying to suit the medium range fit of the target buyers; I am 6 foot tall and about 250 lbs. Funny that Fords are the only vehicles that I have found that the seat will go back further than required for me. Other cars that I have owned it was easy, put the seat all the way back and that's where it needed to be .

My advantage with the Escape or any vehicle is that I've driven so many different makes and models for the phone company that it doesn't take me much time to acclimate to a new one. The one thing that is in a very different place is the "all door lock". I use it frequently when delivering meals--some of the neighborhoods aren't the best. The Canyon's lock was right under my hand when I laid it on the arm rest. The Escape's is up on the door above all of the other controls. I'll get used to it. I'm loving the Sirrius Radio!! I'm spoiling myself....

[Verna]

Congratulations on the new Ford!

I am loving my 2011 F-150. (see pic in signature)

Sue

Thanks, Sue. I've owned two Rangers in years past. I hope this new Ford dealership has better service than the last dealership had.

I dated a guy with an F-150--I loved the truck.....I broke up with the guy

Seriously, I know I'll miss my truck (not as big as the F-150), but I do have one of those cargo carriers that fits into the receiver, and I can rent a utility trailer if I need it. I'll buy a utility trailer if I find I need one a lot.

[Verna]

I'm guessing the 1-1/4 is part of the factory tow package.

Does the tow package on the new Escapes come with the engine oil cooler?

The towing capacity on the older Escapes was significantly lower without it (2000 lbs vs. 3500 lbs).

TJ, I admit to not having read the owner's manual cover to cover yet (it's been a madhouse this week), and I'm not sure about the engine oil cooler. All I know is there is a towing package listed on the window sticker. It doesn't break down what is included. Hopefully I'll be able to read the owner's manual this weekend and educate myself about "stuff". According to all of my Internet searching this weekend, the 4 cyl only had a towing capacity of 1500 lbs. Since my SideKick weighs just under 1500 lbs dry weight, I couldn't even consider the 4 cyl. The Canyon pickup only had a towing capacity of 2800 lbs, so the 3500 lbs is an improvement.

[Verna]

Verna Just buy yourself a new ball mount and the appropriate ball . Most all 1 1/4" class 2 hitches are rated at 3500 pound. That's God a plenty for what we are towing. Level your trailer and measure into the ball cup
( most are set at 17" ) then buy the ball mount that will get the top of the ball to that height.
If you can't hit the height exact a tiny bit nose down is better than nose up.

U haul is a great place to get what you need at a good price should be around $35.00 +/- mount and ball

P.S. congratz on the new tow.

Bob, I have other accessories that go into the 2" receiver. A cargo carrier and a bike rack. Yes, the $35 sounds good, but I think I'll call around and price the 2" receiver. Thanks for the advice.