I tow a 12 ft, 2100lb (empty) Fleetwood Westlake pop-up with my 07 Escape. I have a class 3 Drawtite hitch that comes out under the bumper. The trailer has brakes and I use friction sway control. I am satisfied with the way it pulls and stops! Considered other pop-ups weighing 200-500lbs more, but we are glad we decided on this one.
Had a local tire/brake shop install the hitch and 4-pin electric hookup for a utility trailer ,for couple hundred bucks and the RV dealer installed the 7-pin coupler and brake controller a year or so later when we bought a camper for more $$$.
