Towing questions

rmarriner · 03-11-2008, 07:55 PM

Sorry if this has been asked before. I just purchased a 2005 V6 front wheel drive with the factory tow package. According to the book I should be able to tow a trailer up to 3500lbs GVW and 300lbs tounge weight on the Class II hitch. I have a couple of questions though.

The factory tow package comes with a transmission cooler, correct? How would I verify this, could you see it by crawling under the engine and physically looking?

I plan on buying a ScanGuage II for my Escape and monitor the tranny temp when towing, what is normal temp when towing and not towing?

How dead set is the 3500lbs? I am looking at some tent trailers that weigh anywhere between 1500 and 2500 lbs. empty, that leaves around 1000 lbs for us to load it with, which I would think would be sufficient. Obviously the lighter I can keep it the better, but if I were to say, haul a trailer weighing 3499, would that really add that much more wear-and-tear to my vehicle?

If my Escape it's self is at max GVW, would that lower my towing capacity?

Would trailer brakes change the capacity at all?

Basically, in summary, can I tow a small to medium tent trailer, camping equipment and my wife and two kids without a problem? Anybody else doing this?

Every where I've read said that towing really tears up the vehicle, particularly the transmission... so I kind of got spooked...

I suppose I should have asked these *before* I bought my escape! LOL!
Thanks so much, you guys are an invaluable resource!
Richard

bkf77 · 03-12-2008, 05:35 AM

Basically, in summary, can I tow a small to medium tent trailer, camping equipment and my wife and two kids without a problem? Anybody else doing this?

Yes would be my answer. If the vehicle is equiped with a trans oil cooler, you should be able to follow the trans lines by the radiator. A cooler would be located in the front of the radiator for optimum cooling. If you don't find one I would recommed that you have one installed.
The operating temp while towing is probably around 200 deg F. I don't know what the spec is but that would be my guess.

Weheavy · 03-12-2008, 08:27 AM

The trans cooler is in front of the radiator at the bottom. It looks to be 4-5 inchs in height and running across the full length of the radiator.

As far as towing I would say your OK as long as you don't exceed the limits of the vehicals load capacity plus it's towing capacity

200 degrees sounds about right but to be sure I would ask a tranny shop or 2 and cross check with the dealer.

DoctorCAD · 03-13-2008, 04:51 AM

All Escapes have the tranny cooler, the towing package comes with an engine oil cooler. It is a plate between the oil filter and the engine block.

Towing at or near the 3500 pounds will be a bit hard on it, but not too bad.
Stopping is the biggest worry, get brakes on the trailer.

rmarriner · 03-13-2008, 09:05 AM

First off, thanks for everyone's response! I appreciate it!

I looked for the transmission cooler and it does indeed have one as DoctorCAD said. I'll look for the engine oil cooler tonight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorCAD

Stopping is the biggest worry, get brakes on the trailer.

Funny! That's what the Jeep dealership said about my Wrangler when I asked them about a hitch for it! It was something like, "It can tow about anything, but stopping's a different story!" LOL!

In all actuality the tent trailers I've seen that we can afford are anywhere between 2200 and 3000 Max GVW and around 1500-2200 unloaded weight. We can't afford a new one, and most of the used ones I've seen, that size, do not have trailer brakes with exception of one or two I've seen that are pushing the 3000 mgvw... I am only looking online on craigslist though...

You guys have put my mind at ease some... My biggest concern was totally destroying the transmission... but now it seems stopping is on my mind...

ajpletcher · 03-13-2008, 10:39 AM

Just be careful, I have done alot of towing in my time and front wheel drives, even though they can, shoudent be used for extended or long hauls. They will tow, and tow fine, but front wheel drive delivers power totally differently on a car than rear wheel drive. Not saying your going to have a problem, Just you should ask around more about towing with front wheel instead of what to tow

rmarriner · 03-13-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajpletcher

Just be careful, I have done alot of towing in my time and front wheel drives, even though they can, shoudent be used for extended or long hauls.

Our towing frequency, at this point would be on average probably 300 miles round trip a small handful of times a year. There is a small stretch of road with lots of curves so braking is important! If anybody knows HWY 20 between Willits, CA and Fort Bragg, CA, then you know what I am talking about... Then a 400 mile round trip once or maybe twice a year.

I had originally wanted a boat, which I would have been towing probably almost every weekend (a medium fishing boat/small bass boat less than 2500gvw ). But my plans have changed a little and I can get a tent trailer a lot cheaper than I can get a decent boat. I still may borrow my dads little 12 ft aluminum boat occasionally and tow it about 60 miles round trip with mostly flat terrain. It weighs guessing, about 800 to 1200 lbs, I can easily pick the tounge up and push or pull it even on grass.

Now, this is all the plan, I highly doubt it will end up this way, but I know if I do haul that much then the "severe maintenance schedule" will apply. Which I have yet to see exactly what that entails. I can't seem to find it in my owners manual, unless I am simply over looking it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajpletcher

They will tow, and tow fine, but front wheel drive delivers power totally differently on a car than rear wheel drive. Not saying your going to have a problem, Just you should ask around more about towing with front wheel instead of what to tow.

I have heard that FWD vehicles tow just as well as RWD vehicles, is this not the case? What would I need to look out for? Would it sway more? My experience really is only hauling my dads 24ft fifth wheel with an F250. It hauled beautifully...

silversurfer · 03-13-2008, 11:43 AM

I have a 2002 focus sedan with the Z engine. Any concern with pulling a 4x6 enclosed trailer w/ approx 1000lbs max.? thanks!

rmarriner · 03-13-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silversurfer

I have a 2002 focus sedan with the Z engine. Any concern with pulling a 4x6 enclosed trailer w/ approx 1000lbs max.? thanks!

I came across this, it might not be in depth and doesn't hint on a 2002, but it might help you out some...

http://www.ford-forums.com/ford-focu...p-trailer.html

ajpletcher · 03-13-2008, 12:00 PM

I Dont believe you will see a diffrence in pulling handling ... My point was more that on a rear wheel drive the rear of the vechicle pushes the car and pulls the load, with the motor tranny, drive shaft, and rear end all being aligned. On a front the pulling power is all up front and aligned across the car. So if you were doing so serious hauling, i wodent recommend it. I head this along time ago so bear with me ... But it has something to do with how the torque of the motor is transmitted to the car.

But for what you are doing and such little you should be more than fine.

However, Dont quote me hopefully somebody has so better knowledge, and if im totally wrong correct me