Towing info. for Escape

[rjroberts]

I need to get some opinions before I bend the body. It's a 2006 Escape LTD 4x4 with towing package, rated at 3500 lbs. My intended application is a very limited tow in terms of distance; my big concern is a boat ramp.

I will not be towing over the road, just from one side of a boat yard to another - it's one of those situations in which regular marina space is hard to come by but they have "trailer dry storage". I'll have to launch the boat, that is, push it down a ramp, and retrieve by pulling up the ramp - my main concern. The boat trailer combination is supposedly about 4200 to 4400 lbs.

Obviously, tht exceeds my "rating". I am wondering how much of a safety cushion is built into that rating. Since it is not for long distances and I doubt I'll exceed 5mph, overheating isn't an issue at all. But, my big concern is the loading of the power train and the stress on that unibody. Is the 800 extra lbs an issue, especially on a standard boat ramp?

[cheezomlet]

I am pretty sure the rating is because the weight of the item being towed would overcome the vehicle, and the hitch construction of course.
I would say as long as your tongue weight is below what is says, you would be ok yard hauling.

[Mgadget504]

My concern would be making it up the ramp. I have a V6 4x4, and i have gotten it stuck trying to pull a 2500lb boat out on a beach. That was sand. If the ramp is paved I would think you would be fine as long as the hitch it self is rated for more than the weight of the boat. Generaly engineers use a 1.5x safety factor, but i think to be safe if you are worried you should borrow a friends vehicle for the couple of hours it might take you.

[Rory]

So, did you do it? I am wondering how you made out. I am sure you put the auto transmisson in low gear, right?