I'm wondering if anyone has used the XLT 4x4 Escape to tow anything I see that on the Hitch it says max. is 3500 lbs.Im looking at towing almost 5000 lbs so im wondering if thats possilbe.Did Ford offer a tow package for the XLT that could tow more then 3500 lbs ?

I have towed my boat (approx. 1,700 pounds) about 2,000 miles total and my camper (fully loaded approx. 1,800 to 2,000 pounds) probably close to 5,000 miles. In my honest opinion, the Escape will not handle 3,500 pounds unless it is on 100% flat land or going downhill. I almost bought a camper that weighed 2,700 pounds dry. I am glad I didn't because it would be sitting in one spot today and going no where. If you think you want to try 3,500, go for it, but you can be certain that if you try anything over that, number one you'll pull the hitch off and tear up the rear end of the Escape, number two you'll probably rip out the tranny. The Escape cannot climb even a small hill pulling 1,500 pounds plus without shifting into passing gear all the way up, and it won't shift back out of passing gear on it's own. I love my Escape, don't get me wrong. I have over 57,000 miles on mine in 1.5 years. But what I tow with it is all it can handle. Dennis

Forgot, mine is the XLT 4X4. - In canadianfordescapeclub@y..., venomizedsnake <no_reply@y...> wrote: > I'm wondering if anyone has used the XLT 4x4 Escape to tow anything I > see that on the Hitch it says max. is 3500 lbs.Im looking at > towing almost 5000 lbs so im wondering if thats possilbe.Did Ford > offer a tow package for the XLT that could tow more then 3500 lbs ?

Thanks Dennis I may have to move up to an Explorer to tow more than 3500 lbs.I never thought I would have to tow anything when I purchased the Escape but things change.I will only be towing 5 or 6 times a year so I was hoping that the Escape may have been able to do the job.I wounder If the Explorer sport could handle towing more than 3500 lbs. ~ Fab

Yes the Explorer would be your better choice if you need to tow more than 3500 lbs. I'm with Dennis if you have to tow more than about 2500 lbs consistingly I would look at another vehicle. My boat, motor and trailer comes in around 1700 lbs. It tows that weight no problem, but I haven't tried it up any mountains yet. I have been golfing more this year than fishing so I haven't towed my boat too often this year. (I have taken about 15 strokes off of my game though, but I digress) Gary

I haven't really looked at the Exlorer Sport, but the newer Explorers have the same hitch on them that the Escape does, which is only rated at 3,500 and 300 or 350 pounds tongue weight. So I would assume that the Sport does too. I think the reall problem with the Escape is the Tranny and the gearing. I believe the Engine has the power but it's really missing on the torque end. Many of the older Explorers only had the bumper hitch, and this is even worse as they are only rated at 2,000. You could probable have a larger hitch installed and the Explorer should handle a boat as large as you are talking about, which obviously is a glass boat in the 20 ft range or larger. Anyway, I really can't imagine my moving up in size on either my boat or camper, so I can get by with what my Escape gives me, but Ford has honestly over rated what it will handle with the current engine/tranny/gearing. Dennis

As Dennis already indicated, you can't tow more than the limit unless you want to get yourself in trouble. Also note that the 3500 lbs limit also inlcudes passenger weight, cargo, gas, etc... Mario

John: My Escape also tows my Aliner LXE pretty good, but I do notice that in the mountains it struggles some, especially on the long pulls. Think my dry weight is around 1,400 pounds. With the Aliner loaded I probably reach 1,600 or so and then add in what we carry in the Escape and may be up around 2,000 total. It's my opinion that this is really about the max the Escape can handle unless one stays on very flat terrain all the time. Gary and I have also had our Escapes stick at around 5,200 rpm when going up hills and they shift into passing gear. Mine has just been with a load in tow, but I think Gary has had it happen with nothing in tow. As far as attempting 5,000 pounds, I sure hope no one tries this, would be extremely dangerous for sure. Concerning Aliners. Have to ever been to the Aliner Owners Club Webpage? We have a great club and several Canadian members. There is a link from the Columbia North (Aliner) page. Dennis