Any Ford Escape Owners…

  • jigs
    Posts: 163
    February 13, 2012 at 3:28 pm #1275783

    I am looking at downsizing vehicles. Right now I have a big 3/4 ton pickup but it looks like I will be doing some more driving next year or two and I don’t really need the big pickup anymore. My question is, does anyone have any experience with a Ford Escape with the 3.0 v-6 pulling a 16 foot boat? I have a 16 ft tiller with a 50 horse motor and I see this vehicle is rated for a 3500 pound tow rating. My quesiton is in a real world situation will this vehicle handle pulling my boat around? No real long trips generally.

    Thank you for any help or insight, or if anyone else has some experience in a mid sized vehicle that gets ok mileage and can still pull a small boat that would be great.

    jonboy
    Wausau, WI
    Posts: 445
    February 13, 2012 at 3:52 pm #1038404

    I have a full size Tundra but my son drives an Escape. We have pulled small enclosed trailer (10 ft) and utility trailer with it no problems. Gets much better mileage (over 20) than my Tundra…(15 to 17)!

    tom_gursky
    Michigan's Upper Peninsula(Iron Mountain)
    Posts: 4751
    February 13, 2012 at 3:56 pm #1038405

    We have an 06 Escape 4X4 with a V-6… It has been flawless so far for us, solid 25-27 mpg highway.
    I have not pulled a boat with it, but I dont think you will have a problem with the size boat as you mentioned.

    jigs
    Posts: 163
    February 13, 2012 at 4:08 pm #1038417

    Thanks guys, I am going to test drive a couple tonight and wanted some real world ideas beforehand. The 23 mpg would be a little nicer than the 11 i get right now.

    jbb
    Minneapolis area
    Posts: 199
    February 13, 2012 at 4:55 pm #1038442

    I got an Edge AWD with that motor and I have no problem towing my Rebel

    carroll58
    Twin Cities, USA
    Posts: 2094
    February 13, 2012 at 7:05 pm #1038476

    The Escape is similar size to a Jeep Liberty which I have.

    No problem towing a 16 1/2′ aluminum with a 55hp loaded with a weeks worth or gear for 3-guys. I have a 3.7L V-6 with towing package.

    No Problem stopping either, only downside to a Liberty (20003) is Gas Mileage.

    Vehicle weight = 5,500

    Average commute mileage 18mpg

    Highway trips (Not-towing) 21mpg

    Towing 13-14mpg

    John Schultz
    Inactive
    Portage, WI
    Posts: 3309
    February 13, 2012 at 8:50 pm #1038495

    With your boat, you should be fine. It is never really the pulling part that is the concern, it is the stopping part. I had a grand cherokee that was rated at more than enough towing capacity to pull my 18 foot boat. Didn’t stop it worth a darn though. After one year, I switched to a truck. I still think you will be fine with a light 16 foot boat.

    jon_wbl
    Posts: 289
    February 13, 2012 at 9:15 pm #1038498

    Most trucks will pull a boat just fine, its stopping that truck/trailer that you need to check.

    BassMasterFunk
    White Bear Lake, MN
    Posts: 178
    February 13, 2012 at 9:15 pm #1038499

    I pulled my 17 ft smokercraft with an 80 horse every once in awhile with our Saturn Vue. It had a 3.5 liter, AWD, and #3500 tow rating. It’s comparable to what you’re looking at with a bit more engine. It did a decent job.

    basser
    White Bear Lake,mn.
    Posts: 113
    February 13, 2012 at 10:39 pm #1038535

    Not a Escape owner,but pulled my predator with a 50 hp motor with a caravan and a sonoma pick-up .Both had v-6’s .What made me change to fullsize pick-up was the smaller vehicles couldn’t stop boat in a safe amount of time. Good luck….

    pool13_jeff
    NW, IL
    Posts: 884
    February 14, 2012 at 1:33 am #1038628

    Pulled my 1600 Explorer (everything about 2k pounds) for several years, until I bought my Acadia. Believe me, I knew the boat was back there, but it was fine. I got 14-15mpg pulling my boat. I have the 3.0 in my ’06.

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