Towing With the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid

[JBumps]

After benefiting from many contributers postings, on this site and others, regarding their experiences towing with the Toyota Prius and the Escape Hybrid, I wanted to try to return the favor to someone else. Hopefully a few people will find some benefit in reading my experience. I will update periodically with reports on different loads and trips taken and share recommendations etc...

May 10, 2011 - Took my 4' x 8' folding trailer (roughly 320 pounds empty after some additional steel and modications to increase load capacity) from Morgantown, WV to Brighton Township, PA. The trip was 207 miles, there and back, to pick up a wood stove. Arrived at the seller's house showing 41.2 mpg - all highway, save the last 7-8 miles. Trip back was with 780-820 pounds in tow. Pulled into my driveway showing 38.0 mpg for the trip back.

Trip there and back was with the CC set to 55, minimal traffic, light/no winds, clear skys/dry pavement. Considering the use of CC - I'm confident predicting that these results should be easily replicated by someone with the patience to allow an extra few minutes to get where they're going when the trailer is in tow.



Despite a few significant hill climbs along the route, I never saw RPM's surpass 3,000 and only saw RPM's in excess of 2,600/2,700 4-5 times.

I do not have the X-Gauge update for my scangauge yet, but the parameters I could read were all right at standard operating ranges for trailer free driving. The FEHL's potential as a towing rig are looking pretty good!

[JimG]

We towed my wife's little runabout speed boat about 400 miles (round trip) a year ago behind her 2007 FEH.

The tow generally went well but we did experience one peculiarity: when we were recovering her boat at the shallow sand ramp, I had to back the FEH to where all 4 wheels were in the water. With the boat on the trailer, the vehicle would not come off of idle and pull. I tried several times each time putting the accelerator pedal to the floor - I got nothing but idle.

In frustration, I backed slightly deeper into the water and then when I returned it to drive, and the vehicle returned forward to its original position. I tried that again, but this time a little more forceful on the accelerator pedal - this time I got results - the engine came alive and easily pulled the boat from the water.

Researching this phenomena, I was told that the FEH has a 'stall detector' on the electric motor that will prevent it from pulling and also the ICE from coming out of idle if the wheels are stuck.

[JBumps]

MATCHED THE EPA!!... While pulling well over two cord of firewood on a 16' x 6' trailer.
30.3 mpg for the 29 mile round trip.

I know that there are likely many posts about the dangers/risks associated with pulling this sort of load not far behind my post and am well aware of the "just because you can, doesn't mean you should" mantra. I'm not advocating that owners attempt to tow this sort of a load at high way speeds or over long distances either. That said, I can't get over the capability of this vehicle.

This load had to weigh in at over 7,000-8,000 pounds (one cord weighs between 2,750 and 4,000 lbs according to many available resources) and the Escape did an amazing job. Getting the tongue weight correct made all the difference in the world, of course, but using a tape measure to monitor the change in hitch height seemed to work well.

Scan gauge monitored parameters were right in line with normal operating temps, with the exception of coolant. Saw one spike to 206 degrees on the steepest hill climb where traffic more or less mandated a little greater speed than the 25-30 I had been sticking too on the less traveled roads. Auxillary fans never kicked on and engine speeds never needed to exceed 4,000rpm, usually less than or at 3,000 rpm with gentle acceleration.

Not sure how much any of this will interest the bulk of FEH drivers on the forum, but I hope that this will help to make others comfortable towing small to meduim sized loads and raise awareness that, while certainly not designed for this duty on a daily basis, the short run and occaisional heavy duty capability of the FEH are remarkable. Meeting EPA on this trip was probably my proudest FE feat yet - 46 mpg tank in the FEHL and 64 mpg tank in the 2010 Prius not withstanding.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Wow.

[JBumps]

How many posts do I need to have before I can post pictures. It's not a great picture of the load, but would like to add the picture to the post for those who would like verification.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

There is no post restriction for that. Upload to the CleanMPG gallery and include a link inline with your post.

[JBumps]

Link for the picutre is attached. Sorry it's not a great one and that the Esacpe isn't still hooked up - you'll have to take my word for it I guess. The rain was closing in fast and I forgot to snap a few better pictures before I parked it.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/showp...to/18119/cat/2

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Nice pic! To include it inline you just need to put

[img]http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/2011-07-079519_17_36.jpg[/img]

into the post -- as found under the picture in the link you provided in the field labeled "UBBCode:"