can an 06 Escape tow a 1967 20' Thompson

[kolkovich34]

i believe the towing capacity for the escape is 3500 pounds, but that's with the "towing package". mine didn't come with this package, i installed the hitch myself and the wire harness, that's it. so i guess the question is, is the actualy capacity of my vehicle 3500 lbs without the tow package? i'm looking at purchasing this boat, but not sure about the weight of the boat and trailer. i tried to look up some specs, but didn't have any luck. it is a shorelander trailer and the boat has a 100hp merc.

any help would be appreciated

mike

[JB]

Without the tow rating of the Escape as equipped and the weight of the rig, ready to launch there is no useful answer, mike.

Once you have those numbers it can get pretty simple, just arguments about personal priorities and preferences.

Here are my priorities: That rig must have trailer brakes that work and weigh 70% or less than the vehicle tow rating. The vehicle must be a V6 with AWD or 4WD.

I don't expect the rig to meet those numbers. If it does you can discuss things like vehicle short wheelbase, maybe weighing less than the tow, and AWD v. 4WD v. Fwd.

I don't expect that you will get much encouragement.

[kolkovich34]

i guess, all im asking is....would it be okay to tow it for say about an hour drive. i live about 45 miles from the location of sale and just want to get it home with the vehicle i have. i have limited access and availability to full size pickups, but that's just it. "limited". if they don't answer my call, i don't get the vehicle.

[JB]

If you are asking for "permission" without the numbers to establish safety you will not get it here, mike.

Sorry.

[Tail_Gunner]

The short answer is no. Now with that said if you have a lot of experience with towing the escape can manage 4500 lbs... How will the suspension will handle that load... with electric brakes....IF you understand how the motor works and how to keep it in its power band that to will pull the load...If you dont understand the above then dont attempt such a thing its done with some risk and a good understanding of braking the engines powerband and heat levels.

Bear this in mind one hour of pulling that much weight is severe duty and you would be risking the long term surviveabilty of your power train...pretty big risk for such a small return

[Jetwash]

Can you afford a new transmission? I doubt your Escape has mirrors wide enough to see past the hull.

Even if you had a truck, towing a big boat is no walk in the park. I wouldnt buy a used boat without jacking up the trailer and spinning the trailer tires and check for bearing slop and noise.

If you can rent a truck from home depot or Uhaul (which may have towing restrictions) you will solve half your problem.

You should also consult your auto insurance to make sure its covered on the way home.

[elkhunter338]

I personally would not tow much over a 16' boat with an escape or about 1800 lb trailer. Like others have said your drive train will suffer, braking is an issue, mirrors are not going to work. Why buy a boat if you have nothing to pull it with. Seem like you are buying the wagon before you have a horse to pull it with.
My wife has a honda crv, very similar to the escape. I would not pull my 21' starcraft (4,000 lbs on the axles) with it, I won't even use it to move it around the yard, I would burn the clutch up and the rear suspension would not hold the weight. Heck you put a full load of people and an ice chest in it and she rides low.
Don't do it, you will regret it and it won't be safe.
use a 1/2 ton or better something.

[bouttime007]

Our 05 Escape had tranny issues and it never towed 1 thing. Yours have a tranny cooler?

A small light weight aluminum I could see hauling 45 miles, but not what youre describing.

[Bamaman1]

The Escape has two things against it--short wheelbase and front wheel drive. The short wheelbase Escape is not very stable when towing such a long, heavy boat. Front wheel drives are short of traction when pulling out of a steep boat ramp--with the car's weight transferring to the non-drive rear wheels. (I have been a V6 Escape owner since 2002.) I wouldn't want to pull more than 2000 lbs. behind one.

For a 20' boat, you really need a rear wheel drive vehicle--which means a 1/2 ton pickup truck.

An option would be to leave your boat in a marina for the Fall/Winter, and just tow it twice a year to and from the lake. You could probably handle that safely.

[kolkovich34]

thx for the input everyone