Ford Freestyle with CV transmission

[Mark42]

Been looking at vehicles to replace our 5.0 Merc Mountaineer (185,000 miles!). I saw the Freestyle with 3.0 v6 and Continously Variable transmission (CV). Its rated for a 2000lbs trailer. <br /><br />I worry about a CV towing. Anyone here tow with a Freestyle? Any issues with it?

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Ford Freestyle with CV transmission

Because I am a cheap jerk and i don't like using my personal vehicles for company business I put a trailer hitch on my Ford Freestyle. I trailered my snowmobile about 200 miles on a new single axle steel trailer. The total weight was around 1500 lbs or less. <br /><br />Net on the deal. It trailered OK. The brakes on this car are huge so braking was no issue. It could tow at around 75mph but not much more. It ran just under 3000rpms. The cvt is just going to adjust the rpms upward as the weight increases. 0-45 there is plenty of torque and the car itself is well up to the job. Just a little light on the HP in my opinion at higher speeds. Because of this the transmission will adjust, not downshift, just edge up the rpms as the grade increases. It really is interesting.<br /><br />Like I said, the car (frame and brakes) will have no problem at all with the 2000lbs. It is just a matter of a passing gear, the 3.0l six under the hood is just a litle light. Note: I have the AWD version and the 2wd might tow a little better on the highway.<br /><br />I had the hitch put on at U-haul. Everything I have read and hear is that the CVT is up to the job. It has proven itself to be a durable and reliable tranny. No worries on that component. I kind of liked the stability it provided as a tow vehicle. The frame is a volvo and you would expect that from them.<br /><br />I hope this answers your questions. If you have more just post.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Ford Freestyle with CV transmission

Would you be better off in a Ford Explorer with the V-6? The Chevy Equinox Might work but you gotta find out if it will pull the weight.<br /><br />That 5 Cylinder in my Colorado is a monster for towing. Plus I get better milage when towing the boat than the F-150 got alone!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Ford Freestyle with CV transmission

Chevy Equinox is rated for 3500# properly equipped.

 

[tommays]

Re: Ford Freestyle with CV transmission

I have a 2005 Equinox AWD and its hard for me to believe it could TOW 3500 # ? 2000# would be a Lot<br /><br />tommays

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Ford Freestyle with CV transmission

Notice the "properly equipped" part of my post? Have you actually tried towing 2000 pounds? Obviously as you approach the maximum rated tow limit with any vehicle whether its rated for 1000 or 10,000# things get strained. That's why they say "maximum". Mark indicated he towed 2000# with a 3.0 V6. Your Equinox has a 3.4 or 3.5 V6 which is roughly 20% more displacement and as they say "there is no substitute for cubic inches." It will do nicely at 2000# and I know that for a fact as my neighbor tows his pontoon boat with an Equinox.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Ford Freestyle with CV transmission

if you are towing your MFG Niagara, the freestyle will have no problem, tow 18' bonita 1979, w/ 135 merc. with a 2005 Mercury Mariner 2.3L 4 cylinder.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Ford Freestyle with CV transmission

My wife is now looking at mini-vans. I don't really want a mini-van. I like being able to drive on the beach with the Mountaineer. A fwd mini van isn't going to cut it.<br /><br />I might compromise with the Chrysler Pacifica AWD. <br /><br />But for now, the old Merc will stay around for my soon to be 16yr old son to practice crashing, er, I mean driving in.<br /><br />Oh, brother.

 

[KM2]

Re: Ford Freestyle with CV transmission

Why not another explorer/mountainer? The 2006s are really nice. If you want to downsize the escape is also nice. <br /><br />My favorite small tow vehicle is the Jeep liberty with the diesel engine. I'm onsidering getting one now for my wife after see one at the auto show. Real 4x4, tons of torque and 26 mpg on the hwy.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Ford Freestyle with CV transmission

The Freestyle does have the wheel base and (lenght and width) but anything over 1500 lbs could be a stretch on the cvt tranny. Remeber it is belt driven and is not a real ford tranny (volvo halidex design)<br /><br />In general if Ford builds a vehicle for towing they'll spec it out to a minimun of 5000lbs aka a ford ranger.(automatic @ that)<br /><br />Selling ford's i can tell you it would be frowned upon by service mgr's............ I for one would not admit to knowningly selling a customer a 500/Freestyle if there intentions were to tow anything other than a tent trailer.