New toad on the way!

[porscheracer]

We've been towing the '03 Dakota 4x4 Quad Cab with the Vectra. Those two units wll remain in the inventory.

However - a 4500# truck is just a wee bit heavier than the View is happy with. As my health seems to continue to deteriorate, options change. I had been looking for something that would work.

Requirements:
Automatic transmission and AWD, with at least some rudimentatry off-road capability;
Towable 4-down with no modifications;
As light as possible - max weight 3500#;
Reasonable amenities, and decent gas mileage;
Reasonably inexpensive (under $25K, new).

All the conventional stuff failed on one requirement or another, especially after the base Wrangler got so heavy. I was researching, yet again, last night when I stumbled on Ford's new '09 "Towing Guide" (on the Ford website - you have to dig for it, though). Seems that all their '09 stuff with the "Intelli-Drive AWD" system is now 4-down towable.

So, today, we visited my next-to-next-door neighbor - who happens to own a Ford Dealership. We ordered an '09 Ford Escape XLT AWD, 4-cylinder. It should be here about 1/10/09. Interestingly enough, the '09 Escapes have a revised suspension and both engines have substantially more power than last year.

[porscheracer]

We've been towing the '03 Dakota 4x4 Quad Cab with the Vectra. Those two units wll remain in the inventory.

However - a 4500# truck is just a wee bit heavier than the View is happy with. As my health seems to continue to deteriorate, options change. I had been looking for something that would work.

Requirements:
Automatic transmission and AWD, with at least some rudimentatry off-road capability;
Towable 4-down with no modifications;
As light as possible - max weight 3500#;
Reasonable amenities, and decent gas mileage;
Reasonably inexpensive (under $25K, new).

All the conventional stuff failed on one requirement or another, especially after the base Wrangler got so heavy. I was researching, yet again, last night when I stumbled on Ford's new '09 "Towing Guide" (on the Ford website - you have to dig for it, though). Seems that all their '09 stuff with the "Intelli-Drive AWD" system is now 4-down towable.

So, today, we visited my next-to-next-door neighbor - who happens to own a Ford Dealership. We ordered an '09 Ford Escape XLT AWD, 4-cylinder. It should be here about 1/10/09. Interestingly enough, the '09 Escapes have a revised suspension and both engines have substantially more power than last year.

[Steve Rankin]

That sounds great. However, I'd suggest that you carefully examine the owner's manual when your ordered Escape arrives to make sure the vehicle is flat towable. There have situations in the past where there was conflicting documentation and the proud owner of a new vehicle discovered too late that it was not flat towable.

[porscheracer]

Thanks for the heads up. We looked at the owners' guide for an '09 XLT AWD they had on the showroom floor. It confirms it.