Towing a Hybrid

[OneRVer]

Hello all, I am looking at buying a Ford Fusion and I am wondering if anyone has flat towed one, or any Hybird, and what all is involved in doing so? The dealer has never heard of one being towed but that does not surprise me.

[texnet]

We have flat towed a 2008 Escape Hybrid for about 33,000 miles with no problems at all. Just follow the instructions in your owners manual and you should be fine. For our Escape the basic instructions are to put the transmission in neutral and leave the key in the ingnition with the steering wheel unlocked. I had a non-computer chip key made that will turn the ingnition on and allow us to put the transmission in neutral but will not start the engine. This way we avoid the possibility of someone breaking a glass and stealing the car.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Remco Towing lists the 2011 Fusion Hybrid as "towable as is" and "follow procedures in owner manual".

[OneRVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer Remco Towing lists the 2011 Fusion Hybrid as "towable as is" and "follow procedures in owner manual".

Thank you both. I should have checked with Remco. I know better. Again thank you.

[OneRVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by texnet We have flat towed a 2008 Escape Hybrid for about 33,000 miles with no problems at all. Just follow the instructions in your owners manual and you should be fine. For our Escape the basic instructions are to put the transmission in neutral and leave the key in the ingnition with the steering wheel unlocked. I had a non-computer chip key made that will turn the ingnition on and allow us to put the transmission in neutral but will not start the engine. This way we avoid the possibility of someone breaking a glass and stealing the car.

Are you happy with the Escape and would you buy another one?

I have not had a car payment for over 10 years and I am a little bit shaky. I have pretty well narrowed it down to the Fusion or the Escape. The Escape is about 7 to 10 thousand higher. But if it is worth it then it is worth. Right???

[Korryp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneRVer Are you happy with the Escape and would you buy another one? I have not had a car payment for over 10 years and I am a little bit shaky. I have pretty well narrowed it down to the Fusion or the Escape. The Escape is about 7 to 10 thousand higher. But if it is worth it then it is worth. Right???

Also have an Escape hybrid and towed it at least 10k in the last three years and would certainly buy another with no reservations.

[texnet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneRVer Are you happy with the Escape and would you buy another one? I have not had a car payment for over 10 years and I am a little bit shaky. I have pretty well narrowed it down to the Fusion or the Escape. The Escape is about 7 to 10 thousand higher. But if it is worth it then it is worth. Right???

We are happy with the Escape but I never buy new cars. I purchase my Fords and motor homes through my cousin who is a Ford/Lincoln dealer and the last 3 SUVs that we have purchased have had a previous life of a rental car. I would not pay the 10k higher price for a Escape Hybrid. You don't get enough difference in mileage to warrent the higher price. The only reason we bought one is I was down to the last dealer auction before we left on our trip to Alaska in 2009 and I had to have something. The 2009 gas versions were having problems being towed 4 down and the Hybrids were not having any problems. Two 08 Hybrids were in the auction and I got one at a decent price. You might check out the new Ford Edge Hybrid. I understand the hybrid version is the same prices as the gas version. FYI, the Hybrid battery is about $10,000 to replace it but it comes with a 100,000 mile warranty so get rid of the car before 100,000 miles!!

[dons2346]

Before I took a secondary opinion about towing, I would consult the owner's manual of the vehicle you want to tow. Even if some towing rag says you can tow it, it is ultimately the manufacturer that rules.

[OneRVer]

texnet thank you for the heads up. The battery will give me something to ponder.

[texnet]

Towed mileage does not count :-)... it does not show up on the odometer.

[OneRVer]

texnet have you ever heard of this company. HybridReVolt: Hybrid Battery Repair

I have read where they have replaced Toyota's battery pack for under $1500.00 with satisfied customers

[texnet]

Sorry, I have not heard of them, but then again we only have 50,000 on the 08 hybrid and I plan on selling it before it hits 100,000. If I don't then I might just need HybridReVolt!!

[legryz]

We've been towing my wife's 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid since last
April. We've made a couple of long trips (from Michigan), one to Florida last spring and a summer trip to Colorado with no problems, except running the battery down and not having the extra key to get in the car. My wife's got that figured out (key position) so that's her job.

[Rockhouse]

We have a new Ford Escape Hybrid and tow, per manual instructions, without any troubles. Quick and easy. Have non-computer key which will not actually start the car and use that key to keep the steering unlocked