Community Forums

JJS707787 · 09-13-2020, 09:21 PM

Just bought last week to tow behind a 2021 Newmar Dutch Star. Great technology in this car, including a Heads-Up Display for speed and navigation. Has more tech and gee-whiz than my Lexus. The gas mileage is 38 on the highway with the engine providing the power and in the city with the battery providing the power, an impressive 43-47 mpg, I’m going with the Air Force One braking system and a Roadmaster Nighthawk tow bar. Wonder if anyone else is running this toad yet and what system they are using. Seems like its setting up to be a good tow car since I cant have a new CR-V like I used to tow before.

BadgerRV · 09-14-2020, 03:37 PM

Lots of posts on the Escape Hybid. We got ours about 2 months ago and just finished our first trip pulling it. The vehicle itself is great. Its fun to drive and the set up and process for towing is incredibly easy. BUT....be aware that the battery drains easily when towing. You'll need to plan for keeping it charged while in tow. I knew this from reading all of the helpful posts on here. For reasons I won't go into here, on the second day of towing bith to the CG and then back home 2 weeks later, we weren't able to drive the car during the day to keep it charged. Had a dead battery at the CG and at home. A quick starter from the CG solved the issue there, and I hooked it up to a charger for about two hours at home. Here are some links with lots of great info.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/ford-escape-hybrid-toad-504411.html

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/toad-power-problem-504098.html

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/blue-ox-for-2020-ford-escape-hybrid-476862.html

Gormleys · 09-24-2020, 10:29 AM

If you are using the 6-wire or 7-wire (not the 4-wire) Cable from the MH to the toad, you can add a charger kit to keep the batteries topped off while driving. Roadmaster offers a couple of versions, including RM-154.

Dezeldad · 12-01-2020, 10:57 PM

Recently finished setting-up our 2020 Ford Escape with a Roadmaster base plate, RM diode wiring harness, RM battery charge line and Demco Air Force 1 supplemental brake system. Did the car side myself. Had a local shop do the Demco AF1 on our Winnebago Forza motorhome. Tested it this weekend on a short trip and everything worked great. Using the Roadmaster Nighthawk tow bar. Looking forward to a longer trip to really test it.
If you are doing the car installs yourself, or know anyone who is, I’m happy to compare notes. Definitely, a few lessons learned in the process.
Joe

Usmcja · 12-03-2020, 03:37 PM

We bought our 2020 Ford Escape a couple of months ago to two behind our yet to be purchased Class A DP. Thanks for the photos of your installation. Any problems fitting everything for the Air Force One under the hood?

Jim Martinson

Dezeldad · 12-03-2020, 11:47 PM

There is plenty of room under the hood to install the Air Force 1. I attached the main control box to the top of the fuse box on the drivers side. Also coiled up some extra wire and air line next to the box so that it could be easily removed and set aside if needed when accessing the fuses. I put all wires and tubing inside wire loom to protect it. I can send better/ clearer pics if you need them. It was a tighter fit on the inside though when I mounted the actuator on the brake pedal. Not a lot of room and hard to find a good place to anchor it. I ended up anchoring it just below the steering column. Another person on this forum was kind enough to send me a pic of his install and I mounted mine in a similar location.