Community Forums

StuartS · 09-25-2020, 06:53 PM

Is any towing a 2020 Escape Hybrid?

Are they flat towable ?
If so, any special issues to know?

lllkrob · 09-25-2020, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuartS

Is any towing a 2020 Escape Hybrid?

Are they flat towable ?
If so, any special issues to know?

What does the owners manual say about recreational towing?

BadgerRV · 09-25-2020, 07:50 PM

We tow a 2020 Escape Hyrbid AWD. Very easy to set up. Process to place vehicle is 'Neutral Tow Mode' is simple.

There are many threads on here that discuss towinf the Escape. The issue is how quickly the battery drains while towing. Some have replaced the original battery with a larger one, others (like me) have added a charge line. I am using the RVi Towed Battery Charger. It was easy to install and seems to have resolved the issue.

Overall, the Escale is a great toad.

BillJinOR · 09-25-2020, 07:51 PM

The owners manual is probably online ..
the first google I did says no , but I’d look at the actual manual.

c_ref · 09-27-2020, 04:42 PM

2020 Escape Hybrid is flat towable. Simple to place in neutral tow mode as mentioned above. A charge line is needed as battery is used in tow mode per manual.

I just returned from my first trip towing., 3 hours each way, no issues.

Just had Roadmaster baseplate, Demco Duo stay in play brake system, charge line to battery from RV installed. Along with Roadmastet All Terrain tow bar.

belisba · 10-05-2020, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c_ref

2020 Escape Hybrid is flat towable. Simple to place in neutral tow mode as mentioned above. A charge line is needed as battery is used in tow mode per manual.

I just returned from my first trip towing., 3 hours each way, no issues.

Just had Roadmaster baseplate, Demco Duo stay in play brake system, charge line to battery from RV installed. Along with Roadmastet All Terrain tow bar.

I also am towing the 2020 Escape Hybrid. Mine is the Sport LE FWD model. I bought a Blue OX towing kit from a dealer, came with everything (except brake system). Demco Stay in Play installed separately.

I don’t have a battery charge line installed. No issues so far, but I’ve only towed once for about 3.5 hours. When I arrived at the campsite, I started the Escape and just let it idle for a good while and charge as recommended.

Got a 6-hour trip planned soon. Will be a better test. Taking battery jumper just in case.

belisba · 05-31-2021, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by belisba

I also am towing the 2020 Escape Hybrid. Mine is the Sport LE FWD model. I bought a Blue OX towing kit from a dealer, came with everything (except brake system). Demco Stay in Play installed separately.

I don’t have a battery charge line installed. No issues so far, but I’ve only towed once for about 3.5 hours. When I arrived at the campsite, I started the Escape and just let it idle for a good while and charge as recommended.

Got a 6-hour trip planned soon. Will be a better test. Taking battery jumper just in case.

5-31-21. Just got back from a several leg trip pulling my Escape Hybrid. No issues at all with the Escape battery while in tow mode. Lowest charge I saw was about 15% on one leg, but all others were above 35%. I never exceeded the recommended 6 hours max tow time and everything was fine. I got in the habit of running the car for 0.5 hours (until it shut off automatically) after arriving at my destinations. Of course, we drove the car as well to and from town. Another point to make is that I never disconnected the power cable to the Ford from the coach (unless unhitched of course). Not sure one way or the other what role the coach plays in either trickle charging or further draining the Escape battery while connected driving or parked. So, I’m not seeing a need for a charging line to the Escape battery. When I look back and think about my experiences, I believe strongly that AFTER the Ford dealership replaced the original stock battery to fix the problem I was having with dead starts has made all the difference in my experience in both daily use and towing. I don’t think the Escape Hybrid is a well known tow option for RVers yet but if asked, I’d recommend it based on this last trip. Again, no issues.

belisba · 05-31-2021, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by belisba

I also am towing the 2020 Escape Hybrid. Mine is the Sport LE FWD model. I bought a Blue OX towing kit from a dealer, came with everything (except brake system). Demco Stay in Play installed separately.

I don’t have a battery charge line installed. No issues so far, but I’ve only towed once for about 3.5 hours. When I arrived at the campsite, I started the Escape and just let it idle for a good while and charge as recommended.

Got a 6-hour trip planned soon. Will be a better test. Taking battery jumper just in case.

5-31-21. Just got back from a several leg trip pulling my Escape Hybrid. No issues at all with the Escape battery while in tow mode. Lowest charge I saw was about 15% on one leg, but all others were above 35%. I never exceeded the recommended 6 hours max tow time and everything was fine. I got in the habit of running the car for 0.5 hours (until it shut off automatically) after arriving at my destinations. Of course, we drove the car as well to and from town. Another point to make is that I never disconnected the power cable to the Ford from the coach (unless unhitched of course). Not sure one way or the other what role the coach plays in either trickle charging or further draining the Escape battery while connected driving or parked. So, I’m not seeing a need for a charging line to the Escape battery. When I look back and think about my experiences, I believe strongly that AFTER the Ford dealership replaced the original stock battery to fix the problem I was having with dead starts has made all the difference in my experience in both daily use and towing. I don’t think the Escape Hybrid is a well known tow option for RVers yet but if asked, I’d recommend it based on this last trip. Again, no issues.

One recommendation. I highly suggest you develop a checklist that includes steps to ENSURE you put the Escape IN and OUT of “Tow Mode” each leg of your trip. On one occasion, if we HAD NOT gone over the checklist before pulling out, we would have driven off with the Escape in PARK! Don’t under estimate how easy it is to forget this on a multi leg trip. The Checklist saved me $$$ and heartache.

amosnandy · 05-31-2021, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuartS

Is any towing a 2020 Escape Hybrid?

Are they flat towable ?
If so, any special issues to know?

There is actually a section in the owners manual that tells you exactly how to do it, what precautions to take, how fast and how often you should go through the procedure which includes starting the car for a couple minutes.

I have a Fusion Hybrid. First car I ever owned that had RV towing instructions in it.

belisba · 06-01-2021, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amosnandy

There is actually a section in the owners manual that tells you exactly how to do it, what precautions to take, how fast and how often you should go through the procedure which includes starting the car for a couple minutes.

I have a Fusion Hybrid. First car I ever owned that had RV towing instructions in it.

Yeah, I looked at the Fusion as well, but couldn't find a hybrid on the lot. Your right, the manual is pretty straight forward and to my knowledge ALL 2020 Escape Hybrids, regardless of trim, have the same transimission for flat towing. The manual is the ultimate guide.

Deek · 06-19-2021, 10:15 AM

Looking at 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Titanium for new tow vehicle. Just wondering if both FWD and AWD versions are flat towable? Assuming that Titanium would be able to be ordered in either FWD or AWD version - but please correct me if not.

Per comments on this thread, looks like both drive train models could be flat towed. If so, does anyone who owns one and tows with it have a preference?

Many thanks.

Deek

2naEagle · 06-19-2021, 10:29 AM

I have just ordered the Plug in hybrid. Now we'll see how long it takes to get here.

F4Gary · 06-19-2021, 11:32 AM

As I understand it, all the Escape hybrids are flat towable and the AWD is not available as a plug-in. Only the FWD.

belisba · 06-20-2021, 07:55 AM

Yeah, the whole question of just what Escapes are flat towable is not 100% definitive in my mind. Seems the key link in all the variants comes down to the HF45 transmission, not whether it is AWD or FWD or 1.5, 2.0, 2.5L engine. Insist on getting your hands on the owners manual for that model, trim, variant, engine before buying is a smart move. But in summary, I believe only Hybrids are flat towable.