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Tskadberg · 11-25-2021, 10:15 AM

This question is for those who are bold/stupid enough and have grit enough to attempt things perhaps they shouldn't.

I am committed to installing a base plate on our on order Ford Escape 2022 PHEV. I have read existing threads on this topic. We are committed to this vehicle because we will be able to use it mainly as an electric car as a daily driver plus we want access to the 14KW battery for boon docking. Plus without tax incentives the HEV will cost us an extra $4000.

So the question:Picture of the HEV (black base plate orange sticker) with the base plate installed. Looking at the passenger side front tire area. Photo of (thanks to an irv2 member) the PHEV (orange power line) without a base plate installed. There appears to be a cooling system for the battery that is not there on the HEV.

Any advice on attempting to move the cooling system and hoses out of the way to install the base plate and then putting the cooling system back?

Thank you!

R.Wold · 11-25-2021, 01:22 PM

Looks to me like the frame components might be different on the two vehicles, so the base plate attachment point may not even be there, behind all that cooling stuff, or if it is, it’s probably different. Might have to find a good welder to customize the base plate IF you can get around all the cooling stuff.

When Ive done this sort of thing, I removed the offending parts with their mounts, installed what I needed to install, then went about modifying the mounts or fabricating new ones for the “stuff” with the goal being to re-use all the OE hoses/wires but in a slightly different location - whatever the OE stuff would allow.

This one looks pretty complicated and before I even started on it I’d confirm that the base plate mount points exist, AND that you’ll have room for the cooling stuff after the base plate is on. You’ll probably have to dig pretty far into it to find out unless someone can confirm that.

Vibeman · 11-28-2021, 04:21 AM

Just a heads-up.
I have a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. I installed a baseplate myself. While shopping for our hybrid, the literature from Ford said the plug-in electric version of the 2021 Escape was not flat-towable. Perhaps it is different for 2022 model year.

Tskadberg · 11-29-2021, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vibeman

Just a heads-up.

I have a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. I installed a baseplate myself. While shopping for our hybrid, the literature from Ford said the plug-in electric version of the 2021 Escape was not flat-towable. Perhaps it is different for 2022 model year.

Thanks for the heads up. Currently ford guides say 2020-2022 PHEV for flat towable. The proof will be if the setting exist on the dash computer.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/

77Travco · 11-29-2021, 05:55 AM

You're just going to have to dive in and relocate and / or modify things.
An electric vehicle is not going to be flat towable.
A hybrid vehicle might be flat towable depending on how the axles are driven.
Owner's manual will have the answer.

Tskadberg · 11-29-2021, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77Travco

You're just going to have to dive in and relocate and / or modify things.
An electric vehicle is not going to be flat towable.
A hybrid vehicle might be flat towable depending on how the axles are driven.
Owner's manual will have the answer.

Just hear from Road Master

“We do have a baseplate in the design process for the Plug-in Hybrid.. We are revising our existing baseplate 524465-4 & -5. Unfortunately it is not ready yet..

Would you mind checking in with me in three weeks? Appreciate that... glenda”

Vongreg · 12-17-2021, 07:38 AM

Thinking about purchasing an escape hybrid (not a plug in) The e-trailer Roadmaster Baseplate instructions state,

12. If your vehicle is not a plug-in: Proceed to the next step. If your vehicle is a Plug-in Hybrid: On the passen- ger side only, unplug the air switch pump and unclip the harness from the shutter housing. Then, remove one 8mm screw attaching the air pump to the shutter housing and pull out to release it (Fig.V). Let it hang down for now.

16. Repeat steps 14 and 15 for the passenger side. If your vehicle is not a plug-in: Proceed to the next step. If your vehicle is a Plug-in Hybrid: Ensure that the air pump is to the outside of the mount so it can be attached to the welded mount on the main receiver brace (Fig.Y).

Hope this helps