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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Our car is getting old and may be looking for a new to us, or commonly referred to as used, tow vehicle. Does anybody use a smaller SUV like the escape to tow?? I have a Ranger 680T so not terribly heavy, but would like to get into some lakes that don't have the greatest launch ramps.
Any thoughts? |
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Posts: 49
| My Toyota FJ Cruiser has been a great tow vehicle. Pretty much bullet proof. |
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Posts: 49
| I pull an Alumacraft Magnum 165 regularly and it handles it well. Have pulled a 618 to LOTW with no problems as well.
Edited by 906ESOX 12/7/2013 4:45 PM
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | I like those FJ's a bunch, but I think a bit out of my price range. |
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Posts: 192
Location: Quebec, Canada | I pull a Legend Xcalibur 16 1/2' full windshield with my Ford Escape. I've never had no problem at all with the boat full with fishing/camping equipment and the truck with 4 grown men into wood trails. |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Drakl - 12/7/2013 5:11 PM
I pull a Legend Xcalibur 16 1/2' full windshield with my Ford Escape. I've never had no problem at all with the boat full with fishing/camping equipment and the truck with 4 grown men into wood trails.
If you don't mind, what engine do you have, 2 or 4 wheel drive , and what year is your escape?
Thanks |
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Posts: 50
| I pull a Tracker v17 loaded with gear and 3 people with my 2013 Escape. I have the tow package, 4wd, and the most powerful engine though. I will say it pulls like a dream, just have to use a low gear to pull up really steep ramps. Hope this helps!
Edited by enice 12/7/2013 5:49 PM
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Thanks enice, it does. So you have a 6 cyl then? |
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Posts: 50
| No, I got the Titanium package with the 2.0l 4 cylinder. It has the highest tow rating of any model they have. I don't even think they have a 6 cylinder option, or at least didn't for 2013. |
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Posts: 192
Location: Quebec, Canada | Clammer - 12/7/2013 6:17 PM
Drakl - 12/7/2013 5:11 PM
I pull a Legend Xcalibur 16 1/2' full windshield with my Ford Escape. I've never had no problem at all with the boat full with fishing/camping equipment and the truck with 4 grown men into wood trails.
If you don't mind, what engine do you have, 2 or 4 wheel drive , and what year is your escape?
Thanks
3l. 6cy.l 4 wheel drive 2011. I used to have a 2009 manual 4cyl. Mazda Tribute (which is the same thing as Ford Escape) and it would definitely have had problem with my boat, which is why I changed it for the 6cyl escape when I bought my boat. |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Thanks Drakl, thought I would need the 6, but wanted to ck. A lot of used 4 cyl, not near as many 6's. |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | enice - 12/7/2013 5:55 PM
No, I got the Titanium package with the 2.0l 4 cylinder. It has the highest tow rating of any model they have. I don't even think they have a 6 cylinder option, or at least didn't for 2013.
Really, no more 6?? I will be getting a 2011 or older to get the price down, so I don't think the titanium pkg is available.
Thanks again! |
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Location: Not far enough north! | I have a 04 with about 160k on it. It handles a 1760 just fine. I have the v-6 and 4wd. It has been a great car for us never had any major problems with it. Just new brakes and a couple vacuum lines over the years. It has developed an oil leak in the last few months, which I think is a the front main seal. But this car has been sitting a lot lately so I think the seal dried out and started leaking. I think it would be fine for a smaller boat. I don't know the weight of a 618... |
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Posts: 130
Location: Madison, WI | I have a 690T w/ 75hp Etec. I tow with a Honda Pilot (w/ tow package) and have been pleased. Not sure what the comparable Ford is to the Honda Pilot. Some information you may find useful:
-690T with gear, full fuel tank (32 gallons I believe), and empty livewell/baitwell is right around 3000lbs
-Trailer does have brakes
-Pilot has 4500lbs of boat rating
-Pilot has a 3.5 liter 6
For my current rig, I would not go with less of a tow vehicle.
Edited by dcorfman 12/8/2013 11:41 AM
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Farmer Rick - 12/8/2013 11:11 AM
I have a 04 with about 160k on it. It handles a 1760 just fine. I have the v-6 and 4wd. It has been a great car for us never had any major problems with it. Just new brakes and a couple vacuum lines over the years. It has developed an oil leak in the last few months, which I think is a the front main seal. But this car has been sitting a lot lately so I think the seal dried out and started leaking. I think it would be fine for a smaller boat. I don't know the weight of a 618...
Any Idea what your setup weighs??
Sounds like it has worked well for you, Thanks |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | dcorfman - 12/8/2013 11:35 AM
I have a 690T w/ 75hp Etec. I tow with a Honda Pilot (w/ tow package) and have been pleased. Not sure what the comparable Ford is to the Honda Pilot. Some information you may find useful:
-690T with gear, full fuel tank (32 gallons I believe), and empty livewell/baitwell is right around 3000lbs
-Trailer does have brakes
-Pilot has 4500lbs of boat rating
-Pilot has a 3.5 liter 6
For my current rig, I would not go with less of a tow vehicle.
A Pilot is slightly bigger than the Escape, but would be a good option if I can find one at a good price. My 680 is a bit less weight. Only a 45 HP and a 10 gal gas tank. Did not think a 690 would weigh 3000! Is that an estimate or did you actually weigh it? Maybe my rig is heavier than I think. |
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Location: Not far enough north! | Don't really know what it weighs. Hull is 1400, got a 75 opti, 3 batteries, tank holds 36 gal, and gear, trailer is probably bout 700lbs. Probably getting up there around 3k I imagine... When I go on long trips I usually use the farm truck or buddies Explorer which has the small v8 and tows the boat like a dream. The escape is fine but the explorer as a little heavier and handles better with the weight... |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Thanks Farmer. Quite a bit heavier than my 680T.
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Posts: 130
Location: Madison, WI | I took the 690T to a truck scale and weighed it - 2960lbs.
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Posts: 1278
Location: Walker, MN | I had a Jeep Liberty (3.7L) that towed quite well. In fact it towed better than my current Chev Colorado. It wasn't my primary tow vehicle but it towed a 1700 Pro V tiller just fine without hills. |
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Posts: 119
| I have towed with a newer generation Nissan Xterra before and it did very well. You can get them really cheap used. Same motor, frame and transmission as the frontier. I believe they are tow rated for 5,000-5,500 lbs. A very capable off road vehicle as well if you can find one with the pro4x package. |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Masqui-ninja - 12/8/2013 2:07 PM
I had a Jeep Liberty (3.7L) that towed quite well. In fact it towed better than my current Chev Colorado. It wasn't my primary tow vehicle but it towed a 1700 Pro V tiller just fine without hills.
Never even thought of a liberty, Hmmm
An Xterra is a thought as well, Thanks Slump
Edited by Clammer 12/8/2013 2:34 PM
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | dcorfman - 12/8/2013 12:57 PM
I took the 690T to a truck scale and weighed it - 2960lbs.
Well a 680 is 800 dry, plus 250? for my merc 45, and trailer should put me well below 2000#'s |
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Posts: 1278
Location: Walker, MN | Clammer - 12/8/2013 2:32 PM
Masqui-ninja - 12/8/2013 2:07 PM
I had a Jeep Liberty (3.7L) that towed quite well. In fact it towed better than my current Chev Colorado. It wasn't my primary tow vehicle but it towed a 1700 Pro V tiller just fine without hills.
Never even thought of a liberty, Hmmm
An Xterra is a thought as well, Thanks Slump
The 3.7l from the mid 2000's had 210 hp and was geared pretty low so they pull nice. Also I liked the real 4 wheel drive (rear wheel drive) .The down side is they get pretty poor MPG and with a smallish fuel tank, had really bad range. |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Masqui-ninja - 12/8/2013 2:45 PM
Clammer - 12/8/2013 2:32 PM
Masqui-ninja - 12/8/2013 2:07 PM
I had a Jeep Liberty (3.7L) that towed quite well. In fact it towed better than my current Chev Colorado. It wasn't my primary tow vehicle but it towed a 1700 Pro V tiller just fine without hills.
Never even thought of a liberty, Hmmm
An Xterra is a thought as well, Thanks Slump
The 3.7l from the mid 2000's had 210 hp and was geared pretty low so they pull nice. Also I liked the real 4 wheel drive (rear wheel drive ) .The down side is they get pretty poor MPG and with a smallish fuel tank, had really bad range.
Still worth cking out, Thanks again! |
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Posts: 383
| They're kinda hard to find, but Jeep used to make a diesel Liberty. I had an '05 and it was a pulling machine! Pulled an 18' fish and ski across two states without issue and it was awesome at the ramp!
Edited by hooked 12/8/2013 6:11 PM
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Posts: 485
Location: On my favorite lake! | Stay away from the dodge nitro unless you get the bigger engine. I had a 3.7 towing a 17 ft aluminum. Close lakes it was fine but highway it really struggles.
One more thing to mention make sure you get trailer brakes with a smaller vehicle. Stopping with a little vehicle with a boat behind you can be fun.
Edited by Lightning 12/12/2013 7:47 AM
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Posts: 501
Location: S.Wisconsin | I used to think my liberty pulled just fine. Then I got a silverado and couldn't believe how much nicer it was. The only downside to smaller suv type vehicles is stopping in a hurry. They will get pushed if you don't have trailer brakes. That being said people pull boats with cars all the time  |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | lightning and little one, thanks for the heads up. As for brakes, I have done a ton of towing and know about stopping power! Run a seal coat business and stopping that huge trailer when the tank is full of sealer can be interesting! |
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Posts: 59
| I would give another vote for the Pilot. I have an 08 with without the tow haul mode, and it does really well. I also have a 681 but mine is a C and it has a 115. I have pulled my boat many thousand miles with my Pilot and as far a I'm concerned I would rather pull it with that than my 5.3 Sierra pickup. Way less down shifting on hills and way better gas mileage. Just my .02 |
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Posts: 283
| I've been towing a 16' Starcraft with a 50hp with a Subaru impreza, it works but not ideal. It can pull it fine on level terrain but struggles in the hills. I've upgraded the brakes and I can stop in "adequate" distance.
I am selling it and getting a honda pilot, between towing the boat and a growing family. With 3 rows of seats and the towing capacity I really need, it's a no-brainer.... Plus I've had a couple Hondas in the past- great cars. |
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Posts: 164
| Another vote for the Honda Pilot. They redesigned the Pilot in 2009 to the current model on sale today (there will be a new model within the next year) and it’s a great vehicle. I pull my Ranger 618vs without any issues, it’s recommended to run it on premium gas for towing and I get around 15 mpg. The AWD is rate at 4500lbs, so well within the limit, they also come with the tow hitch receiver as standard, you just need the wiring harness, which is really easy to fit. If you are looking for a used one, make sure you get 2009 or newer, not much goes wrong with a Honda, there are plenty of them out there for a reason.
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Well we got a used 4x4 Escape with the V6 and the factory trailer tow pkg of 3500#. I am real happy with how it drives and I am looking forward to towing my boat some where to fish! Thanks for all the input, looked at some models I hadn't thought of checking out, but in the end this Escape was a really good deal, and budget was a huge issue!
Now I just need some open water! |
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Posts: 267
| I pull my 680c w / a Jeep Liberty Renegade 3.7 and it does fine. |
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Posts: 5
| I pull my 18ft cc that total with boat, trailer, gear and full tank of gas weighs about 3500 with a 97' jeep cherokee and it does a good job. You can find the cherokees for pretty cheap and the inline 6 is basically a tank and extremely easy to work on if you're into doing your own repairs. |
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Ford Escape or smaller SUV??