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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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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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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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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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