"Zibodiz" (zibodiz1)
08/04/2014 at 22:31 • Filed to: None
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"Zibodiz" (zibodiz1)
08/04/2014 at 22:31 • Filed to: None | 0
| 6 |
I have an '03 Ford Escape with a Class 3 hitch & trailer brakes. The manufacturer's recommended towing capacity is 3500 lbs, with 350lbs tongue weight. I'm considering purchasing a 24' camper trailer that weights 3800 lbs, full.
My question is this: Has anyone else taken their towing capacity to the max, and if so, what were the results? I'm always game for trying stupid things, and I've towed lots of huge things, but never with my wife's car. Am I going to break it?
Team6.1
> Zibodiz
08/04/2014 at 22:33 |
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Could you? Probably. Would I? no. But I've had some out of control trailers over the years and that shit is scary/sketchy. On the other hand if you upgrade the brakes, maybe braided lines and fresh pads and didn't go up and down mountains you'd probably be fine. Not the same situation but hash tag nightmares none the less
Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius
> Zibodiz
08/04/2014 at 22:41 |
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I had to leave Kinja and ask Google for this link. Here you go. More than you wanted to know. Brakes may not be your biggest concern...
http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/tow-me-down-16…
Jcarr
> Zibodiz
08/04/2014 at 23:02 |
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That's way, way too much trailer for such a small vehicle.
I've pulled a similar sized camper with my '04 Envoy (a larger, heavier, more powerful body-on-frame vehicle) and it made me quite uncomfortable.
Do yourself (and the people you'd be sharing the road with) a favor and either get a small pop-up or get a better tow vehicle.
sm70- why not Duesenberg?
> Zibodiz
08/04/2014 at 23:18 |
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Would the Escape be able to tow that trailer, and maybe even reach highway speeds with it? Probably.
Is it a really bad idea? Definitely.
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Zibodiz
> Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius
08/04/2014 at 23:22 |
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Wow, that is exactly what I was looking for, thank you! Since I'm planning to use a weight distributing hitch, and never go over about 50 (it's just for the back roads near here, probably won't go above 35 most days), I should be fine. I'll definitely be checking my tongue weight to make sure it's all safe.
Worst case scenario, if we can't do it or it doesn't feel safe, is I'll just have to use my truck. I've got a '99 F-250 that can *definitely* handle it. The Escape is just a lot more comfortable for 4 passengers.
shop-teacher
> Zibodiz
08/05/2014 at 01:06 |
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I tow a camper about that same size, but with an '06 Sierra rated to tow 5700 lbs. It can tow it fine, but it's working HARD. I think towing it with an Escape is pretty insane. Your vehicle is already going to be loaded with people and gear, and on top of that you want to tow 10% over its rated max. Not cool.
A: You're going to be dangerously slow getting to speed.
B: Trailer brakes or not, you won't have enough brakes to do an emergency stop.
C: You must hate transmissions.