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RE: Another home run for Ford? 240 HP 2013 Escape...
Is the transmission on the 2013 the same as the 2011. If so, I have heard that 4 down towing with an automatic on the 2011 automatic transmission has been rescinded by Ford.
Not quite the truth. Certain build dates of the recent editions of the Ford Escape are still towable four down. You have to go to MyFord and login to check to see if your Escape is still towable or not. Mine is, and it is a great toad.
Where did you find this on the site for your specific vehicle? I was told this by my dealer as well. If your build date is approximately Feb 27th 2012 or later, it is not towable. I bought mine in January 2012, so I am good.
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mlh
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05/15/12 04:15pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Ford Escape Report
Here is what I replied to Ford from their first response.........
I appreciate the quick response. I am a little confused now. I am
attaching the Owner's Guide Supplement (1st Printing) that was found on the motorcraftservice.com website. It specifically states that the Escape cannot be towed with 4 wheels on the ground. I also called your customer service line and spoke to the person that answered the phone. She looked up the list of Ford vehicles that can be towed behind an rv with all wheels on the ground. She stated that the Escape Hybrid was the only model that could be towed in this manner. She stated that I should contact the dealer. I contacted my salesman and it was the first he had heard of it. He said he
had a call into Ford to find out how to remedy the situation being that I specifically bought the vehicle for the purpose of towing behind an rv.
Any additional information you can provide would be much appreciated. I would like to get this resolved quickly as I have another trip planned in the very near future. I don't want to get caught in a situation where a transmission failure would not be covered under warranty even though I verified that this vehicle could be towed with the dealer before purchasing it and also had the TSB performed by the dealer to set the transmission fluid to the correct level for towing.
Thanks,
Here is their second response I got today......
My name is ***** and I have taken the opportunity to address your inquiry regarding if your 2012 Ford Escape can be towed with 4 wheels on the ground. It is certainly understandable as to why this would be a frustrating experience not being sure of the various answer you have been told about this.
We double checked the 2nd edition of the owners manual and on page 205 at owner.ford.com it does state that both FWD and 4WD can be towed with all 4 wheels on the ground. We apologize if there was any confusion with this information.
We appreciate you taking the time to write us and hope everything works out for you. Thank you for contacting Ford.
Sincerely,
Either they are just plain idiots or they do not want to answer my question for whatever reason.
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mlh
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04/23/12 07:44pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Ford Escape Report
I just received an email response from Ford.....interesting.....I replied asking for clarification since it directly contradicts the supplement and what the person on the phone at Ford told me.
Thank you for contacting the Ford Customer Relationship Center.
My name is ******* and I had the opportunity to read your email inquiring about the Front-wheel drive towing on your 2012 Ford Escape. First, congratulations on your recent purchase and I am very pleased to welcome you to the Ford family. I appreciate you taking the time to write to us and consider our assistance in regard to this matter.
To assist you, I have personally checked your Owner's Manual on page 205 under the Tires, Wheel and Loading.
Your Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on the ground or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow dolly. If you are using a tow dolly follow the instructions specified by the equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground, refer to the towing instructions below.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on the ground or with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle transport trailer. Do not tow your 4WD vehicle with the front wheels off the ground (by using a tow dolly) and the rear wheels on the ground; this will cause damage to your 4WD system. If you are using a vehicle transport trailer, follow the instruction specified by the equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground, refer to the towing instructions below.
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground:
• For vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, have your transmission fluid level checked by an authorized dealer. For the correct transmission fluid level when flat towing (all four wheels on the ground)
• Tow only in the forward direction.
• Release the parking brake.
• Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
• Place the ignition to the accessory position • Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) if the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission or 70 mph (113 km/h) if equipped with a manual transmission.
• If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning of each day and every six hours thereafter. With the engine running and your foot on the brake, shift into D (Drive) and then into R (Reverse) before shifting back into N (Neutral).
If you need further clarification and assistance, I suggest you speak with Service Manager ******** of ********** Ford at (***) ***-****. He will further assist in facilitating your service needs. Our dealerships have factory trained technicians, comprehensive service information and specialized equipment to resolve any concerns on your vehicle. They serve as our technical experts and can recommend the necessary service for your vehicle.
I hope this experience will not affect your relationship with Ford Motor Company. Our intentions are not to inconvenience you in any way, our goal is to work with you to ensure that your concern will be properly addressed through the assistance of our dealership.
Thank you for contacting Ford Motor Company.
Sincerely,
*****
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mlh
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04/22/12 03:51pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Ford Escape Report
I have not received an email, but I did speak to someone on the phone with Ford's customer service. They asked for my VIN and then checked their list of vehicles that can be towed. I was informed that the Escape Hybrid is the only Escape model that can be towed for 2012. I asked her how Ford intends to remedy the situation and she stated that I needed to contact the dealer. I called the dealer and he had not heard of the issue. They have a call into Ford to determine how to handle the situation.
What are your opinions on how Ford would remedy this? The manual clearly stated that it can be towed in January when I bought it. The salesman knows and remembers that that was the reason that I bought it. I had the TSB done at the dealer and on the service ticket it stated that the customer would continue to follow the correct towing procedures. Now the manual states and Ford states it can't be towed. I know GM had a similar issue with the Cruze and they remedied the situation several different ways.
I would be OK if they installed the lube pump AT NO COST to me as long as the full warranty still applies to my transmission. I would even be willing to give them back the vehicle if they returned my down payment and reimbursed me the cost of the baseplates. I would consider the two or three payments I made to be rental payments and would consider it squared away. A dolly is not an option for me. If I wanted a dolly, I would have kept my old vehicle and just purchased a dolly. They could just do an even swap for a hybrid, but I doubt that would happen. What do you guys think?
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mlh
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04/20/12 01:50pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Ford Escape Report
I checked a little further by going to the motorcraftservice web site and it does appear to be a supplement to the 2012 manual. I emailed Ford to find out whether this was accurate or not since this does not appear anywhere on their site and there aren't any notices or recalls on their site. I also asked that if it was accurate, how does Ford intend to remedy the situation with us RV owners that bought the Escape specifically for that purpose. I will let you know if/when I get a response.
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mlh
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04/20/12 06:25am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Ford Escape Report
mlh - You may want to read this thread on another forum which relates that Ford has now stated the 2012 Escape is NOT TOWABLE.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/it-is-official-ford-escape-no-longer-towable-121263.html
I just checked that link. On the document they referenced, at the bottom in the footer, it says 1st printing February 2012. That tells me that it is for a 2013 model. The first printing of a 2012 model will not be in February of the model year. There would be a lot of 2012 Escapes on the road without an owner's manual by February.
I did recheck the Ford site and looked up the owners mnuals again (1st and 2nd printing). There was no mention of it not being towable. There were also no notices or recalls posted for my particular VIN number. I will continue to be cautious when towing and maybe have a litte overkill when it comes to the transmission procedures, but at this point, that is all I can do, as long as Ford continues to stand by it.
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mlh
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04/19/12 04:21pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: inverter problem?
I just had the same symptoms as you experienced. My converter had no output. It was within the two year warranty and they replaced it free of charge. Then the batteries would not hold a charge. I had them tested and they were both bad due to being drained so low. I replaced the batteries and all is good now. Yes the engine will charge the house batteries. I can hear a click (relay) after the engine is running for a few seconds and everything lights up bright (when the batteries were bad). Now with the new batteries, everything stays bright.
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mlh
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04/06/12 09:13pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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Ford Escape Report
I see a lot of negative reports on here and hardly anyone posts the positives, so I thought I would post a positive one in case it helps anyone out.
I have a 2012 Ford Escape 4 cylinder with automatic transmission. I had the dealer perform the transmission level check according to the TSB. I keep a copy of the TSB and the completed service work order in the glove compartment should I ever need it.
I took a trip to Stone Mountain, GA this past weekend from Louisiana. The trip one way was about 575 miles. I shifted from drive to neutral to reverse, etc. several times for the duration of the five minutes (not just once). I kept the speed under the 65 mph towing limit. I stopped about every 200 miles to run through the gears again. I also did this when stopped for prolonged periods (1 hour or so). The trip went off without a hitch. I have been driving it for several days since returning and no issues. Hopefully everything continues to go well on future trips. Time will tell. I feel a little better now that the first 1000 miles are under my belt. If anything changes, I will be sure to report.
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mlh
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04/05/12 04:12pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Anyone have experience with Forest River Sunseeker?
I have owned mine for about a year and a half to two years. I have no complaints about the quality of the unit. My only complaint is the rear slide. The design is just poor. It has two parallel tracks on each side where motors spin a gear to drive it in and out (as opposed to the normal hydraulic slide motor under the couch). I have had it in to the dealer several times to fix a leak near one of the tracks. Finally I just took apart the interior trim and got in there and fixed it my self. Everytime I check it, still no leaks, but as I stated earlier, it is a poor design. With that being said, I would buy another Sunseeker in a heartbeat, but one that does not have that type of slide.
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mlh
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03/29/12 02:42pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Making offer on a 2011
Mine listed for $99k and the dealer was advertising it for $70 during the correct model year. If it was a year old listing for $108, there is no reason they cannot get below $80. Plus, points have been made by others about the engine sitting around for two years, plus the tires are aging. I would inspect them for cracks right now since they probably do not cover them up. Engine oil should be changed at a minimum of once per year even if it as been sitting. People on here think it is a joke to lowball the dealer by asking in the $70's, but I am dead serious. Personally I would be asking in the VERY low $70's. You made two offers on it already, so they know you are serious. Give them your number and tell them to call you when they are ready to get rid of it and walk away. I know the dealer paid taxes and flooring costs, etc., but every day that passes will make it even harder to move an older model year even if it is new. Also, your depreciation will hit you that much harder when you buy it since it will be considered close to a TWO year old unit according to blue book when you drive it off.
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mlh
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03/25/12 07:34pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Just purchased 2012 Ford Escape to Tow 4 down
I placed a wireless camera/lighting and temperature indicator on the transmission between the fill tube and main case so that when I do tow it I can view what the status is going down the road.
Do you have any more details on how you did this, such as part numbers, costs, pics? I am looking for a way to monitor the trans temp as well while going down the road.
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mlh
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03/05/12 08:34am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Just purchased 2012 Ford Escape to Tow 4 down
I just bought a 2012 Escape for towing 4 down. I checked the owner's manual to verify that it could be towed. I also checked the TSB for towing 4 down. I brought a copy of the TSB to the dealership to have them check the transmission fluid level. I keep a copy of the TSB and a copy of the service ticket in the glove compartment in case something happens and I have to prove that I followed their directions. I check the fluid regularly and will stop more often than required to run through the gears. I have only towed it about 20 miles and all went well. I am hoping for the best.
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mlh
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03/02/12 08:33am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Lakeshore RV review
I would not deal with ANY dealer on a used unit, whether it be Lakeshore RV or one 20 miles from my house, without putting my own eyes on it. No two people's opinion is the same. Something that may be in good shape to them may not seem as good to me. Also, when salesmen send pictures, it is the shots that they want you to see.
I hope everything works out for you, but chalk that one up to a "lesson learned".
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mlh
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02/28/12 09:56pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Freezer Monitor
I simply put an ice cube on the bottom/shelf and see if it's still there when we're back.
This is what I do as well. We have a lot of hurricanes and tropical storms to deal with. You never know how long the power was out when you get back. An ice cube left on the bottom of the freezer will tell you if it was too long.
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mlh
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02/16/12 02:00pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: tv in bed room
I guess we are kinda lucky. Our Cougar 5er has a "plank" behind the wall. It gave me a little more "wiggle room" for mounting the 19".
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc416/dannytas/Cougar/TVmount3.jpg width=320http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc416/dannytas/Cougar/TVmount2.jpg width=320
I was informed of this by the dealer.:)
Do you have any closer pics of your receiver mounted on your TV? I have been looking for a better way to mount mine.
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mlh
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02/04/12 04:44pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Camping Too Much Trouble?.......How Sad
There aren't many "reasons" to justify camping in an RV. There is always a cheaper and easier option out there if you want "cheaper" and "easier". You either like to RV or you don't.
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mlh
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02/04/12 04:38pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: 15 + mpg with V10 in 29 footer?
When I am driving my Silverado with the 5.3, and the active fuel management kicks in (only using 4 cylinders) I can get 99 mpg when I let off the gas and coast a while. Then reality sets in when I switch from instant to average economy and it reads 17 mpg. My 31' MH gets 7.5 with a toad going about 65 mph calculated over several tanks of gas. I have never been on a long trip without the toad to know the difference.
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mlh
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01/30/12 08:41pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Question on gutter extensions
I replaced my gutter spouts with the longer ones (not extensons) and there is still a gap under the gutter rail as well. It just has to be caulked well. They have only been on there a few months, so I am not sure how long the caulking will last, but everything needs to be recaulked at some point.
On another note, if they (replacements not extensions) are installed correctly, the water will run downhill and have no chance of running underneath the gutter channel, even without caulking that particular area. Your normal caulking would still need to be applied correctly when installing them or they will leak in other places.
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mlh
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01/24/12 04:20pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: New Orleans advice
Keep your wallet in your front pocket and if someone bets that he can guess where you got your shoes, the answer is "on your feet".
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mlh
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01/24/12 12:58pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: No more TP. Get a Bidet.
.....but how does it work on those really stubborn stains?
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mlh
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01/24/12 12:53pm |
General RVing Issues
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