Author: StephenH
Subject: Tow vehicle
Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 10:55pm
And then there are the ones like me. While I would like to upgrade to a larger TV with more towing capacity, for now we must stay with our 2016 Escape. We can't afford to upgrade right now. Even though it is towing at the upper limit of its capacity, it does quite well. The only area where I have had problems, I am pretty sure most vehicles would have similar problems. That was on a Virginia Scenic Byway, VA 606/56 through Steele's Tavern and Vesuvius heading up to catch the last section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This was a constant steep uphill climb with many curves. This kept our speed quite low. Without adequate airflow over the transmission cooler, the temps (OBDII sensor and Torque app) were climbing as were the engine temps. I finally remembered to turn the AC off after getting a warning to stop because the engine was overheating. I had gotten messages previously about power being reduced to keep from overheating. Once I turned the AC off, temps came down, and we completed the climb to the BRP. Once we got on it and could increase speed, coupled with the lower temperatures at that altitude, temperatures for both engine and transmission were fine.
We have now towed our R-Pod about 10,000 miles or more (I'll have to total up the miles we have towed to get a more exact figure) with our Escape. When we can, I will upgrade, preferably to something with a Diesel engine. In the meantime, I'm satisfied with the Escape's performance. I would not recommend someone go out and buy one to tow any of the heavier R-Pods. If I had known we would be towing one, I would have gone for something bigger. It was purchased with something like a Casita in mind. I'm happy we got the R-Pod instead.
Subject: Tow vehicle
Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 10:55pm
And then there are the ones like me. While I would like to upgrade to a larger TV with more towing capacity, for now we must stay with our 2016 Escape. We can't afford to upgrade right now. Even though it is towing at the upper limit of its capacity, it does quite well. The only area where I have had problems, I am pretty sure most vehicles would have similar problems. That was on a Virginia Scenic Byway, VA 606/56 through Steele's Tavern and Vesuvius heading up to catch the last section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This was a constant steep uphill climb with many curves. This kept our speed quite low. Without adequate airflow over the transmission cooler, the temps (OBDII sensor and Torque app) were climbing as were the engine temps. I finally remembered to turn the AC off after getting a warning to stop because the engine was overheating. I had gotten messages previously about power being reduced to keep from overheating. Once I turned the AC off, temps came down, and we completed the climb to the BRP. Once we got on it and could increase speed, coupled with the lower temperatures at that altitude, temperatures for both engine and transmission were fine.
We have now towed our R-Pod about 10,000 miles or more (I'll have to total up the miles we have towed to get a more exact figure) with our Escape. When we can, I will upgrade, preferably to something with a Diesel engine. In the meantime, I'm satisfied with the Escape's performance. I would not recommend someone go out and buy one to tow any of the heavier R-Pods. If I had known we would be towing one, I would have gone for something bigger. It was purchased with something like a Casita in mind. I'm happy we got the R-Pod instead.