Flat towing can be a tricky method due to a number of reasons. All vehicles do not possess the features required for the flat towing procedure.
There are some fundamental requirements that a car need to fulfill in order to be flat towed. Today, we are going to discuss and find out whether a Ford Escape can be flat towed or not.
Ford Escape flat towed
Most of the models of Ford Escape are not flat towable because of technical and legal reasons. However, the older versions of Ford Escape vehicles that were released a decade ago can be flat towed. To be precise, 2001 to 2012 models of Ford Escape support flat towing procedure.
Well, flat towing is not as easy as it sounds. Your vehicle needs to meet some pre conditions in order to be eligible for flat towing. The important thing to remember here is that every model of Ford Escape vehicle is not flat towable.
In reality, the last flat towable vehicle of Ford Escape came out in 2012. All the Ford Escapes that got released after that can not be flat towed. The built structure of the latest Ford Escape vehicles make it difficult to flat tow them without causing damage.
If you are looking for a flat towable vehicle, then Ford Escape is not the answer. Other towing options are more appropriate for them. Flat towing the new Ford Escape vehicles can also make you pay a fine for violating the road safety laws.
| Ford Escape | Can it be flat towed? |
|---|---|
| 2022 Ford Escape | can not be flat towed |
| 2021 Ford Escape | can not be flat towed |
| 2020 Ford Escape | can not be flat towed |
| 2019 Ford Escape | can not be flat towed |
| 2018 Ford Escape | can not be flat towed |
| 2017 Ford Escape | can not be flat towed |
| 2016 Ford Escape | can not be flat towed |
| 2015 Ford Escape | can not be flat towed |
| 2014 Ford Escape | can not be flat towed |
| 2013 Ford Escape | can not be flat towed |
| 2012 Ford Escape | can be flat towed |
| 2011 Ford Escape | can be flat towed |
| 2010 Ford Escape | can be flat towed |
| 2009 Ford Escape | can be flat towed |
| 2008 Ford Escape | can be flat towed |
| 2007 Ford Escape | can be flat towed |
| 2006 Ford Escape | can be flat towed |
| 2005 Ford Escape | can be flat towed |
Why should you not flat tow your Ford Escape?
Not all the models of Ford Escape are approved for flat towing procedure. There are a number of valid reasons behind this. Let’s discuss in detail about some of them.
Not built for it:
First of all, Ford has not manufactured the latest models of Ford Escape to be towed using the flat towed technique. Other towing methods are needed when it comes to towing the newer models of Ford Escape cars. Due to this, it is not technically possible to flat tow a Ford Escape vehicle without causing significant amount of damage to it.
But the good news for you is that the Ford Escape models that came out during the year of 2001 to 2012 can easily be flat towed due to its built quality.
But the automobile experts and Ford themselves suggest you to refrain from flat towing the latest models of Ford Escape vehicles.
Not suggested by the manual:
The owner manual of the newer Ford Escape cars does not have any instructions in it about the flat towing procedure.
It glorifies the fact that the Ford Escape vehicles that were released between the year of 2013 and 2022 should not be flat towed and do not support the flat towing procedure. So you should not do something that the user manual prohibits.
Can cause damage:
It is believed by automobile experts that flat towing the latest models of Ford Escape can cause permanent damage to different parts of the vehicle.
The reason behind this is the Ford Escape’s inability to provide lubrication to all the moving parts of the vehicle during the flat towing procedure. You would not want to increase the maintenance cost of your while trying to cut down the towing cost.
The newer versions of Ford Escape vehicles are not able to provide transmission fluid during the flat towing procedure. It should be taken as a clear sign of not being compatible with flat towing.
No appropriate tools available:
There are no appropriate tools available that could help in the flat towing of the newer models of Ford Escape.
The regular tools used in the flat towing procedure can not guarantee the safety and security of the latest Ford Escape cars as they are not initially built as a flat towable vehicle.
Other towing options:
There are other towing options available for the newer models of Ford Escape vehicles.
This means you do not have to take the risk of damaging your Ford Escape by flat towing and can rely on variety of towing options instead of using flat towing procedure.
The towing options include transport trailer method, tow dolly method, and flatbed method. You can opt to tow your Ford Escape vehicle using one of these options.
Possible penalty:
Flat towing a vehicle that does not have the approval to be flat towed can land you in legal troubles. You would not want to pay a hefty fine for putting others at risk by flat towing your Ford Escape vehicle.
What year Ford Escape can be flat towed?
Ford themselves agree that all of their Ford Escape vehicles are not flat towable. In fact, you should completely avoid flat towing the Ford Escape cars that came after the year of 2012.
Let’s take a look at the list of Ford Escape cars that can be flat towed successfully.
- 2001 Ford Escape vehicle
- 2002 Ford Escape vehicle
- 2003 Ford Escape vehicle
- 2004 Ford Escape vehicle
- 2005 Ford Escape vehicle
- 2006 Ford Escape vehicle
- 2007 Ford Escape vehicle
- 2008 Ford Escape vehicle
- 2009 Ford Escape vehicle
- 2010 Ford Escape vehicle
- 2011 Ford Escape vehicle
- 2012 Ford Escape vehicle
Can you tow a Ford Escape behind an RV?
Whether a Ford Escape can be towed behind an RV depends largely on its model type. The newer versions of Ford Escape can not always be towed behind an RV.
Specially, the Ford Escape vehicles that came out between 2013 and 2022 are not recommended to be towed behind an RV.
The list of Ford Escape that can be towed behind an RV includes 2001 Ford Escape, 2002 Ford Escape, 2003 Ford Escape, 2004 Ford Escape, 2005 Ford Escape, 2006 Ford Escape, 2007 Ford Escape, 2008 Ford Escape, 2009 Ford Escape, 2010 Ford Escape, 2011 Ford Escape, and 2012 Ford Escape.
How to safely flat tow a Ford Escape?
Safely flat towing a Ford Escape might seem like a difficult task if you have no prior experience regarding the matter. However, there are some steps and methods you can follow to accomplish the task. Let’s discuss in detail about some of them.
Select a towing vehicle:
First of all, you will need to select a towing vehicle in order to safely flat tow your Ford Escape. You can opt for a motorhome or an RV as it is strong enough to carry the weight of your Ford Escape.
You would not want to flat tow your Ford Escape using a weak or faulty motorhome.
Go through the manual:
Next, you will have to go through the user manual that came along with the Ford Escape. The manual will have specific instructions for you about how you can safely flat tow the Ford Escape vehicle you own.
Adhering to the instructions provided by the manual is very important for the flat towing procedure to be a success.
Attach the equipment:
You will need additional equipment in order to flat tow your Ford Escape behind an RV or a motorhome. The list of tools include a base plate kit, safety cables, a tow bar, supplemental braking system etc.
You will be required to attach these equipment onto the Ford Escape vehicle and the motorhome following the accurate instructions.
Technical alteration:
In this step, you will have to work on the internal system of your Ford Escape. You will have to let the transmission fluid flow through the system to provide lubrication during the flat tow procedure.
The shift lever will need to be kept at neutral mode and the ignition key at Accessory position. Then you will be good to go. You will be required to keep the speed of the motorhome under hundred kilometers per hour during the entire flat tow procedure.
Final Thoughts
A ford escape can be flat towed as long as it has the flat towable status. But the Ford Escape vehicles that got released after 2012 do not have the flat towable status. One needs to use other towing methods in order to tow this category of Ford Escape vehicles.
I am an automotive enthusiast and have been interested in cars since I was a little kid. I have worked in the automotive industry for many years and have extensive knowledge of vehicles and their engines. I am a father of two and I love spending time with my family.
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