We are on our third Explorer being towed. The first was with a Gas MH with a Ford 460. I have no complaints at all about lacking power. Also the Escape is very popular. As the moderator stated there was a lot of transmission problems, but now they are solved. TSB 09-20-13 Describes a procedure Ford has come up with where you run the transmission one quart low and use a special dipstick. You then run the vehicle through the gears, do not tow over 65 MPH and every 6 hours stop and run the vehicle to cool the transmission.
We have several in our Michigan Knights of the Highway that follow this procedure and all is well. With our Explorer there is no limitation. Also now all but the Ford Focus can be towed four on the ground.
Have fun.
Jerry Wessel
F179742