I just purchased to tow a 2009 Mercury Mariner, which I am told is the same vehicle as the Ford Escape, with more bells and whistles. After seeing these post I wonder if there have been any problems towing the Mariner? The manual says 65 MPH and run the engine 5 min. before and after a trip or while fueling. I towed it about 90 miles to a Rally in May without a problem. I will be towing it again next week to a rally, about 100 miles. It appears there is no problem with the short trips. I sure hope the same problems don't present in the Mariner as I have read about with the Escape. I would appreciate anyone having a Mariner to post their experience. Thanks
I bought a 2009 Mercury Mariner which has had the same problems as the Ford Escape. Followed all the procedures as written from the owners manual, and got 200 miles from home and was informed by a passing car my tow vehicle was smoking. Had it towed to a Ford Dealer and they replaced the tranny. That was in June of 2009. Towed it the whole summer of 2010 without incident. Early 2011 the transmission was skipping gears, and found fluid leaking around the shaft seal. Had it replaced, and two days later had the same issue and had a second seal replaced. First RV trip of the 2011 season, I was towing the vehicle and 100 miles from home, the transmission was smoking again. Pulled off the highway, and all the tranny fluid had overflowed out of the engine. Had it towed to the nearest Ford dealer, and once again they are replacing the transmission. I have been told they will be putting in the most updated transmission, and this should not happen again. In the meantime, I will be looking for a Toad that is more dependable. I have my eye on a GM product, with better reliability.
Towing 2009 Ford Escape
in Toads-Towed Behind Motorhome
Posted · Report reply
I bought a 2009 Mercury Mariner which has had the same problems as the Ford Escape. Followed all the procedures as written from the owners manual, and got 200 miles from home and was informed by a passing car my tow vehicle was smoking. Had it towed to a Ford Dealer and they replaced the tranny. That was in June of 2009. Towed it the whole summer of 2010 without incident. Early 2011 the transmission was skipping gears, and found fluid leaking around the shaft seal. Had it replaced, and two days later had the same issue and had a second seal replaced. First RV trip of the 2011 season, I was towing the vehicle and 100 miles from home, the transmission was smoking again. Pulled off the highway, and all the tranny fluid had overflowed out of the engine. Had it towed to the nearest Ford dealer, and once again they are replacing the transmission. I have been told they will be putting in the most updated transmission, and this should not happen again. In the meantime, I will be looking for a Toad that is more dependable. I have my eye on a GM product, with better reliability.