devoyrjd

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had my 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid (which I bought last December) outfitted for towing this past March. My current toad is a '98 Ford Escort wagon, which is just about at the end of its life, and thus, the purchase of the Escape. I had the Escort originally outfitted with the Roadmaster Tracker towbar and base plate back in 2003, and after about 400K miles of towing I've been very satisfied with it. I also bought one of the earlier versions of the Brake Buddy (w/o proportional braking) to use in the Escort. Because of the success with the Roadmaster hitch, I again had the Roadmaster hardware installed on my new Escape hybrid and I plan to use the Brake Buddy in it also. One caveat I've seen in a number of posts: the supplemental braking system has to be turned way down, as far as braking pressure is concerned, because, as I understand it, the Escape's power brake system is active while it is being towed. I haven't towed the Escape yet, so I don't have any feedback as far as how it does. Like I mentioned earlier, the hybrid version of the Escape has the eCVT transmission, and in all the digging around that I have done with regards to transmission problems, I have not been able to find a single case of anyone having problems with it. Let's hope that us hybrid owners are immune to all the grief/concerns/problems that continue to plague the gasoline-only Escapes with the 6F35 transmissions!

I originally posted this over in the Miscellaneous/General discussion area, but thought that maybe it should also be posted here. I purchased a 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid back in December, 2011, had it outfitted for towing 4 down this past March, and then started hearing/reading all the conflicting reports about Ford now declaring the Escape as non-flat towable. After much digging around, on these forums along with others, I think I've got a handle on what the real situation is. The V-6 Escape (both FWD and AWD) have the 6F35 (6-speed) transmission. This is the tranny that has caused all the grief (and confusion) with regards to flat towing. It seems that after a number of toasted transmissions, Ford decided (with TSB 11-7-15) that so long as the tranny fluid level was lowered to just above the fill mark, these affected cars were still towable. Supposedly this would prevent the ATF from foaming, being forced out the dipstick tube (due to heat buildup), and eventually ruining the transmission. Many people have had success with this alteration, but there have still been some cases of fried trannys. Ford has even suggested installing a transmission pump to keep the fluid flowing, and therefore cool (Remco has come up with a pump specifically for the Escape and the 6F35 transmission). My assumption is that since there are still cases of transmission failures, even with the lowering of the fluid level, that Ford has just thrown up their hands and declared these affected cars as non-towable. The owners manuals for the affected cars are now including an insert stating the non-towability, and the cars now being purchased are not covered by warranty if the owners try to flat tow them. It is my understanding that cars purchased before the owners manual changes are still covered by warranty (when flat towed), but you're rolling the dice and taking your chances. Now.......to *my* case, I bought the hybrid version. It has the eCVT (electronically controlled variable transmission). This transmission is sealed (no dipstick), and there is no way to add/adjust fluid. Apparently it was, and still is, flat towable. I have not been able to track any cases of someone having problems when towing. So-o-o-o-o, it looks like the $750 I spent to outfit my 2012 Escape hybrid (hitch hardware and wiring) is not money thrown out the window. You can bet that I'll be keeping a close eye on things, as I start out with short trips before venturing too far! And if anyone here knows of any eCVT failures, keep them to yourself! No news is good news, right?!

After much digging around, on these forums along with others, I think I've got a handle on what the real situation is. The V-6 Escape (both FWD and AWD) have the 6F35 (6-speed) transmission. This is the tranny that has caused all the grief (and confusion) with regards to flat towing. It seems that after a number of toasted transmissions, Ford decided (with TSB 11-7-15) that so long as the tranny fluid level was lowered to just above the fill mark, these affected cars were still towable. Supposedly this would prevent the ATF from foaming, being forced out the dipstick tube (due to heat buildup), and eventually ruining the transmission. Many people have had success with this alteration, but there have still been some cases of fried trannys. Ford has even suggested installing a transmission pump to keep the fluid flowing, and therefore cool (Remco has come up with a pump specifically for the Escape and the 6F35 transmission). My assumption is that since there are still cases of transmission failures, even with the lowering of the fluid level, that Ford has just thrown up their hands and declared these affected cars as non-towable. The owners manuals for the affected cars are now including an insert stating the non-towability, and the cars now being purchased are not covered by warranty if the owners try to flat tow them. It is my understanding that cars purchased before the owners manual changes are still covered by warranty (when flat towed), but you're rolling the dice and taking your chances. Now.......to *my* case, I bought the hybrid version. It has the eCVT (electronically controlled variable transmission). This transmission is sealed (no dipstick), and there is no way to add/adjust fluid. Apparently it was, and still is, flat towable. I have not been able to track any cases of someone having problems when towing. So-o-o-o-o, it looks like the $750 I spent to outfit my 2012 Escape hybrid (hitch hardware and wiring) is not money thrown out the window. You can bet that I'll be keeping a close eye on things, as I start out with short trips before venturing too far! And if anyone here knows of any eCVT failures, keep them to yourself! No news is good news, right?!

FWIW, I just saw this forum post in the Technical/Towing category: Looks like I've got some expensive, useless hardware on my 2012 Escape Hybrid.

Thanks for the follow-up. My plan was to pull it behind my RV to a local campground, and see how it does. I guess if I see smoke in my rearview mirror, we'll know the answer!

I'm confused. So, is the 2012 Ford Escape towable or not? I bought a 2012 Escape Hybrid back in December; even got it outfitted in March for towing (hitch & wiring) -- though I haven't yet tried to pull it yet.