[ScubaBrett22]

I have a 2008 Ford Escape Limited and I want to add a tow bar so I can tow a jet ski or two. Can I do this? I don't have the tow kit that you can get from Ford. If I can do this how? and what is the best way to do it?

Thanks guys/ gals!!!

 

[Airmapper]

Since you have a V6, yes you can. I think it takes a Class III hitch but don't hold me to that. The V6 Escape tops out in towing capacity at 3000lbs, but I don't think Jet skis weigh quite that much.

It can be done by a shop, but I think you can do it yourself as well, but someone else will have to chime in and say whether that is a bolt on application or if welding is involved. Something tells me on the light weight hitches you may be able to bolt on? Anyway I don't have all the details, but I do know the answer is yes, you can tow. :thumb:

 

[ScubaBrett22]

Since you have a V6, yes you can. I think it takes a Class III hitch but don't hold me to that. The V6 Escape tops out in towing capacity at 3000lbs, but I don't think Jet skis weigh quite that much.

It can be done by a shop, but I think you can do it yourself as well, but someone else will have to chime in and say whether that is a bolt on application or if welding is involved. Something tells me on the light weight hitches you may be able to bolt on? Anyway I don't have all the details, but I do know the answer is yes, you can tow. :thumb:

Sweet! Cause i really want to be able to go down to the keys and tow a jet ski! Thanks and I bet I can find one that is bolt on.

 

[SsquaredDesign]

Curt makes a really nice Class III 2" hitch that bolts right on. It took me and my wife (you need a second hand holding it up in the air) about 30 minutes to install ours. Check this previous post for all the info. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6144&p=105210#p105210

 

[ScubaBrett22]

Curt makes a really nice Class III 2" hitch that bolts right on. It took me and my wife (you need a second hand holding it up in the air) about 30 minutes to install ours. Check this previous post for all the info. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6144&p=105210#p105210

Thanks so much!! Hopefully in a few months ounce i save up enough money i can buy one!!! Thank you again!!

 

[etrailer]

You're looking for a hitch, not a tow bar. A tow bar attaches to the front of the vehicle with a base plate kit so that it can be pulled behind an RV or motorhome.

The OEM option for a hitch on Escapes is 1-1/4" Class II hitches, my brother has one on his '01. My wife has an '06 and we have an aftermarket 2" Class III on it from Draw-Tite. You can find 2" hitches new for your Escape around the $175 mark. As mentioned earlier, the tow capacity of the Escape is probably going to be less than the capacity indicated on the hitch, so check your owners manual to find out exactly how much your Escape is capable of towing.

My wife and I used her Escape to pull a 5x8 enclosed trailer on a furniture shopping trip, St. Louis to Chicago and back. Mileage dropped some, but the Escape didn't seem to mind towing it. You'd probably be fine towing a jet ski, just check your weights and capacities thoroughly to make sure you're safe.

 

[ScubaBrett22]

You're looking for a hitch, not a tow bar. A tow bar attaches to the front of the vehicle with a base plate kit so that it can be pulled behind an RV or motorhome.

The OEM option for a hitch on Escapes is 1-1/4" Class II hitches, my brother has one on his '01. My wife has an '06 and we have an aftermarket 2" Class III on it from Draw-Tite. You can find 2" hitches new for your Escape around the $175 mark. As mentioned earlier, the tow capacity of the Escape is probably going to be less than the capacity indicated on the hitch, so check your owners manual to find out exactly how much your Escape is capable of towing.

My wife and I used her Escape to pull a 5x8 enclosed trailer on a furniture shopping trip, St. Louis to Chicago and back. Mileage dropped some, but the Escape didn't seem to mind towing it. You'd probably be fine towing a jet ski, just check your weights and capacities thoroughly to make sure you're safe.

Thats what it is a hitch... sorry about that i get things confuse and the manual for my Escape says i can tow 3,500lbs with the "towing package". Also are you saying i should buy a 2" Class III??

 

[etrailer]

Thats what it is a hitch... sorry about that i get things confuse and the manual for my Escape says i can tow 3,500lbs with the "towing package". Also are you saying i should buy a 2" Class III??

Not to worry about it, I just didn't want you to go some place and ask about a tow bar and get the wrong thing.

I always recommend getting a 2" hitch when available for a particular vehicle. There are many more accessories built for 2" hitches than 1-1/4". Things like bike racks, cargo carriers and even hitch covers are more widely available for 2" hitches. They can cost a little bit more than 1-1/4 inches for the same vehicle, but are so much more versatile. We've used ours to tow a trailer, display a nice large Ford emblem hitch cover and we've even used a cargo carrier for a road trip to Canada.

Here's some manufacturer part numbers for 2" inches for a 2008 Escape. There are more hitch manufacturers out there, but below are some of the bigger brands. We have the Draw-Tite on my wife's '06 and have no complaints.

Hidden Hitch - 87585
Curt - 13650
Valley - 82211
Draw-Tite - 75693

All of those hitches have at least a 350 pound tongue weight capacity and a 3,500 pound gross trailer weight capacity, but again, the Escape is limited to less than those figures so check your owner manual.

 

[ScubaBrett22]

Thats what it is a hitch... sorry about that i get things confuse and the manual for my Escape says i can tow 3,500lbs with the "towing package". Also are you saying i should buy a 2" Class III??

Not to worry about it, I just didn't want you to go some place and ask about a tow bar and get the wrong thing.

I always recommend getting a 2" hitch when available for a particular vehicle. There are many more accessories built for 2" hitches than 1-1/4". Things like bike racks, cargo carriers and even hitch covers are more widely available for 2" hitches. They can cost a little bit more than 1-1/4 inches for the same vehicle, but are so much more versatile. We've used ours to tow a trailer, display a nice large Ford emblem hitch cover and we've even used a cargo carrier for a road trip to Canada.

Here's some manufacturer part numbers for 2" inches for a 2008 Escape. There are more hitch manufacturers out there, but below are some of the bigger brands. We have the Draw-Tite on my wife's '06 and have no complaints.

Hidden Hitch - 87585
Curt - 13650
Valley - 82211
Draw-Tite - 75693

All of those hitches have at least a 350 pound tongue weight capacity and a 3,500 pound gross trailer weight capacity, but again, the Escape is limited to less than those figures so check your owner manual.

Thanks etrailer!!!!!!!!

 

[etrailer]

Thanks etrailer!!!!!!!!

You're quite welcome. You'll probably also need trailer wiring on the Escape. The harnesses available are plug and play save for the ground wire and a power wire that you'll need to run up to the battery. The independent power allows the trailer lights to be powered separately from your Escape tail lights so should the trailer lights ever short-circuit, they won't damage the lights on the Escape.

 

[williamfrog]

Got my 2" hitch at U-Haul wiring here http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi ... iring.html

 

[ScubaBrett22]

Thanks guys for all your help I will keep you guys posted as I go!!!