Can You Flat Tow a Ford Escape?

new ford escape

Can you Flat Tow a Ford Escape? The quick answer is NO. Newer Escape models, particularly those from 2020 onwards, are not recommended for flat towing regardless of drivetrain.

There are three ways to tow a vehicle:  Put it on a trailer and hitch the trailer behind the towing vehicle, use a dolly hitch to raise the front tires off the ground for a traditional raised tow, or flat tow which is when the towed vehicle is attached by a simple tow bar and all four wheels of the vehicle being towed are still touching the ground.  You’ve probably seen this before if you’ve seen an RV pulling a smaller vehicle behind it.   

All three towing options have advantages and disadvantages, but the key is to know which vehicles CAN be flat towed, and the Ford Escape is not one of them.

First of all, flat towing requires some changes to be made to the vehicle being towed, which can be costly.   That could include changes to the driveshaft, front frame, front bumper and brakes.   As you can imagine, those changes can get pretty costly, and at that point it’s more cost-effective to use a trailer setup or dolly for towing. The trailer or dolly towing systems also save wear and tear on your vehicle, which is a big deal when you consider the investment of buying a car.   

So let’s say you want to tow a new Ford Escape. You can protect it from wear and tear by hitching the Escape to a tow dolly- but only if it’s front wheel drive.   Otherwise, your best bet is to use a trailer to tow your Ford Escape. 

As always, your Ford Escape owner’s manual is your best resource to check before you make any move to tow your Escape.  It has detailed information on what your particular model year and trim package is best suited for in terms of towing.  Additionally, our expert Ford vehicle service specialists at D’Orazio Ford are happy to talk to you about your particular Ford Escape model, and how to best get it from point A to point B if you’re not actually driving it.   

Trust the Experts at D’Orazio Ford with all your Towing Questions

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers- with a wealth of experience and Ford factory training, our team stands ready and willing to help you get set up with the answers you need to transport your Ford Escape.  The bottom line is safety first:  Don’t guess, don’t take a chance, get the information you need from the experts at D’Orazio Ford.

Call us any time at 815-476-5205 or contact us directly by clicking here.  We are happy to consult with you on the best towing option for your vehicle.

 

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