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Ford Escape good enough? |
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PaulG. 
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 Topic: Ford Escape good enough?Posted: August-02-2005 at 11:07am |
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Hello All,
I am actively shopping for a ’74 to ’83 Ski Tique (in Pittsburgh PA); however I have some reservations that my ’02 Ford Escape may not be up to par with towing this boat. My Escape has the towing package / 4x4 system and is rated for 3500lb, but I would like to hear first hand if someone has this combination and how well it performs. Thanks for your insight Paul |
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75 Tique
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Joined: August-12-2004 Location: Seven Lakes, NC Status: Offline Points: 6109 |
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Posted: August-02-2005 at 12:21pm |
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Paul,
I would think you would be fine with 3500 lb capacity and towing package since the Tique only weighs 1600 pounds, figure another 1000 for trailer. The only thing I can think of is the fact that the Escape is a fairly light vehicle, it may slip on a steep wet ramp when pulling out. Can be aided by someone in the boat giving a little push to get you going. Maybe someone with a similar combined rig can offer more insight. |
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“So, how was your weekend?†“Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.†|
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ultrahots
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Joined: September-08-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 618 |
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Posted: August-04-2005 at 3:30am |
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Watched an AWD caravan pull out a Nautique the other day.Did not think it was possible.I would say No Problem with a Tique.
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Bob's2001
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Joined: March-28-2005 Location: Lake Jackson TX Status: Offline Points: 241 |
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Posted: August-05-2005 at 1:57am |
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I have pulled a SN 2001 with a GMC S-15 Jimmy with no problems. I would think the AWD would help a lot on the ramp.
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Bob Ed
83 2001 |
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80nauts
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Joined: March-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 93 |
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Posted: August-05-2005 at 12:11pm |
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AWD for sure. Trailer brakes on whatever you have since it will save your vehicle in more wasys than a bunch. 220+ horsepower is better to have especially if you have to do hills.
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David F
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Joined: June-11-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1770 |
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Posted: August-05-2005 at 12:19pm |
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FWIW: I pulled my '77 Martinique with a Jeep Cherokee (185hp) 4x4 for nearly 10 years and it performed beutifully. No problems at all. I sold the truck when the odometer read 165k miles and the transmission was still rock solid. So, I am not sure how the Escape compares to the Jeep, but the Jeep is a small vehicle, but the Tique is a smaller boat. So, I think you should be more than fine.
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jameski
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Joined: May-18-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 368 |
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Posted: August-05-2005 at 12:29pm |
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I strongly recommend trailer brakes. Also, make sure you ALWAYS run good trailer tires. Just because it is POSSIBLE to tow a boat with a small vehicle, doesn't mean it is safe.
I'm rather passionate about safe towing... My brother in law, his wife (my sister) and their two young children were towing a very small camper for a very short distance with their Cherokee. It was a fairly capable tow vehicle for light duty. BUT... when a tire on the trailer blew out running 55mph, they rolled the whole rig. There was nothing my brother in law could do to avoid it - he is an incredible driver with years of dirt track racing and drag racing experience, but he said their was NOTHING he could do. Thank God there were no major injuries. Please, Please, Please, be safe when towing. ALWAYS keep good tires on your trailer and keep your speeds SLOW! |
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bkhallpass
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Joined: March-29-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4723 |
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Posted: August-05-2005 at 6:32pm |
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PaulG,
I don't think we have enough info. How far are you towing the boat; over what kind of terrain; at what speeds. I've launched a boat with a 4 cylinder Ford Escort, with a ball drilled into the bumper, but we didn't have to tow more than 300 feet, or go over 5 mph. I'm gonna weigh in with a different opinion than above. In my mind, if you're going to tow more than a few miles; if you'll be in hilly terrain; or if you're going to go over 30 mph, than I would not want to tow an inboard boat with a vehicle as small as the Escape. Doesn't mean I haven't done it; doesn't mean I haven't seen others do it. I just believe it is an unsafe load on a vehicle that small. BKH |
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Livin' the Dream
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Dave R
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Posted: August-05-2005 at 6:50pm |
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Ditto on trailer brakes.
Regarding weight & power, I think you'll be fine - I recently towed a 3,500 lbs package of Nautique and trailer behind a Volvo S70 (fwd, 170 hp, curb weight 3,400) and we had no problems on the ramp. |
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80nauts
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Joined: March-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 93 |
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Posted: August-05-2005 at 9:51pm |
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David 6 cyl Cherokees have like 215 torque HP because they are a 4.6L straight 6. I believe that is why it wasn't that bad at towing.
I have a friend that towes her 2002 malibu with the small mercedes suv without a problem. Again it is all about the trailer brakes, but Jameski is totally right about the tires. The horsepower issue will just help you to have halfway decent speed on hills. I have to drive up 10 miles of canyon with my 80 nautique and full size blazer (5.7 220hp). If I had any less power then it would take me 30 minutes rather than 15. If I had just a little more then it would only take 10. I get jelous of all the big trucks that pass me while pulling 30' boats. Have fun and be safe. |
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David F
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Joined: June-11-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1770 |
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Posted: August-08-2005 at 2:37pm |
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Nope, my mid eighties Cherokee had a 4.0L straight six that produced about 185 HP. In later years, the 4.0L was producing more HP. 185 HP was more than enough to pull my '77 Martinique (without trailer brakes). I never had problems stopping either. I was careful to not tailgate and anticipate stops. With my '93 SN (with trailer brakes on one of two axles) being pulled by our Suburban, I do not even worry about the boat and drive virtually the same as when the boat is not being towed.
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