What is Needed on a 2005 Ford Escape 4x4 To Tow a 2,200-Lb Camper With Electric Brakes

Question:

I recently purchase a camper pop-up Its weight is 760k with is ruffly 2200lbs..I have a ford escape 2005 4x4...The camper has electric breaks..Do i need them on the truck too..And if yes...What system,parts do I need to purchase..Thank you

asked by: Micheline

Expert Reply:

The first thing you will want to check is your owners manual to make sure the towing capacity of your 2005 Ford Escape 4x4 is sufficient enough to tow the 2,200-lb camper. You will also want to make sure you have a Class II hitch on your vehicle which is rated for 3,500 lbs towing capacity. A Class I hitch will only have a 2,000-lb towing capacity which would not work with towing your camper.

To tow a camper with electric brakes using your 2005 Ford Escape 4x4, you do not need electric brakes on the Escape, but you will need to install a brake controller in the cab of your Escape to be able to control the electric brakes on the camper.

I would recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller, part # 90885. This is our best selling brake controller and is easy to use. I am including a link to the instructions on the Prodigy brake controller.

You will need to have a 7-Way trailer connector on your Escape to be able to use a brake controller to control the brakes on your camper.

If you have a 4-Way connector on your Escape now you will just add the Brake Controller 7 & 4 Way Installation Kit, part # ETBC7. This kit plugs into your existing 4-Way and provides a 7-Way and 4-Way at the rear of the vehicle along with the wiring and circuit breakers needed to install a brake controller. I have included links to 2 FAQ articles on installing the ETBC7 kit, along with a video showing the installation of an ETBC7 kit on a vehicle.

If you need a 4-Way on your vehicle you will need either the Tow Ready T-One Wiring Harness, part # 118426, or if you have a factory tow package you will use the Hopkins Plug-N-Tow Wiring Harness, part # 40455. Then, you will install the # ETBC7 kit mentioned above. I am including links to videos of these wiring harnesses being installed on a Escape.

The last thing you will need to look at is what connector you have on your camper. If it is different from a 7-Way you will need to get the Hopkins Multi-Tow Trailer Connector Adapter, part # HM47570. This adapter will allow you to plug a 6-Round, 5-Flat, and 4-Flat, from your camper into the 7-Way that will be on your Escape.

With these items installed you will be able to tow your camper and operate the electric brakes with your Escape.