Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 1997 Ford Escort Station Wagon

Question:

i all ready got this towing bar , but what else i need to towing a ford escord 97 sw this bar come with the hitch that i suposse to hook in my truck and two bar at in the end of the bars come like a plate with 2 holes in each side, how am suposse to hook those in to the 97 sw. ford escord, thank you for your help

asked by: Walter

Expert Reply:

You should start by consulting the vehicle owners manual for the proper towing procedure for the Escort. In my research I found that the manual transmission Escort can be flat towed but the automatic transmission models require a transmission lube pump before they can be flat towed.

There are 5 items that you will need to flat tow a vehicle. First, you will need to install base plates on the vehicle. The base plates provide a safe attachment point for the tow bar. For a 1997 Ford Escort Station Wagon, you will need # 427-8.

Since you already have the Tow Ready tow bar, # 63180, you will need to use adapter # RM-025 so the tow bar can be used with the base plates. The Tow Ready tow bar is only rated for speeds up to 45 miles per hour (see instructions link). Another option is a different tow bar like # RM-020. With this tow bar you would not need the adapter. I have included a link to the isntallation details for you.

Next, you will need safety cables, # RM-643. These cables have a coiled design that helps to keep them off of the ground.

You will also need lighting for the Escort. There are several lighting options depending on how often you will be towing the vehicle. I have included a link to an FAQ article that covers the various options for you to help you choose which would work best for you.

Last, most states now require a supplemental braking system on the vehicle being towed. The easiest system to set up and use is the Even Brake # RM-9400. This is a proportional system that applies the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the towing vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

I have also included a link to our series of FAQ articles on flat towing for you.