Flat Towing Equipment Recommendations For A 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid

Question:

Looking to buy a vehicle to flat tow and I am thinking of buying new. Many of your articles indicate the Ford Escape Hybrid models are good candidates and am leaning in that direction. Some of the responses from experts include the phrase without adaptive cruise control. My question is, does the adaptive cruise control feature inhibit the flat two feature?

asked by: Timothy F

Expert Reply:

The sensors for the adaptive cruise control can be in the way when installing base plates so on models that have that feature manufacturers have had to fabricate an option that won't interfere with the sensors. You should always follow your owner's manual to ensure your specific model can be flat towed and what steps are needed before flat towing. To flat tow you'll need a tow bar, tow bar wiring kit, base plate, braking system, and safety cables. For a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid I have the following recommendations for you:

Tow Bar: Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar - Motorhome Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,000lbs Item # RM-522. This tow bar features non-binding arms to make hooking up and disconnecting on uneven surfaces super easy.

Tow Bar Wiring Kit: Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - 7-Wire to 6-Wire Straight Cord Item # RM-152-98146-7. This kit will splice into your vehicle's wiring to signal instead of running a magnetic light to the back of your vehicle every time you want to tow.

Base Plate: Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # RM39FR. Direct-connect base plates offer a quick and easy hook up and the removable arms provide a clean look when not in use. You can use the Roadmaster EZ Base Plate 1-1/2" Receiver Covers - Qty 2 Item # RM-210 to plug the arm receivers when not in use.

Braking System: Brake Buddy Select 3 Portable Supplemental Braking System - Proportional Item # HM39524. This system is a reoccurring setup but only takes a few minutes to install and comes with a battery charge line kit to maintain the charge level on your vehicle's battery. You may need # RM-88400 to prevent the towed vehicle's brake signal from overriding the turn signal from the RV when applying the brakes during a turn. I've attached a guide to go through to determine if this is the case for your vehicle.

Safety Cables: Curt Single Hook, Coiled Safety Cables with S-Hooks - 42" Long - 5,000lbs - Qty 2 Item # C80151