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miknif 
Newbie 
Joined: 11 Mar 2017 Location: Branson, MO Online Status: Offline Posts: 5 |
 Topic: Towing with a Ford Edge, any tipsPosted: 02 Apr 2017 at 8:31pm |
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Hello - Just picked up my 2017 RPod 178 a week ago and already spent a week camping just 1 1/2 miles from home. It was a good chance to see what all I need in the camper for future.
I have a 2015 Ford Edge Titanium and it seems to pull pretty good, although some of the Ozark Mountains do make me hold tight while I get used to it. Does anyone tow with a Ford Edge and have any tips or tricks on how best to manage hills and the electric brake add on? My 2010 Ford Edge had an overdrive button which was easy but the 2015 has "sport mode" and I have not really figured that out yet or if/how it works with towing. Open to any suggestions as I would like to do some more adventures further from home. Thanks, Mike
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp 
Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288 |
Posted: 02 Apr 2017 at 8:44pm |
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I think the 2015 Edge is similar to the 2016 Escape we had until recently. The Escape also did not have a tow mode. I used the "Sport" mode. Consider it as the "Schlepp" mode as it locks out the overdrive and changes the shift points. In effect, it would be the same as Tow mode. I got as good or better mileage with it in Sport mode as I did when I tried to leave it in Drive. I suggest that you do likewise. Also, limit your speed to 60 mph. You will arrive more relaxed. Your owner's manual might also have some suggestions that would be helpful.
What brake controller do you have? That would better help someone to answer your question. |
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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miknif
Newbie
Joined: 11 Mar 2017 Location: Branson, MO Online Status: Offline Posts: 5 |
Posted: 03 Apr 2017 at 8:44pm |
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Thanks Stephen. So when you are in sport mode and have the 1-5 paddle is there a setting that you find you just go to and stay at versus just letting the car stay in regular drive? I sure liked my 2010 version which only have on/off overdrive option so may just need to find someone to teach me more hands on with the paddles.
For the electric brake I have a Primus IQ brake controller. It has a side button on the top that you can ease on/off to vary the pressure.
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288 |
Posted: 03 Apr 2017 at 10:44pm |
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When in Sport mode, I let the car handle the shifting. I did not use the paddle. It made more sense to let the computer figure it out. It seemed to work out well.
I have the Hopkins InSIGHT Flex-mount controller. The Primus IQ is at least a proportional controller also. If it were time-delay, I would have urged you to upgrade to a proportional controller. The Tekonsha P3 is a popular one. The Primus IQ is made by the same company, so it should do fine. |
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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miknif
Newbie
Joined: 11 Mar 2017 Location: Branson, MO Online Status: Offline Posts: 5 |
Posted: 08 Apr 2017 at 7:55am |
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Thanks Stephen for the insights, this helps more than you can know. I am camping this weekend so will try this on my return trip. Thanks again, Mike
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288 |
Posted: 08 Apr 2017 at 9:48am |
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One other thing that will help. If you have a roof rack on your Edge, check out the PurpleLine USA's AeroPlus wind deflector. If not, check out Icon's AeroShield. Use of either one while towing will help cut the air resistance which leads to better mileage. Plus, one of them will help reduce the number of bugs you will need to wash off the front of the R-Pod.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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jimandclare
Groupie 
Joined: 13 Apr 2016 Location: Erie, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 96 |
Posted: 08 Apr 2017 at 12:18pm |
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We tow our 2016 r178 with a 2014 Edge and in sport mode at 60 mph have managed at times to average as high as 14+ mpg. The plus side of sport mode is that it allows you to manually down shift into a lower gear for more power when climbing hills. I also find it invaluable to shift to a lower gear when going down a steep grade or an expressway exit so that you don't have to continually ride the brakes. The down side to be aware of is that as soon as you manually shift gears you are now in complete manual mode. You'll wonder what the hecks going on the first time you accelerate from a complete stop. To get back into automatic mode move the shift lever into drive and then back into sport mode.
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Jim & Clare
2016 R-pod 178 2014 Ford Edge |
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miknif
Newbie
Joined: 11 Mar 2017 Location: Branson, MO Online Status: Offline Posts: 5 |
Posted: 13 Apr 2017 at 7:13pm |
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Thank you all for the responses. Tested out and played with the sport mode on the way back this week and really got a much better feel for it. I didn't do the paddles yet, one step at a time, but could get the feel and handled the hills much better. Once you get around 60 or more you really can't tell the difference in or out of sport so guess that is where the limit ends. Great feedback, thanks again
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Towing with a Ford Edge, any tips