J0J0 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) I have a 3.5 AWD without the towing package. IF a job venture pans out for me in Florida, I will have to tow my wife's 2012 VW Turbo Bug from Rockland County, NY to Ft. Meyers florida. I know I have to put on the tow hitch and 4 pin wiring. I was looking on line for tranny and oil cooler to address the added heat/strain while towing. My wife's beetle's curb weight is about 2995 ibs. With that being said, have I covered all the bases for this potential tow of over 1200 miles? I know there is a setting to adjust for towing on the edge but I just want to make sure I covered all the bases for towing and not placing my Edge in a "bad place." The only alternative is having my wife follow me in her beatle but I don't think she's looking forward to driving 20+ hrs, following me in her beetle. She's not really a highway driver. She will only do it if absolutely necessary. BTW, her bug is a 6 speed manual, fwd. I was thinking of putting it up on a dolly and pulling it behind my AWD Edge. Edited February 19, 2015 by J0J0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtball Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 If you MUST tow, a dolly is better than a full trailer due to the dead weight of the tow device. That will be a lot of weight to have behind you while traveling. Braking will be 'interesting' and scary if you aren't super careful. Highway posted speeds will not be your speed. The only hitch I would want, due to design, would be the Ford OEM hitch. I don't believe the other after market hitches have the capacity for your tow. I installed one of the Ford units on my '12 Edge w/Eco, since it wasn't available from the factory. My tows are light. An oil cooler might not be required, but would be added insurance. If you figure all of the expense you will incur, you might want to take an extra day and drive both vehicles. You will have vastly reduced gas mileage also. Part of the extra expense. Just my thoughts! Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J0J0 Posted February 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 Since the OEM hitch is only a class 2, a class 3 would probably give me more peace of mind. I have been towing a 21' boat weighing 3700lbs (dry) for years with my Tahoe so yes, I understand the dynamics of towing. Overall, the expense of making my Edge more tow worthy won't be too much. I'd rather tow it than deal with the stress of having my wife follow me in her car. The hours of hearing the radio crackle with "slow down, I'm tired, I'm getting sleepy ... etc" would be worth avoiding Adding the towing upgrades would also allow me to tow some "toys" with the edge. I'm looking for more than just a single reason to add to the Edge. Thanks for your input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 (edited) your other option may be a transport, It would be insured and can be shipped by carrier fairly easily. Not sure on cost and what you can do but this is an alternative to your other options. I feel for you as far as the wife driving I have the same issues. She hates highway driving or driving for that matter. Edited February 22, 2015 by macbwt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J0J0 Posted February 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 Transport will cost about $900. I don't think I will take that route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 JOJO, Not seeing the math working for you on this tow. Dangerously close with just the VW then if you add a tow dolly. Does the edge have trans cooler? Trans Cooler $, plus labor $, plus hitch and wiring $ = $$$ not to mention if you do not have a trans cooler your new transmission. That 900 sure starts looking like a good deal. I tow but with a truck that can handle the weights and you are at your limits with the edge I would also say you will have to place it down a gear or two to keep it from hunting and thus buring up the tranny. Even on slight hills. I have a 3.5 AWD without the towing package. IF a job venture pans out for me in Florida, I will have to tow my wife's 2012 VW Turbo Bug from Rockland County, NY to Ft. Meyers florida. I know I have to put on the tow hitch and 4 pin wiring. I was looking on line for tranny and oil cooler to address the added heat/strain while towing. My wife's beetle's curb weight is about 2995 ibs. With that being said, have I covered all the bases for this potential tow of over 1200 miles? I know there is a setting to adjust for towing on the edge but I just want to make sure I covered all the bases for towing and not placing my Edge in a "bad place." The only alternative is having my wife follow me in her beatle but I don't think she's looking forward to driving 20+ hrs, following me in her beetle. She's not really a highway driver. She will only do it if absolutely necessary. BTW, her bug is a 6 speed manual, fwd. I was thinking of putting it up on a dolly and pulling it behind my AWD Edge. 10536197_10204177044492147_1624414532_o.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J0J0 Posted February 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 Mac, I tow with a purpose equipped truck as well. As far as the upgrades on the Edge, I would be doing it myself. We had a custom garage made at my dad's place with lifts. Hitch, wiring and Tranny cooler total will be below $300-350 range. Even if I didn't tow the wife's car, and had her follow me down, I would still do the towing upgrade for the weekend toys (jet skis).I'm pretty much going to do it, I just have to decide if I can take the stress of having her follow me down or just get a buddy to help me drive both cars down. I cringe at the thought of hearing her complain about the long drive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted February 25, 2015 Report Share Posted February 25, 2015 I feel for ya I truely do. Mac, I tow with a purpose equipped truck as well. As far as the upgrades on the Edge, I would be doing it myself. We had a custom garage made at my dad's place with lifts. Hitch, wiring and Tranny cooler total will be below $300-350 range. Even if I didn't tow the wife's car, and had her follow me down, I would still do the towing upgrade for the weekend toys (jet skis).I'm pretty much going to do it, I just have to decide if I can take the stress of having her follow me down or just get a buddy to help me drive both cars down. I cringe at the thought of hearing her complain about the long drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted February 25, 2015 Report Share Posted February 25, 2015 I just hit a deer with my 2008 ford edge this morning and my wife calls me in panic mode because she accidently hit the emergency flasher button and could not figure out how to turn it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted February 25, 2015 Report Share Posted February 25, 2015 LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J0J0 Posted February 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 I just hit a deer with my 2008 ford edge this morning and my wife calls me in panic mode because she accidently hit the emergency flasher button and could not figure out how to turn it off. Kinda like the time my wife couldn't figure out why the car kept dinging when she would take off from a stop. She never released the e-brake completely. Asked her if she noticed the brake light, she just responded with "What does it look like?" OY VEY! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J0J0 Posted March 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 (edited) Well, I got the job in Ft. Meyers, Florida so I will be moving. I will be putting on the tow hitch, trailer wiring and HD tranny cooler. I won't be towing my wife's Turbo bug. Company is paying for the moving company. I'm moving down first to get situated and then flying back afterwards to drive the bug down with the wifey. I will just drive my Edge down to sunny Florida! Edited March 16, 2015 by J0J0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Good luck with the new job and move, J0J0! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWizard Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 I'm a little late to this thread... congratulations on your new job and welcome to Florida. Did you consider the Auto Train? It leaves from Lorton Virginia near Washington DC and ends in Sanford just east of Orlando. You drive your car (or cars) on and then ride in comfort without having to worry about towing or traffic. From Sanford, it's an easy four hour drive to Ft. Myers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J0J0 Posted March 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 Wizard, I will probably drive instead of taking the Auto Train. It has it's advantages but I do want to stop along the way down to visit with friends and family. I don't have a schedule to keep, as long as I am there for my first day of work. When I come back to NY to help my wife drive down ... I will probably be more inclined to take the auto train. She's not one to drive for long distances. She gets very restless. Being able to relax while someone else does the "driving" is a definite plus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J0J0 Posted April 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 The drive down for relocation starts tomorrow at midnight! 1286 miles door to door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 Enjoy the journey as well as the destination! Post some pics along the way, if you can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillonit Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 With factory towing package 3500 LBS same tranny same motor . So what do they add a tow hitch and wiring upgraded radiator /upgraded fans & sway control most likely for tranny cooling. So a nice big aftermarket tranny cooler in front of the radiator should cool better than factory upgrade. I have been told by tranny repair people that fords have undersized cooler and recommend adding aux cooler for any towing. Its almost always about the tranny when towing. If electric brake are on the trailer I highly recommend so get the extra wiring and controller installed you wont feel the load pushing you so much and it will brake better with less sway. Don't floor the accelerator just because you want to get up to speed faster this will work the tranny too hard and cause it to build heat, Don't run it in overdrive with close to max loads. Be easy on your vehicle and change the tranny fluid every 30,000 and your edge should give you a very reliable tow vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbow Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 Just got back from Cruisin-the-Coast in Biloxi, MS. 2013 SE 3.5 V8 auto FWD, 56.5K miles. 1370# aluminum trailer, estimate 2900# fiberglass 33 Vicki. 1135 miles round trip. Overall fuel mileage 14.5. No tow package and no over heating, as a mater of fact NO PROBLEMS what so ever. Average speed going down with cruise set 65. But there was a whole lot of shifting in either D or S. On the way home with the cruise OFF, shifting was cut in half speed was 70/75 and some times as much as 85. Fuel mileage appeared to be about the same. Love the prodigy brake controller, hardly knew the trailer was there. After unloading car and trailer, I took my Daughter home(another 100 miles). Average mileage now showed 27.5 mpg. running at 70 mph. Now ask me how I like my EDGE, Love it, love it, love it. Burke 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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