Please indicate your year, engine size and whether AWD. I have experience using my 2.0 FWD to tow my boat that is about 2500LB when fueled and loaded.
First, I totally doubt that any Escape has any meaningfully different equipment related to towing- it is more the subjective judgement of the manufacturer. Lincoln bumped up the 2.3 AWD rating from '15 to '16 but there is really no difference in the vehicles.
I did upgrade my trailer with Deemax SS brakes because the C was so much lighter than my Mountaineer, but went for surge activation. A Lincoln dealer or U Haul Store (not a hardware store renting trailers, but the company U Haul locations) ought to have no problem tapping the other wires to make up the 7 pin. (Somewhere I have a schematic I used to tap the backup light circuit to open the trailer master cylinder when backing up, if you need that)
I tow about 250 miles to the SC coast via Interstates and 2 lane highways that have some stout hills but not mountains. I have been impressed that the 2.0 keeps speed nicely when on cruise set on 73mph. I always put in the premium fuel to get full HP. Yes it is thirsty then at about 15 mpg vs the 27+ without the trailer-turbos are probably kicked in all the time (but we have no boost/vac gauge to verify).
Suspension settings will still remain a personal preference because they do not affect the actual spring rates- that is baked in. But the shock damping rate changes you get from CCD probably will feel best set to Normal or Sport. Keep the tire pressures toward the top end.
The MKC tows far better than I expected and I hope you find the same.
First, I totally doubt that any Escape has any meaningfully different equipment related to towing- it is more the subjective judgement of the manufacturer. Lincoln bumped up the 2.3 AWD rating from '15 to '16 but there is really no difference in the vehicles.
I did upgrade my trailer with Deemax SS brakes because the C was so much lighter than my Mountaineer, but went for surge activation. A Lincoln dealer or U Haul Store (not a hardware store renting trailers, but the company U Haul locations) ought to have no problem tapping the other wires to make up the 7 pin. (Somewhere I have a schematic I used to tap the backup light circuit to open the trailer master cylinder when backing up, if you need that)
I tow about 250 miles to the SC coast via Interstates and 2 lane highways that have some stout hills but not mountains. I have been impressed that the 2.0 keeps speed nicely when on cruise set on 73mph. I always put in the premium fuel to get full HP. Yes it is thirsty then at about 15 mpg vs the 27+ without the trailer-turbos are probably kicked in all the time (but we have no boost/vac gauge to verify).
Suspension settings will still remain a personal preference because they do not affect the actual spring rates- that is baked in. But the shock damping rate changes you get from CCD probably will feel best set to Normal or Sport. Keep the tire pressures toward the top end.
The MKC tows far better than I expected and I hope you find the same.