Written by: Jacob J

Last Updated: 4/9/2025

Est. read time: 15 mins.

FLAT TOWING PACKAGE

2025 Ford Escape

Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FHEV) / Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)

If you plan on RVing and would prefer to take along a hybrid vehicle with you, your options are honestly limited. Thankfully, the 2025 Ford Escape absolutely fits the bill for those looking for a capable hybrid vehicle to flat tow.

It's very important to note if your hybrid EV is a full hybrid or a plug-in hybrid, as they're kitted differently in some aspects. However, if you are in the market for a Ford Escape Hybrid and don't know which one would suit your needs best, we've got you covered there too. Let's go over a quick and dirty explanation of their differences. A full hybrid engine has a smaller battery bank, and charges those batteries through regular usage (regenerative braking, gas engine, etc.) As a result of the smaller batteries, they generally have much less electric only range. However, they have increased fuel economy compared to traditional gas engines, particularly in stop-and-go conditions. They are generally less expensive than plug-in hybrids as a result of the smaller battery bank. A plug-in hybrid, as the name would suggest, can be plugged into an external power source to charge a larger battery bank when not in use. This gives it significantly more electric only range, sometimes up to 50 miles or more (this is compared to a full hybrid which can typically only travel a few miles at low speeds without the use of gasoline). This can eliminate the need for gasoline entirely if you only plan on making short trips. They're generally more expensive than their counterparts though, so you'll have to pay up front for those savings at the pump. But for occasional small trips, a plug-in hybrid can be just what the doctor ordered.

Now that we know which vehicle we're shopping for (or you at least have an idea of which one you want), let's get started. If you just want to browse our selection of flat-towing components, use the links below to go straight to our site. But for more information, our suggestions, and any helpful tips we've encountered, keep reading and we will break it down piece by piece.

WHAT DO I NEED TO FLAT TOW MY VEHICLE?

*Denotes required component

1. * Base Plates

2. * Tow Bars

3. * Safety Cables

4. * Tow Bar Wiring

5. * Braking System

6. Additional required or optional components, such as a *stop light switch, high-low adapter, and vehicle guard

Jeep Illustration with Numbered Flat Tow Components

Flat Tow Products

This isn't like a traditional article that has to be read in order, so if you want to browse a specific product, use the buttons below to navigate straight to that section, and clicking "return to top" at the bottom of each section will bring you right back here.

Base Plates for the 2025 Ford Escape

Base plates are the foundation of your flat tow setup. Whenever I am assembling a flat tow kit, I always start with the base plates. They not only are highly vehicle specific, but they often feature proprietary connectors that dictate which tow bars you're able to use (more on that shortly). So deciding on base plates that work for you influences that decision as well. When you're shopping for your setup, remember that the easiest way to build a flat tow kit is to stick with the same brand for parts. This can guarantee compatibility and often ensures a smooth and stable ride. There are obviously exceptions to this rule, as many tow bar setups come with adapters, or work with multiple brands of base plates, but we will make note of those when they come up.

Compatible with full hybrid vehicles -
Excluding plug-in hybrids

Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit

#RM59GR

Streamlined design for near-factory look
Durable steel construction with powder coat to resist rust and corrosion
Weld-free installation
Limited lifetime warranty

Compatible with full hybrid vehicles -
Excluding plug-in hybrids

#BLU92CR

Removable arms and hidden design so your vehicle has a factory look when not flat towing
Available adapters for both Roadmaster and Demco tow bars
Durable steel construction with powder coat to resist rust and corrosion
Weld-free installation
3-year warranty

Compatible with full hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrids

#DM69YV

Streamlined design for near-factory look
Covers keep dirt and debris out of base plate receivers when you're not towing
Durable steel construction
Weld-free installation
1-year warranty

Compatible with plug-in hybrids

#RM77GR

Streamlined design for near-factory look
Durable steel construction with powder coat to resist rust and corrosion
Weld-free installation
Limited lifetime warranty

Compatible with plug-in hybrids

#BLU82CR

Removable arms and hidden design so your vehicle has a factory look when not flat towing
Available adapters for both Roadmaster and Demco tow bars
Durable steel construction with powder coat to resist rust and corrosion
Weld-free installation
3-year warranty

Return to top

Tow Bars for the 2025 Ford Escape

The tow bars are the "arms" of your flat tow setup, and they're likely the first thing you'd think of when you think "flat towing". When you're choosing a tow bar, you want to consider capacity, compatibility, and cable-readiness. Capacity is somewhat self-explanatory. Your tow bars have to have the capacity to tow your vehicle. Thankfully, depending on the style, the Ford Escape Hybrid sits between 3,000 lbs and 4,000 lbs, which makes it easily towable by the overwhelming majority of tow bars on our site. Many of which have a capacity well over double that weight. Compatibility directly relates to your base plate selection. Many tow bars are only compatible with a certain brand or brands of base plate, and making sure the two of them form a complete and secure connection is paramount for successful flat towing. The last factor is cable-readiness, many tow bars come with provided safety cables (more on those below) or provide channels to house your safety cables when installed. If you want to simplify the process, buying tow bars that include safety cables can save you a purchasing step.

#e74ZR

Compatible with Roadmaster - Direct Connect base plates
6,000 lb capacity
Sturdy steel construction with E-coat to resist rust and corrosion
Lifetime technical support from etrailer.com
Limited lifetime warranty

Roadmaster Nighthawk All-Terrain Tow Bar

#RM-676

Compatible with Roadmaster - Direct Connect base plates
8,000 lb capacity
Included coiled safety cables won't drag as you tow
Aircraft-grade aluminum resists rust and corrosion
Limited lifetime warranty

#RM27NQ

Compatible with Roadmaster - Direct Connect base plates
10,000 lb capacity
Sturdy steel construction with powder coat to resist rust and corrosion
Limited lifetime warranty

#BX4330

Compatible with Blue Ox base plates
5,000 lb capacity
Sturdy steel construction with powder coat to resist rust and corrosion
Stores on your vehicle
3-year warranty

#e67ZR

Compatible with Blue Ox and Curt base plates
10,500 lb capacity
Sturdy steel construction
Lifetime technical support from etrailer.com
Limited lifetime warranty

#BLU22CR

Compatible with Blue Ox base plates
12,500 lb capacity
Sturdy steel construction with powder coat to resist rust and corrosion
3-year warranty

#e34ZR

Compatible with Demco and etrailer base plates
6,000 lb capacity
Sturdy steel construction with E-coat to resist rust and corrosion
Lifetime technical support from etrailer.com
Limited lifetime warranty

#e94ZR

Compatible with Demco and etrailer base plates
10,500 lb capacity
Sturdy steel construction
Lifetime technical support from etrailer.com
Lifetime limited warranty

Demco Excali-Bar III Non-Binding Tow Bar

#DM9511013-BX

Compatible with Demco, Blue Ox, and Curt base plates
10,500 lb capacity
Sturdy steel construction with E-coat to resist rust and corrosion
Limited lifetime warranty

Return to top

Safety Cables for the 2025 Ford Escape

Straight safety cables like this one fit easily into the supplied cable housing on this tow bar, so they won't drag while driving.

Your safety cables are your last line of defense in case of a disconnection while you're flat towing. For obvious reason you hope to never need them, but let me be very clear, you always need them. Capacity is again the primary concern here, because your cables can't really do their job in the first place if they can't hold your vehicle's weight.

The second consideration here is whether or not you want straight or coiled safety cables. Straight safety cables fit easily into cable channels if your tow bar has them, but they can drag on the ground if they're too long, or if you don't have housing to contain them. Coiled safety cables retain their spring-like shape and stretch to accommodate your setup, but will support themselves and keep from dragging. Because of this structure, they are difficult to thread into safety cable channels like the one pictured to the side. Thankfully safety cables are functionally universal, so as long as they are able to hold your vehicle and don't drag on the ground when you flat tow, they should be fine.

Return to top

Tow Bar Wiring for the 2025 Ford Escape

Your wiring system allows your towed vehicle to continue to use its brake lights, tail lights, and turn signals while flat towing. This is absolutely critical for safe towing and communication with other drivers. There are two styles of wiring setups, those that splice-in to your vehicle's existing wiring, and those that plug-in to your vehicle. A splice-in setup is a one-time permanent install. It stays out of sight and using it is as simple as plugging in the installed ports. However any modification to the vehicle's factory wiring may impact your manufacturer warranty, so make sure to consult your warranty information if you want to go this route. Plug-in systems are much less invasive, and often just have to plug into your vehicle's existing ports. They also often come with additional lights specifically designed for towing to mount with suction cups or magnets. The drawback here is that you will have to actually mount those lights with suction cups or magnets every time you want to use them, and while that's not difficult, it's more time consuming of a setup process than a spliced-in alternative.

Splice-In

#RM-15267

Splices into existing vehicle wiring for one-time installation
Diodes prevent feedback that can damage your vehicle's internal electrical components
Plug-and-play usage after initial installation

Plug-In

Demco LED Tow Light Bar for Towed Vehicles

#DM36MV

Requires no hardwire or splicing, plugs right into your vehicle's 12v outlet
Additional light mounts to your vehicle's rear window with a strong suction cup
Universal fit, and easily transferrable from vehicle to vehicle

Return to top

Supplemental Braking System for the 2025 Ford Escape

Your supplemental brake system communicates between your RV and your towed vehicle and allows the towed vehicle to apply its brakes at the same time you apply the brakes in your RV. For the tow-literate, this is essentially a brake controller. But for everyone else, this is important because while your tow bars are rated to pull your vehicle, they are not designed to push your vehicle (which is why you should never drive in reverse when flat towing). What does this have to do with braking you ask? When you stop your RV, your towed vehicle still maintains all of the momentum it had, and pushes all of that energy against the tow bars, dramatically increasing the risk of damage to your RV, your vehicle, or your tow bars themselves. The only way to avoid that is to have your vehicle apply its own brakes too. The supplemental braking system tells it when and how to do just that. Like wiring, there are two options here. Fixed systems are permanently installed by splicing-in to your factory wiring, and extremely fast to set up and use once they're in place. But they are specific to your RV's type of brakes, and can't be used with multiple vehicles. Not to mention carrying the same risk to your manufacturer warranty. A portable system is a bit bulkier, and requires a few minutes of setup before use, but can easily be transferred from vehicle to vehicle, and requires no installation or integration with factory wiring, leaving your manufacturer warranty intact.

#DM86VR

One-time, permanent installation
Compatible with RVs with hydraulic brakes
Proportional braking system
5-year warranty

Roadmaster InvisiBrake Flat Tow Brake System

#RM-8700

One-time, permanent installation
Compatible wirh RVs with air brakes or hydraulic brakes
Pre-set braking system
Trickle charges your vehicle's battery as you tow
Limited lifetime warranty

Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System

#BLU37TR

No install required, easily swappable between vehicles
Compatible with RVs with air, hydraulic, or air-over-hydraulic brakes
Proportional braking system
Stops the car in an event of a breakaway, even up to 30 minutes after power loss
2-year warranty

Return to top

Additional Components

You've completed your flat tow setup, congratulations! But how will you protect your investment? How will you protect your vehicle from road debris or gravel when it's being towed? How will you keep track of all of those keys with so many locking parts? Fear not prospective flat-tower, we have the answer for those problems as well. Click here to browse our complete list of accessories confirmed to fit the 2025 Ford Escape, or check out some of our favorite flat-tow accessories below.

#e76FV

Universal cover fits all standard RV-mounted tow bars
Weather-resistant material protects from the elements
40" long x 14" wide

Blue Ox Base Plate, Tow Bar Receiver, and High-Low Adapter Lock Kit

#BX88177

4 keyed-alike locks for all your flat-towing components
Snap-on covers keep out dirt and moisture
Includes 8 keys so you'll never be without a spare

Roadmaster Tow Defender Protective Screen

#RM-4750

Protects towed vehicle from road debris
Rolls up to just 4" in diameter for easy storage
Adjusts to fit your setup easily

#BX8870

Protects towed vehicle from road debris
Compatible with most Blue Ox tow bars
Folds in half for easier storage

Return to top

Towing Your Vehicle: A Basic Overview

What Is a Supplemental Braking System?

How to Choose a High-Low Adapter

Written by: Jacob J

Updated on: 4/9/2025

Explore Expert Info

on Tow Bar

Videos

for Tow Bar

Help Articles

for Tow Bar

Expert Answers

for Tow Bar

DIY Install: Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles on your 2022 Ford Escape

Setting Up Your Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - 2024 Ford Escape

Installing the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit on your 2023 Ford Escape

Install: Roadmaster InvisiBrake Flat Tow Brake System on a 2020 Ford Escape

A Closer Look at the Curt RVi Series 4 Portable Flat Tow Brake System

Review of CURT Flat Tow Brake System - Brake Systems - RVI44FR

Install: Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit on a 2022 Ford Escape

DIY Install: Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System on your 2023 Ford Escape

Demco SBS Wireless Coachlink Installation - 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

A Closer Look at the Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit

Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit Spec Review

Feature Breakdown: Demco LED Light Bar for Towed Vehicles w/ Wireless Transmitter

What Is a Supplemental Braking System?

Best Vehicles to Flat Tow Behind an RV

Is It Illegal to Leave My Hitch on My Truck?

Can You Flat Tow a Ford Escape?

The Definitive, Step-by-Step Flat Towing Setup Guide

Can You Flat Tow a 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser?

Can You Flat Tow a Honda CR-V?

Flat Towing Package for 2012-2014 Honda CR-V

Can You Flat Tow a 2024 Ford Edge?

Do Supplemental Braking Systems Have to Be In Active/Hybrid Mode When Towing 2024 Ford F-150

Hey Michael, I looked up your truck and yes when you have it in neutral tow mode the active braking system is shut off completely. That means that when you are flat towing your 2024 Ford F-150 you wouldn't want to use the active braking mode.…

view full answer...

Can Curt RVi4 Flat Tow Braking System Be Used With Hybrids Or EV? 2023 Escape Hybrid

Yes, the Curt portable braking system for flat towing #RVI44FR is designed for both vacuum-assist and active electric or hydraulic brake systems, like those found on hybrids and EVs. Just make sure to select “Active Assist” in the Brake Type settings…

view full answer...

Base Plate And Trailer Hitch For A 2024 Ford Escape Plug In Hybrid (PHEV)

Hi Bob! We have you covered for both. For the base plate, I recommend the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms #RM77GR. They make the best base plate in the industry and are the ones to get. That said, do you already have tow…

view full answer...

Does The Curt RVI Series 4 RVI44FR Work On Vehicles With Power Brakes And The Vehicle Off?

Hello Tom, thanks for reaching out. Yes, the Curt RVI Series 4 #RVI44FR will work just fine with vehicles that have power brakes, even when the engine is off. It does not rely on the vehicle’s vacuum booster to apply the brakes. The unit provides its…

view full answer...

Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2024 Ford Escape PHEV Plug In Hybrid

Hey Antonieta, we have the Roadmaster base plate kit part #RM77GR that fits your 2024 Ford Escape plug in hybrid which is easier to use. In addition to the base plates, you will also need a compatible tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and…

view full answer...

Front and Rear Sway Bar Recommendation for 2015 Forest River Forester 3011DS

Hey Erik, for your 2015 Forest River Forester 3011DS the Roadmaster front sway bar part #RM-1139-189 is the correct fit but for the rear bar you would want #RM-1139-147 instead. We do not have a Tracbar that fits your RV at this time though. I would…

view full answer...

Why Would Vehicle with Charge Line Kit Cause Dead Battery After Year When it was Working

Hey Michael, it actually sounds like the battery in your Wrangler is the issue. If it was holding a charge just fine when you first started towing and nothing has changed yet it's now dead when you stop that to me would indicate the battery is on…

view full answer...

Troubleshoot: Curt RVi 4 Braking System Chirped Tires First Time Using It

That’s actually a common and temporary side effect, Greg. Most towed vehicles store a little vacuum brake assist even after the engine shuts off. During setup, the Curt Braking System #RVi44FR removes that vacuum assist to prevent overbraking, but if…

view full answer...

Hey Zach. To control your 2025 Ford Escape Hybrid's lights from your RV, you'll need the Roadmaster Smart Diode Kit for Variable Voltage LED Tail Lights item #RM38FR. This kit includes all of the wiring, smart diodes, and connectors you need…

view full answer...

Hi Randy, Starting with the necessary parts I have the following recommendations: Baseplate: If you have a non plug-in hybrid then you'll need the #BLU92CR; if you have a plug-in hybrid then you'll need part #BLU82CR instead. Tow Bar:…

view full answer...

Flat Towing Equipment Recommendations For A 2021 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid

I spoke with Roadmaster and they stated the plug-in hybrid would be the same fit. You will want to make sure you follow your owner's manual to ensure you are properly set up to flat tow if your vehicle is able to. To flat tow your 2021 Ford…

view full answer...

What is the Difference Between the Blue Ox Patriot BRK2019 & BRK2022?

Gladly! The difference between the Blue Ox Patriot 3 Radio Frequency, Portable Braking System BRK2019 and the Blue Ox Patriot Radio Frequency, Portable Braking System #BLU37TR is that the Blue Ox Patriot 3 RBRK2019 is older, no longer available, and…

view full answer...

Motorhome/RV

Contact & Help

What our customers are saying:

"In these days of customer "no service" I am usually disapointed when doing business with people I don't know. It was refreshing doing business with you. I'm impressed!"

Randy

Watkinsville, GA