prodigi1 Posted October 31, 2017 Report Share Posted October 31, 2017 I just wanted to give my personal experience towing with my C-Max since I tow with it monthly. I regularly tow a 400lb trailer with a 750 payload every month or two for about 27 miles empty and 21 miles loaded. I'm up to 84,000 miles without so much as a hiccup. I'm not saying it's the right thing to do and I'm very easy on the drive, but I would imagine if you needed to do something in a pinch, it probably wouldn't give you much grief. The only thing I've noticed after the tow is that the programming (switching between electric, gas and combo) needs to readjust again. Just my two cents. ptjones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cr08 Posted October 31, 2017 Report Share Posted October 31, 2017 To be fair this was a big topic when it came to the old Escape hybrids and it seemed to boil down to Ford being very conservative for the US market when it comes to towing capacity. The vehicle could easily handle small <1000lb loads with ease as far as pulling but the main concern was control and braking especially on hills. Engine braking sans regen has a lot less 'stopping' power compared to traditional ICE vehicles and you don't want to be riding friction brakes on a long downhill. stratosurfer and jestevens 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshg678 Posted October 31, 2017 Report Share Posted October 31, 2017 I’ve recently loaded my car with a fair amount of weight and drove on a 4 hour drive through the mountains, still got 40.5mpg and It did fine. Trans temps were ‘normal’ and I could only notice braking there was more weight. Basically had to use friction all the time unless I had very long distance and the SOC always got to 60% or higher. ptjones and obob 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratosurfer Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 I spoke to my friend who is an engineer at Ford for 35 years on this topic, he told me concerning the fact that the C-Max has no tow rating my be due to 'Ford might prefer you to consider your towing with a more profitable vehicle.' From my study of the HF35 transmission and it's roots in the 2nd Gen Prius Hybrid Drive, I feel it would be very safe to tow around 1,000 lbs, possibly up to 1,500 lbs if you install brakes on the trailer with a C-Max Hybrid. The HF35 is breakthrough technology and it will be the basis for most every Hybrid Ford (to include the F150) in the future. And beyond I could even foresee that this Hybrid Drive will be the future of transmissions in general.I'll be towing about 1,200lbs on a trailer with brakes shortly, I will report my results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshg678 Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 I feel the same way, and i look forward to your report. (lots of details and pictures please :) ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratosurfer Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 All,I am now routinely towing my 2013 Yamaha FX HO Waverunner and trailer to the coast and back: 1000 miles roundtrip. No problems other than watching crash stops, but that applies to all towing without trailer brakes. Ski trailer and full fuel will be about 1,050 lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshg678 Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 Nice. This makes me want to get my self a small trailer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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