GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars - View Single Post

sdctcher · #12 (**permalink**) 12-21-2004, 04:01 PM

Red -

Correction:

NO websites have a hitch to fit the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. I have spent a month and a bushel of emails proving that a market does not exist. The mounting of a modified Da'Lan on my car yesterday we hope is the start of a market, first with Hitch-Web.Com and then later Curt, Ford, and hopefully many others.

Unfortunately, the unsuccessful mounting of the two hitches Ford thinks will work (one was a 2005 Regular Escape) was done out of my sight because of "shop restrictions" so all I know is they said the battery coolant lines were in the way.

Apparently, Ford Engineers still maintain that their hitch fits because today I received an email from Marketing asking for any info or contacts I might have to convince the engineers at a meeting tomorrow. I sent the names and phone numbers and a PDF file with photos and comments of the Da'Lan installation yesterday. If nayone wants a copy of this file please email me and I will send back as an attachment. Unfortunately at 189 kb it is too big to post here.

The FEH has an available keyless entry pad available from the dealers (I believe they told me about $200). I did not buy it but had an extra key made for free at the time I picked up the car.

I do think an ESP is the way to go. There are limited options among companies, especially in California. Either Ford or Warranty Direct. Only Ford will cover the Nav System but WD is cheaper. I do not need towing or road service the first couple of years so will probably purchase a 7 yr/100,000 for $2-$3 K later.

About 80% are buying the 110V option for about $110. I like it for little things like charging on the go, my laptop at full power, and Christmas Tree Lights in my back window. I do not know how much load except on the Ford Tour they had a 25 inch TV hooked up with VCR playing and the Hybrid turned on about every 5 minutes or so to recharge. Since the plug must rotate 90 degrees to plug something in I attached a fused power strip for convenience.

Mike