airstream

Does anyone out there know what sensors are installed on the Edge so that if something overheats, or there is too much load, the AC compressor shuts off? When I tow my 3000# trailer on warm (85 deg or greater) days at highway speeds (55-60), my AC compressor shuts down. I assume that this is done on purpose, and that something is telling the compressor that either there is an overload or overtemp condition. My 2007 has the factory tow package, and the engine coolant temp gauge stays right in the middle of normal. Dealer says that the AC is operating OK, and that I'm towing too heavy a load. It seems that others tow as heavy as I do without this problem, so I'm wondering if I have a sensor that is out of calibration. I'd like to check it out before I give up and replace the car. I have started towing with overdrive locked out, and I haven't had a problem since, but that may be because Michigan hasn't had any hot weather this year. I really like the Edge, and would like to buy it when my lease is up, but not if I can't resolve this problem.

PSUFetch, I have a question on towing your trailer. I have a 40 year old Airstream Caravel (17') which weighs a little less than 3000# When I tow it with my 2007 Edge with AWD and the factory tow package, if the outside temperature is above about 85 deg, the AC compressor starts to cut out. I wondered what your experience has been. I live in Michigan, not a particularly hot or hilly place, and I was surprised at this problem. The dealer says the AC checks out OK. I'm retired from Ford, so I contacted the trailer tow guy there, and he said my trailer is either too heavy or has too much frontal area. Your trailer looks to be about the same size as mine. Do you know what it weighs? I'm suspicious that I have a sensor somewhere that is out of calibration and is shutting off the AC too soon.

I have a 2007 Edge with the factory trailer tow package. I tow a 16' Airstream Caravel (1965). The Airstream factory lists the weight of this trailer at 2200#, but I think that's optimistic. I added a couple hundred lbs when I restored it, and my guess is I'm closer to 2800#. I have had a problem towing when the temperature is over 80deg and i'm driving at 50-55mph. The air conditioning compressor shuts off. When I slow down, it comes back on. I am a Ford retiree, and I have talked to the trailer tow engineers at Ford about this problem. It would appear that the vehicle is sensing an out of spec condition (trans or engine oil temp or coolant temp?) and is turning off the compressor to lessen the load on the engine. The dealer says no problem with the AC and no engine codes. The engineer at Ford suggests that I am towing a trailer with too large a frontal area, which adds aerodynamic drag at highway speeds. So, I would suggest that you proceed with caution. It's too bad. I love the Edge, and it seems to tow the trailer effortlessly. I wonder if I have a sensor that is out of calibration that could be causing the AC to cut out prematurely, but I have no easy way to check this out. Oh well, it's a lease, so I guess I'll just have to get something else. As for switching out the hitch, if you have the factory hitch, it is welded to the bumper beam. You would have to cut it off or replace the beam with a non-trailer tow beam.