Towing With A Ford Escape (7 Key Questions Answered!)
The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV that Ford introduced in 2000 to compete with other entry-level SUVs. It has since enjoyed increased popularity over the years and is now one of Ford’s best-selling vehicles.
Given that there are so many out there, owners often wonder if towing with a Ford Escape is feasible and easy.
So, what is the Ford Escape towing capacity? This article has you covered with this answer and many other tips.
Whether you are buying a new one or a used one, towing with a Ford Escape is possible and easy. Currently, the Ford Escape towing capacity is 3,500 lbs with the adequate towing package. If you are interested in purchasing a used one, here are a couple of things to know when buying a used Ford Escape.
This article will go through all you need to know about towing with a Ford Escape. Plus, we’ll tell you yhat you should expect during your adventure based on reviews from other owners as well as experts who have previously pulled with a Ford Escape.
The article will be broken down into sections to make it easier for you to read.
The goal here is to keep things simple and list each important point separately, then following up on them so you get just the info you need.
Is the Ford Escape Good for Towing?
Yes, depending on your hauling needs, the Ford Escape towing capacity will surprise many motorists. If you do not need large to tow very much weight, the Ford Escape is a good alternative to trucks and SUVs that are less fuel-efficient but offer the same towing capacity.
To be able to tow safely, you need to know what your vehicle can take and what the law requires.
It would help if you also determined how far you will be traveling as this can affect how much weight you can tow. Finally, you need to know the carrying capacity of your vehicle.
The Ford Escape comes standard from the manufacturer with a towing capacity from 1,500 to 3,500lb. This means that towing with a Ford Escape is possible.
After all, most experts agree that this is sufficient enough for towing camping gear and small boats. However, the Ford Escape towing capacity may not be enough to carry heavier and bigger loads such as a trailer or large camper vans.
Does the Ford Escape Come with A Tow Hitch?
The Ford Escape Titanium with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine comes with a tow hitch from the factory. However, both the 1.5L EcoBoost engine model and the hybrid 2.5L engine model don’t come with the tow hitch from the factory.
It is worth noting that the tow hitch is available as an accessory that can fit the models without the tow hitch. So, towing with a Ford Escape is possible with several trim lines.
The Ford Escape Titanium with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine comes with the Class II Trailer Tow Package. So, what does the Ford Escape tow package include:
Trailer Wiring Harness (4-Pin)
This is an auxiliary wiring harness that connects your trailer lights, electric brakes, and stop lamps to your vehicle so that they operate correctly.
The Hitch Receiver
This is where you would attach the trailer to your vehicle.
Trailer Sway Control
This is a feature that senses trailer sway. When you lower the trailer, it will start to sway, which will cause the sway control to kick in and prevent it from moving.
Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
This cooler is an accessory that is thermostatically controlled to remove heat from the transmission using the oil to water cooling method.
How Much Can A Ford Escape Pull?
A very common question we get is “can a Ford Escape tow 3500 lbs?” The answer is yes!
The maximum towing capacity for Ford Escape is 3,500 lb. The 2.0L EcoBoost engine has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lb with the tow package.
The ones that come with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine can only tow a maximum of 2,000 lbs, and the 2.5L hybrid tows a maximum of 1,500lbs. So, while towing with a Ford Escape 4-cylinder model is possible, it’s certainly less.
The amount of horsepower that the Ford Escape puts out is also an essential factor to consider. Here are some numbers to help you get an understanding of how many horses it has.
| Ford Escape Engine | Horse Power | Torque |
| 2.0L EcoBoost engine | 245 hp | 275 lb-ft torque |
| 1.5L EcoBoost engine | 179 hp | 177 lb-ft torque |
| Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid (2.5L I-4 engine) | 168 hp | 170 lb-ft torque |
How Do I Know If My Ford Escape Has A Tow Package?
Check your Escape’s owner’s manual and look under “Feature Guide”. You could also check the label at the base of your wiper blades for information about your Tow Package (Class II Trailer Tow Package).
Another method is to visit the dealership for confirmation, or you can visit their website and search for information about the vehicle using the VIN.
Can You Pull A Pop Up Camper with A Ford Escape?
You can tow almost all pop-up campers with a Ford Escape since many pop-up campers are lightweight because of their space-saving nature.
Pop-up campers are different from other camper vans and trailers because they have a smaller base.
Most of the pop-up campers weigh in at about 600 pounds to 700 pounds. So, as far as these, towing with a Ford Escape is possible.
The towing weight, which a Ford Escape will be when you tow this type of camper is usually between 1,000 and 2,000 pounds.
Pop-up campers are not as heavy as some of the 5th wheel trailers out there, but they are still no joke when it comes to pulling heavy, bulky loads.
Can You Add A Tow Package to A Ford Escape?
If your Ford Escape did not come with the tow package from the factory then you will only be able to add certain parts of the overall towing package. It’s easy to add the trailer wiring harness and the hitch receiver but the trailer sway control is a software addition that is currently impossible to add.
Adding the auxiliary transmission oil cooler has proved to be difficult and stressful.
If you are looking to add the tow package, make sure you check your vehicle’s owner manual for the “Feature Guide” or the label at the base of the wiper blades and ask your dealer to add it. Make sure a certified technician does the job.
If you stick to the recommended towing capacity, you should be ok, but if you really want the tow package, buy the trim with the tow package.
What Camper Can I Tow with A Ford Escape?
The Ford Escape can tow campers that fall in the range in which the vehicle can tow, from 1,500lbs to 3,500lbs. The model that tows the heaviest comes with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine with the tow package. Be sure to consider the weight of the cargo when factoring in overall towing weight.
Camper vans come in several sizes and weights. The decision to buy a camper depends on the kind of camper van you want and the weight of the van.
Ensure to check the weight and size of your camper van before you go ahead with your buying. They include:
Pop-up campers
They come in different sizes and can accommodate two to four people. Most of them weigh from 1,500 lbs to 5,000 lbs. Therefore, you can tow them safely with a Ford Escape.
Travel trailers
Here is where you will find several models for five people and more. The weight of a travel trailer varies from 3,000 lbs to 12,000 lbs.
For five people, the ideal weight range would be between 3,000 and 6,000 lbs. You can tow them safely with a Ford Escape if your vehicle has the tow package.
Fifth wheels
These are heavy-weight campers great for large families or groups of friends who want to go camping together. Their weight is out of range for Ford Escape.
You can always learn more about camper trailers and some of the best there is in the market.
Towing With A Ford Escape
You can tow a camper van with your Ford Escape without any problems. You need to ensure that the camper van you are buying is within the range that it can tow safely.
The Ford Escape towing capacity is 3500 lbs, which is enough for smaller loads.
If you don’t have the tow package, ensure that your model already has a trailer wiring harness and hitch receiver to enable you to add other parts of the package later if you so desire.
Make sure your vehicle is well serviced before embarking on long trips, especially if you are going off-road, which will put more strain on the engine.
Make sure your vehicle is in top condition before starting on a long trip.
Check for recalls on your vehicle to ensure that it has not been affected. Always remember, safety first!
If you are towing the camper van, check to see if the load exceeds the maximum capacity of your Ford Escape and watch out for signs of stress in the engine, especially if you take off-road routes.
Always drive carefully! Don’t go off-road aggressively and always stay within the recommended speed limits for highway travel and safe distance from other vehicles on all roads.