2017 Ford Escape Towing Capacity & Payload by Engine
The old version of this page used phrases such as “often around” and “commonly up to.” Towing is one area where that is not good enough. Ford published a configuration table for the 2017 Escape, and the rating depends on engine, drivetrain and whether the 2.0L has the trailer towing package.
Ford's 2017 Escape towing chart
| Powertrain | Maximum GCWR | Maximum trailer weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L, 2WD | 5,374 lb (2,437.6 kg) | 1,500 lb (681 kg) |
| 1.5L EcoBoost, 2WD | 5,871 lb (2,663 kg) | 2,000 lb (907 kg) |
| 2.0L EcoBoost, 2WD, without tow package | 5,986 lb (2,715 kg) | 2,000 lb (907 kg) |
| 2.0L EcoBoost, 2WD, with tow package | 7,486 lb (3,395.5 kg) | 3,500 lb (1,588 kg) |
| 1.5L EcoBoost, AWD | 6,023 lb (2,732 kg) | 2,000 lb (907 kg) |
| 2.0L EcoBoost, AWD, without tow package | 6,138 lb (2,784 kg) | 2,000 lb (907 kg) |
| 2.0L EcoBoost, AWD, with tow package | 7,639 lb (3,465 kg) | 3,500 lb (1,588 kg) |
Ford says these GCWR figures were calculated using the SAE J2807 method. The 3,500-lb rating in Ford's table is specifically tied to the 2.0L configuration with the trailer towing package.
Payload can limit you before trailer weight does
A trailer can be under the tow rating and still overload the Escape. Payload includes the people and cargo inside the vehicle plus the trailer's tongue weight. The best payload number is therefore not a generic figure from the internet. It is the carrying-capacity information on your own vehicle's tire/loading and certification labels.
Ford specifically tells owners to account for trailer tongue weight as part of the vehicle load. If you add passengers, luggage, a roof box and tongue weight at the same time, they are all using up available carrying capacity.
Tongue weight: Ford calls for 10 to 15 percent
Ford's 2017 towing guidance says the final trailer tongue weight should be 10 to 15% of the loaded trailer weight. That means a properly loaded 2,000-lb trailer could place roughly 200 to 300 lb on the hitch, while a 3,500-lb trailer could place roughly 350 to 525 lb on the hitch. Those examples are simple percentages, not a separate Escape hitch rating.
The trailer, hitch, ball mount and vehicle all have their own limits. The lowest applicable limit wins.
How the factory tow package changes the 2.0L rating
The most important distinction on this page is the 2.0L EcoBoost. Ford lists 2,000 lb without the trailer towing package and 3,500 lb with the trailer towing package, for both 2WD and AWD versions in the 2017 chart.
Do not assume that adding an aftermarket receiver changes a 2,000-lb vehicle into the factory 3,500-lb configuration. A receiver gives you an attachment point; it does not change the way Ford rated the original vehicle configuration.
Trailer frontal area also has a Ford limit
Ford's owner manual also tells owners to consider trailer frontal area. It lists a maximum of 20 sq ft (1.86 m²) without a towing package and 30 sq ft (2.79 m²) with a towing package. A tall, boxy trailer can therefore create more aerodynamic load than its scale weight alone suggests.
High altitude reduces available combined weight
Ford says to reduce gross combined weight by 2% for every 1,000 ft (300 m) of elevation, starting at 1,000 ft. That matters to owners planning mountain trips because the published maximum is not a promise that every trailer will perform the same way at altitude.
Trailer brakes and local rules
Ford notes that some jurisdictions require electric trailer brakes above specified trailer weights, and that the vehicle's wiring may not include the connector needed to activate them. Brake requirements are set by local law, so verify the rules where you tow instead of relying on a single internet threshold.
Before towing with a used 2017 Escape
- Identify the engine: 2.5L, 1.5L EcoBoost or 2.0L EcoBoost.
- Confirm FWD or AWD.
- For a 2.0L, verify the actual factory towing-package configuration before using the 3,500-lb figure.
- Read the vehicle-specific payload/carrying-capacity label.
- Include tongue weight, passengers and cargo in your load calculation.
- Check tires, brakes, cooling system and maintenance history.
If you are shopping for a used Escape specifically to tow, start with the used buyer's guide, then compare the three engines, reliability considerations and maintenance schedule.
Towing changes the maintenance picture
Ford lists towing a trailer or using a car-top carrier under special operating conditions. Frequent towing can call for additional inspections and shorter service intervals for some components. The transmission-fluid guide and fluids hub are good follow-ups if you are maintaining an Escape that has spent a lot of time towing.