What Size Camper Can a Ford Escape Pull?

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Attention attention! Did you realize that towing a camper with your vehicle can open up a world of adventure and, what is more, allow you to study the incredible outdoors in complete comfort?

We bet that you have seen people towing campers with all sorts of vehicles, including small cars. Nevertheless, when it comes to the Ford Escape, you might be wondering, "What size camper can a Ford Escape pull?"

Well, the Ford Escape is the spotlight of today’s discussion, and once you read this article, you will find out all the peculiarities of this fancy car.

Is the Ford Escape good?

Basically, the Ford Escape is a mid-size SUV that is developed to provide comfort and drive like a car on the road. We admit that it is ideal for those who desire great fuel economy while still being able to bring their relatives and friends on an adventure.

But the big question is, can this small SUV tow? The answer lies in the engine and the trim package you decide on, actually.

The Ford Escape can tow between 1,500 and 3,500 pounds. And the exact weight depends on the model and the trim package. In order to achieve the maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, you will need a model that is equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine and the Class II trailer package.

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This makes the Ford Escape stand out, as it offers some of the best towing capabilities for a vehicle of its size. In the realm of mid-size SUVs, it is in competition with the Toyota RAV4, as most other vehicles in this class have significantly lower towing capacities!

Besides, Ford offers a towing package for the 2020 and 2021 models, further increasing the towing capacity of the vehicles. This package contains a hitch receiver and trailer sway control, which are vital for a soft towing adventure.

The hitch receiver comes with a four-pin wiring harness to keep your trailer secure on your Escape, while the trailer sway control detects any swaying and autonomously makes adjustments to benefit you by staying steady on the road. It promises excellent handling when towing with your Ford Escape.

Now, let's dive into the specifics of what you can tow with diverse Ford Escape engines, so you know it for sure. The engine under the hood plays a significant role in specifying how much weight your Escape can deal with, but you can correspondingly improve its towing capabilities with a towing package from the dealer. Here are the engine options:

1.5L EcoBoost

The first variant is the 1.5L EcoBoost. This engine generates 179 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. As for the 2018 model, it pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission, while for the 2019 and 2020 models, the S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trims have a 1.5L EcoBoost engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. With this engine, the Escape can tow up to 2,000 pounds, which is quite auspicious.

2.0L EcoBoost

The 2.0L EcoBoost engine is obviously a bit improved in its characteristics. For example, it generates 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. It pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission for the 2019 and 2020 models.

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Regardless, between 2012 and 2018, this engine pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission in the Escape SEL and Titanium trims. To unlock its full towing potential of 3,500 pounds, you will need to equip it with a Class II towing package.

Hybrid engine

Finally, the Ford Escape Hybrid engine, launched in 2012, provides an eco-friendly option. This factor may be crucial for some conscious drivers.

There is also a plug-in hybrid version available since Spring 2020. The engine draws power from a 2.5L i-VCT Atkinson Cycle Inline-4 engine, producing 168 horsepower with 170 pound-feet of torque. You can tow up to 1,500 pounds with this hybrid engine.

What sorts of campers can you tow with a Ford Escape?

Frankly, the response primarily depends on your engine selection and the accompanying towing package. To make it easier for you, we are going to show you some options:

Teardrop campers

Teardrop campers are famous for their lightweight structure and streamlined shape. They offer travelers the flexibility to explore miscellaneous destinations off the beaten route. Several teardrop models weigh less than 1,200 pounds, so they become a suitable choice for your Ford Escape.

Pop-Up campers

Pop-up campers are the synonym for comfort when camping away from home. Small pop-up campers can weigh between 400 and 600 pounds, as a rule, while medium-sized ones can be up to 2,000 pounds. Your Escape can tow small and medium pop-up campers, except for the Escape with a hybrid engine.

Miniature campers

They are developed to accommodate a few people. Actually, miniature campers commonly weigh between 500 and 3,000 pounds. These campers offer diverse exterior and interior styling and provide enough headroom for people so they can stand straight in them.

In our opinion, it is important to point out that while your Ford Escape has a maximum towing capacity, you should permanently follow some key principles when towing.

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Please note that you should not tow more than eighty percent of your vehicle's rated towing capacity. This ensures you have enough power for safe highway driving, steep inclines, and off-road adventures.

Several factors come into play when defining how much you can tow beyond the towing capacity rating. One required consideration is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your Ford Escape, which accounts for the total weight of the vehicle, like its curb weight, passenger weight, cargo weight, and any aftermarket parts.

For instance, an Escape has a GVWR of about four thousand six hundred pounds and a curb weight of nearly three thousand five hundred sixteen pounds.

When towing, you must factor in the tongue weight of the trailer, which should be between nine and fifteen percent. This means if your trailer weighs three thousand five hundred pounds, the tongue weight should be between 315 and 525 pounds.

To assure security and vehicle performance, these weights should not go beyond the GVWR of your Escape. In practical terms, if your Escape is rated to tow 2,000 pounds, you have to aim not to exceed 1,600 pounds. Similarly, for a 1,500-pound towing capacity, keep your load within 1,200 pounds.

Nick Marchenko, PhD

Industrial Engineer & Automotive Content Specialist

Nick writes in-depth guides on car clubs, engine specs, vehicle ownership, and modifications, combining engineering knowledge with automotive passion.

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