The 2020 Ford Escape shared a lot of the same data that the 2021 and 2022 models had, including the towing capacity ratings that were shown in the chart.
The chart itself was also very similar to the other two later model years, and the 2020 models were still able to achieve that maximum rating of 3,500 pounds.
This rating was based on having the correct engine option chosen for your vehicle, along with the optional trailer package that was available, otherwise you may have had a maximum capacity of only 1,500- 2,000 pounds if it wasn't properly equipped.
I highly recommend that you read through your owners manual and, that you follow all of Ford's recommendations and requirements.
2020 Escape Overview
Overall Capacity: The overall towing capacity for the 2020 Ford Escape ranged from 1,500-3,500 pounds, like most other model years, and the one main variable that affected the capacity numbers more than any other variable was the engine that you had equipped.
Capacity By Trim Levels: If we have a look at the five different trim levels I have listed below, we can see that there are different corresponding maximum trailer weight ratings according to each trim level. Each trim level had different engine options available to them and is how I got the trailer weight rating ranges that are seen below.
- S:2,000 lbs.
- SE: 1,500-2,000 lbs.
- SE Sport: 1,500 lbs.
- SEL: 1,500-3,500 lbs.
- Titanium (Including Hybrid Models): 1,500-3,500 lbs.
By Engine Options: There were only three different engine options available for these model year SUVs and, these were the 2.5 liter engine, which had the lowest capacity rating of around 1,500 pounds. The 1.5 liter EcoBoost engine which had a slightly higher 2,000 pound maximum capacity and then the 2.0 liter EcoBoost engine had the highest, 3,500 pound rating.
The towing capacity for the 2022 Escape and the 2021 models were similar to the 2020 models because they shared the same three engine options.
- 2.5L Hybrid (4 cylinder): 1,500 lbs.
- 1.5L (4 cylinder) EcoBoost: 2,000 lbs.
- 2.0L (4 cylinder) EcoBoost: 3,500 lbs.
The Tow Chart:
Looking at the chart below, we can see that the specs are very similar to the 2021 tow chart and 2022 model year's chart with slight variations in the gross combined weight rating specifications, and that's about it.
Going over the data in the chart, we can see that the three different engine options are listed on the left, and then the corresponding maximum trailer weight ratings are listed on the right-hand side of the chart.
We also have information about the axle ratio and the gross combined weight ratings for the front-wheel drive models and the all-wheel drive models listed in the middle of the chart. There are also some additional notes below the table portion of the chart did I recommend you take a look at as well.
What You Need To Know About Your SUV To Get Your Maximum Trailer Rating:
You didn't really need to know much about your vehicle in order to look up the maximum trailer weight rating in the chart that I have provided above. For the 2020 models, you really only needed to know what engine you had equipped in order to get your maximum trailer weight rating from the chart.
The chart below is an example chart and should not be used for the specifications but I outlined the engine options on the left side of the chart. The corresponding trailer weight ratings on the right-hand side of the chart to give an example of how easy it is to find these, and really the only variable you need to look at is the engine option they came equipped with your vehicle.
- The engine you had equipped - All you need to do is find out whether you had the 2.5 liter engine equipped, the 1.5 liter engine or the 2.0 liter engine equipped in your vehicle and plug that data into the chart.
If you're having trouble finding out what type of engine you have equipped in your vehicle, then I recommend you use your vehicles VIN and plug it into an online VIN decoder, like this one and that will give you not only the engine specifications about your SUV but also a lot of other helpful information that you could use later down the road.
2020 Escape Trailer Tow Packages...
We talked about the trailer tow package earlier and how you would need to have it installed on your vehicle in order to achieve the highest, 3,500 pound rating, if you had the 2.0 liter EcoBoost engine equipped.
I was able to find a table that lays out the equipment that was included in the 536 package that is available and if we look at the data we can see that an automatic transmission cooler is included in this package, along with the hitch receiver, a 4 pin wiring harness to hook up your trailer lights and a trailer sway control option.
(3) Included with 2.0L EcoBoost I4 only.
Hitch Receiver Weight Limits: Another chart I found talks about the maximum capacity rating for your hitch which was set at 3,500 pounds for these vehicles and since the rating was so low, there was no specification listed for using a weight distributing hitch, as they were not needed because the maximum trailer weight rating was so low.
Trailer Brakes: One thing I wanted to point out is that if you are planning on using trailer brakes with these vehicles, you will have to keep in mind that they were not set up to use a brake controller or a 7 pin wiring connection. Both accessories that will be needed if you plan on using trailer brakes with your trailer, so you will need to have a shop install this for you or install these accessories yourself. Ford does require trailer brakes for trailers that weigh more than 1,500 pounds, which includes the weight of the trailer and the cargo that is inside the trailer.
Now The Certification Label...
GVWR & GAWRs: The gross vehicle weight rating and both of the gross axle weight ratings were not listed in any of the resources I used when doing the research for these SUVs, so if you want to know these figures, you will have to look on your vehicle and will have to seek out the certification label.
The certification label can be found if you open your driver side door and look on the door pillar and it will look like the label that I have shown above. Towards the top of this label is where you will find the gross vehicle weight rating specifications, along with the gross axle weight rating specifications, and these figures will be listed in both pounds and kilograms.
GCWR: The gross combined weight rating specifications were a lot easier to find and are actually located on the towing chart that I have posted at the top of this article. These can be found right beside the axle ratios in the chart and are listed for both front-wheel drive models and all-wheel drive models.
Axle Code: At the bottom of the certification label you will also see a section that is labeled "axle" and this will contain the axle code for your vehicle which corresponds to what axle ratio they use for your rear axle in your vehicle. This is just supplementary information about your vehicle that you could use later on, as the axle ratio was not needed in order to figure out the maximum trailer weight rating of your vehicle.
Helpful Resources I Used For My Research:
Believe it or not, all of the information I gathered for this article came only from three resources and the bulk majority of that information came from only one of these three resources.
The 2020 guide was probably the most helpful resource I found because it had most of the information I needed and great charts and images I could use for the post as well.
The brochure also came in handy when it came to comparing the different trim level options and the owners manual was used to verify the information and had additional information as well about these vehicles then I couldn't find anywhere else.
Last updated on May 12th, 2022 at 06:15 pm