What are The Towing Capacities for Trailer Hitches for 2003 Ford Escapes

Updated 12/29/2009 | Published 12/26/2009

Question:

hey guys. thanks for your help. on these hitches for the 2003 ford escape... what is the weight capacity? i want to be able to pull a auto transport with one car weighing 3 thousand pounds. thanks in advance.

asked by: Wilson C

Expert Reply:

The Class III 2 inch hitches available for a 2003 Ford Escape have a gross towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, meaning that the trailer and everything on the trailer must weigh less than 3,500 pounds. But you also have to factor in the towing capacity of the vehicle, if it is less than the hitch capacity, you must go by the vehicle capacity. The 2 inch hitch I recommend for your vehicle is the Draw-Tite Class III Trailer Hitch # 75118.

The Class I trailer hitch available for your Escape will not offer a high enough capacity to tow a 3,000 pound vehicle on a car trailer.

According to my research, if you have the 4 cylinder Zetec engine, you have a maximum trailer weight of 1,000 pounds. If you have the 6 cylinder Duratec, your maximum is 2,000 pounds and if you have the 6 cylinder Duratec with towing package, your maximum is 3,500 pounds.

You can find out in your owner manual if you have the tow package or not. If the car you are wanting to tow weighs 3,000 pounds and your trailer is full auto trailer, your setup could easily exceed 3,500 pounds.

Exceeding the weight rating of the vehicle or hitch could cause engine damage, transmission damage, hitch failure and the hitch could rip out of the frame of the vehicle.

expert reply by: Patrick B