Getting back to the 2018 Ford Escape SUV ball weight. I find it strange there are two weights for towing, the Heavy duty tow bar by Hayman Reese, and one other company was 1800/180 kg. It would pay to enquire from this company as to why, and also look at your tow bar and establish which type is fitted.
The Jayco hawk from what I can see, has the kitchen forward, with seating and storage aft. This may mean that the tow ball weight is high when empty, but may stay the same when loaded, i.e. gas, fridge food, and storage filled aft, and water tank filled, but may become LESS.
It looks a good family holiday layout, so don't give up on it yet.
Go have a talk to Ford and see what they have to say.
dabbler said
05:39 PM Oct 15, 2019
Intrigued so I did some Googling. At least one car website say models in the 2019 Escape range have two different towing capacities but many list only one. I'd join a Ford group or an Escape/Kuga group and ask fellow owners about their experience because we are deep on vehicle-specific country now. The advice on options and what effect they have on weights is very good but until you have the vehicle starting point you can't make a real decision.
Baz421 said
05:48 PM Oct 15, 2019
Try this Ford link,,, decode your VIN to get tech specs and towing guide only for USA I think
-- Edited by Baz421 on Tuesday 15th of October 2019 06:05:24 PM
Greg 1 said
07:36 PM Oct 15, 2019
I think the diesel engined variant has a higher tow capacity so I would say the tow bar manufacturers rate their bars at the higher number so they only carry one model.
montie said
07:53 AM Oct 16, 2019
FYI
The measured weight of the ball download at the van coupling must not legally exceed the lesser of the following:
1) The tug manufacturer's rating.
2) The towbar rating
3) The maximum van rating if there is one.
Max Van Ball Rating will be stamped on the van compliance plate and not be confused with plated ball weight which is measured at tare by the manufacturer.
If the van has a rating, and many don't, it will be stamped as "Max".
In the interest of safe towing it is recommended that the measured ball weight be around 10% of the loaded van. This is only a recommendation and not a legal requirement.
The Jayco hawk from what I can see, has the kitchen forward, with seating and storage aft. This may mean that the tow ball weight is high when empty, but may stay the same when loaded, i.e. gas, fridge food, and storage filled aft, and water tank filled, but may become LESS.
It looks a good family holiday layout, so don't give up on it yet.
Go have a talk to Ford and see what they have to say.
Try this Ford link,,, decode your VIN to get tech specs and towing guide only for USA I think
https://megadealernews.com/stories/511712212-vin-is-key-to-computing-truck-s-towing-capacity
EDIT sorry looks like all USA
-- Edited by Baz421 on Tuesday 15th of October 2019 06:05:24 PM
The measured weight of the ball download at the van coupling must not legally exceed the lesser of the following:
1) The tug manufacturer's rating.
2) The towbar rating
3) The maximum van rating if there is one.
Max Van Ball Rating will be stamped on the van compliance plate and not be confused with plated ball weight which is measured at tare by the manufacturer.
If the van has a rating, and many don't, it will be stamped as "Max".
In the interest of safe towing it is recommended that the measured ball weight be around 10% of the loaded van. This is only a recommendation and not a legal requirement.