Ford Escape Quiz
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Cargo Capacity Calculation

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6steps
~36min
2/5difficulty
Done 0 of 6

Steps to determine the correct load limit:

  1. Find the statement "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs" on your vehicle's certification label.
  2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers who will ride in your vehicle.
  3. Subtract the total weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
  4. The resulting figure is the available cargo and luggage capacity. For example, if the "XXX" value equals 1400 lbs and there will be five 150-lb passengers in your vehicle, the available cargo and luggage capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs)
  5. Determine the combined weight of the luggage and cargo loaded into the vehicle. This weight must not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage capacity calculated in step 4.
  6. If your vehicle will tow a trailer, the trailer load will be transferred to your vehicle. Refer to this manual to determine how much this reduces the available cargo and luggage capacity of your vehicle.

Useful examples for calculating available cargo and luggage capacity

Suppose your vehicle has a 1400 lb (635 kg) payload capacity and cargo space. You decide to play golf. Is there enough payload capacity for you, four of your friends, and all the golf bags? You and four friends average 220 lb (99 kg) each, and the golf bags weigh approximately 30 lb (13.5 kg) each. The calculation will be as follows: 1400 - (5 x 220) - (5 x 30) = 1400 - 1100 - 150 = 150 lb. Yes, you have sufficient payload capacity in your vehicle to carry four friends and your golf bags. In metric units, the calculation will be: 635 kg - (5 x 99 kg) - (5 x 13.5 kg) = 635 - 495 - 67.5 = 72.5 kg. Suppose your vehicle has a 1400 lb (635 kg) payload capacity and cargo space. You and one of your friends decide to pick up cement from the local home improvement store to finish the patio you have been planning for the last two years. Measured inside the vehicle with the rear seat folded down, you have room for twelve 100 lb (45 kg) bags of cement. Do you have enough payload capacity to transport the cement to your home? If you and your friend each weigh 220 lb (99 kg), the calculation will be: 1400 - (2 x 220) - (12 x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 1200 = -240 lb. No, you do not have enough payload capacity to carry that weight. In metric units, the calculation will be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (12 x 45 kg) = 635 - 198 - 540 = -103 kg. You will need to reduce the load weight by at least 240 lb (104 kg). If you remove three 100 lb (45 kg) bags of cement, the calculation will then be: 1400 - (2 x 220) - (9 x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 900 = 60 lb. Now you have the payload capacity to transport the cement and your friend home. In metric units, the calculation will be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (9 x 45 kg) = 635 - 198 - 405 = 32 kg.

The calculations above also assume that the loads are placed in your vehicle in a way that does not overload the front or rear axle gross weight rating shown on your vehicle's Safety Certification Label.

Test yourself

A quick Ford Escape quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.