Tow Chart

Ford Explorer towing capacity

The 2026 Ford Explorer is rated for 5,000 lbs (the source does not say which hitch type the figure is for). The source gives one figure for it.

2026 Ford Explorer, highest published rating5,000 lbsHitch type not stated.

Source documents last retrieved October 3, 2026.

Jump to a year

2026 Ford Explorer

Highest rating for each engine
EngineHitch type not stated
2.3L EcoBoost I45,000 lbs
3.0L EcoBoost V65,000 lbs
3.3L Ti-VCT V65,000 lbs
3.3L HEV V65,000 lbs

All 9 2026 Explorer configurations, with axle, cab and required equipment

Source: 2026 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide

2025 Ford Explorer

Highest rating for each engine
EngineHitch type not stated
2.3L EcoBoost I45,000 lbs
3.0L EcoBoost V65,000 lbs
3.3L Ti-VCT V65,000 lbs
3.3L HEV V65,000 lbs

All 9 2025 Explorer configurations, with axle, cab and required equipment

Source: 2025 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide

2024 Ford Explorer

Highest rating for each engine
EngineHitch type not stated
3.0L EcoBoost V65,600 lbs
3.3L Ti-VCT V65,600 lbs
2.3L EcoBoost I45,300 lbs
3.3L HEV V65,000 lbs

All 15 2024 Explorer configurations, with axle, cab and required equipment

Source: 2024 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide

2023 Ford Explorer

Highest rating for each engine
EngineHitch type not stated
3.0L EcoBoost V65,600 lbs
3.3L Ti-VCT V65,600 lbs
2.3L EcoBoost I45,300 lbs
3.3L HEV V65,000 lbs

All 15 2023 Explorer configurations, with axle, cab and required equipment

Source: 2023 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide

2022 Ford Explorer

Highest rating for each engine
EngineConventional
3.0L EcoBoost V65,600 lbs
3.3L Ti-VCT V65,600 lbs
2.3L EcoBoost I45,300 lbs
3.3L HEV V65,000 lbs

All 15 2022 Explorer configurations, with axle, cab and required equipment

Source: 2022 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide

2021 Ford Explorer

Highest rating for each engine
EngineConventional
3.0L EcoBoost V65,600 lbs
3.3L Ti-VCT V65,600 lbs
2.3L EcoBoost I45,300 lbs
3.3L HEV V65,000 lbs

All 12 2021 Explorer configurations, with axle, cab and required equipment

Source: 2021 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide

2020 Ford Explorer

Highest rating for each engine
EngineConventional
3.0L EcoBoost V65,600 lbs
3.3L Ti-VCT V65,600 lbs
2.3L EcoBoost I45,300 lbs
3.3L HEV V65,000 lbs

All 12 2020 Explorer configurations, with axle, cab and required equipment

Source: 2020 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide

2019 Ford Explorer

Highest rating for each engine
EngineConventional
3.5L V65,000 lbs
3.5L EcoBoost V65,000 lbs
2.3L EcoBoost I43,000 lbs

All 8 2019 Explorer configurations, with axle, cab and required equipment

Source: 2019 RV & Trailer Towing Guide

2018 Ford Explorer

Highest rating for each engine
EngineConventionalHitch type not stated
3.5L V65,000 lbs2,000 lbs
3.5L EcoBoost V65,000 lbs
2.3L EcoBoost I43,000 lbs

All 8 2018 Explorer configurations, with axle, cab and required equipment

Source: 2018 RV & Trailer Towing Guide

2017 Ford Explorer

Highest rating for each engine
EngineConventionalHitch type not stated
3.5L V65,000 lbs2,000 lbs
3.5L EcoBoost® V65,000 lbs
2.3L EcoBoost® I43,000 lbs

All 8 2017 Explorer configurations, with axle, cab and required equipment

Source: 2017 RV & Trailer Towing Guide

2016 Ford Explorer

Highest rating for each engine
EngineConventionalHitch type not stated
3.5L V65,000 lbs2,000 lbs
3.5L V6 EcoBoost®5,000 lbs
2.0L I4 EcoBoost®3,000 lbs

All 8 2016 Explorer configurations, with axle, cab and required equipment

Source: 2016 RV & Trailer Towing Guide

2015 Ford Explorer

Highest rating for each engine
EngineConventionalHitch type not stated
3.5L V65,000 lbs2,000 lbs
3.5L V6 EcoBoost®5,000 lbs2,000 lbs
2.0L I4 EcoBoost®2,000 lbs

All 8 2015 Explorer configurations, with axle, cab and required equipment

Source: 2015 RV & Trailer Towing Guide

Common questions

How has the Ford Explorer's towing capacity changed by year?

Highest published rating by model year: 2026: 5,000 lbs; 2025: 5,000 lbs; 2024: 5,600 lbs; 2023: 5,600 lbs; 2022: 5,600 lbs; 2021: 5,600 lbs; 2020: 5,600 lbs; 2019: 5,000 lbs; 2018: 5,000 lbs; 2017: 5,000 lbs; 2016: 5,000 lbs; 2015: 5,000 lbs.

What hitch are the Ford Explorer ratings for?

For some years the manufacturer's document gives a trailer weight without naming a hitch type. We show those as "Hitch type not stated" and do not assume one.

Other Ford models