Home FAQ

How big is the trunk of the Ford Explorer with seats down?

The Ford Explorer has a spacious trunk that can accommodate a significant amount of cargo when the rear seats are folded down. With the seats down, the Explorer's trunk offers an impressive 87.8 cubic feet of storage space, making it a versatile choice for those who need to transport large or bulky items.

Detailed Trunk Dimensions

The Ford Explorer's trunk dimensions with the rear seats folded down are as follows:

Length: 85.5 inches

Width: 56.8 inches

Height: 34.3 inches

These measurements translate to a total cargo volume of 87.8 cubic feet, providing ample space for a wide range of items, from furniture and sports equipment to camping gear and more.

Versatile Cargo Configurations

The Ford Explorer's flexible seating and cargo configurations allow you to customize the interior to suit your needs. In addition to the generous trunk space with the rear seats folded down, the Explorer also offers a 60/40 split-folding second-row seat, enabling you to carry a mix of passengers and cargo.

Whether you need to transport large, bulky items or simply want to maximize your storage capacity, the Ford Explorer's spacious trunk and versatile interior make it a practical and capable choice for a wide range of activities and lifestyles.

What are the inside dimensions of a Ford Explorer?

The Ford Explorer has a total passenger volume of up to 152.7152.7152.7 to 152.9152.9152.9 cubic feet, with headroom of approximately 40.740.740.7 inches for the first row, 40.540.540.5 for the second, and 38.938.938.9 for the third. Legroom is about 434343 inches for the first row, 393939 inches for the second, and 32.232.232.2 inches for the third. Shoulder room is approximately 61.861.861.8 inches for the first row, 61.961.961.9 for the second, and 54.654.654.6 for the third.
Seating and passenger volume

Passenger Volume: Up to 152.9152.9152.9 cubic feet
Headroom: 40.740.740.7 in (first row), 40.540.540.5 in (second row), 38.938.938.9 in (third row)
Legroom: 43.043.043.0 in (first row), 39.039.039.0 in (second row), 32.232.232.2 in (third row)
Shoulder Room: 61.861.861.8 in (first row), 61.961.961.9 in (second row), 54.654.654.6 in (third row)
Hip Room: 59.259.259.2 in (first row), 59.159.159.1 in (second row)

Cargo space (varies by model year and trim)

Behind third row: 16.316.316.3 cubic feet
Behind second row: 464646 cubic feet
Behind first row (maximum): 85.885.885.8 cubic feet

Will a 4x8 sheet of plywood fit in a Ford Explorer?

Yes, you can fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood in a modern Ford Explorer by folding down the second and third-row seats. It will fit with the rear hatch open, running from the front passenger area up to the back of the vehicle.

This video shows how to transport a sheet of plywood in a Ford Explorer: 1mFixing With PassionYouTube · Nov 21, 2017

How to fit it: Fold down both the second and third-row seats to create a long, flat surface.
Positioning: The sheet will run from the front of the cabin, over the folded seats, to the open rear hatch.
Securing it: While it may fit with the hatch closed, it's safer to keep the hatch open to avoid scratching the headliner or damaging the sheet, especially if it's a thicker piece.
Caution: Be careful not to damage the interior, especially the headliner, when loading and transporting the sheet.
Older models: Some older models may not have the right dimensions or a flat enough cargo area, so always check the specific dimensions of your vehicle.
Alternative: If your vehicle has a wider cargo area, such as a Ford Expedition MAX, you can even close the liftgate with a 4x8 sheet inside.

How big is the Ford Explorer trunk?

The Ford Explorer has three cargo space configurations: the trunk behind the third row offers approximately 16.316.316.3 to 18.218.218.2 cubic feet, folding the third row provides 464646 to 47.947.947.9 cubic feet, and folding both the second and third rows yields a maximum of 85.385.385.3 to 87.887.887.8 cubic feet. Specific dimensions vary slightly by model year, so check the model you are interested in for the most accurate figures.

You can watch this video to see the cargo dimensions of the 2022 Ford Explorer: 59sCars With SteveYouTube · Feb 1, 2022
Cargo dimensions by configuration (approximate)

Behind the third row: 16.316.316.3 to 18.218.218.2 cubic feet
Behind the second row: 464646 to 47.947.947.9 cubic feet (with the third row folded)
Behind the first row: 85.385.385.3 to 87.887.887.8 cubic feet (with second and third rows folded)

Additional features

PowerFold® third-row seat: Some models feature a power-folding third-row seat for convenience.
Under-floor storage: The cargo area includes under-floor storage for items like blankets, with some models offering a depth of around 5−65 minus 65−6 inches.
Cargo management: Standard features include cargo tie-down hooks, and some models offer an upgrade to an available cargo management system with a cargo net and other organizers.

Can a queen size mattress fit in the back of a Ford Explorer?

Yes, a queen mattress can fit in a Ford Explorer, but you must fold the second and third-row seats down and may need to fold the mattress. With the back seats folded down, the Explorer has enough cargo space to accommodate the length and width when the mattress is folded in a "taco" shape.

This video demonstrates how to load a queen mattress into a Ford Expedition, which is larger than an Explorer but shows the process of fitting a queen mattress: 53sUse a Pickup Truck Inc. Furniture MoversYouTube · Apr 7, 2016
How to fit a queen mattress in a Ford Explorer

Fold down all rear seats: Flip down the second and third-row seats to create the largest possible flat cargo area.
Fold the mattress: Bend the mattress in half lengthwise to make it easier to maneuver and fit inside the vehicle.
Secure the mattress: You may need to use ratcheting tiedowns to secure the mattress and prevent it from shifting during transport.
Check compatibility: Note that a standard queen mattress is about 60" x 80". You should still measure your specific vehicle to ensure a proper fit, especially considering the wheel wells and other interior shapes.

This video demonstrates how to move a mattress by yourself: 1mClutter Reduction Junk RemovalYouTube · Jan 6, 2025

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.