What is the hitch rating for a Ford Explorer?
Most Ford Explorers use a 2-inch Class III hitch receiver rated for up to about 5,000 pounds gross trailer weight, with roughly 500 pounds of tongue weight. The exact rating depends on the engine, equipment, and model year, so always verify your specific configuration in the owner's manual or Ford’s towing guide.
Understanding hitch rating and towing capacity
The hitch rating describes the maximum weight the receiver and hitch system are designed to carry. Towing capacity, meanwhile, is the practical limit that also depends on the vehicle’s engine, transmission, braking system, suspension, and available tow package. For the Ford Explorer, the standard setup is a 2-inch receiver that is classified as Class III, which is typical for light-to-medium towing duties. The actual safe towing limit can vary by year and trim, so it’s important to confirm your exact figures.
Before listing the typical specs, note that they are subject to change by model year and optional equipment. Below is a snapshot of what owners commonly encounter across recent generations of the Explorer.
The following items describe the typical hitch configuration and its common limits:
- Receiver size and class: 2-inch receiver, Class III
- Maximum gross trailer weight (GTW): commonly up to 5,000 pounds on most Explorers
- Tongue weight (TW) rating: approximately 500 pounds (roughly 10% of GTW)
- Engine and Tow Package variations: with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine and Tow Package, max towing can approach around 5,000–5,300 pounds in certain model years; with the 3.0L EcoBoost and Tow Package, some configurations reach about 5,300–5,600 pounds
- Important caveat: the actual allowable weight is the lowest rating among the hitch, vehicle systems, and trailer; always verify the exact numbers for your specific year and trim
In practical terms, drivers planning to tow should treat the listed figures as upper limits and default to the lowest rated component in the chain—hitch, vehicle, and trailer—plus any payload in the vehicle itself.
How to verify the hitch rating for your Explorer
To confirm your exact hitch rating for your individual vehicle, follow these steps and consult official sources as needed.
- Check the door jamb placard or the owner's manual for the model year and tow rating, including GTW and tongue weight
- Identify whether your build includes the Tow Package and which engine it uses, since these affect towing limits
- Consult Ford’s official towing guide or the model-year brochure for your Explorer to confirm the precise numbers
- Inspect the installed hitch and ensure any accessories or adapters are rated for the same or higher capacity
- Remember to observe safety margins by staying within the lowest-rated component in the towing setup
If you’re ever unsure, contact a Ford dealership or a certified technician to ensure your setup is within safe and recommended limits.
Summary
Across recent Ford Explorers, the typical hitch rating is a 2-inch Class III receiver with a common maximum of about 5,000 pounds gross trailer weight and around 500 pounds of tongue weight. Engine choice and the Tow Package can push the upper limit to roughly 5,300–5,600 pounds in some configurations, but the exact figure depends on year, trim, and equipment. Always verify the specific numbers for your vehicle in the owner’s manual or Ford’s official towing guide, and tow within the limits of the weakest link in the towing chain.
What is the 80% rule for towing?
The 80% rule for towing is a safety guideline that recommends the weight of a fully loaded trailer should not exceed 80% of a vehicle's maximum towing capacity. This provides a safety margin for unpredictable conditions and reduces stress on the vehicle's engine, transmission, and brakes, helping to ensure better handling and a longer lifespan for components.
How it works
- Calculate your vehicle's limit: Find your vehicle's maximum towing capacity in the owner's manual or on the manufacturer's website.
- Calculate 80% of the limit: Multiply the maximum towing capacity by 0.800.800.80 to find your safe towing limit. For example, if your vehicle can tow 10,00010 comma 00010,000 pounds, your limit is 8,0008 comma 0008,000 pounds.
- Account for all weight: Ensure the total weight of the fully loaded trailer, including cargo and passengers in both the vehicle and the trailer, stays below this 80% limit.
Why it's important
- Safety margin: It provides a buffer for real-world factors like hills, curves, and sudden stops.
- Vehicle longevity: It reduces strain on key components like the engine, transmission, and brakes, which can extend their lifespan.
- Handling: Maintaining a margin helps ensure your vehicle can be steered and controlled effectively, even under load.
Is a Ford Explorer a good towing vehicle?
What is the best Ford Explorer year for towing? The Ford Explorer SUV's 2024 model can be seen as the best year for towing, as it's the most modern Explorer with a towing capacity above 5,000 pounds,1 specifically reaching up to 5,600 pounds when configured with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6.
What trailer types can a Ford Explorer tow?
Towing (4,000 to 7,000 pounds)
- Utility Trailers.
- 24-foot Travel Trailers.
- Sport Boats.
Can a Ford Explorer tow 5000 lbs?
All Explorer trim levels come with a Class III Towing package which comes with the necessary equipment to tow cargo of up to 5,000 pounds, as well as trailer sway control, side-wind stabilization, and trailer coverage. If you would like to learn more about the Ford Explorer, visit our model overview page.
