A Ford Explorer tows between 5,000 and 5,600 pounds when it is set up the right way. The exact number comes down to two things: the model year and the engine under the hood. Newer Explorers from 2025 and 2026 are rated at 5,000 pounds across the whole lineup. Models from 2020 through 2024 could pull a bit more, up to 5,600 pounds with the right V6 and tow package.
That range is enough for most weekend jobs. A small camper, a fishing boat, a pair of jet skis, or a loaded utility trailer all sit comfortably inside it. What the Explorer will not do is pull a big fifth-wheel RV or a heavy car hauler. For that you need a full-size truck. Here is the full picture, year by year, plus what these numbers mean once you actually hook something up.
The short answer by year and engine
Towing capacity has shifted a little over the past few years, so the year on your Explorer matters. This table covers the current sixth-generation models, which run from 2020 to today.
| Model years | Engine | Max tow (properly equipped) |
| 2025–2026 | 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder | 5,000 lbs |
| 2025–2026 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (ST, Platinum) | 5,000 lbs |
| 2020–2024 | 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder | 5,300 lbs |
| 2020–2024 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 | 5,600 lbs |
| 2020–2023 | 3.3L hybrid V6 | 5,000 lbs |
| 2019 and older | Varies by engine and year | 3,000–5,000 lbs |
A few things stand out. Every recent Explorer needs the tow package to hit its rated number. On 2025 and 2026 models that package is now standard on every trim, which is why the whole lineup lands at a flat 5,000 pounds. On the 2020 to 2024 models you had to add the package on some trims to reach the top figures.
Why 2025 and 2026 Explorers tow a little less
At first glance it looks odd that the newer Explorer tows less than the 2023 model. The reason is a redesign. Ford reworked the Explorer for 2025 and made the Class III Trailer Tow Package standard equipment on every single trim, from the base Active all the way up to the ST.
That trade matters. On older models, the higher 5,600-pound rating was only within reach if you chose the right engine and added the right package. Plenty of buyers ended up with a lower real-world number because their truck was not fully equipped. On the 2025 and 2026 Explorer, every one you buy is ready to tow 5,000 pounds off the lot. You get a consistent, dependable figure without hunting through option boxes.
So the headline number dropped by 600 pounds, but the number you can actually count on went up for most buyers. That is the practical takeaway.
What the engine choice changes
On the current Explorer, the engine no longer changes the tow rating. Both the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder and the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 are rated at 5,000 pounds. What the V6 gives you is muscle, not a bigger number. The ST and Platinum trims use a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 that makes up to 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, so the same load feels easier: stronger pull up grades, calmer merging, less strain on a long climb.
On the 2020 to 2024 models, the engine did change the ceiling. The four-cylinder topped out around 5,300 pounds and the V6 reached 5,600 pounds. If you are shopping used and towing is the point, a V6 model from those years gives you the highest rating the Explorer has ever offered.
The hybrid is worth a word. From 2020 to 2023 Ford sold a 3.3L hybrid V6 Explorer. Properly equipped, it tows 5,000 pounds, the same as the gas models, while using less fuel. Just know the hybrid rating depends on having the tow package fitted; without it, the figure drops well below that.
What you can actually tow with 5,000 pounds
A number on a spec sheet is easy to misread, so here is what 5,000 to 5,600 pounds looks like in the driveway.
- Small travel trailers and pop-up campers. Many lightweight trailers built for mid-size SUVs come in under 5,000 pounds dry. A camper around 20 to 22 feet is the sensible upper limit.
- Boats. A typical fishing boat, bowrider, or small pontoon on a trailer usually lands between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds fully rigged. Most fit.
- Utility and equipment trailers. A single-axle or light tandem trailer carrying a riding mower, an ATV or two, or landscaping gear is well within range.
- Small enclosed cargo trailers. Good for moving furniture or hauling motorcycles.
Here is the catch that trips people up. The rated number is the total weight of the trailer plus everything on it, not the empty weight. A camper that weighs 4,000 pounds dry can pass 5,000 pounds fast once you add water, propane, gear, and food. Always plan around the loaded weight, and leave yourself a cushion. Running right at the limit makes for a tense, tiring drive.
The tow package and why it matters
The Explorer hits its rated capacity only with the Class III Trailer Tow Package. On 2025 and 2026 models it is already there. On older models it was an option, so check any used Explorer before you count on the number.
The package is more than a hitch. It bundles the parts that make towing safe and legal:
- A Class III frame-mounted hitch receiver rated for the load.
- A seven-wire harness with four-pin and seven-pin connectors, so your trailer lights and brakes talk to the truck.
- Trailer Sway Control, which taps the brakes and trims engine power on its own if the trailer starts to fishtail.
- Tow/Haul mode, which changes how the transmission shifts so it holds gears longer and does not hunt on hills.
Some model years also added an engine oil cooler and features like Sidewind Stabilization, which helps the Explorer hold its line when a gust hits the side of the trailer. These are the quiet features you never think about until the one moment you need them.
How to tow safely and stay within the limit
Knowing the number is step one. Towing well is the rest. A few habits make a real difference:
- Weigh the loaded trailer, not just the empty one. A public scale settles the question in a few minutes.
- Watch your tongue weight. The weight pressing down on the hitch should sit around 10 to 15 percent of the trailer’s total. Too little makes the trailer sway; too much overloads the rear of the Explorer.
- Load heavy items low and toward the front of the trailer, over the axle. Balance side to side too, so one wheel is not carrying more than the other.
- Leave more room to stop. A loaded trailer adds thousands of pounds of momentum, so brake earlier and slower than you would without it.
- Practice reversing in an empty lot before you need to back into a tight campsite. A trailer turns the opposite way you expect, and it is easier to learn calm than under pressure.
Also keep an eye on payload, which is a separate limit. Payload is everything you put inside the Explorer: passengers, cargo, and the trailer’s tongue weight all count against it. The current Explorer carries roughly 1,500 to 1,700 pounds of payload. Fill the seats with people and gear, then add a heavy tongue weight, and you can hit that ceiling even while you are still under the tow rating. Both limits have to be respected at once.
Is the Explorer the right tow vehicle for you?
If your towing life is boats, small campers, and utility trailers, the Explorer is a strong fit. It gives you three rows of seats, a comfortable ride, and enough capability for the jobs most families throw at it, without stepping up to a big truck you do not want to drive every day.
If you are eyeing a large travel trailer, a heavy fifth-wheel, or a car hauler, the Explorer is the wrong tool. Those loads start above 6,000 pounds and climb fast. For that you want a full-size SUV like the Ford Expedition, which tows around 9,000 pounds, or a pickup. Matching the vehicle to the load is the whole game. Get that right and towing is easy; get it wrong and it is stressful and unsafe.
For most people asking how much an Explorer can tow, the honest answer is reassuring: 5,000 pounds, ready to go on any current model, and up to 5,600 pounds on the right used one. That covers the weekend, the lake, and the campground with room to spare.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Ford Explorer tow a camper?
Yes, as long as the camper’s loaded weight stays under the Explorer’s rating. Small travel trailers and pop-up campers in the 20 to 22 foot range usually work. Large travel trailers do not.
Does every Ford Explorer come ready to tow?
Every 2025 and 2026 Explorer comes with the Class III Trailer Tow Package as standard, so it is ready for 5,000 pounds off the lot. On 2024 and older models the package was optional, so check before you buy used.
Which Ford Explorer year tows the most?
The 2020 to 2024 Explorer with the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 and the right tow package tops the lineup at 5,600 pounds. Current models are rated at 5,000 pounds.
How much can a Ford Explorer hybrid tow?
The 3.3L hybrid V6, sold from 2020 to 2023, tows 5,000 pounds when it has the tow package fitted. Without the package the rating is much lower.
Is towing capacity the same as payload?
No. Towing capacity is the weight the Explorer can pull behind it. Payload is the weight it can carry inside, including passengers, cargo, and the trailer’s tongue weight. You have to stay within both at the same time.
Related Articles
How to Program Ford Garage Door Opener?
What Is the Ford EcoBoost Engine? A Complete Guide to How It Works
