2025 Ford Explorer Towing Capacity & Payload
2025 Ford Explorer Towing Capacity at a Glance
- The Ford Explorer towing capacity is consistently 5,000 pounds,1 regardless of trim, engine, drivetrain, or other configuration details
- All 2025 Ford Explorer SUVs are built with a standard Class III Trailer Tow Package already installed
- 2024 and earlier Ford Explorer SUVs could tow a bit more, up to 5,600 pounds,1 but that rating was only achievable in top configurations
- The 2025 Ford Explorer is a redesigned model with more modern style, technology, and features, along with up to 85.8 cubic feet of interior cargo room
2025 Ford Explorer Towing Specs
This year, the Ford Explorer towing capacity is consistent across the board: No matter whether you choose the base-trim Explorer Active with RWD or the high-performance Explorer ST with 4WD, the 2025 Ford Explorer towing capacity will always be 5,000 pounds.1
This is in part due to the fact that the Class III Trailer Tow Package, also called the "Ford Explorer towing package," is now standard equipment on every new Explorer SUV. Included in the towing package is a Class III trailer hitch receiver, a seven-wire harness with a four/seven-pin connector, a tow/haul drive mode, a Trailer Sway Control feature, and a Lane-Keeping Alert.
Even though the Ford Explorer towing capacity doesn't typically vary, the other details will indeed be different across different configurations.
If, for example, you want the most affordable Ford Explorer with the most cargo room, see the Active trim: it offers an 85.8 cubic-foot maximum cargo volume (0.5 cubic feet more than the other trims) and the lowest starting price of the lineup. For enhanced luxury, see the Platinum trim, or get a truly sporty tow rig with the Explorer ST.
2025 Ford Explorer Towing Capacity By Engine
Since every 2025 Ford Explorer has the same towing capacity, the engine choice isn't a factor here. However, it is one of the most important factors behind the rest of the SUV's spirit; here are the specs:
| 2.3L EcoBoost 4-Cyl | 3.0L EcoBoost V-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 | 400 |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 415 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs1 | 5,000 lbs1 |
| EPA-Est. MPG (City / Hwy) w/ RWD | 20 / 292 | 18 / 252 |
Ford Explorer Towing Capacity Chart By Year
While the Ford Explorer towing capacity is a bit less for this year than it was for 2024, there's a trade-off to consider: every 2025 Ford Explorer has a towing package as standard, while past variants made it an available upgrade.
As such, many of the models with a higher maximum also have a lower minimum; see the Ford Explorer towing capacity by year below:
| Maximum Towing Capacity w/ Tow Package & Standard 2.3L EcoBoost 4-Cyl | Maximum Towing Capacity w/ Tow Package & Available V-6 | Maximum Towing Capacity w/o Tow Package | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Ford Explorer | 5,000 lbs1 | 5,000 lbs1 (3.0L EcoBoost V-6) | N/A (Tow package is standard on 2025 Explorer) |
| 2024 Ford Explorer | 5,300 lbs1 | 5,600 lbs1 (3.0L EcoBoost V-6) | 3,000 lbs1 |
| 2023 Ford Explorer | 5,300 lbs1 | 5,600 lbs1 (3.0L EcoBoost V-6) | 3,000 lbs1 |
| 2022 Ford Explorer | 5,300 lbs1 | 5,600 lbs1 (3.0L EcoBoost V-6) | 3,000 lbs1 |
| 2021 Ford Explorer | 5,300 lbs1 | 5,600 lbs1 (3.0L EcoBoost V-6) | 3,000 lbs1 |
| 2020 Ford Explorer | 5,300 lbs1 | 5,600 lbs1 (3.0L EcoBoost V-6) | 3,000 lbs1 |
| 2019 Ford Explorer | 3,000 lbs1 | 5,000 lbs1 (3.5L V-6) | 2,000 lbs1 |
| 2018 Ford Explorer | 3,000 lbs1 | 5,000 lbs1 (3.5L V-6) | 2,000 lbs1 |
| 2017 Ford Explorer | 3,000 lbs1 | 5,000 lbs1 (3.5L V-6) | 2,000 lbs1 |
2025 Ford Explorer Payload Capacity
The Ford Explorer payload rating is a much more variable specification; to find your model's specific 2025 Ford Explorer payload capacity, look at the "Tire And Loading Information" label, which is usually affixed to the driver's-side door jamb. This label will have a line that says, "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed:" with the actual payload rating following that sentence.
The Ford Explorer has a listed Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) between 10,000 and 10,800 pounds,3 which represents the total combined vehicle (including people and payload in the car) and trailer weight that the automobile can handle. If, though, you're searching for new Ford SUVs that can handle more, check out the Expedition: it has a maximum GCWR of 15,900 pounds.3
To learn more about the Explorer or another Ford SUV, visit Aaron Ford of Poway for a test drive. We also offer an easy path to leasing or financing your next SUV: our new Ford specials, which are as powerful as the Explorer SUV's 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Ford Explorer tow a camper?
The Ford Explorer can tow 5,000 pounds,1 which limits it to smaller campers designed to be lightweight. Generally speaking, a 22-foot camper trailer of this design will be the upper limit for a 5,000-pound towing capacity. Even if the curb weight of the camper is under 5,000 pounds, the weight of any stored cargo can push it past the towing limit.
Can a Ford Explorer tow a car?
The 2025 Ford Explorer and its 5,000-pound towing capacity1 can tow a compact car or a small crossover SUV on a tow dolly, as these kinds of vehicles generally weigh under 4,000 pounds. Typically, a tow dolly weighs around 500 pounds. The 2024 Ford Mustang muscle car, for example, has a base curb weight of 3,588 pounds, so towing one with a Ford Explorer is possible.
Can a Ford Explorer pull a boat?
The 2025 Ford Explorer has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds,1 which excludes larger boats from being pullable. However, a fair number of 21-foot boats, including surf boats, weigh under 4,000 pounds and can be pulled on a trailer that weighs around 1,000 pounds, so it is possible to tow some boats with your Ford Explorer.
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-6.1 The 2025 Ford Explorer can tow up to 5,000 pounds,1 making it a good choice for a brand-new SUV.
What is the best Ford Explorer engine for towing?
All 2025 Ford Explorer engines can let you tow 5,000 pounds,1 so the most efficient one, the standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, is often considered the best option. This engine delivers 300 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 20/29 MPG (City/Highway),2 making it a fun, functional, and impressively strong source of power for a three-row SUV, especially since it comes equipped by default.
What Our Happy Customers Say About The Ford Explorer
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