Ford Explorer Towing by Year

The Ford Explorer’s listed towing capacity ranges from 1,799 to 7,300 pounds across the catalog years shown. This page covers model years 1999 through 2023, so the range describes different Explorers rather than one rating that applies to every vehicle.

Use the figures as a guide to how towing capacity varies across the listed years and configurations; the low and high ends do not identify the rating for a particular Explorer. Capacity can change by year and trim or engine, so match the information to your vehicle before towing. If the figure for your specific year, trim, or engine is not listed here, confirm it on the door jamb or in the owner’s manual.

The listed range alone does not establish the capacity of a particular vehicle or its equipment. Check the vehicle-specific information in the owner’s manual or on the door jamb, especially when the exact rating for your year or engine is not provided.

Which catalog years and configurations store the highest towing ratings. These are stored min/max values, not a certified model maximum.

The largest stored change occurs between 2012 and 2013, when towing increases.

Key changes

2000
Towing rating changed
5,600 lb → 6,820 lb
2005
Towing rating changed
7,160 lb → 3,400 lb
2011
Towing rating changed
3,500 lb → 2,000 lb
2013
Towing rating changed
2,000 lb → 5,000 lb
2023
Towing rating changed
6,000 lb → 5,000 lb

Towing by year

Year	Min–max	Configs
2023	5,000 lb	15
2022	6,000 lb	15
2021	5,600 lb	8
2020	5,600 lb	6
2019	2,000–5,000 lb	8
2018	2,000–5,000 lb	8
2017	2,000–5,000 lb	8
2016	2,000–5,000 lb	8
2015	2,000–5,000 lb	7
2014	2,000–5,000 lb	7
2013	2,000–5,000 lb	7
2012	2,000 lb	6
2011	2,000 lb	6
2010	3,500 lb	8
2009	3,500 lb	18
2008	3,500 lb	16
2007	3,500 lb	12
2006	3,020–3,230 lb	14
2005	3,240–3,400 lb	20
2004	5,400–7,160 lb	32
2003	5,400–7,300 lb	34
2002	5,400–7,300 lb	8
2001	5,740–6,820 lb	11
2000	4,960–6,820 lb	14
1999	1,799–5,600 lb	13