Ford Explorer Towing Capacity: What It Pulls With the Family Aboard
Updated: Oct 8
The Ford Explorer towing capacity in Ford's 2026 towing guide is 5,000 lbs of maximum loaded trailer weight, properly equipped.
Ford's 2027 Explorer models page lists the same maximum on all five trims, printed as 2,267 kg (5,000 lbs).
Ford's guide gives that rating for a vehicle with required equipment and a 150-lb. driver and passenger, and says it varies with cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, option content and number of passengers.
That last clause is the whole article.
Key Takeaways
One rating across the line. 5,000 lbs, properly equipped, on every configuration in Ford's 2026 towing guide and all five trims on Ford's 2027 models page.
Passengers and cargo change it. Ford's guide gives the rating with a 150-lb. driver and passenger.
The Class III Trailer Tow Package is standard in Ford's 2026 guide, hitch receiver and 7-wire harness included.
Maximum tongue load at the hitch receiver is 500 lbs in Ford's 2026 guide.
Shape counts as well as weight. Ford's 2026 guide sets the maximum trailer frontal area at 40 sq. ft. with the standard package.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation asks for trailer brakes from a gross trailer weight of 1,360 kilograms, meaning the trailer and its load together.
Check the exact vehicle. Compare your loaded trailer, cargo and passengers against the Explorer's door-jamb label and the applicable Ford tow guide.
How Much Can a Ford Explorer Tow?
Properly equipped, 5,000 lbs of maximum loaded trailer weight in Ford's 2026 towing guide, on the 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 and the 3.0L EcoBoost V6, each with the 3.58 axle ratio, 4WD and the automatic transmission.
Ford's 2027 Explorer models page lists the same maximum on the Active, ST-Line, Tremor, Platinum and ST.
Trim is a real choice, just not one that changes Ford's maximum rating; our Tremor article covers which trim suits which roads.
Engines by trim, as Ford's 2027 Explorer models page lists them:
2027 Explorer trim | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 | 3.0L Twin-Turbocharged EcoBoost V6 |
|---|---|---|
Active | Standard | Not listed |
ST-Line | Standard | Not listed |
Tremor | Standard | Available |
Platinum | Standard | Available |
ST | Not listed | Listed for ST; confirm the build |
Ford's 2026 guide says the Explorer's rating is calculated with the SAE J2807 method, and that the combined weight of vehicle and trailer cannot exceed the listed GCWR.
Before choosing a trim or a trailer, compare your heaviest regular loaded trailer, cargo and payload, including passengers, equipment and hitch weight, against the exact Explorer's door-jamb label and the applicable Ford tow guide. Ratings vary by configuration.
Why the Third Row Is What Decides Your Trailer
Because Ford's rating is for a properly equipped vehicle with a 150-lb. driver and passenger.
Ford's guide says the figure varies with cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, option content and number of passengers.
Fill the second and third rows and you have changed two things on that list: the number of passengers and, with their luggage, the cargo.
Ford's 2027 Explorer models page says all Explorer models have third-row seats, seating six or seven people depending on the model and options selected.
An Explorer often gets bought for its third row first and a trailer second. The rating works the other way round.
Two of you and a boat going down to Mississippi Lake is one vehicle. The same vehicle with the kids, the cousins and a week of luggage in it is a different one, and Ford's condition says so.
Then there is the weight on the ball, pressing down on a vehicle that already has people in it.
The rating has conditions, and you control most of them.
So the useful question is not "what does an Explorer tow." It is "what does it tow on the trip I actually bought it for."
That is the conversation to have at Carleton Place Ford before you choose one, not after the first weekend away.
Start from how you load it and who gets in, then look across everything on our lot, not the other way around.
What Does an Explorer Come With for Towing?
On the 2026 Explorer, Ford's towing guide lists the Class III Trailer Tow Package as standard.
Ford's package includes a Class III hitch receiver, a 7-wire harness with a 4-/7-pin connector, Tow/Haul mode, trailer sway control and a lane keeping system.
Ford notes that content may vary depending on model, trim and/or powertrain, so confirm it on the exact vehicle.
Ford's 2026 guide includes the hitch receiver in that standard package and, on a properly equipped vehicle, lists its weight-carrying maximum trailer capacity at 5,000 lbs with a maximum tongue load of 500 lbs.
Ford also cautions that the maximum weight capacity for the hitch receiver may exceed the maximum loaded trailer weight for the vehicle specified.
The hitch can be rated higher than the vehicle. The vehicle governs.
Ford also says hitch receivers do not include a hitch ball or ball mounting; obtaining the proper ball, mounting and other equipment is the owner's responsibility.
That is a real errand, and you can come to us for parts and accessories to sort it before the first trip.
Weight is not the only limit either. Ford's 2026 guide sets the maximum trailer frontal area for an Explorer and trailer combination at 40 sq. ft. with the standard Class III Trailer Tow Package, and warns that exceeding this limitation may significantly reduce the performance of your towing vehicle.
So measure the trailer's height and width, not only what it weighs. A tall enclosed box and a flat deck of the same weight are not the same job.
Ford's 2026 guide places the Explorer's Safety Compliance Certification Label on the left front door lock facing or the door latch post pillar.
So check it all on the exact vehicle: start with our new Ford inventory before you hitch anything.
When Does Ontario Ask for Trailer Brakes?
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation puts it this way: "If your trailer has a gross trailer weight, vehicle and load of 1,360 kilograms or more, it must have brakes strong enough to stop and hold the trailer."
Gross weight in the Highway Traffic Act means the combined weight of vehicle and load: the trailer and everything in it.
A light utility trailer nowhere near the line when it is sitting in the yard can be over it once it is loaded.
The ministry's handbook describes itself as a guide; the official wording is in the Highway Traffic Act and its regulations.
Weigh the loaded trailer and check it against that 1,360 kg line before you assume it can go without brakes.
What comes next is not a legal question at all. It is an equipment question, and equipment is something you can come to Carleton Place Ford for: parts and accessories, on a vehicle we sell and service.
Ford's 2026 guide says certain provinces, territories and states require electric trailer brakes for trailers over a specified weight, and tells owners to check local governmental regulations for that weight.
Ford also warns: do not tow a trailer fitted with electric trailer brakes unless your vehicle is fitted with a compatible aftermarket electronic trailer brake controller. Failure to follow that instruction, Ford says, could result in the loss of control of your vehicle, personal injury or death.
What Does Towing Look Like Out on Highway 7 and the County Roads?
Slower, heavier and longer to stop.
Ford's general towing guidance, which Ford describes as basic towing information rather than vehicle-specific, says to allow considerably more distance for stopping with a trailer attached, to turn the cruise control off with heavy loads or in hilly terrain, and to select Tow/Haul mode, if equipped, to eliminate unwanted gear search going uphill.
All three of those are a Highway 7 morning with a headwind, described by somebody who has never been here.
Ford's guidance also says the added weight of a trailer can dramatically decrease acceleration, and to allow extra distance when passing a slower vehicle. On a two-lane concession through Beckwith with a loaded trailer behind you, that is the whole driving lesson.
Ford's general guidance also bears directly on shape: where a trailer has a large frontal area that adds substantial air drag, or where the terrain is hilly, it is wise to choose a vehicle with a higher rating. Towing performance is maximized with a low-drag, rounded front design trailer.
On loading, Ford's general guidance is that approximately 60% of the allowable cargo weight should be in the front half of the trailer and 40% in the rear, within limits of tongue load, and to keep the centre of gravity low. For optimum handling and braking, the load must be properly distributed.
After about 80 kilometres, Ford asks you to stop somewhere protected and double-check the hitch attachment, the lights and electrical connections, the trailer's wheel lug nuts for tightness, and the engine oil. On a run out to Lanark or Perth, that is one coffee stop.
Ford also asks for a conventional, identical full-size spare tire for trailer towing, and says mini, compact and dissimilar full-size spares should not be used. That is Ford's own requirement, and it is worth knowing before you leave rather than on a shoulder.
We price-match tires, which is the conversation to have if the spare in your vehicle is not the match Ford asks for.
What Is Your Trade Worth, and How Does Financing Work at Carleton Place Ford?
At Carleton Place Ford, start with the trade number before you pick a trim.
Value your trade online, then bring it in. We take trades of any make, whether it is paid off or not.
We put our appraisal of your trade in writing. Bring the ownership, every key and fob, and any service records.
We buy vehicles outright, so an appraisal does not commit you to buying from us.
With your permission, we get the payout from your lender and show it beside our appraisal.
If you owe more than the vehicle is worth, the shortfall may be added to the amount financed, increasing the amount borrowed and potentially the total cost of borrowing. Financing is subject to lender approval (O.A.C.).
You may also cover the difference with money down.
Apply for financing before you come in if you wish. With your consent, we can review options with participating lenders.
Approval, rate, term and payment depend on the applicant, lender and vehicle, and a credit-bureau inquiry may be required.
Bring a driver's licence and proof of income if requested; lender requirements vary.
If a bruised credit file is the worry, our guide explains what happens when you apply.
Who Looks After an Explorer That Tows?
We do.
Book it in when it is due, and tell the advisor the vehicle tows — an Explorer pulling a boat up a wet ramp lives a different life from one that only commutes, and that is worth saying out loud at the desk.
You can also come to us for parts, and for open Ford recall campaigns applicable to your vehicle, subject to parts availability and appointment scheduling.
Transport Canada recall 2025548 covers certain 2024 to 2026 Explorers equipped with the trailer tow package, whose trailer hitch bolts may not have been tightened properly; the bolts could loosen and the hitch could detach from the vehicle. Ford will notify owners by mail and advise them to take the vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, tighten or replace the trailer hitch bolts.
Transport Canada recall 2026340 covers certain 2026 and 2027 Explorers equipped with memory seats, where the driver's seat could recline on its own when certain remote features are used, and the second-row passenger could become trapped between the seat and the seatback. Ford will notify owners by mail; Transport Canada says the corrective actions are under development.
Ask our team to check the VIN and confirm any open campaigns before you buy.
Carleton Place Ford handles sales, service and parts, and it takes one phone call or one trip to the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Ford Explorer Towing Capacity?
Properly equipped, 5,000 lbs of maximum loaded trailer weight in Ford's 2026 towing guide, and Ford's 2027 models page lists the same maximum on all five trims. Ford's guide says the rating is for a vehicle with required equipment and a 150-lb. driver and passenger, and varies with cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, option content and number of passengers.
Does Every 2027 Ford Explorer Trim Tow the Same Amount?
On Ford's figures, yes. Ford's 2027 models page lists the same maximum on the Active, ST-Line, Tremor, Platinum and ST.
Ford's 2026 towing guide prints one maximum loaded trailer weight across every engine and axle configuration it lists, all with a 3.58 axle ratio.
How Much Tongue Weight Can a Ford Explorer Carry?
Ford's 2026 towing guide lists a maximum tongue load of 500 lbs at the hitch receiver, paired with a weight-carrying maximum trailer capacity of 5,000 lbs on a properly equipped vehicle. Ford also warns that the hitch receiver's capacity may exceed the vehicle's maximum loaded trailer weight, so the vehicle's figure governs.
Does a Ford Explorer Need a Trailer Tow Package to Tow?
Ford's 2026 towing guide lists the Class III Trailer Tow Package as standard, with a Class III hitch receiver, a 7-wire harness with a 4-/7-pin connector, Tow/Haul mode, trailer sway control and a lane keeping system.
Ford notes that content may vary depending on model, trim and/or powertrain, so confirm it on the exact vehicle.
When Does Ontario Require Trailer Brakes?
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation puts it this way: "If your trailer has a gross trailer weight, vehicle and load of 1,360 kilograms or more, it must have brakes strong enough to stop and hold the trailer." Weigh the loaded trailer and check it against that line before you assume it can go without brakes.
Does a Full Third Row Change What a Ford Explorer Can Tow?
Ford's guide says the rating is for a properly equipped vehicle with a 150-lb. driver and passenger and varies with cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, option content and number of passengers. Ford's general towing guidance, described as basic rather than vehicle-specific, adds that tow capability could be reduced based on the weight of the selected trim series and option content.
Why Work Out Your Explorer's Towing Numbers With Carleton Place Ford?
Because the deciding number is the one you work out for your own load.
It is the trailer's loaded weight, the weight on the ball, and how many people are getting in. Those are the numbers worth gathering before you shop, and sometimes they point at a different vehicle.
A boat with three rows full on the way out to Lanark, or a small utility trailer on a gravel concession through Mississippi Mills: neither is settled by the number people quote.
And some of what gets towed around here is simply a pickup's job. If that is where you land, our piece on what a Ranger is rated to pull answers the truck version of this question.
Start with our featured new Ford inventory and bring your trailer numbers when you come in.
With over 300 used vehicles in stock, Carleton Place Ford has one of the largest selections in the area.
Sources: Ford Canada's 2026 RV & Trailer Towing Guide for the Explorer and its 2027 Explorer models page; the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's Official MTO Driver's Handbook; the Highway Traffic Act; and Transport Canada's recall database.
Visit us at 10441 Hwy 7, Carleton Place, ON K7C 0T6
Browse inventory, value your trade, apply for financing (on approved credit), book service, or contact the team.
Sales: (888)-910-3538 Parts: (888)-876-1102 Service: (877)-866-8810 Local: 613-257-3988
About the Author:
Kerry Irven is the Vice President of New and Used Automotive Operations for Heighton Automotive Group, a family-owned and operated automotive group serving communities across Eastern Ontario. Kerry began his automotive career in new-car sales, building his experience on the showroom floor and working his way through multi-store dealership operations.
With over 25 years in the automotive industry, Kerry has helped grow automotive businesses from one location with 40 to 50 vehicles in stock to more than 500 vehicles across 10 rooftops. His hands-on background in both new and used-vehicle operations gives him a practical understanding of what customers look for when shopping for their next vehicle.
Throughout his career, Kerry has always been actively involved in staff coaching and in understanding customer wants and needs, helping ensure the businesses he works with continue to adapt to what customers are truly looking for.
One of the most exciting chapters of his career has been the shift into modern automotive marketing, embracing new technology, transparent pricing, customer-first inventory strategies, and new ways to create a better vehicle-shopping experience.
Kerry has completed extensive automotive training, including certification through the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council, involvement with the Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario, Canadian automotive dealer training, and multiple customer service courses.
Born and raised on a farm, Kerry has always valued family, hard work, and a practical, down-to-earth approach. Joining Heighton Automotive Group and working alongside Thomas Heighton and family, along with managing partners Kyle Lothian and Martin Gougeon, has allowed him to bring those same values into the car business. It has also allowed Kerry to continue following a simple philosophy: treat every customer exactly the way he would want to be treated.
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