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What Can I Tow With My Ford Explorer?

Boat

Boat

 Camper

Camper

 Car

Car

 Motorcycle / Scooter

Motorcycle / Scooter
Ford Explorer Towing Capacity

What Can I Tow with My Ford Explorer?

Ford Explorer Towing Capacity
Boat

Boat

 Camper

Camper

 Car

Car

 Motorcycle / Scooter

Motorcycle / Scooter

In this Ford Explorer towing guide we look at all the common items you might want to pull behind your vehicle. Before you buy, see if you can safely haul your trailer, boat, RV and more.

Table of Contents

Your vehicle’s towing capacity changes based on your configuration or trim level, the weight of what you're already carrying, and how you distribute the load.

The estimated weights of items in this guide are just that, estimates, so double-check your specifications and be careful not to exceed the towing capacity of your vehicle as specified by the manufacturer.

How Much Weight Can My Ford Explorer Tow?

The towing capacity of the Ford Explorer changes depending upon the configuration. Let’s look at the capacity for each trim level.

BaseXLTPolice Interceptor UtilityST-LineLimitedTimberlineSTKing RanchPlatinum
Max Towing Capacity5,300 lbs5,300 lbs5,000 lbs5,300 lbs5,300 lbs5,300 lbs5,600 lbs5,300 lbs5,600 lbs

Can I Tow a Boat With the Ford Explorer?

Towing Boat on a Trailer - Weights
Type of Boat Average Dry Weight + Trailer Weight Ford Explorer Trims
Fishing Boat 2,300 lbs All trims
Pontoon Boat 3,150 lbs All trims
Ski Boat 4,900 lbs All trims
Cuddy Cabin 5,100 lbs Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, Timberline, ST, King Ranch, Platinum
Cabin Cruiser 9,950 lbs Exceeds max towing capacity
Sailboat 10,295 lbs Exceeds max towing capacity
Speed Boat 13,450 lbs Exceeds max towing capacity

Can I Tow a Camper With the Ford Explorer?

Towing a Camper - Weights
Type of Camper Average Weight + Trailer Weight Ford Explorer Trims
Truck Campers 1,500 lbs All trims
Teardrop Trailer 1,700 lbs All trims
Pop-up Campers 2,300 lbs All trims
Small Travel Trailers 2,800 lbs All trims
Large Travel Trailer 6,700 lbs Exceeds max towing capacity
Toy Haulers 7,600 lbs Exceeds max towing capacity
Fifth-Wheel Camper 12,700 lbs Exceeds max towing capacity

Can I Tow an RV / Motorhome With the Ford Explorer?

Towing an RV / Motorhome - Weights
Type of RV / Motorhome Average Weight + Trailer Weight Ford Explorer Trims
Class B Motorhome 8,000 lbs Exceeds max towing capacity
Class C Motorhome 15,000 lbs Exceeds max towing capacity

Can I Tow a Motorcycle / Scooter With the Ford Explorer?

Towing Motorcycle / Scooter on a Trailer - Weights
Type of Motorcycle / Scooter Average Weight + Trailer Weight Ford Explorer Trims
Moped (example: Peugeot Kisbee, Honda Vision 50) 585 lbs All trims
Off-Road (example: Kawasaki KX250, Honda CRF450R) 703 lbs All trims
Dual Sport (example: Suzuki DR-Z400, Yamaha XT250) 800 lbs All trims
Scooter (example: Vespa, Piaggio) 820 lbs All trims
Adventure (example: Ducati Multistrada, BMW R 1250 GS) 1,000 lbs All trims
Cruiser (example: Harley Davidson Low Rider, Yamaha V-Star) 1,080 lbs All trims
Touring (example: Honda Gold Wing, Harley-Davidson Road Glide) 1,300 lbs All trims

Can I Tow a Canoe / Kayak With the Ford Explorer?

Towing Canoe / Kayak on a Trailer - Weights
Type of Canoe / Kayak Average Weight + Trailer Weight Ford Explorer Trims
Carbon Fiber Canoe 233 lbs All trims
Kevlar Canoe 247 lbs All trims
Sit Inside Kayak 248 lbs All trims
Solo Canoe 250 lbs All trims
Sit on Top Kayak (single paddler) 258 lbs All trims
Two-Person Canoe 265 lbs All trims
Aluminum Canoe 268 lbs All trims
Fiberglass Canoe 270 lbs All trims
Pedaling Kayak 290 lbs All trims
Sit on Top Kayak (tandem paddlers) 292 lbs All trims

Can I Tow a Jetski With the Ford Explorer?

Towing Jetski on a Trailer - Weights
Type of Jetski Average Weight + Trailer Weight Ford Explorer Trims
Performance 1,010 lbs All trims
Recreational 1,118 lbs All trims
Sport 1,146 lbs All trims
Sit Down 1,248 lbs All trims

Can I Tow a UHAUL Trailer With the Ford Explorer?

Towing UHAUL Trailer - Weights
Type of UHAUL Trailer Average Weight + Trailer Weight Ford Explorer Trims
Utility Trailer (4’ by 7’) 500 lbs All trims
Utility Trailer (5’ by 8’) 500 lbs All trims
Utility Trailer w/ Ramp (5’ by 9’) 750 lbs All trims
Cargo Trailer (4’ x 8’) 850 lbs All trims
Utility Trailer (6’ by 12’) 858 lbs All trims
Cargo Trailer (5’ by 8’) 900 lbs All trims
Utility Trailer w/ Ramp (6’ by 12’) 1,525 lbs All trims
Cargo Trailer (6’ by 12’) 1,640 lbs All trims

Can I Tow a Car With the Ford Explorer?

Towing Car on a Trailer - Weights
Type of Car Average Weight + Trailer Weight Ford Explorer Trims
Compact Car (example: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Subaru WRX) 3,050 lbs All trims
Midsize Car (example: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata) 3,500 lbs All trims
Large Car (example: Nissan Maxima, Dodge Charger, Toyota Avalon) 3,630 lbs All trims
Compact Truck or SUV (example: Honda Ridgeline, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson 3,850 lbs All trims
Midsize Truck or SUV (example: Toyota Tacoma, Ford Explorer, Honda Passport) 4,300 lbs All trims
Large/Full-Size Truck or SUV (example: Ford F-150, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade) 5,500 lbs ST, Platinum

Can I Tow an ATV With the Ford Explorer?

Towing ATV on a Trailer - Weights
Type of ATV Average Weight + Trailer Weight Ford Explorer Trims
Sport 1,467 lbs All trims
Utility 1,757 lbs All trims
Side by Side 2,828 lbs All trims

Can I Tow a Snowmobile With the Ford Explorer?

Towing Snowmobile on a Trailer - Weights
Type of Snowmobile Average Weight + Trailer Weight Ford Explorer Trims
Trail 948 lbs All trims
Performance 998 lbs All trims
Utility 1,048 lbs All trims

Can I Tow Construction Equipment With the Ford Explorer?

Towing Construction Equipment on a Trailer - Weights
Type of Construction Equipment Average Weight + Trailer Weight Ford Explorer Trims
Lawn Mower 970 lbs All trims
Chipper Shredder 1,250 lbs All trims
Dump Trailer 5,400 lbs ST, Platinum
Log Splitter 10,900 lbs Exceeds max towing capacity

Can I Tow a Horse Trailer With the Ford Explorer?

Towing a Horse Trailer on a Trailer - Weights
Type of Horse Trailer Average Weight + Trailer Weight Ford Explorer Trims
Slant Load Trailer 4,150 lbs All trims
Bumper Towed Horse Trailer 4,200 lbs All trims
Gooseneck Horse Trailer 4,350 lbs All trims
Straight Load Trailer 4,700 lbs All trims
Living Quarter Horse Trailer 9,300 lbs Exceeds max towing capacity

Can I Tow a Golf Cart With the Ford Explorer?

Towing Golf Cart on a Trailer - Weights
Type of Golf Cart Average Weight + Trailer Weight Ford Explorer Trims
Gas carts 1,300 lbs All trims
Electric carts 1,700 lbs All trims
Diesel carts 2,200 lbs All trims
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Ford Explorer trim level?
Our recommended trim is the 2023 Ford Explorer ST.

What are the different trim levels for a Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer SUV is available in 9 different trim level options: Base, XLT, Police Interceptor Utility, ST-Line, Limited, Timberline, ST, King Ranch, and Platinum.

What is the most basic Ford Explorer model?
The Ford Explorer SUV Type starts at 36760. The Base is the base trim level option, while the Platinum is the highest, most expensive configuration.

What are similar models to the Ford Explorer Trim?
Some similar models include the Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse, Dodge Durango, Kia Sorento, and Toyota Highlander.