2026 Ford Explorer towing capacity

How much can the 2026 Ford Explorer tow?

Ford rates the 2026 Ford Explorer to tow up to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) on a ball hitch in 9 configurations, for example 2.3L EcoBoost I4, 10-speed automatic, RWD, 3.58 axle, at 10,000 lb GCWR, with Standard Trailer Tow Package (no option code): Class III hitch receiver, 7-wire harness and 4-/7-pin connector, Tow/Haul Mode, Trailer Sway Control. Source: Ford, 2026 RV & Trailer Towing Guide, Explorer trailer towing selector, PDF p. 39. The highest conventional tongue load Ford publishes is 500 lb (227 kg) (Ford, 2026 RV & Trailer Towing Guide, Explorer trailer towing selector, PDF p. 39).

A maximum is one truck, not yours. The rating that applies is the one for your exact cab, bed, engine, drive, axle and packages, and it is printed on the labels in the driver's door opening. Find your row in the table below, then check payload and GCWR as well: a truck often runs out of payload before it reaches its tow rating.

2026 Ford Explorer towing capacity chart

Conventional (ball hitch) ratings, one row per configuration Ford prints, grouped where the guide repeats a figure. Pounds are Ford's figures; kilograms are converted from them.

What the Explorer needs to tow its rating

These come from Ford's own documents, cited in the sources below.

• Ford: every 2026 Explorer comes with the Standard Trailer Tow Package (no option code), which includes the 7-wire harness and 4-/7-pin connector, a Class III hitch receiver, Tow/Haul Mode, Trailer Sway Control and Lane Keeping Alert.
• Hitch receiver rating printed by Ford for Explorer gas or hybrid: 5,000 lb weight-carrying and 500 lb maximum tongue load. Ford: hitch receivers do not include a hitch ball or ball mount.
• Combined weight of the vehicle and trailer cannot exceed the listed GCWR (10,000 to 10,800 lb on retail models). Ford rates Explorer with the SAE J2807 method, with a 150 lb driver and passenger aboard.
• Frontal area limit: Ford says the maximum trailer frontal area for an Explorer and trailer is 40 sq ft with the Trailer Tow Package.
• Ford: "Do not tow a trailer fitted with electric trailer brakes unless your vehicle is fitted with a compatible aftermarket electronic trailer brake controller." The Explorer package chart lists no factory brake controller.
• Ford: if you do not know your axle ratio, read the AXLE code on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on the left front door lock facing or door latch post pillar (3A = 3.31, 3B or 3B6 = 3.58, 3C = 3.73).

Payload, tongue weight and GCWR: the limits you hit first

Our guidance, not a rule. This is how the ratings above fit together, not a figure from Ford.

The tow rating is only one of five limits. The trailer's tongue weight sits on the truck, so it comes out of payload along with every passenger and everything in the bed, and it loads the rear axle. The truck and trailer together must stay under GCWR. A truck with a big crew and a full bed can reach its payload or GCWR with a trailer well under its tow rating. Run your own numbers in Can I tow this?, which checks all three at once and names the one you hit first, or work through them one at a time with the payload calculator and the tongue weight calculator.

2026 Ford Explorer towing capacity in Canada

Same 5,000 lb (2,267 kg) maximum. Ford Canada lists 2,267 kg (5,000 lbs) for every 2026 Explorer model and engine, with the Class III Trailer Tow Package standard. Canadian 2026 Explorers come with Intelligent 4WD on every model, so the RWD rows do not apply in Canada. Source: Ford Canada, 2026 Explorer, specs and FAQ .

On a Canadian truck the certification label gives GVWR in kilograms, labelled both GVWR and PNBV (Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1038), s. 6(1)(e)(i)). The figures to trust are the ones on your own door opening.

Check your own Explorer

• Towing capacity by VIN: what a VIN decode tells you, and where your real rating is printed.
• Can I tow this?: payload, tongue weight and GCWR checked together for your truck and trailer.
• Payload calculator: what is left on your sticker after people, gear and the tongue.
• Tongue weight calculator: the target tongue weight for your trailer.
• Hitch class finder: which receiver class covers your trailer and tongue weight.
• Towing capacity by vehicle: every truck and SUV we have a page for.

Sources

Every document below was opened and read on the date shown. Ratings are the maker's; we have not tested them.

• Ford, 2026 RV & Trailer Towing Guide, Explorer trailer towing selector, PDF p. 39: 2026 Explorer, automatic transmission: every configuration printed is rated 5,000 lb. 2.3L EcoBoost I4, 3.58 axle: RWD GCWR 10,000 lb, 4WD 10,100 lb (also Tremor 4WD 10,100 lb). 3.0L EcoBoost V6: 3.31 axle 4WD 10,200 lb (Police Interceptor Utility only); 3.58 axle Tremor 4WD 10,800 lb; 3.58 axle ST RWD and 4WD 10,800 lb. 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 (3.73, 4WD, GCWR 10,100 lb) and 3.3L HEV V6 (3.73, 4WD, GCWR 10,500 lb) are Police Interceptor Utility only. Standard Trailer Tow Package (no option code): 7-wire harness and 4-/7-pin connector, Class III hitch receiver, Tow/Haul Mode, Trailer Sway Control, Lane Keeping Alert. Hitch receiver (Explorer gas or hybrid): 5,000 lb weight-carrying and 500 lb maximum tongue load. Frontal area 40 sq ft with the Trailer Tow Package. Calculated with SAE J2807; ratings assume a 150 lb driver and passenger. Quoted: "The maximum trailer frontal area that must be considered for a Explorer/trailer combination is 40 sq. ft. with Trailer Tow Package." Checked 2026-10-24.
• Ford Canada, 2026 Explorer, specs and FAQ: Canadian 2026 Explorer: 2,267 kg (5,000 lb) maximum towing on every model (Active, ST-Line, Tremor, ST, Platinum) and on both the 2.3L and 3.0L engines; Class III Trailer Tow Package standard (frame-mounted hitch, seven-wire harness, four- and seven-pin connectors). Intelligent 4WD is standard on all Canadian models. Quoted: "2,267 kg (5,000 lbs). All Explorer models come standard with the Class III Trailer Tow Package, which enables this max towing capacity." Checked 2026-10-24.