What is the 2006 Ford Explorer towing capacity? Most powerful SUV.

2006 Ford Explorer towing capacity chart.

The 2006 Ford Explorer with more power, more strength, more comfort, more interior versatility, and more standard safety features makes it the best all-rounder SUV. The full-sized SUV, with higher ground clearance and four-wheel-drive capability, has a smooth, quiet ride, and a fully boxed frame that’s remarkable and exudes the confident capability you need to feed your adventurous spirit. The proven off-roader with a powerful towing machine that is very comfortable and accommodating, with room for all your belongings. In this article let’s take a look at the trim, engine options, features, and the 2006 Ford Explorer’s towing capacity in detail.

2006 Ford Explorer trim levels	2006 Ford Explorer towing capacity
Ford Explorer XLS	3,500 – 7,300 lbs.
Ford Explorer XLT	3,500 – 7,300 lbs.
Ford Explorer EDDIE BAUER	3,500 – 7,300 lbs.
Ford Explorer Limited	3,500 – 7,300 lbs.

Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of your vehicle and could result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, and personal injury. Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the certification label. 

2006 Ford Explorer Engine Specs

For maximum power and performance, the 4.6L 3-Valve V8 engine delivers a massive 292 hp and 300 lb.-ft. of torque is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The V8 engine is not only more powerful, but they also help it run smoother and quieter than ever while delivering better fuel economy. The available Explorer’s standard 4.0L SOHC V6 is matched with a 5-speed automatic to pump out a substantial 210 hp and 254 lb.-ft. of torque.

Engine	4.0L SOHC V6	4.6L 3V V8
Horsepower	210 hp @ 5,100rpm	292 hp @ 5,700rpm
Torque	254 lb.-ft. @ 3,700rpm	300 lb.-ft. @ 3,950 rpm

Note: Specific states require electric trailer brakes for trailers over a specified weight. Be certain to review state regulations for this determined weight. The maximum trailer weights listed could be limited to this specified weight, as the vehicle’s electrical system may not include the wiring connector needed to activate electric trailer brakes.

2006 Ford Explorer 4×2 towing capacity

Engine	Trailer Class towing	Axle Ratio	GCWR (lbs.)	Maximum Trailer Weight (lbs.)
4.0L SOHC V6	Class II Class III/IV	3.55 3.73	8,500 10,000	3,500 5,390
4.6L 3V V8	Class II Class III/IV	3.55 3.55	8,500 12,000	3,500 7,300

2006 Ford Explorer Class III/IV Trailer Tow Package

The trailer towing packages increase your Explorer’s towing capacity. Each allows for heavier hauls and expands the options of what you can take with your SUV. When properly equipped with Class III/IV Trailer Tow Package for maximum towing capabilities. Towing a trailer places an extra load on your vehicle’s engine, transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. Check these parts periodically during, and after, any towing function.

Also Read:
What is the difference between Class 3 and Class 4 trailer hitch?
Hitch receiver types and sizes are important when you are towing trailers, campers, RVs, or other equipment with your vehicle. There are different trailer hitch classes available in the market with unique characteristics. Explore the major difference between Class 3 and Class 4 Trailer Hitch (With Comparison).
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Class III/IV Trailer Tow Package

• 7-pin trailer wiring harness and connector.
• 7- to 4-pin adapter.
• Frame-mounted hitch receiver. (3.73 non-limited-slip rear axle required and only available with 4.0L V6)

Maximum towing capabilities are for properly equipped vehicles with required equipment and vary based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, option content and number of passengers. See label on door jamb for carrying capacity of a specific vehicle. For additional information, see your vehicle owner's manual.

2006 Ford Explorer 4×4 towing capacity

Engine	Trailer Class towing	Axle Ratio	GCWR (lbs.)	Maximum Trailer Weight (lbs.)
4.0L SOHC V6	Class II Class III/IV	3.55 3.73	8,500 10,000	3,500 5,210
4.6L 3V V8	Class II Class III/IV	3.55 3.55	8,500 12,000	3,500 7,120

Reminder: Ford Explorer does not offer factory-installed towing equipment for this application; only available as a dealer accessory. Do not exceed the trailer weight for your vehicle configuration listed in the chart above. Maximum weights shown are for properly equipped vehicles with required equipment and a 150-lb. driver. Weight of additional options, equipment, passengers and cargo must be deducted from this weight. 

Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper; use a load-carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue, not to exceed the maximum tongue load of 500 lb (227 kg) on a Class III receiver.

• Class II receiver: 350 lb. (159 kg)
• Class III/IV receiver: 500 lb. (227 kg) (weight carrying); 740 lb. (336 kg)

When hooking up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use the following procedure:

1. Park the vehicle (without the trailer) on a level surface.
2. This is H1 measuring the height of the top (H1) of the front wheel opening on the fender.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle without the weight-distributing bars connected.
4. This is H2 measuring the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the fender a second time.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight-distributing bars so that the height of the front fender is approximately halfway between H1 and H2.
6. Check that the trailer is level. If not level, adjust the ball height accordingly and repeat Steps 3–6.

Note: Do not adjust a weight-distributing hitch to any position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of the weight-distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling, and could result in serious personal injury.

2006 Ford Explorer trims

The 2006 Ford Explorer comes in four different models: Explorer XLS, Explorer XLT, Explorer Eddie Bauer, and Explorer Limited. Let’s find out more about all the details of the maximum towing potential of each of the trim levels of the 2006 Ford Explorer lineup below.

2006 Ford Explorer XLS towing capacity

The 2006 Ford Explorer base trim XLS is equipped with all standard features, plus highlighted features are 16″ styled-steel wheels, Onyx grey grille, bumpers & bodyside moldings, Black door handles, Black roof side rails, Power side view mirrors, AM/FM stereo/single-CD player with MP3 capability, Cloth front bucket seats with 2-way adjustable head restraints & driver’s manual lumbar, 60/40 split-folding 2nd-row bench, Floor console with floor shifter, Power windows with the one-touch-down driver’s-side feature, Visor vanity mirrors, Air conditioning, Control Trac® 4-Wheel Drive system (4×4 models only), 2-line message center with outside temperature display and compass. The maximum towing capacity when equipped properly is between 3,500 to 7,300 pounds.

2006 Ford Explorer XLT towing capacity

The 2006 Ford Explorer XLT trim is equipped with all standard features of XLS trim, plus highlighted features are 16″ machined-aluminum wheels, Onyx grey bodyside cladding & wheel-lip moldings, 4-bar chromed grille, Fog lamps, Power side view mirrors with security approach lamps, Premium cloth front bucket seats with 2-way adjustable head restraints & 6-way power driver’s seat with manual lumbar, Overhead console, 2nd-row dome/map lights, Leather-wrapped steering wheel, Illuminated visor vanity mirrors, Front and rear floor mats. The maximum towing capacity when equipped properly is between 3,500 to 7,300 pounds.

2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer towing capacity

The 2006 Ford Explorer EDDIE BAUER® trim is equipped with select standard XLT features, plus: offers 17″ painted-aluminum wheels, Pueblo Gold lower front bumper, rear bumper & wheel-lip moldings, Body-color door handles, side view mirror accents & bodyside moldings, 3-bar chromed grille with nostrils, Pueblo Gold running boards, Silver roof side rails with black end caps, Automatic headlamps, Keyless-entry keypad, Woodgrain accents, 4-line message center, Auto-dimming rearview mirror, Leather-trimmed front bucket seats with 10-way power driver’s seat including power lumbar and recline. The maximum towing capacity when equipped properly is between 3,500 to 7,300 pounds.

2006 Ford Explorer Limited towing capacity

The 2006 Ford Explorer Limited trim is equipped with select standard Eddie Bauer features, plus: 17″ chrome-clad aluminum wheels, Body-color bumpers & wheel-lip moldings, 4-bar chromed grille, Power, heated side view mirrors with security approach lamps, Body-color running boards, Audiophile® AM/FM stereo/6-disc in-dash CD changer with MP3 capability, & subwoofer 290 watts, Unique woodgrain inserts, Center floor console with unique appearance for center finish & wrapped armrest, Secondary steering wheel-mounted audio & climate controls, Dual-zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control, Leather-trimmed, heated front bucket seats with 10-way power driver’s seat including power lumbar and 6-way power passenger’s seat. The maximum towing capacity when equipped properly is between 3,500 to 7,300 pounds.

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The load capacity of your vehicle is designated by weight not volume. Towing a trailer places extra load on the engine, transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. To help minimize how trailer movement affects your vehicle when driving.

Loaded vehicles may handle differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and increased stopping distance should be taken when driving a heavily loaded vehicle.

• Load the heaviest items closest to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items centered between the left and right side trailer tires.
• Load the heaviest items above the trailer axles or just slightly forward toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow the final trailer tongue weight to go above or below 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight.
• Select a tow bar with the correct rise or drop. When both the loaded vehicle and trailer are connected, the trailer frame should be level, or slightly angled down toward your vehicle, when viewed from the side.

2006 Ford Explorer towing features

The 2006 Ford Explorer is also designed with your safety in mind, having achieved 5-Star ratings in the frontal and side-impact crash tests. Some of the safety features are listed below.

• Adaptive stroking energy-absorbing steering column.
• Adaptive venting driver and front-passenger front airbags.
• AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability ControlTM).
• Belt-Minder® safety belt reminder.
• Front-Passenger Sensing System.
• Front-seat side airbags.
• Intelligent Safety System.
• Safety belts with pretensioners and adaptive load-limiting retractors (adjustable height in 1st row).
• Safety Canopy® System with side-curtain airbags and rollover sensor.
• SecuriLock® passive anti-theft ignition system.
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

2006 Ford Explorer towing guide

• Do not tow a trailer until you drive your vehicle at least 1000 miles. Also, do not drive faster than 70 mph.
• See the instructions included with towing accessories for the proper installation and adjustment specifications.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See your scheduled maintenance information.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles.
• When stopped in blocked or heavy traffic during hot weather, place the gearshift in position P to aid engine and transmission cooling and to help air conditioning performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain. The speed control may turn off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less effective.
• Use the Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature when towing. These provide engine braking and help eliminate excessive transmission shifting for optimum fuel economy and transmission cooling.
• Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.