How much 2017 Ford Explorer towing capacity is? best-selling SUV.

2017 Ford Explorer towing capacity chart

The 2017 Ford Explorer continues to deliver an unparalleled mix of enthusiasm, power, and adaptability. The Explorer is one of America’s most popular SUVs in the segment and redefines style and comfort. The Explorer proves itself with features like seating for seven, ample cargo space, and combines Family-Friendly comfort with capable towing. Many people are looking to tow a boat, trailer, or camper, so it’s important to know how much a vehicle can tow safely. In this article let’s take a look at the trim, engine options, and the 2017 Ford Explorer’s towing capacity in detail.

2017 Ford Explorer trim levels	2017 Ford Explorer towing capacity
Ford Explorer	2,000 – 5,000 lbs.
Ford Explorer XLT	2,000 – 5,000 lbs.
Ford Explorer Limited	2,000 – 5,000 lbs.
Ford Explorer Sport	5,000 lbs.
Ford Explorer Platinum	5,000 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.

2017 Ford Explorer Engine Specs

• 2.3L Ecoboost:  This twin-scroll turbocharged, direct-injection EcoBoost engine has quick turbine spin-up for responsive acceleration performance. As well as an EPA-estimated rating of 27 mpg highway. Pair it with the Class II Trailer Tow Package to pull up to 3,000 lbs.
• 3.5L Ti-VCT V6: Twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) delivers robust power while also contributing to efficiency. By allowing intake and exhaust valves to adjust independently for precise valve timing control, Ti-VCT helps optimize performance.
• 3.5L Ecoboost: The V6 horsepower the standard engine on Sport and Platinum, has a robust supply of best-in-class torque. Combining twin turbochargers with direct injection technology, this responsive powertrain generates nearly quick power on demand.

Engine	2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4	3.5L Ti-VCT V6	3.5L Ecoboost V6
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5,600rpm	290 hp @ 6,500rpm	365 hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque	310 lb.-ft. @ 3,000rpm	255 lb.-ft. @ 4,000rpm	350 lb.-ft. @ 3,500rpm

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.

2017 Ford Explorer towing capacity without Trailer tow package

Your vehicle can tow a trailer provided the maximum trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed for your vehicle configuration on the following chart:

Engine	Axle Ratio	GCWR (lbs.)	Drive	Maximum Trailer Weight (lbs.)
2.3L Ecoboost GTDI	3.36	6,900	2WD	2,000
3.5L Ti-VCT	3.39 3.65	6,900 7,110	2WD 4WD	2,000 2,000

2017 Ford Ranger 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 II Trailer Tow Package and Class III 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.

Class II Trailer Tow Package (towing capability up to 3,000 lbs.):

• Hitch receiver.
• 4-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness. (Requires 2.3L EcoBoost I4 engine)

Note: Hitch receivers do not include a hitch ball or ball mounting. You are responsible for obtaining the proper hitch ball, ball mounting, and other appropriate equipment to tow both the trailer and its cargo load.)

Class III Trailer Tow Package (towing capability up to 5,000 lbs.):

• Hitch receiver.
• Engine oil cooler.
• 7-Wire Harness & 4-/7-Pin Connector (Requires 3.5L V6 engines)

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.

2017 Ford Explorer towing capacity with Trailer tow package

Engine	Axle Ratio	GCWR (lbs.)	Drive	Maximum Trailer Weight (lbs.)
2.3L Ecoboost GTDI	3.36 3.51	7,950 8,150	2WD 4WD	3,000 3,000
3.5L TiVCT	3.39 3.65	9,950 10,150	2WD 4WD	5,000 5,000
3.5L Ecoboost GTDI V6	3.16	10,400	4WD	5,000

For towing trailers up to 3500 lbs, use a weight-carrying hitch and ball, which uniformly spreads the trailer tongue loads through your vehicle’s underbody structure. For towing trailers over 3500 lbs, up to the maximum trailer weight, we recommend you use a weight-distributing hitch to increase front axle load when towing. Be sure to take into consideration the trailer's frontal area. Do not exceed 20 ft² (1.86 m²) if your vehicle can tow a class I trailer, or 55 ft² (5.11 m²) if your vehicle can tow a class III trailer weighing more than 5,000 lbs.

Frontal Area Considerations

Base Vehicle Frontal Area (20 sq. ft.)	Without Class II or Class III Trailer Tow Package
30 sq. ft.	With Class II Trailer Tow Package
40 sq. ft.	With Class III Trailer Tow Package

Frontal Area is the total area in square feet that a moving vehicle and trailer exposes to air resistance. Exceeding these limitations may significantly reduce the performance of your towing vehicle.

2017 Ford Explorer trims

For 2017, you can choose from five well-equipped models: Explorer, XLT, Limited, Sport, and Platinum. Let’s find out more about all the details of the maximum towing potential of each of the trim levels of the 2017 Explorer lineup below.

2017 Ford Explorer towing capacity

The 2017 Ford Explorer Base trim highlighted features are P255/60R18 all-season BSW tires, AM/FM stereo/single-CD player with MP3 capability & 6 speakers, SYNC Voice Recognition Communications & Entertainment System with configurable color LCD screen in the instrument cluster, AppLink, smart-charging USB port, 8-way power driver seat with manual lumbar support, 4-way manual passenger seat, 1st- and 2nd-row carpeted floor mats, Black urethane steering wheel, Skid plates front & rear elements, power side view heated mirrors with integrated blind spot mirrors and black caps. The maximum towing capacity when equipped properly is between 2,000 to 5,000 pounds.

2017 Ford Explorer XLT towing capacity

The 2017 Ford Explorer XLT offers all the features of Explorer plus other Reverse Sensing System, Front 10-way power driver’s seat including power lumbar support, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Ignition Intelligent Access with push-button start, Black leather-wrapped steering wheel, Body-color door handles, LED signature lighting headlamps, LED Fog lamps, Power heated side view with integrated blind spot mirrors, LED turn signal indicators, security approach lamps, and high-gloss black mirror caps. The maximum towing capacity when equipped properly is between 2,000 to 5,000 pounds.

2017 Ford Explorer Limited towing capacity

The 2017 Ford Explorer Limited includes all the features of the XLT trim. The additional key features are Forward Sensing System, SYNC 3 Enhanced Voice Recognition Communications and Entertainment System with an 8″ color LCD capacitive touchscreen in the center stack with swiping capability, AppLink, two smart-charging USB ports, Front Heated & cooled10-way power passenger seat including power lumbar, Power Fold 3rd-row seat, Leather-trimmed, Audio System from Sony with HD Radio Technology, Ambient lighting, Dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, Dual 4.2″ configurable color LCD screens in the instrument cluster, Auto-dimming rearview, 110-volt converter power outlet, Power-tilt/-telescoping heated steering wheel, Chrome door handles, and Hands-free foot-activated liftgate. The maximum towing capacity when equipped properly is between 2,000 to 5,000 pounds.

2017 Ford Explorer Sport towing capacity

The 2017 Ford Explorer Sport trim has all the standard features of Explorer Limited. The highlighted features are a 3.5L Eco boost V6 engine, Leather-trimmed with red accent stitching & perforated inserts, Multipiece satin chrome & carbon sport appliqués, 1st- and 2nd-row carpeted floor mats with Sport badging, High-gloss door handles & black Bodyside cladding inserts, Dual fascia-integrated bright exhaust tips, Blackout treatment headlamps, and High-gloss black side rails roof rack. The maximum towing capacity when equipped properly is up to 5,000 pounds.

2017 Ford Explorer Platinum towing capacity

The 2017 Ford Explorer Platinum is all about comfort and style. Premium leather-trimmed with quilted and perforated inserts, Front-row, heated and cooled, multi-contour seats with Active Motion. The all-digital instrument cluster, and adjusting the industry-exclusive 500-watt Audio System from Sony with Clear Phase and Live Acoustics technology. Automatic high beam Adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with brake support, Enhanced Active Park Assist System with Parallel Parking, Park Out Assist, Reverse Perpendicular Parking, Forward & Side Sensing Systems, Rain-sensing wipers, 1st- and 2nd-row premium carpeted floor mats with Platinum badging. The maximum towing capacity when equipped properly is up to 5,000 pounds.

2017 Ford Explorer Towing Features

The Ford Explorer is also equipped with Hill Descent Control, which modulates the descent on rough terrain, without the driver needing to apply the brakes. For towing, combined with Curve Control, which reduces the throttle and applies the brakes when you enter a curve too quickly, significantly improves the safety of small trailer towing.

• Rear-wheel drive: It also improves driving capabilities and towing capacity by 600 pounds compared to previous models.
• Towing and Trailer Sway Control: It increases control when towing heavy loads by automatically braking and adjusting engine power to ensure trailer control and stability.
• Tow/Haul: Use whenever towing or hauling, this mode enhances performance when transporting heavy cargo.
• Intelligent 4WD with Terrain Management System: This allows the driver to adjust the system to accommodate wet, snow-covered, gravel, sand, grass, or other rough road surfaces and conditions, making your vehicle more versatile.

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TRAILER SWAY CONTROL

The system applies the brakes to the individual wheels and reduces engine torque to aid vehicle stability. If the trailer begins to sway, the stability control warning lamp flashes and a message appears in the data display. Slow your vehicle down, pull safely to the side of the road, and check for the correct load distribution. Turning off trailer sway control increases the risk of loss of vehicle control, serious injury, or death.

Note: This feature does not prevent trailer sway, but reduces it when it begins. This feature cannot stop all trailers from swaying. In some cases, if your vehicle speed is too high, the system may turn on multiple times, gradually reducing your vehicle speed.

FORD CO-PILOT360™ Technology

• Advance Trac with RSC (Roll Stability Control): It enhances vehicle stability in a wide range of conditions. By selectively applying individual brakes and modifying engine power, the system helps keep all four wheels firmly planted. In addition, Curve Control helps slow the vehicle down if you’re heading into a curve too quickly.
• BLIS® with Cross-Traffic Alert: Changing lanes requires your full attention. BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) can help by alerting you to vehicles detected in your blind spots. Cross-Traffic Alert helps by detecting and alerting you to traffic behind your vehicle as you’re slowly backing up.
• Lane-Keeping System: If you drift out of your lane, it directs you with steering wheel torque to return, and can also alert you through vibration pulses. Lane-Keeping System can help during a moment of distraction.
• Auto High-Beam Headlamps: They can detect poor lighting and switch them on for you. They can also sense oncoming headlamps and dim automatically for other drivers.
• Rear View Camera: It helps by providing a great view of what’s behind your vehicle. It also helps when you’re lining up a trailer. A washer helps keep the camera free of debris (like dirt or snow), helping you navigate Reverse clearly and with more confidence.
• Adaptive Cruise Control: It can also alert you to a potential collision and helps maintain your choice of speed and preset gaps from the vehicle in front of you. If one is detected, the system flashes a warning, sounds an alarm, and can pre-charge the brakes to provide full responsiveness when you do brake.
• Active Park Assist 2.0: Active Park Assist 2.0 makes it easy to park time after time even in tight parallel or reverse perpendicular spots. Park Out Assist with side-sensing capability can help you confidently navigate out of a spot when someone’s parked too close.
• Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers: They activate themselves automatically as needed, once you’ve turned the system on.

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 driver. Weight of additional options, equipment, passengers and cargo must be deducted from this weight. 

2017 Ford Explorer Trailer Towing guide

• Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended GVWR or the GAWR specified could result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle control, and vehicle rollover.
• Do not exceed the lowest rating capacity for your vehicle or trailer hitch. Overloading your vehicle or trailer hitch can impair your vehicle’s stability, loss of control, and handling.
• Modifying the trailer hitch could reduce the hitch rating don’t cut, drill, weld, or modify the trailer hitch.
• Make sure that the vertical load on the tow ball is between the minimum and maximum recommended weight at all times.
• Do not tow a trailer fitted with electric trailer brakes unless your vehicle is fitted with a compatible aftermarket electronic trailer brake controller.
• Place loads as low as possible and central to the axle of your trailer for the best stability of the trailer in an unloaded vehicle.

Note:  
The stability of your vehicle-to-trailer combination is dependent on the quality of the trailer. For additional information and assistance, we recommend that you contact an authorized Ford dealer. Failure to follow the instruction could result in the loss of control of your vehicle, personal injury, or death.