2021 Ford Explorer towing capacity
Max tow rating
5,600lb
- ST 4WD, 3.0L 6cyl.
- Base trim: 5,300 lb.
- Top 32% of 127 SUVs (2021).
Trailer check
Yes. 4,400 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 5,600 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 4,480 lb
- Margin
- 1,200 lb (21%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- Curb weight not listed
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 12-16 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 5,600 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 4,480 lb
- Hitch class at max
- III, up to 8,000 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Yes |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Some, up to 4,480 lb |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | Some, up to 4,480 lb |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | No |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 5,600 lb: ST 4WD, $49,000.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST 4WD | 3.0L 6cyl | 4WD | 5,600 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,458 lb to 4,701 lb | $49,000 |
| RWD | 2.3L 4cyl | RWD | 5,300 lb | 1,510 lb | 5,855 lb | 4,345 lb to 4,458 lb | $32,925 |
| AWD | 2.3L | AWD | 5,300 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,345 lb to 4,458 lb | $34,925 |
| XLT RWD | 2.3L | RWD | 5,300 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,345 lb to 4,458 lb | $35,075 |
| XLT 4WD | 2.3L 4cyl | 4WD | 5,300 lb | 1,500 lb | 5,937 lb | 4,437 lb | $37,075 |
| Limited RWD | 2.3L | RWD | 5,300 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,345 lb to 4,458 lb | $45,255 |
| Timberline 4WD | 2.3L 4cyl | 4WD | 5,300 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,437 lb | $46,015 |
| Limited 4WD | 2.3L 4cyl | 4WD | 5,300 lb | 1,500 lb | 5,937 lb | 4,437 lb | $47,255 |
| King Ranch RWD | 3.0L | RWD | 5,300 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,345 lb to 4,458 lb | $52,600 |
| Platinum RWD | 3.0L | RWD | 5,300 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,458 lb to 4,727 lb | $52,730 |
| Hybrid Police Interceptor Utility AWD | 3.3L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | N/A | $40,845 |
| Hybrid Limited AWD | 3.3L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | N/A | $52,105 |
| Limited HEV 4WD | 3.3L 6cyl | 4WD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,458 lb to 5,076 lb | $52,430 |
| Platinum HEV 4WD | 3.3L 6cyl | 4WD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,458 lb to 5,076 lb | $53,335 |
| Hybrid Platinum AWD | 3.3L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | N/A | $53,335 |
| Platinum 4WD | 3.3L | 4WD | 5,000 lb to 5,600 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,458 lb to 5,076 lb | $53,335 |
| King Ranch 4WD | 3.0L 6cyl | 4WD | 5,300 lb to 5,600 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,345 lb to 4,701 lb | $54,600 |
No rating listed: 2 trims.
Max rating by year
- Changed in 2010: 7,115 lb to 3,500 lb.
- Changed in 2011: 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb.
- Changed in 2012: 5,000 lb to 2,000 lb.
- Changed in 2014: 2,000 lb to 5,000 lb.
- Changed in 2020: 5,000 lb to 5,600 lb.
- Changed in 2025: 5,600 lb to 5,000 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 7,200 lb | SRT 4WD | $70,995 to $71,270 |
| Ford Expedition | 6,300 lb | Max XLT 4x2 | $55,410 |
| Ford Explorer (this car) | 5,600 lb | ST 4WD | $49,000 |
| Chevrolet Traverse | 5,000 lb | LT Cloth FWD | $35,700 |
| Honda Pilot | 5,000 lb | Touring AWD | $45,220 |
| Toyota Highlander | 5,000 lb | L FWD | $35,085 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
- What can tow 3,500 lb? 135 models (2026)
- What can tow 5,000 lb? 92 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree