Fifth generation (U502, 2011-2019)
2017–2018 Ford Explorer towing capacity
Max towing, 20175,000 lb
The 2017 Ford Explorer tows up to 5,000 lb (All trims not listed separately and XLT 5-door SUV 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 Intelligent 4WD with the Class III / IV Trailer Tow Package, per the 2017 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide).
Ford rates the 2017 and 2018 Explorer the same in every configuration.
Two more configurations are rated the same.
The lowest rating is 2,000 lb, for the All trims not listed separately and XLT 5-door SUV 2.3L EcoBoost I4 Front-wheel drive.
2017 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide- Configurations
- 11
- GCWR
- 6,900–10,400 lb
- Tongue
- 250 lb
01 / Ratings
Every 2017–2018 Explorer configuration
2017 Ford Explorer
| Configuration | Max towing source 1 lb | Max tongue source 2 lb | GCWR source 1 lb | Axle source 1 ratio | Tow check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L EcoBoost I4 | |||||
| All trims not listed separately · XLT5-door SUV · Intelligent 4WD | not in our data | not in our data | not in our data | 3.51 | Check load → |
| All trims not listed separately · XLT5-door SUV · Intelligent 4WDwith Class II Trailer Tow Package (52R) | 3,000 | not in our data | 8,150 | 3.51 | Check load → |
| All trims not listed separately · XLT5-door SUV · Front-wheel drive | 2,000 | not in our data | 6,900 | 3.36 | Check load → |
| All trims not listed separately · XLT5-door SUV · Front-wheel drivewith Class II Trailer Tow Package (52R) | 3,000 | not in our data | 7,950 | 3.36 | Check load → |
| 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 | |||||
| All trims not listed separately · XLT5-door SUV · Intelligent 4WD | 2,000 | not in our data | 7,110 | 3.65 | Check load → |
| All trims not listed separately · XLT Most5-door SUV · Intelligent 4WDwith Class III / IV Trailer Tow Package (52T) | 5,000 | not in our data | 10,150 | 3.65 | Check load → |
| All trims not listed separately · XLT5-door SUV · Front-wheel drive | 2,000 | not in our data | 6,900 | 3.39 | Check load → |
| All trims not listed separately · XLT Most5-door SUV · Front-wheel drivewith Class III / IV Trailer Tow Package (52T) | 5,000 | not in our data | 9,950 | 3.39 | Check load → |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | |||||
| All trims not listed separately · Sport5-door SUV · Intelligent 4WD | not in our data | not in our data | not in our data | 3.16 | Check load → |
| All trims not listed separately · Sport Most5-door SUV · Intelligent 4WDwith Class III / IV Trailer Tow Package (52T) | 5,000 | not in our data | 10,400 | 3.16 | Check load → |
| 3.7L Ti-VCT V6 | |||||
| Police Interceptor Utility5-door SUV · Intelligent 4WD | 2,500 source 2 | 250 | not in our data | not in our data | Check load → |
02 / Why
Which one tows the most, and why
What moves the rating
MakerTows the most: 5,000 lb
All trims not listed separately and XLT 5-door SUV 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 Intelligent 4WD with the Class III / IV Trailer Tow Package; two more configurations are rated the same. Without it the same configuration is rated 2,000 lb.
Package
Class III / IV Trailer Tow Package (52T)
+3,000 lb
Same configuration otherwise · 4 pairs in the table
Package
Class II Trailer Tow Package (52R)
+1,000 lb
Same configuration otherwise · 2 pairs in the table
Best rating by engine
- 3.5L Ti-VCT V65,000 lb
- 3.5L EcoBoost V65,000 lb
- 2.3L EcoBoost I43,000 lb
- 3.7L Ti-VCT V62,500 lb
The line is the highest rating on this page. Each bar is that engine’s best configuration.
03 / By year
Explorer towing by model year
04 / Next
Check it against your load
05 / FAQ
Questions people ask
Which 2017 Explorer configuration tows the most?
The All trims not listed separately and XLT 5-door SUV 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 Intelligent 4WD with the Class III / IV Trailer Tow Package, at 5,000 lb; two more configurations are rated the same.
Which package unlocks the 2017 Explorer’s 5,000 lb rating?
The Class III / IV Trailer Tow Package: Ford rates the All trims not listed separately and XLT 5-door SUV 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 Intelligent 4WD at 5,000 lb so equipped. Without it the same configuration is rated 2,000 lb.
What is the max tongue weight of the 2017 Ford Explorer?
250 lb for every configuration that publishes it. Tongue weight is the trailer’s downward push on the hitch; it counts against payload.
What is the GCWR of the 2017 Ford Explorer?
6,900–10,400 lb by configuration; the most is 10,400 lb, for the All trims not listed separately and Sport 5-door SUV 3.5L EcoBoost V6 Intelligent 4WD with the Class III / IV Trailer Tow Package. GCWR is the most the loaded vehicle and its loaded trailer may weigh together.
Has the Ford Explorer’s towing capacity changed by year?
Highest rating by model year: 2026, 5,000 lb; 2025, 5,000 lb; 2024, 5,600 lb; 2023, 5,600 lb; 2022, 5,600 lb; 2021, 5,600 lb; 2020, 5,600 lb; 2019, 5,000 lb; 2017–2018, 5,000 lb; 2016, 5,000 lb; 2014–2015, 5,000 lb; 2013, 5,000 lb; 2012, 5,000 lb; 2011, 5,000 lb.
Does four-wheel drive change the 2017 Explorer’s towing capacity?
No: Ford rates each configuration the same with either drive (6 pairs in its table).