Ford Explorer Towing and Winter Guide
Explorer towing & winter
Ford Explorer Towing and Winter Guide
What 5,000 lb pulls, and how to spec an Explorer for snow.
- 5,000 lbMax tow, all trims
- 8.7 inTremor clearance
- ~$2,0004WD option
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Short answer: Every 2027 Ford Explorer is rated to tow 5,000 lb when properly equipped with the Class III Trailer Tow Package — 2.3L or V6, RWD or 4WD. For northwest Wisconsin winters, Intelligent 4WD (standard on Tremor, about $2,000 elsewhere) plus dedicated winter tires is the combination we recommend.
Explorer towing: what 5,000 lb really means
| Trailer (typical loaded weight) | Explorer OK? |
|---|---|
| Utility / ATV trailer, 1,500-2,500 lb | Yes, easily |
| 16-18 ft fishing boat on trailer, 2,500-3,500 lb | Yes |
| 20-22 ft pontoon, 3,500-4,500 lb | Yes, mind tongue weight and payload |
| Small teardrop or pop-up camper | Usually |
| Travel trailer over ~4,500 lb loaded | Step up to Expedition |
Max rating per ford.com (5,000 lb, all trims, properly equipped). Your trailer’s loaded weight, tongue weight (about 10-15%) and the payload on your door-jamb sticker all count. Confirm the Class III Trailer Tow Package is on the window sticker.
Does the V6 tow more?
No. Same 5,000-lb rating. The V6 just pulls up hills with less effort.
What does the tow package add?
The Class III Trailer Tow Package adds the receiver hitch and wiring needed for the full rating, and every Explorer has a selectable Tow/Haul drive mode (Ford lists six modes per model). Ask us to verify the exact content on the build you are looking at.
Tongue weight and payload
A 4,000-lb pontoon puts roughly 400-600 lb on the hitch. Add a family of five and a cooler and you can hit the payload limit before the tow limit. Check the yellow Tire and Loading sticker on the driver’s door jamb.
Explorer in a northwest Wisconsin winter
- RWD vs 4WD: Intelligent 4WD sends power to the front automatically when the rear slips. RWD works with winter tires in town; for rural roads, hills and unplowed driveways, get 4WD.
- Ground clearance: Ford lists 7.6 in (Active, ST-Line), 7.8 in (ST), 8.3 in (Platinum) and 8.7 in on Tremor. After a heavy snow, Tremor clears the windrow the plow leaves at the end of the driveway.
- Tires: ST’s 21-in summer-leaning setup and ST-Line’s 20s want a dedicated winter set; Tremor’s all-terrains are the best stock snow tire in the lineup. We quote winter wheel/tire packages with the vehicle.
- Comfort: heated front seats on every trim; heated leather-wrapped wheel from ST-Line; heated second row on Tremor and Platinum; remote start from the FordPass/Ford app.
- Salt: wash the underbody every few weeks December-March, especially around Tremor’s deflector plates.
Which Explorer for towing and winter?
| You mostly… | Our pick |
|---|---|
| Tow a boat in summer, drive highway in winter | ST-Line 4WD + Class III tow pkg + winter tires |
| Live on a gravel or unplowed road | Tremor |
| Tow often with a full family | V6 Platinum 4WD, or look at Expedition |
Explorer questions
How much can a 2027 Ford Explorer tow?
5,000 lb on every trim, properly equipped with the Class III Trailer Tow Package (ford.com).
Can an Explorer tow a pontoon?
Most 20-22 ft pontoons (3,500-4,500 lb loaded) are within the rating; check tongue weight and payload.
Does the V6 Explorer tow more?
No. Both engines are rated 5,000 lb.
Is a RWD Explorer OK in Wisconsin winter?
In town with winter tires, yes. For rural roads and hills, we recommend Intelligent 4WD.
What is the Explorer’s ground clearance?
7.6 in (Active, ST-Line), 7.8 in (ST), 8.3 in (Platinum) and 8.7 in (Tremor), per Ford.
More Explorer guides
Price an Explorer at Swant Graber Ford
Swant Graber Ford, 1697 E Division Ave, Barron, WI 54812 · 715-537-9500 · Toll-free 800-858-9443
Sales: Mon–Fri 8:00–5:30, Sat 8:00–3:00 · Service: Mon–Fri 8:00–5:00
Invoice pricing on new vehicles with no mandatory dealer add-ons. The only dealer fee is the $127.50 doc fee. Tax, title and registration are set by the State of Wisconsin — see the Wisconsin out-the-door price explainer. We work with national and local lenders.
Sources
- Ford 2027 Explorer price list and order guide, as reported by U.S. News and Kelley Blue Book (accessed Oct 2026)
- Ford Authority, May 2026: slick roof, V6 back on Platinum
- Ford Authority, Sept 2026: garage door opener now a $145 option
- Cars.com, 2026 Explorer review: Active 100A, Tremor debut, 2.3L 300 hp / 310 lb-ft
Ford has not published every 2027 spec. Where a figure comes from a reported order guide or price list, it is labeled that way and will be updated when Ford posts it on ford.com.