Large SUV towing a silver Airstream trailer on a road surrounded by a forested mountain landscape.

Ford Explorer Towing Packages: Class III vs. IV & Brake Controllers

If you’re shopping for an Explorer in Pooler and planning to tow, you’ll keep seeing two phrases: Ford Explorer towing package and Class III vs. Class IV. Add in “do I need a brake controller?” and it’s easy to get lost.

Here’s a simple guide to how Explorer towing is configured, what the Ford Explorer towing capacity really depends on, and how to pick the right setup for your boat, camper, or toys.

Ford Explorer towing packages in a nutshell

The Explorer is a unibody, rear-wheel-drive–based SUV with available AWD, which gives it stable highway manners and confident towing when properly equipped. Towing ability varies by:

  • Engine & drivetrain: 2.3L EcoBoost, 3.0L EcoBoost (ST/Platinum), and Hybrid have different limits.

  • Tow package hardware: Receiver class, wiring, cooling, and software like Trailer Sway Control.

  • Payload & passengers: Every pound in the cabin reduces what you can put on the hitch.

  • Accessories: Roof boxes, big tires, or racks can affect stability and efficiency.

Reality check: Many Explorers equipped with the factory Ford Explorer towing package fall in the ~5,000–5,600-lb maximum range (model year/engine dependent). Always verify your VIN’s exact rating on the door jamb sticker and in the owner’s manual.

Class III vs. Class IV: What’s the difference?

Receiver “classes” describe the hitch hardware’s rating, not the vehicle’s final tow rating. In broad terms:

  • Class III

    • 2” receiver

    • Common rating window: up to ~6,000 lbs GTW / ~600 lbs tongue (varies by brand and weight-distributing setup)

    • Typical for midsize/large SUVs like Explorer

  • Class IV

    • 2” receiver (heavier-duty construction)

    • Common rating window: up to ~10,000 lbs GTW / ~1,000 lbs tongue (with weight distribution)

    • The typical on larger body-on-frame SUVs/trucks

On Explorer, Ford’s factory package is most commonly referred to as a Class III Trailer Tow Package; with a 2” receiver, 7-pin wiring, and cooling upgrades. Shoppers often choose the Class IV trailer tow package for their Ford Explorer because they want the strongest setup available; in practice, the factory Class III package paired with the right engine is what unlocks top ratings.

Your final Ford Explorer towing capacity is always the lower of the hitch hardware or the vehicle limit, whichever is more restrictive.

What’s in the Ford Explorer towing package?

Exact content varies by model year/trim, but you’ll typically see:

  • 2” receiver + wiring: 7-pin (and sometimes a 4-pin adapter) near the bumper

  • Cooling & charging: Higher-capacity radiator fan and a 7-pin charge line for trailer battery maintenance

  • Trailer Sway Control: Uses brakes/stability control to correct sway

  • Hitch platform & trim integration: Factory fit and finish, plus a rating label

Shopping used? We’ll pull the original window sticker/build sheet to confirm your Ford Explorer towing package content by VIN.

Brake controllers 101 (and why you might need one)

A trailer brake controller powers and modulates the electric brakes on compatible trailers. Many Ford Explorer towing packages rely on aftermarket brake controllers (wired to the 7-pin) rather than a factory-integrated unit.

You’ll likely need a controller if:

  • Your trailer has electric brakes (common at ~2,000 lbs GTW and above).

  • Your state or your trailer manufacturer requires one at your trailer’s weight.

  • You want smoother, safer stops with a heavier camper/boat.

We can help: J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler installs and calibrates proportional controllers, tidies wiring, and tests the 7-pin so you leave ready to roll and enjoy your Ford Explorer towing capacity.

How much can your Explorer tow?

Because year/engine/drivetrain matter, treat these as typical behaviors, not promises:

  • 2.3L EcoBoost (RWD/AWD) w/ tow package: Often around the low-to-mid 5,000-lb range when properly equipped.

  • 3.0L EcoBoost (ST/Platinum) w/ tow package: Frequently at the upper end for Explorer—often quoted around the mid-5,000-lb mark when properly equipped.

  • Hybrid w/ tow package (select years/trims): Commonly around ~5,000 lbs when properly equipped.

Again: your exact rating is the VIN’s label + owner’s manual. We’ll decode it for any Explorer on our lot—or one you found elsewhere.

Class III vs. Class IV—how to choose (use cases)

  • Small boats/PWCs, pop-ups, light cargo trailers (under ~3,500 lbs loaded): Class III package is typically perfect; consider a brake controller if the trailer has brakes.

  • Heavier single-axle campers or dual-axle utility trailers (~3,500–5,000+ lbs loaded): You want the factory Ford Explorer towing capacity package, a quality brake controller, correct hitch height, and properly rated tires. Load distribution and tongue weight setup become critical.

  • Bigger travel trailers beyond Explorer’s rated limit: You’re outside Explorer’s intended envelope. Consider Expedition or F-150 (with a true Class IV trailer tow package and higher ratings).

Setup tips that protect your rating (and your trip)

  • Know your numbers: Trailer GVWR, actual loaded weight, and tongue weight (aim ~10–15% of total).

  • Weight distribution hitch (WDH): Helpful near the top of your Ford Explorer towing package limit; restores front-axle load for stability and headlight aim.

  • Tire pressure & mirrors: Inflate to door-jamb spec (vehicle) and sidewall spec (trailer). Add tow mirrors if you can’t see past the trailer.

  • Spare keys: Carry two sets; lockable hitch pins and coupler locks deter walk-offs at gas stops.

  • Test brake gain: With a proportional controller, do a low-speed stop to dial in gain so the trailer helps—not yanks.

How to tell if a used Ford Explorer has the towing package

  • Look for a 2” receiver that appears factory-integrated

  • Check for a 7-pin plug (round) near the hitch

  • Pop the hood: larger cooling fan/shroud on many equipped models

  • Ask us to pull the original window sticker/build sheet and confirm tow code content

Buying used? We’ll also inspect wiring, grounds, and the receiver label so you know the hardware matches the rating.

Why outfit and tow with J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler

  • VIN-specific answers: We’ll confirm your Ford Explorer towing capacity and package content in writing.

  • Clean installs: Brake controllers, 7-pin harness repairs, hitch height, and WDH setup done right.

  • Road-ready handoff: We’ll test lights, controller gain, and trailer tires with you before your first highway mile.

Ready to tow smarter?

Whether you’re pricing out a Ford Explorer towing package, verifying Class III vs. Class IV trailer tow package hardware, or adding a brake controller, our team will make it simple and safe.

Stop by J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler to check inventory, confirm your VIN’s rating, and leave confident about your next weekend away.

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