2014 Ford Explorer

We have the 2013 XLT and it was made clear to us by our salesman that this new Explorer isn't made or intended for towing anything more than a small trailer or pop up. As it is, it's a nice vehicle for driving in all types of weather and seems very versitile and capable, but it isn't truly even designed for offroad situations like a Jeep Grand Cherokee or similar. You go too far off road and you'll be buying a new front air dam and undercarriage parts.

Haven't towed with it, but I've put about 15k on my company's work vehicle in the last year, a 2014 Explorer Sport. The ride is a little stiff, and I am old enough that I prefer the cushier seats in the Limited over the boards in the Sport.

That being said, I love the fact that the EcoBoost makes that tank of an Explorer go like stink! 12PSI of forced induction makes a night-and-day difference compared to the naturally aspirated motor that was in the limited I had a couple months back as a loaner while my truck was in the shop.

I would think that towing-wise, it would do about as well as the last-gen Explorers in terms of stability.

3.5 Ecoboost Explorer is rated at 5000 pounds, same as the regular 3.5L. Only 2.0L Ecoboost is lower at 2000 pounds.

rexlion wrote:
The current Explorer is very similar in size, power, and tow capability to my Highlander. The HL was ok with a 2700 lb TT everywhere except in the Rockies, where it sometimes would need 2nd or 3rd gear at about 40 mph to get over a long, steep grade at high altitude.

Thinking about replacing the HL soon, so I test drove a Sport. The turbo is definitely better for towing, if one is buying new. But if you already have a non-turbo Explorer, yes it can do the job as long as you don't want to win races up hills.

just make sure that turbo is rated to tow. When I bought mine there was only the stock engine rated to tow. While it's OK with 3k behind me, you better be patient with it.

The vehicle anti-sway systems are reactionary systems that you never want to experience. Get a WDH with integrated sway control like Equal-i-zer 4pt, Reese Strait Line, or Blueox Swaypro and you'll be happy. The 3.5L Ecoboost is lovely to drive and tow with.

Just ordered mine 2015 sport 4wd It comes with a sway control device that detects sway but I will get the sway bar etc for safety. Buying a new excape trailer Just me now so not much gear etc. The upgrade to the expedition was 200 a month hard to justify that expense for a solo traveler Plus I cannot imagine the gas mileage Just bumped about a car payment After no car payments It is what it is

The current Explorer is very similar in size, power, and tow capability to my Highlander. The HL was ok with a 2700 lb TT everywhere except in the Rockies, where it sometimes would need 2nd or 3rd gear at about 40 mph to get over a long, steep grade at high altitude.

Thinking about replacing the HL soon, so I test drove a Sport. The turbo is definitely better for towing, if one is buying new. But if you already have a non-turbo Explorer, yes it can do the job as long as you don't want to win races up hills.

yep, this is the new Exploder, unibody and really not the tow machine that the previous generations were, especially the v-8 models.

i wouldn't tow anything over 3000lbs. "dry" weight. and you better get a WDH with sway control.

please refer to the very detailed Ford Towing Guide. payload will also be its Achilles Heel.

OpenRangePullen_Ford wrote:
I rented one once, It was the current generation with AWD so it had the non-turbo 3.5 V6. I towed a loaded 12ft enclosed trailer and the V6 seamed to struggled. I was in Denver, Colorado. But regardless the 2.0 and 3.5 are a let down from what the explorer use to be. Its not even a SUV now its a crossover. They do have the 3.5TT in the sport but it still doesn't have the towing capacity.

agreed.. This ain't your moms Explorer by any stretch. It's nice and heavy but underpowered for any consistent towing IMO

There are a few people doing it with the current generation Explorers. I would not recommend it except the Sport.

FYI, 65mph is all that mode trailer tires are rating to drive.