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2025 Towing Capacity

usna2k

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#1
Mostly just commenting - I was disappointed to see that towing capacity has been downrated to 5,000 lbs and only class III hitch - I would not be able to tow my current Airstream with that. I really was looking forward to the upgraded interior on this one. Guess I will keep my 2022 for now.
 

Cdubya

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#2
i wouldn't be surprised if the new ST is slower. Seems like Ford is going all in on the 3 bolt rear subframe and the "retuned" transmission gives me pause.
 

88lx50

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#3
i wouldn't be surprised if the new ST is slower. Seems like Ford is going all in on the 3 bolt rear subframe and the "retuned" transmission gives me pause.
The 2025 has the 3 bolt rear?
 

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#4
Mostly just commenting - I was disappointed to see that towing capacity has been downrated to 5,000 lbs and only class III hitch - I would not be able to tow my current Airstream with that. I really was looking forward to the upgraded interior on this one. Guess I will keep my 2022 for now.
My 2020 has a class III hitch, still rated at 5600 lbs tow capacity. So the drop to 5000 lbs is not from the hitch (class III hitches can support 8000 lbs).
 

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#5
The towing capacity reduction is one of the first things I noticed about the 2025. Really curious as to why the downgrade in towing capacity if they are carrying over the same engine & drivetrain with no changes minus the trans. calibration change (whatever that is). I have a 16' tandem axle, 4-wheeler and dirt bike trailer that when fully loaded including the weight of the trailer is right at 4,400 lbs. . My 2022 ST I traded in last summer (due to a storm that covered it in hail dents) pulled my fully loaded trailer just fine. I liked being just under the general rule of pulling no more than 80% of the maximum towing capacity.

A week and a half ago I ordered a 2025 ST to replace my traded in ST. Towing my fully loaded trailer with it and with the lowered towing capacity will now put me only 12% under the max. . It still should be fine but not as ideal as the previous ST's capacity.
 

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#6
Could it be a lot of stuff is now standard on these? I wonder if the added weight of everything makes the reduction in towing capacity? I wouldn't think there is 600lbs of added weight though.
 

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#7
Could it be a lot of stuff is now standard on these? I wonder if the added weight of everything makes the reduction in towing capacity? I wouldn't think there is 600lbs of added weight though.
My thought which is purely a guess is that the previous models may have been overrated so the new tow capacity number is a correction from that. If Ford was getting abnormal warranty claims associated to towing, that's the easiest solution if they are unwilling to change/upgrade componentry.
 

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#8
My thought which is purely a guess is that the previous models may have been overrated so the new tow capacity number is a correction from that. If Ford was getting abnormal warranty claims associated to towing, that's the easiest solution if they are unwilling to change/upgrade componentry.
Sounds like something Ford would do. SMH. Looks like a "Stiffy Diffy" or similar support bracket will be added to the list of mods if this holds true.
 

antrmo

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#9
My Trialer is 4500lbs..hitch weight 600give or take a few, to heavy to tow? We own a 2022ST 2.3EB, can I get some advice on what to beef up to make this work if it is possible. Any sticky threads maybe too?
Thx for the help.
Troy and Erin.
 

Cruising68

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#10
My Trialer is 4500lbs..hitch weight 600give or take a few, to heavy to tow? We own a 2022ST 2.3EB, can I get some advice on what to beef up to make this work if it is possible. Any sticky threads maybe too?
Thx for the help.
Troy and Erin.
That’s a little heavy tongue weight imo. If you could shuffle some things to the back of the trailer you might be able to get it under 500.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

antrmo

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#11
looking it up the hitch weight is 607lbs, now if I remove propane tank and battery, does that help? not much else I can move as the layout of the camper is what it is, a queen bed. I have read a equalizing hitch will help offset some weight?
does anyone have experience towing 4600lbs with a 22 ST 2.3? what was the gas mileage like? how did it handle?
thanks for the help.
 

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#12
We own a 2022ST 2.3EB...
Just curious, and admittedly for my own edification, what exactly is a "2022ST 2.3EB?"
 

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GearHead_1

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Explorer ST Line
 

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antrmo

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#14
2022 Explorer ST 2.3 eco boost
 

powerboatr

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#15
Maybe the new info tainment system weighs 600 lbs
600 is easy to eat up quick
Are multi contour seats back?
????
Across all trims, 5k is a good bit, but imo explorer is a bit lite to the heavy hauler
Guessing the reduction has to do with longevity of brakes, cooling , springs , etc
Or. Some weird law over 5k a brake controller has to be optioned in??? It's already wired
 

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flyhalf

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#16
Hello everyone, Taking this back . does anyone know why the tow capacity went down to 5000lbs?i know one hint is the hitch going froma class IV to a class III.
I tow a racecar now with a Q7 . few times a year. total weight is 5300 max. I know is a lot for 5600lbs. but it is a short towing (max 3hrs) and In this moment i don't have any other options .
I saw some people towing with a 2024 explorer with a weight distribution hitch to "increase capacity"
do you guys know what did it change? in other words, is it just a FORD thing to be on the safe side or something structural changed?
thanks in advance

Alex
 

powerboatr

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#17
There is a video from ftl
That had a ford engineer talking all about
In summary 5k was set
Because they found people towing more could use an expedition or f150
That was brief
Google ii or YouTube ftl guy
It's a damm good video
 

flyhalf

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#18
found it ! basically they said this thing can tow more. but they stayed in the mid SUV segment to not interfere with the other models but also to give the customer like a mid SUV tow capacity standard aka 5000.

min 11:32
 

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#19
There is ZERO advantage to Ford for lowering the rating just to "Hit a sweetspot" number with the consumer. That is complete BS.

They were obviously seeing warranty claims of out of warranty data indicating issues from the higher tow capacity. If there were no issues, they would not have lowered the rating because having the higher tow capacity puts you above the competition. It's not like they removed additional bracing or structure and lowered the rating because of that.
 

powerboatr

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#20
Also.. imo
Many people guess at what they are towing, vice actually weighing the set up
Maybe ford took that into account ???
I am sure bean counters were involved to a great degree as well
 



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