• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


2025 Towing Capacity

usna2k

New Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Messages
3
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Chesapeake, VA, USA
#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

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,525
Reactions
750
Points
262
Location
NE Ohio
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#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

Member
Firefighter
Messages
26
Reactions
6
Points
2
Location
NYC
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#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?
 

Messages
96
Reactions
47
Points
17
Location
WI
#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).
 

Messages
49
Reactions
25
Points
2
Location
Michigan
#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.
 

Last edited:

L33der

New Member
Messages
19
Reactions
28
Points
12
Location
Pennsylvania
Vehicle
17 Explorer, 20 Transit, 24 F150, 25 Explorer ST
#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.
 

Messages
49
Reactions
25
Points
2
Location
Michigan
#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.
 

L33der

New Member
Messages
19
Reactions
28
Points
12
Location
Pennsylvania
Vehicle
17 Explorer, 20 Transit, 24 F150, 25 Explorer ST
#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.
 

Messages
5
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
Ontario,Canada
Vehicle
2022 ford explorer ST
#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

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,432
Reactions
1,067
Points
262
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
#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
 

Messages
5
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
Ontario,Canada
Vehicle
2022 ford explorer ST
#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.
 

Messages
1,466
Reactions
1,192
Points
262
Location
Utah
Vehicle
Exploder
#13
Explorer ST Line
 

Last edited:

powerboatr

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Messages
158
Reactions
116
Points
37
Location
Texas
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#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
 

Attachments

Last edited:


Top