2017 Explorer 2.3l ecoboost towing question
 

I'm fairly new to the realm of towing and was wondering what my new explorer was really capable of handling. I purchased my 2017 explorer xlt with the 2.3L ecoboost and while hey didn't have the model I wanted with the class 2 towing package but they had a local shop add a hitch to it. I took a look at the installed hitch and it's a class 3 rated at 5k lbs.

So really I'm wondering what my explorer can handle. The 2.3L ecoboost only allows the class 2 which is 3k lbs and you need the v6 and the class 3 (with oil cooler) for the full 5k lbs. But the 2.3L has higher torque than the v6.

I'm going to stick with the 3k limit for now, but is the 2.3L capable of more? What is holding me back from towing more? Is it just the oil cooler that normally comes with the class 3?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I guess it depends on what you're going to tow and where you're going to tow it. If you're going to tow 3K across the Nevada desert in the summer you really, really need that oil cooler. Turbo bearings are expensive to replace. So are transmissions. On the other hand, if you live in Minnesota you might get away with it. In any event, if it were mine, I wouldn't even consider pulling 5K with a 2.3 even with the oil cooler. You're going to spend most of your time deep into the throttle and when you fry it, Ford will probably give you a hard time about the warranty. That's the reason they publish limitations based on engine size and tow package. With the class 3 tow package factory installed I believe your vehicle is limited to 2K towing capacity. The class 3 hitch does not determine the max towing capacity of the vehicle its installed on.

As PupnDuck said... not more than the 2.3 factory specs, and in fact probably less since they took away some of your carrying capacity with the heavier hitch :(

My guess it has p-metric tires on it and it will be 'squishy' with any kind of tongue weight... good luck !

you can download your towing specs here
And please note that factory 'dry' weights are typically well short of what a trailer will end up weighing.... Also, shown below, and on page 15 of the towing guide it mentions frontal area limitations as a factor

where it says: