Ford Towing Capacity Guide: Every 2026 Model | Haley Ford
Ford towing capacity guide: every 2026 model, what the numbers mean, and what Central Virginia trailers actually weigh
The 2026 Ford that tows the most is the F-450 Super Duty, rated up to 40,000 lb with a gooseneck. The F-150 tops out at 13,500 lb, the Expedition at 9,600 lb, the Ranger at 7,500 lb and the Explorer at 5,000 lb. Those are maximums for specially equipped trucks; your vehicle's real limit is on its door-jamb sticker and in Ford's towing guide for its exact engine, axle and cab.
This guide pulls every 2026 rating from Ford's official RV & Trailer Towing Guide, then does the part the brochure doesn't: how to read the stickers on your own truck, what the boats, campers and horse trailers headed to Lake Chesdin, Dutch Gap and the Appomattox actually weigh, and what Virginia requires once your trailer passes 3,000 lb.
Every 2026 Ford at a glance
One sentence per model, using Ford's maximum rating "when properly equipped." The table below shows what it takes to reach each number.
- F-150: up to 13,500 lb with the 3.5L EcoBoost, Tow/Haul Package and Max Tow Axle; the PowerBoost hybrid tows up to 12,400 lb.
- Super Duty F-250: up to 22,000 lb conventional and 23,000 lb gooseneck with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel.
- Super Duty F-350 single rear wheel: up to 25,000 lb conventional and 27,600 lb gooseneck.
- Super Duty F-350/F-450 dually: up to 30,000 lb conventional; the F-450 reaches 40,000 lb gooseneck with the High Output diesel and 40K Gooseneck Tow Package.
- Expedition: up to 9,600 lb (Expedition MAX up to 9,000 lb).
- Ranger: up to 7,500 lb with the Trailer Tow Package (Ranger Raptor: 5,510 lb).
- Explorer: 5,000 lb with the standard Class III Trailer Tow Package.
- Maverick: 2,000 lb standard, 4,000 lb with the 4K Tow Package.
- Bronco: 3,500 lb with dealer-installed towing equipment (Bronco Raptor: 4,500 lb).
- Bronco Sport: 2,200 lb, or 2,700 lb for the Badlands, with the Class II Trailer Tow Package.
- Transit: up to 6,900 lb for cargo vans and 7,500 lb for cutaways and chassis cabs.
- Mustang Mach-E and E-Transit: Ford doesn't recommend either for trailer towing.
| Model (2026) | Max conventional | Max 5th-wheel / gooseneck | Configuration for the max | What you need above the base rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-150 | 13,500 lb | 11,700 lb | 3.5L EcoBoost, 19,400 lb GCWR | Tow/Haul Package and Max Tow Axle for trailers over 11,600 lb; weight-distributing hitch over 5,000 lb |
| F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid | 12,400 lb | 9,200 lb | 3.5L PowerBoost, 18,400 lb GCWR | Tow/Haul Package and Max Tow Axle over 10,800 lb |
| F-250 Super Duty | 22,000 lb | 23,000 lb | 6.7L Power Stroke, up to 31,000 lb GCWR | High-Capacity Axle Upgrade Package over 18,200 lb |
| F-350 Super Duty (single rear wheel) | 25,000 lb | 27,600 lb | 6.7L High Output, 35,200 lb GCWR | Correct axle and tire package; see the selector chart |
| F-350 Super Duty (dually) | 25,000 lb | 38,600 lb | 6.7L diesel, 46,700 lb GCWR | Gooseneck or 5th-wheel prep package |
| F-450 Super Duty pickup | 30,000 lb | 40,000 lb | 6.7L High Output, 48,000 lb GCWR | 40K Gooseneck Tow Package for 40,000 lb |
| F-550 Super Duty chassis cab | 19,500 lb | 34,300 lb | 6.7L diesel, 43,000 lb GCWR | High-Capacity Trailer Tow Package; upfit body weight reduces these numbers |
| Expedition | 9,600 lb | n/a | 3.5L EcoBoost 4x4, 15,900 lb GCWR | Weight-distributing hitch over 7,000 lb (Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow is standard on 4x4) |
| Expedition MAX | 9,000 lb | n/a | 3.5L EcoBoost 4x4 | Weight-distributing hitch over 7,000 lb |
| Ranger | 7,500 lb | n/a | 2.3L or 2.7L EcoBoost | Trailer Tow Package over 3,500 lb |
| Explorer | 5,000 lb | n/a | 2.3L or 3.0L EcoBoost | Class III Trailer Tow Package is standard |
| Maverick | 4,000 lb | n/a | 2.5L hybrid or 2.0L EcoBoost AWD | 4K Tow Package over 2,000 lb |
| Bronco | 3,500 lb (Raptor 4,500 lb) | n/a | 2.3L or 2.7L EcoBoost | Dealer-installed hitch and wiring over 2,000 lb |
| Bronco Sport | 2,700 lb (Badlands) | n/a | 2.0L EcoBoost; 1.5L models tow 2,200 lb | Class II Trailer Tow Package over 1,500 lb |
| Transit cargo van | 6,900 lb | n/a | 3.5L EcoBoost, rear-wheel drive | Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package over 5,000 lb |
| Transit cutaway / chassis cab | 7,500 lb | n/a | 3.5L EcoBoost, 15,000 lb GCWR | Check the upfit's weight |
Source: Ford Motor Company, 2026 RV & Trailer Towing Guide and model towing guides (revisions through October 2026). Maximums assume a properly equipped vehicle with a 150-lb driver and passenger and no cargo; options, passengers, cargo and the hitch reduce them. GCWR is gross combination weight rating: the most the truck, trailer, passengers and cargo can weigh together.
What changes for 2027: Ford has started publishing 2027 towing guides, beginning with the Explorer and Super Duty. We'll add a 2027 column here as ratings are confirmed for the trucks arriving on our lot.
Discontinued, but still on the road: Escape and F-150 Lightning
Ford built its last Escape in December 2025 and ended F-150 Lightning production the same month, so neither is in the 2026 guide. If you own one or are shopping used:
- Escape (2020-2025): up to 3,500 lb with the 2.0L EcoBoost and Class II Trailer Tow Package; 2,000 lb with the 1.5L EcoBoost; 1,500 lb for the hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
- F-150 Lightning (2025): up to 10,000 lb with the extended-range battery and Max Trailer Tow Package; 5,100 to 7,700 lb with the standard-range battery. Expect range to drop sharply when towing.
How to read the stickers on your own truck
The brochure number is the best case. These two labels tell you what your specific vehicle can do.
- Open the driver's door and find the Safety Compliance Certification Label on the door jamb. It lists the GVWR (the most the loaded vehicle can weigh), the front and rear GAWR (the most each axle can carry) and an AXLE code. Ford's towing guide translates that code into your axle ratio, which decides which row of the towing chart applies to you.
- Find the Tire and Loading Information label next to it. "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed ___ lb" is your real payload, and the trailer's tongue weight counts against it.
- Look up your engine, cab, drive and axle ratio in Ford's towing guide for your model year to get your maximum trailer weight and GCWR.
- Check the hitch receiver's label. It lists its own weight-carrying and weight-distributing limits; the lowest of the truck, hitch and ball ratings wins.
The payload math most people skip
Tongue weight should be about 10% of a conventional trailer's loaded weight, or 15% of a 5th-wheel's. Say your F-150's payload label reads 1,700 lb and you hitch up a 7,000-lb camper: that's 700 lb of tongue weight, plus four people at 600 lb and 200 lb of coolers and gear, or 1,500 lb. You're under, but only by 200 lb, and well below the truck's 13,500-lb brochure number. Payload often runs out before towing capacity does.
To know for sure, weigh the loaded truck and trailer on a certified truck-stop scale, then weigh the truck alone.
What Central Virginia trailers actually weigh
These are typical loaded weights for the trailers we're asked about most, drawn from manufacturer specifications and the sources listed. Your own trailer's label and a scale ticket always win.
| Trailer | Typical loaded weight | Where the number comes from | Tongue weight | 2026 Fords rated for it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18- to 20-ft bass boat, motor, fuel and gear on a single-axle trailer | 2,500 to 3,500 lb | Boat and trailer weigh about 2,200 to 2,800 lb dry [11]; an 18-ft rig runs about 3,400 lb loaded [12] | 250 to 350 lb | Maverick with 4K Tow, Bronco, Explorer and up |
| 22-ft pontoon with outboard on a trailer | 3,200 to 4,500 lb | Examples: 3,160 lb loaded [13]; 3,600 lb package for a G3 Suncatcher 22 [14]; 3,260 to 4,405 lb for 21- to 22-ft Sun Tracker and Starcraft models [15] | 320 to 450 lb | Explorer, Ranger, Expedition, F-150 |
| 24-ft travel trailer | Up to 6,000 to 7,550 lb (GVWR) | Jayco Jay Flight SLX 211MBW: 4,225 lb dry plus 1,775 lb cargo capacity [16]; Keystone Passport 216RD: 6,000-lb GVWR [17]; Forest River Grey Wolf 18RR: 7,550-lb GVWR [18] | 600 to 755 lb | Expedition, F-150 (check payload); Ranger only at the light end |
| 2-horse bumper-pull trailer with two horses | 4,400 to 6,000 lb | Trailers weigh 2,400 to 3,200 lb empty [19] up to 3,800 to 4,000 lb for Double D models [20]; two horses add about 2,000 lb [20] | 440 to 600 lb | Ranger, Expedition, F-150 |
| 2-horse gooseneck trailer with two horses | 5,700 to 7,100 lb | Trailers weigh about 3,700 to 4,700 lb empty [19]; two horses add about 2,000 to 2,400 lb | 855 to 1,065 lb (15%) | F-150 with gooseneck hitch, F-250 and up |
Bracketed numbers match the sources at the bottom of the page.
How to find your own trailer's weight
- The trailer's VIN plate or certification label, usually on the tongue or front left corner, lists its GVWR: the most the trailer and everything in it can weigh. If your truck can tow the trailer's GVWR, you're covered however you load it.
- The title or registration shows the empty weight. Add the motor, fuel, batteries and gear for a boat; water, propane and everything you pack for a camper.
- A certified scale gives the real number. Weigh the truck and loaded trailer together, then the truck alone; the difference is your trailer's loaded weight.
Water weighs about 8.3 lb a gallon and gasoline about 6 lb, so full tanks add up quickly. Weigh the rig the way you'll actually tow it.
Virginia trailer rules once you pass 3,000 lb
- Brakes: any trailer with an actual gross weight of 3,000 lb or more must have brakes the driver can control, plus a breakaway brake that applies if the trailer separates (Code of Virginia § 46.2-1070 and the State Police inspection rules). Ford recommends trailer brakes above 1,500 lb.
- Annual state inspection: a trailer with brakes must be inspected every year. Boat, utility and travel trailers without brakes don't need inspection (§ 46.2-1161).
- Brake controller: a trailer with electric brakes needs one. Ford's trailer brake controller is built in or available on the F-150, Super Duty, Expedition and Transit, and included in the Ranger Trailer Tow and Maverick 4K Tow packages. The Explorer needs an aftermarket controller.
- Safety chains: cross them under the tongue and leave only enough slack to turn.
Hitch classes in plain English
| Class | Trailer weight | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Class I | Up to 2,000 lb | Jon boats, jet skis, small utility trailers |
| Class II | 2,001 to 3,500 lb | Pop-up campers, bass boats, single-axle trailers up to about 18 ft |
| Class III | 3,501 to 5,000 lb | Pontoons, dual-axle travel trailers |
| Class IV | Over 5,000 lb | Large travel trailers, horse and equipment trailers; usually a weight-distributing hitch |
| 5th-wheel / gooseneck | Mounted in the bed | The heaviest RVs, stock and horse trailers; Super Duty offers a factory prep package |
Need a hitch, wiring or a brake controller added? Our Parts department carries Ford's hitch receivers and wiring kits. On a Bronco, towing more than 2,000 lb requires the dealer-installed hitch and wiring.
Pro Trailer Backup Assist and other towing tech
Pro Trailer Backup Assist lets you steer a trailer in reverse with a knob instead of the steering wheel: turn the knob the way you want the trailer to go and the truck does the counter-steering. It's a big help at a busy ramp like Dutch Gap on a summer Saturday.
- Where you'll find it in 2026: F-150 and Super Duty (by trim), Ranger with the Trailer Tow Package, and standard on Expedition as Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0.
- Pro Trailer Hitch Assist lines the truck up with the coupler automatically on F-150, Super Duty and Expedition.
- Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch on Super Duty estimates payload and tongue weight on the touchscreen.
- Trailer Sway Control comes with Ford's trailer tow packages across the lineup.
Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver's attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a 2026 Ford Expedition tow?
Up to 9,600 lb for the standard-length Expedition 4x4 and 9,000 lb for the Expedition MAX. Trailers over 7,000 lb need a weight-distributing hitch.
What is the 2026 Ford F-150 towing capacity?
Up to 13,500 lb with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, Tow/Haul Package and Max Tow Axle. The 5.0L V8 tows up to 12,800 lb, the PowerBoost hybrid 12,400 lb and the 2.7L EcoBoost 8,400 lb.
How much can a Ford F-450 Super Duty tow?
The 2026 F-450 pickup tows up to 40,000 lb with a gooseneck, the 6.7L High Output Power Stroke diesel and the 40K Gooseneck Tow Package, and up to 30,000 lb with a conventional hitch.
How much can a Ford Explorer tow?
The 2026 Explorer is rated at 5,000 lb with its standard Class III Trailer Tow Package, with either the 2.3L or 3.0L EcoBoost.
What is the Bronco Sport towing capacity?
2,200 lb for 1.5L models and 2,700 lb for the Badlands with its 2.0L EcoBoost, both with the Class II Trailer Tow Package. Without the package, keep trailers under 1,500 lb.
What is the Ford Maverick towing capacity?
2,000 lb as built, or 4,000 lb with the 4K Tow Package on AWD hybrid and EcoBoost models.
How much can a Ford Escape tow?
The 2020-2025 Escape tows up to 3,500 lb with the 2.0L EcoBoost and Class II Trailer Tow Package, 2,000 lb with the 1.5L, and 1,500 lb as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Ford ended Escape production in December 2025.
How much can a Ford Transit tow?
Up to 6,900 lb for a 2026 Transit cargo van with the 3.5L EcoBoost and Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package, and up to 7,500 lb for cutaway and chassis cab models.
Does a trailer need brakes in Virginia?
Yes, once its actual gross weight reaches 3,000 lb, along with a breakaway brake. Trailers with brakes need an annual state safety inspection.
Where do I find my Ford's towing capacity?
Start with the door-jamb Safety Compliance Certification Label for GVWR and the axle code, then look up your engine, cab and axle in Ford's RV & Trailer Towing Guide for that model year. The payload on the Tire and Loading label limits how much tongue weight you can carry.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these sources, checked November 10, 2026. We update this guide when Ford revises its towing guides and add 2027 ratings as they are published.
- Ford Motor Company, “2026 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide (rev. October 22, 2026).” www.ford.com/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/towing/pdf/2026-Ford-RV-and-Trailer-Towing-Guide-v6.pdf F-150, Super Duty, Ranger, Maverick, chassis cab and Transit ratings; weight definitions; hitch classes.
- Ford Motor Company, “2026 Ford Expedition Towing Guide.” www.vdm.ford.com/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/towing/pdf/2026-Ford-Expedition-Towing-Guide.pdf Expedition and Expedition MAX.
- Ford Motor Company, “2026 Ford Explorer Towing Guide.” www.vdm.ford.com/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/towing/pdf/2026-Ford-Explorer-Towing-Guide.pdf Explorer.
- Ford Motor Company, “2026 Ford Bronco Towing Guide.” www.vdm.ford.com/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/towing/pdf/2026-Ford-Bronco-Towing-Guide.pdf Bronco and Bronco Raptor.
- Ford Motor Company, “2026 Ford Bronco Sport Towing Guide (rev. March 23, 2026).” www.ford.com/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/towing/pdf/2026-Ford-Bronco-Sport-Towing-Guide-v2.pdf Bronco Sport.
- Ford Motor Company, “Ford Escape performance and towing.” www.ford.com/suvs-crossovers/escape/performance Escape ratings by engine.
- Ford Motor Company, “2025 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide.” www.vdm.ford.com/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/towing/pdf/2025-Ford-RV-and-Trailer-Towing-Guide.pdf F-150 Lightning.
- Code of Virginia, “§ 46.2-1070. Brakes on trailers.” law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/46.2-1070/ 3,000-lb brake threshold.
- Virginia Administrative Code, “19VAC30-70-100. Brakes: trailer.” law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title19/agency30/chapter70/section100 Breakaway brakes; inspection.
- Henrico County Police, “Utility Trailer Compliance.” henrico.gov/assets/Police_Utility_Trailer_Compliance.pdf Inspection rules (§§ 46.2-1157, 46.2-1161).
- Crow Survival, “How Much Does a Bass Boat Weigh? With 19 Examples.” crowsurvival.com/?p=1971 Bass boat and trailer dry weight.
- CalcPro, “Boat Trailer Weight Calculator.” usecalcpro.com/marine/boat-trailer-weight-calculator 18-ft bass boat loaded rig example.
- J.D. Power, “How Much Does a Pontoon Boat Weigh?.” www.jdpower.com/boats/shopping-guides/how-much-does-a-pontoon-boat-weigh Pontoon and trailer loaded example.
- Better Boat, “Average Pontoon Boat Weight: 10 Common Examples.” betterboat.com/en-ca/blogs/pontoon/average-pontoon-boat-weight-10-common-examples G3 Suncatcher X22RF package weight.
- Maritime Page, “Average Pontoon Boat Weight With 51 Examples.” maritimepage.com/average-pontoon-boat-weight-with-51-examples/ Pontoon and trailer weights by model.
- Camping World, “Our Favorite 24 FT Travel Trailer Floor Plans.” blog.campingworld.com/find-your-rv/24-ft-travel-trailer-floor-plans/ Jayco Jay Flight SLX 211MBW specs.
- Camper Smarts, “Travel trailers under 6,000 lbs.” campersmarts.com/?p=16313 Keystone Passport 216RD specs.
- RV Wholesalers, “Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 18RR.” rvwholesalers.com/forest-river-rvs/cherokee-grey-wolf-travel-trailer/18RR Grey Wolf 18RR specs.
- Horse Rookie, “Horse Trailer Weights by the Numbers.” horserookie.com/horse-trailer-weights/ Bumper-pull and gooseneck empty weights.
- Double D Trailers, “Horse trailer weight and towing.” www.doubledtrailers.com/?p=6756 Double D 2-horse bumper-pull weights; horse weight.
Towing ratings are Ford maximums when properly equipped and vary with cargo, configuration, accessories and passengers. Check your vehicle's labels and Owner's Manual before towing. This is general information, not legal advice.
Find a Ford rated for your trailer.