1996 Ford Explorer Four-Door 4x4 towing capacity

The 1996 Ford Explorer Four-Door 4x4 is published in one configuration with a tow rating of 5,100 lb (mid-size SUV / pickup territory).

The table below lists every trim of the 1996 Ford Explorer Four-Door 4x4 with the engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, horsepower, torque, GVWR, curb weight, and payload that go with that trim's headline tow rating. Manufacturers often publish more than one tow figure per truck — a conventional bumper-hitch rating, a weight-distributing rating, and a gooseneck or fifth-wheel rating — so the highest number here is the maximum across all hitch classes the source carries for the trim.

Per-trim breakdown

How to interpret the headline tow figure

Tow ratings at this level are normally achievable with a conventional Class II or Class III receiver hitch. Always verify your vehicle has the manufacturer's tow package installed if you intend to tow at the upper end of the rating, and inspect the door-jamb sticker for the actual maximum permitted on your specific configuration.

How this year compares to 1995

The 1995 Ford Explorer Four-Door 4x4 carried a maximum tow rating of 5,000 lb. The 1996 model adds 100 lb on top of that — usually a sign the manufacturer added a tow package option, refreshed the powertrain, or revised hitch class certification. See the 1995 Ford Explorer Four-Door 4x4 page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.

Other 1996 Ford models

The rest of Ford's 1996 lineup, ranked by maximum tow rating. Click through for the per-trim breakdown of any of these.

Notes

• Requires 3.73:1 axle ratio.

All figures sourced from manufacturer documentation. See our methodology for how the dataset is compiled. Always confirm against your vehicle's door-jamb sticker before towing.