1999 Ford Explorer towing capacity
The 1999 Ford Explorer is published in 13 configurations, with tow ratings ranging from 1,799 to 5,600 lb depending on cab, bed, drivetrain, and hitch class. The peak figure (5,600 lb) sits in mid-size SUV / pickup territory.
The table below lists every trim of the 1999 Ford Explorer 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
| Configuration | Engine | HP | Torque | Axle | Tow (lb) | GVWR | Curb | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport 2dr 4x2 | — | 160 | 225 | 3.27 | 2,000 | — | 3,675 | — |
| Sport 2dr 4x4 | — | 160 | 225 | 3.27 | 1,799 | — | 3,898 | — |
| XL 4dr 4x2 | — | 160 | 225 | 3.55 | 1,799 | — | 3,819 | — |
| XLT 4dr 4x2 | — | 160 | 225 | 3.55 | 1,799 | — | 3,819 | — |
| Eddie Bauer 4dr 4x2 | — | 210 | 240 | 3.55 | 4,799 | — | 3,819 | — |
| Limited 4dr 4x2 | — | 210 | 240 | 3.55 | 3,300 | — | 3,819 | — |
| XL 4dr 4x4 | — | 160 | 225 | 3.55 | 2,800 | — | 4,128 | — |
| XLT 4dr 4x4 | — | 160 | 225 | 3.55 | 2,800 | — | 4,128 | — |
| Eddie Bauer 4dr 4x4 | — | 210 | 240 | 3.55 | 5,600 | — | 4,128 | — |
| Limited 4dr 4x4 | — | 210 | 240 | 3.55 | 4,799 | — | 4,128 | — |
| XLT 4dr All-wheel Drive | — | 215 | 288 | 3.55 | 2,800 | — | 4,128 | — |
| Eddie Bauer 4dr All-wheel Drive | — | 215 | 288 | 3.73 | 5,600 | — | 4,128 | — |
| Limited 4dr All-wheel Drive | — | 215 | 288 | 3.73 | 4,799 | — | 4,128 | — |
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 1998
The 1998 Ford Explorer carried a maximum tow rating of 6,700 lb. The 1999 model is rated 1,100 lb lower — sometimes a real spec change, sometimes a re-test under a stricter standard like SAE J2807. See the 1998 Ford Explorer page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.
Other 1999 Ford models
The rest of Ford's 1999 lineup, ranked by maximum tow rating. Click through for the per-trim breakdown of any of these.
| Model | Max tow (lb) |
|---|---|
| 1999 Ford F250 Super Duty Regular CAB | 14,600 |
| 1999 Ford F350 Super Duty Regular CAB | 14,600 |
| 1999 Ford F250 | 14,600 |
| 1999 Ford F350 | 14,600 |
| 1999 Ford F250 Super Duty Super CAB | 14,300 |
| 1999 Ford F350 Super Duty Super CAB | 14,200 |
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.