Ford Taurus Towing Capacity (All Years 2009-2019)

The Ford Taurus is a full-size front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive sedan produced by Ford from 1986 through the 2019 model year, spanning six generations.

Towing capacity varies depending on the model year, engine configuration, and drivetrain setup.

This guide covers Ford Taurus towing specifications by model year, including maximum trailer weight, tongue weight limits, hitch class, and drivetrain details.

Following manufacturer-rated towing limits helps protect the engine, transmission, and braking systems during trailer operation.

The Ford Taurus is not a purpose-built towing vehicle. Factory-installed towing equipment was never offered for any Taurus configuration. All aftermarket hitches are limited to the vehicle’s rated capacity, regardless of the hitch’s standalone rating.

2019 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2019 Ford Taurus carries a maximum towing capacity of 1,000 lbs (453 kg) across all standard trim configurations. The Taurus SHO is not rated to tow a trailer despite its higher-output 3.5L EcoBoost engine. No factory-installed towing equipment was offered; towing requires an aftermarket Class II hitch.

2018 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2018 Ford Taurus is rated at 1,000 lbs (453 kg) maximum towing capacity for all trims except the SHO. Ford’s official 2018 Trailer Towing Selector confirms this limit for both FWD and AWD configurations with the 3.5L V6. The SHO trim remains excluded from trailer towing ratings entirely.

2017 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2017 Ford Taurus maintains a 1,000 lb (453 kg) maximum trailer weight rating across all non-SHO trims. Both the 3.5L V6 and the optional 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder share the same towing limit for this model year. No factory tow package is offered; an aftermarket Class II receiver hitch is required.

2016 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2016 Ford Taurus is rated for a maximum towing capacity of 1,000 lbs (453 kg) in dead-weight hitch configurations. The maximum tongue weight for a dead-weight hitch setup is 100 lbs (45 kg). AWD and FWD variants share the same towing limit for this generation.

2015 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2015 Ford Taurus carries a maximum loaded trailer weight of 1,000 lbs (453 kg) for both the 2.0L EcoBoost and 3.5L V6 configurations. Ford’s official 2015 Trailer Towing Selector confirms no factory towing equipment is offered for this application. The Taurus SHO is not rated to tow a trailer in this model year.

2014 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2014 Ford Taurus is rated at 1,000 lbs (453 kg) maximum towing capacity, consistent with the sixth-generation platform. All engine options, including the 2.0L EcoBoost and 3.5L V6, share this same trailer weight limit. Staying within this limit is essential to protecting the front-wheel-drive suspension and transmission components.

2013 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2013 Ford Taurus received a mid-cycle refresh but maintained the same 1,000 lb (453 kg) maximum towing capacity as earlier sixth-generation models. The curb weight of approximately 4,341 lbs limits trailer towing relative to the vehicle’s total mass. An aftermarket Class II hitch with a 1-1/4 inch receiver is the only supported towing configuration.

2012 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2012 Ford Taurus is rated at 1,000 lbs (453 kg) maximum trailer weight, consistent across the sixth generation. The 3.5L Duratec V6 engine powers the base and SE trims for this year. No factory towing package or integrated trailer harness was available from Ford for this sedan configuration.

2011 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2011 Ford Taurus carries a 1,000 lb (453 kg) maximum towing capacity, applying to both FWD and AWD drivetrains. The sixth generation Taurus was reintroduced for this model year, replacing the Ford Five Hundred nameplate. Towing capacity did not increase compared to the preceding generation.

2010 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2010 Ford Taurus marks the first year of the sixth generation and is rated at a 1,000 lb (453 kg) maximum trailer weight. The curb weight of approximately 4,224 lbs for this generation limits trailer towing capability. The new Duratec 35 V6 engine did not produce an increase in official towing ratings versus the prior-generation sedan.

2009 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2009 Ford Taurus carries a maximum towing capacity of 1,000 lbs (453 kg). This model year represents the fifth-generation Taurus, rebadged from the Ford Five Hundred platform. The maximum tongue weight is limited to approximately 100 lbs (45 kg) with an aftermarket dead-weight hitch.

2008 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2008 Ford Taurus is rated at 1,000 lbs (453 kg) maximum towing capacity. Ford revived the Taurus name for this model year, replacing the Five Hundred with a new appearance and the Duratec 35 3.5L engine. Towing specifications carried over directly from the Ford Five Hundred platform it replaced.

2006 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2006 Ford Taurus has a maximum towing capacity of 1,750 lbs (794 kg), a reduction from the 2,000 lb rating seen in earlier fourth-generation years. Ford simplified the 2006 Taurus lineup by reducing available trims and powertrain options. The sole engine available is the 3.0L Vulcan V6 rated at 153 horsepower.

2005 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2005 Ford Taurus has a maximum towing capacity of up to 2,000 lbs (907 kg) in certain configurations. Base SE configurations may be rated lower at approximately 1,250 lbs, while higher-specification variants reach the 2,000 lb ceiling. Staying within the rated tongue weight limit of 200 lbs is essential to maintaining steering and braking performance.

2004 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2004 Ford Taurus is rated at up to 2,000 lbs (907 kg) maximum towing capacity. Specific SE trim variants may be rated lower at approximately 1,100 lbs (499 kg), with higher-specification configurations reaching the 2,000 lb ceiling. This was one of the final production years before Ford ended Taurus sedan sales, with the last sedan produced in June 2004.

2003 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2003 Ford Taurus carries a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 lbs (907 kg). The curb weight of approximately 3,514 lbs for this fourth-generation platform supports a higher trailer weight rating than later generations. No factory tow package was offered; towing requires an aftermarket Class II hitch receiver.

2002 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2002 Ford Taurus is rated at a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 lbs (907 kg). The curb weight of 3,532 lbs for this year is typical of the fourth-generation platform. Trailer towing requires an aftermarket hitch installation, as Ford did not produce factory towing equipment for the Taurus sedan.

2001 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2001 Ford Taurus has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 lbs (907 kg) with a curb weight of approximately 3,519 lbs. The 3.0L Vulcan V6 is the standard engine for this model year. Exceeding the tongue weight or trailer weight limits risks premature wear to the vehicle’s suspension, transmission, and brake components.

2000 Ford Taurus Towing Capacity

The 2000 Ford Taurus is rated at a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 lbs (907 kg). The curb weight of approximately 3,535 lbs is the highest among fourth-generation Taurus models. This model year represents the beginning of the fourth-generation Taurus production cycle.

Towing Equipment and Setup

The Ford Taurus was never sold with a factory tow package. All towing must be conducted using aftermarket Class II equipment rated to the vehicle’s limits, not the hitch’s standalone capacity.

Hitch Selection

An aftermarket Class II hitch with a 1-1/4 inch receiver is the appropriate choice for 2000-2019 Ford Taurus models. The hitch hardware rating is irrelevant if it exceeds the vehicle’s towing capacity limit. The lowest-rated component, which is the vehicle itself, always governs the towing limit.

Trailer Brake Controller

For trailers approaching or exceeding 1,000 lbs, a trailer brake controller is a recommended safety addition. Electric trailer brake controllers connect to the vehicle’s braking system and apply trailer brakes proportionally. This reduces stopping distance and reduces drivetrain strain during deceleration.

Tongue Weight Management

The tongue weight limit for 2008-2019 Taurus models is 100 lbs (45 kg). For 2000-2005 models, the tongue weight limit is 200 lbs (91 kg). Tongue weight must stay between 10 and 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight for stable towing behavior.

Normal vs. Heavy Towing Setup for the Ford Taurus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum towing capacity of a Ford Taurus?

The maximum towing capacity of a Ford Taurus ranges from 1,000 lbs to 2,000 lbs depending on model year. Fourth-generation models from 2000 to 2005 reach up to 2,000 lbs (907 kg), while sixth-generation models from 2010 to 2019 are limited to 1,000 lbs (453 kg). The SHO trim is not rated to tow a trailer in any model year.

How much can a Ford Taurus tow with a tow package?

The Ford Taurus was never sold with a factory tow package in any model year. Ford’s official towing selectors confirm that factory-installed towing equipment was not available for the Taurus platform. An aftermarket Class II hitch is the only supported towing option, and the vehicle’s rated capacity still applies regardless of hitch rating.

Does AWD affect Ford Taurus towing capacity?

AWD and FWD variants of the Ford Taurus share the same maximum towing capacity for the same model year. Ford’s trailer towing selector data lists a single towing limit covering both FWD and AWD configurations of the 2015-2018 Taurus. Drivetrain selection does not increase towing capacity in the Taurus lineup.

What trailer weight is safe for a Ford Taurus?

A safe trailer weight for most Ford Taurus models is no more than 80 percent of the rated maximum towing capacity. For 2010-2019 models, a practical safe trailer weight is approximately 800 lbs (363 kg) or less. For 2000-2005 models, staying at or below 1,600 lbs (726 kg) provides an appropriate safety buffer.

Do I need a weight-distributing hitch for a Ford Taurus?

A weight-distributing hitch is not applicable to the Ford Taurus given its 1,000 to 2,000 lb towing capacity range. Weight-distributing hitches are designed for vehicles with conventional towing capacities of 5,000 lbs or more. A standard dead-weight Class II hitch is the correct and only supported aftermarket option for the Taurus.

What hitch class fits a Ford Taurus?

The Ford Taurus is compatible with Class II aftermarket trailer hitches featuring a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening. Class II hitches are rated up to 3,500 lbs gross trailer weight and 300 lbs tongue weight as a standalone unit. However, the vehicle’s towing capacity limits remain binding regardless of the hitch’s rated capacity.

Conclusion

The Ford Taurus towing capacity ranges from 1,000 lbs (453 kg) in sixth-generation models (2010-2019) to a maximum of 2,000 lbs (907 kg) in fourth-generation models (2000-2005). Towing capacity is not affected by engine configuration or drivetrain selection within a given model year, as all Taurus variants share the same rated limit. No factory tow package was offered at any point in the Taurus production history, making aftermarket Class II hitch installation the only towing option for all model years. The Taurus SHO trim is explicitly excluded from trailer towing in all production years it was offered.

Engine output and curb weight both factor into the platform’s limited towing ratings relative to similarly sized vehicles. Exceeding the manufacturer’s rated trailer weight or tongue weight limits accelerates wear on the transmission, front suspension, and brake system. Always verify specifications using the owner’s manual or Ford’s official trailer towing selector guide before towing any load.