The Lincoln Aviator was introduced into Lincoln’s lineup as a mid-size luxury SUV in 2003 and remains available through today. The Aviator is known for its unique styling and for having the features consumers expect from SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Lincoln Aviator?
The Lincoln Aviator has a towing capacity of up to 5,600 pounds depending on the year, if it is 2WD or 4WD, engine size, axle ratio, and if it has an HD cooling package.
There’s a bit more to know about Lincoln Aviator towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
2023 Lincoln Aviator Towing Capacity
The 2023 Lincoln Aviator can tow 5,600 lbs across all trim levels and configurations.
A 2023 Lincoln Aviator Base Model can tow 5,600 pounds.
A 2023 Lincoln Aviator Reserve can tow 5,600 pounds.
A 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label can tow 5,600 pounds.
A 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring can tow 5,600 pounds.
A 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Black Label can tow 5,600 pounds.
| Lincoln Aviator Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| Aviator (Base) | 5,600 lbs / 2,540 kg |
| Reserve | 5,600 lbs / 2,540 kg |
| Black Label | 5,600 lbs / 2,540 kg |
| Grand Touring | 5,600 lbs / 2,540 kg |
| Grand Touring Black Label | 5,600 lbs / 2,540 kg |
Lincoln Aviator Hybrid Towing Capacity
The Lincoln Aviator Hybrid has a towing capacity of 5,600 lbs / 2,540 kg.
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Here’s a video showing the Lincoln Aviator being put to a real-world review:
Lincoln Aviator Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
Lincoln Aviator Braked Towing Capacity: up to 7,300 lbs.
Lincoln Aviator Unbraked Towing Capacity: 1,653 lbs / 750 kg
Lincoln Aviator Towing Capacity Factors
There are a few factors that affect the Lincoln Aviator tow capacity.
Model Year
The Aviator’s tow capability varied a lot by year and generation.
Varying model years of the Aviator had a max towing capability ranging from 3,500 lbs to 7,300 lbs.
Axle Ratio
The smaller the axle ratio, the more towing power the Aviator had. This is not true for all model years, but this played a factor in the earlier model years.
2WD vs 4WD
Whether or not your Aviator was 4×2 or 4×4 also affected how much it can tow for the first generation Aviators (2003-2005).
4×2 Aviators typically had greater towing power than the AWD versions.
Number of Passengers
A big factor in calculating your vehicle’s towing capacity is how many passengers you’re carrying, which directly calculates into the vehicle’s GCWR.
This is true of all vehicles, not just the Lincoln Aviator, so always take into consideration the total load of your passengers and gear in addition to what you’re towing.
Lincoln Aviator Tow Package Info
Does The Lincoln Aviator Have A Tow Package?
Lincoln offers a towing package for the Aviator, option code 52Q.
Lincoln Aviator Trailer Towing Package (option code 52Q)
- 4-Pin and 7-Pin Connector
- Class IV Hitch Receiver
- Blind Spot Info System with Trailer Coverage
- Smart Trailer Tow
- Trailer Sway Control
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Lincoln Aviator?
If you plan on towing anything with your Lincoln Aviator, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.
Lincoln Aviator Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Lincoln Aviator uses a Class 3 or Class 4 hitch.
Here’s a great option for a Class III Lincoln Aviator trailer hitch:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. This trailer hitch is rated for 5,000 lbs. gross trailer weight, 500 lbs. tongue weight, 8,000 lbs. weight distribution capacity and 800 lbs. weight distribution tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- VERSATILE DESIGN. This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver, allowing for a wide variety of towing options. It can accept a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and much more
- FULLY TESTED. Every CURT class 3 trailer hitch design is tested in real-world, on-vehicle conditions at our Detroit engineering facility. Aftermarket hitches are tested according to SAE J684 standards for the utmost safety while hauling
- RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT. This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid A-coat and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays
- EASY TO INSTALL. This hitch offers a custom, factory fit on select model years of the Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator and Mercury Mountaineer
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your Aviator:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
Lincoln Aviator Trailer Hitch Installation
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions when installing a tow hitch on your Aviator.
Lincoln Aviator Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your Aviator, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With a Lincoln Aviator?
The Lincoln Aviator stock bumper is not rated for bumper towing, so you’ll need to install a frame-mounted hitch like the one we listed earlier in this guide or an aftermarket bumper with a hitch ball on it.
How Do I Know If My Lincoln Aviator Has A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your Aviator to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your Aviator.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
2022 Lincoln Aviator Towing Capacity
The 2022 Lincoln Aviator can tow 5,600 lbs across all trim levels and configurations.
A 2022 Lincoln Aviator Base Model can tow 5,600 pounds.
A 2022 Lincoln Aviator Reserve can tow 5,600 pounds.
A 2022 Lincoln Aviator Black Label can tow 5,600 pounds.
A 2022 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring can tow 5,600 pounds.
A 2022 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Black Label can tow 5,600 pounds.
| Lincoln Aviator Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| Aviator (Base) | 5,600 lbs / 2,540 kg |
| Reserve | 5,600 lbs / 2,540 kg |
| Black Label | 5,600 lbs / 2,540 kg |
| Grand Touring | 5,600 lbs / 2,540 kg |
| Grand Touring Black Label | 5,600 lbs / 2,540 kg |
2021 Lincoln Aviator Towing Capacity
The 2021 Lincoln Aviator can tow between 5,600 lbs and 6,700 lbs depending on whether it has the 52Q tow package installed.
A 2021 Lincoln Aviator without a towing package can tow 5,600 pounds.
A 2021 Lincoln Aviator with a towing package can tow 6,700 pounds.
| Lincoln Aviator Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Towing Package Installed |
| All | 5,600 lbs / 2,540 kg | No |
| All | 6,700 lbs / 3,039 kg | Yes |
2020 Lincoln Aviator Towing Capacity
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator can tow between 5,600 lbs and 6,700 lbs depending on whether it has the 52Q tow package installed.
A 2020 Lincoln Aviator without a towing package can tow 5,600 pounds.
A 2020 Lincoln Aviator with a towing package can tow 6,700 pounds.
| Lincoln Aviator Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Towing Package Installed |
| All | 5,600 lbs / 2,540 kg | No |
| All | 6,700 lbs / 3,039 kg | Yes |
2005 Lincoln Aviator Towing Capacity
The 2005 Lincoln Aviator can tow between 3,500 lbs and 7,100 lbs depending on if it is 4×2 or AWD.
A 2005 Lincoln Aviator 4 x 2 can tow 3,500 pounds.
A 2005 Lincoln Aviator AWD can tow 7,100 pounds.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2005 Lincoln Aviator can tow.
| Lincoln Aviator Trim Level | Towing Capacity | 4 x 2 vs AWD |
| All | 3,500 lbs / 1,588 kg | 4 x 2 |
| All | 7,100 lbs / 3,220 kg | 4 x 4 |
2004 Lincoln Aviator Towing Capacity
The 2004 Lincoln Aviator can tow between 3,500 lbs and 7,300 lbs depending on the rear axle ratio and if it is 4×2 or AWD.
A 2004 Lincoln Aviator 4 x 2 can tow 3,500 pounds.
A 2004 Lincoln Aviator AWD can tow 7,100 pounds.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2004 Lincoln Aviator can tow.
| Lincoln Aviator Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Rear Axle Ratio | 4 x 2 vs AWD |
| All | 3,500 lbs / 1,588 kg | 3.73 | 4 x 2 |
| All | 7,300 lbs / 3,311 kg | 3.55 | 4 x 2 |
| All | 7,100 lbs / 3,220 kg | 3.73 | 4 x 4 |
2003 Lincoln Aviator Towing Capacity
The 2003 Lincoln Aviator can tow between 7,100 lbs and 7,300 lbs depending on if it is 4×2 or AWD.
A 2003 Lincoln Aviator 4 x 2 can tow 7,300 pounds.
A 2003 Lincoln Aviator AWD can tow 7,100 pounds.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2004 Lincoln Aviator can tow.
| Lincoln Aviator Trim Level | Towing Capacity | 4 x 2 vs AWD |
| All | 7,300 lbs / 3,311 kg | 4 x 2 |
| All | 7,100 lbs / 3,220 kg | AWD |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official Lincoln Aviator Owner’s Manuals on Lincoln’s website and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with your Lincoln Aviator.
