Experienced campers help-Is this safe to tow to the Fort

[Bluefamily]

While reading another post, "What are the sites like in the 1400 Loop?" I noticed the poster was planning on pulling a 30' hybrid trailer with a Ford Explorer from Maine to the Fort.

As expressed in his original post... I think he is putting his family at great risk!

For experienced towers, please share your opinion of this towing arangement. I realize we don't have the exact specs.,but I don't think it necessary for the above set up.

Not trying to be the towing police, just concerned!

 

[tim5055]

You already posted your displeasure in the original thread, why the need for this one?

Sorry, but without the specifics of the trailer and tow vehicle there is no way you can say this is unsafe. Depending on accessories, there have been the Ford Explorer has at time been rated to tow up into the 7,000 - 8,000 range.

 

[Bluefamily]

I started a new thread because of my concern for a family of five pulling this rig.

I don't think a lot of people will see the original post because it's off topic and i think it is extremely important that the original poster understand the limits of their tow vehicle.

In response to the specs, I think most experienced towers would agree that regardless of the towing capacity, the Explorer does not have a large enough wheelbase to handle a 30' trailer.

 

[69RoadRunner]

Sorry, but without the specifics of the trailer and tow vehicle there is no way you can say this is unsafe. Depending on accessories, there have been the Ford Explorer has at time been rated to tow up into the 7,000 - 8,000 range.

I agree. You'd need to know the weight of the trailer and the weight of stuff in the Exploder.

 

[daddyphat808]

With Hybrid trailers it could be that it is 30ft folded out. Our Hybrid is 23 foot folded up but with the bunks out is close to 30ft. Hybrids are lightweight glorified pop ups.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Without specifics the debate is pointless.

 

[LarryJ]

Without specifics the debate is pointless.

I agree, but a 30' anything towed by an Explorer does get my attention. The trailer in my signature is 31' 2" and that is a full sized one ton Van ... just picture a Ford Explorer in place of my Van

Larry

 

[stacktester]

I agree, but a 30' anything towed by an Explorer does get my attention. The trailer in my signature is 31' 2" and that is a full sized one ton Van ... just picture a Ford Explorer in place of my Van

Larry

IIRC they made an Explorer the same color as your van.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

While reading another post, "What are the sites like in the 1400 Loop?" I noticed the poster was planning on pulling a 30' hybrid trailer with a Ford Explorer from Maine to the Fort.

As expressed in his original post... I think he is putting his family at great risk!

For experienced towers, please share your opinion of this towing arangement. I realize we don't have the exact specs.,but I don't think it necessary for the above set up.

Not trying to be the towing police, just concerned!

I really know nothing about towing a 30' with an explorer. We only pull a pop-up and did plenty of research for that....ended up with a Suburban


But I did want to say that I admire your concern for this family. Most would have "minded their own business" but you didn't. If I were in their situation, I would certainly appreciate someone looking out for me! So kudos to you! I hope your good samaritan attitude helps keep this family safe!

 

[Kagoguen]

With Hybrid trailers it could be that it is 30ft folded out. Our Hybrid is 23 foot folded up but with the bunks out is close to 30ft. Hybrids are lightweight glorified pop ups.

Yes this post is about me.
I have a 2002 Ford Explorer, v8, 7 passanger eddie bauer, that can haul up to 7500lbs, my hybrid is a 2007 Jayco Feather light, and it is 23 ft long and opens up to a little over 29', it weighs 5400lbs, I also have a sway and tow hitch, I have been hauling it all around Maine and New Hampshire, and I thought I might like to bring it down to disney will save us around $800 rather than staying at a Value Resort and paying for dinners and such. What do you guys think?

 

[Cindy F]

Yes this post is about me.
I have a 2002 Ford Explorer, v8, 7 passanger eddie bauer, that can haul up to 7500lbs, my hybrid is a 2007 Jayco Feather light, and it is 23 ft long and opens up to a little over 29', it weighs 5400lbs, I also have a sway and tow hitch, I have been hauling it all around Maine and New Hampshire, and I thought I might like to bring it down to disney will save us around $800 rather than staying at a Value Resort and paying for dinners and such. What do you guys think?

I think you guys would be much safer with a pop up. You should give us your hybrid and we'll be glad to give you our pop up in return........just trying to help out! ~grin~

I think you're totally fine.

 

[Kagoguen]

I think you guys would be much safer with a pop up. You should give us your hybrid and we'll be glad to give you our pop up in return........just trying to help out! ~grin~

I think you're totally fine.

Aaaahhhhh, na.
Thanks for your response, though.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Yes this post is about me.
I have a 2002 Ford Explorer, v8, 7 passanger eddie bauer, that can haul up to 7500lbs, my hybrid is a 2007 Jayco Feather light, and it is 23 ft long and opens up to a little over 29', it weighs 5400lbs, I also have a sway and tow hitch, I have been hauling it all around Maine and New Hampshire, and I thought I might like to bring it down to disney will save us around $800 rather than staying at a Value Resort and paying for dinners and such. What do you guys think?

Well folks, there's the reason why I said what I said. Sometimes it pays to get the entire story.

 

[Kagoguen]

IIRC they made an Explorer the same color as your van.

And yes, mine is that color green, with gold trim.

 

[des1954]

I have a 1997 Eddie Bauer Explorer V-8. (That reminds me-I need to have a V8!) <ahem> Toreador red with gold trim. Looks great, runs great. No need for a new one. Never towed a TT with it, but did tow an '87, 21' Coachman TT with an F-150. With the exception of a little sway now & then, the F-150 didn't know the trailer was there, and an 87 TT weighed just a teensy bit more than the new feather-weight TT's. Sounds good to me! Go for the tow & enjoy the Fort!

 

[Kagoguen]

Thanks des1954
I can usually cruise the highway at about 60-65 on straight aways, hills I tend to slow down a little. With the sway and tow hitch, thats about the only time I can tell I'm hauling a trailer, except if the wind is gusting.

 

[disney4dan]

The only thing I did not see is whether you were able to put a weight distribution hitch with the rig.

Our first Tundra was rated to tow 7,200 pounds and did fine with our Jayco over the two years we towed with it, but would not want to try a trip to FL without the weight on the front wheels for braking. Remember that in extreme braking conditions, the force of the trailer is applied down on the tongue and can take weight off the front wheels during difficult stops.

There is also an inexpensive (relative of course) scale that can be purchased through Sherline manufacturing to let you know what weight you have on the trailer ball. It's quick and simple, and it has saved me a lot of aggravation. There have been times when I thought I had around 12 to 14% of the weight on the trailer ball and found that there was only about 400 pounds there! Re-arranging a few items to the front has surely saved me the shock and aggravation of uncontrollable trailer sway. The website for the scale describes why they created it (they are a machine shop company and nearly lost a trailer load of items one day when they hit the highway with too much weight on the rear of the storage trailer; led them to create the device for quick check on tongue weight).

http://www.sherline.com/lm.htm

I hope you enjoy the trip.

 

[des1954]

Great advice, Dan!

 

[big kahuna1]

While reading another post, "What are the sites like in the 1400 Loop?" I noticed the poster was planning on pulling a 30' hybrid trailer with a Ford Explorer from Maine to the Fort.

As expressed in his original post... I think he is putting his family at great risk!

For experienced towers, please share your opinion of this towing arangement. I realize we don't have the exact specs.,but I don't think it necessary for the above set up.

Not trying to be the towing police, just concerned!

Glad you were not trying to be the Weight Police because my experience has proven to me that the Weight Police do not have a clue as to what they are talking about 97.235% of the time.

It appears the defense in this case has rested and won. Case is now closed.

It is ALWAYS better to have all the facts before assumptions are made.

 

[2goofycampers]

I'll guess my weight to be 110 lbs.