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

[Cindy F]

I'll guess my weight to be 110 lbs.

Me too!!

But it would be a lie

 

[Doggmeat]

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.

not to start anything..but how could an explorer ever have been rated to tow 7-8000? a dodge dakota, which is bigger then an explorer,has had a more powerful engine option then the explorer ever had,wasnt rated for more then 6500 lbs in 4wd configuration. if you have a link to that info, id like to see it, cause my bro-in-law wants to tow a car-hauler and i think that it would overload his explorer.thxs

 

[clkelley]

According to the 2002 Trailer Life Tow Guide, a 4.6 V8 Full Size Explorer has a 7300 lb Towing Capacity when equipped with a Class III hitch.

Here is the link to various years Trailer Life Tow Guides.

http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=42175

 

[des1954]

This is directly from my 1997 Ford Explorer's Owner's Manual:

I have a 4 door, RWD, 5.0L V-8, Auto Tranny:

Trailer Weight Range Kg(Lb) 0-Maximum: 0-6,400

So, my 1997 Explorer can safely tow 6,400 lbs.

I know it easily tows an aluminum trailer w/gate & 4 seater Gem Car.

The owner's manual also has a section on the proper loading of the trailer.

So....this'll give you an idea.

 

[Doggmeat]

cool thxs guys, ill pass it on to my bro-in-law. (now i just worry he'll ask to borrow my ultra-lite---over my deadbody)

 

[Brer Bear]

I'll guess my weight to be 110 lbs.

Do you have a weight distribution hitch?


Sounds like the weight police are foiled again. It would have been amazing to see the feeding frenzy on RV.net if this post was there. Lots of good info and people there, but the weight police are always lurking!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

BACON IS MEAT CANDY????? OMG...thats BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!

 

[2goofycampers]

Do you have a weight distribution hitch?

Yes I do, it's called gravity.

 

[LarryJ]

This is directly from my 1997 Ford Explorer's Owner's Manual:

I have a 4 door, RWD, 5.0L V-8, Auto Tranny:

Trailer Weight Range Kg(Lb) 0-Maximum: 0-6,400

So, my 1997 Explorer can safely tow 6,400 lbs.

I know it easily tows an aluminum trailer w/gate & 4 seater Gem Car.

The owner's manual also has a section on the proper loading of the trailer.

So....this'll give you an idea.

Just realize that tow rating is for a base vehicle, no options and like 150lb driver and like 6 gal of gas. Anything over that reduces that tow rating lb for lb.

Personally I would even be worried towing one of the U-haul 6x12 low profile cargo trailers that have a total wt. of around 3,500lbs.

IMHO the Ford Explorer is just not a good TV.

Larry

 

[clkelley]

Just realize that tow rating is for a base vehicle, no options and like 150lb driver and like 6 gal of gas. Anything over that reduces that tow rating lb for lb.

Personally I would even be worried towing one of the U-haul 6x12 low profile cargo trailers that have a total wt. of around 3,500lbs.

IMHO the Ford Explorer is just not a good TV.

Larry

Explorer owners can't rent UHauls, so that is a moot point, however I am extremely confident in my Explorer Sport Trac's 4.0 V6 ability to to my 2000 lb T@B. My new Sport Trac with the 4.8 V8 and Class III/IV tow package will tow it even better!!

 

[seabee]

Kagoguen-Welcome fellow Mainer! Anyway, I think you are just fine to tow. You are in your weight, and especially since you are only 26ft. when towing I think you would be fine. Have a great trip! The ride down is great!

 

[des1954]

IMHO the Ford Explorer is just not a good TV.

OMG!!! NOW you tell me this after I've towed all kinds of stuff with my '97 Explorer for going on 13 years!!! (I won't tell my girl you just blaphemed her - )

While I've never pulled a TT with my Explorer, I made 2 trips from my former home in Bradenton,Fl to Davenport, Fl with a fully loaded 6x12 cargo trailer we rented from U-Haul. Admittedly, I couldn't tell you how much weight we hauled...but I'm sure we were pushing the limits of the truck - which performed admirably.

 

[des1954]

Explorer owners can't rent UHauls

HUH??? U-Haul gladly rented me a cargo trailer twice in 2002. Both times we dropped the trailer off at a U-Haul place near our destination for an additional fee. The fee was less than what I would have used in gas taking it back to where we originally rented it from.

 

[clkelley]

HUH??? U-Haul gladly rented me a cargo trailer twice in 2002. Both times we dropped the trailer off at a U-Haul place near our destination for an additional fee. The fee was less than what I would have used in gas taking it back to where we originally rented it from.

Well, since the problem with the Firestone tires and the rollovers, U-Haul has discontinued renting anything towable to folks with Explorers (including Sport Tracs).

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

HUH??? U-Haul gladly rented me a cargo trailer twice in 2002. Both times we dropped the trailer off at a U-Haul place near our destination for an additional fee. The fee was less than what I would have used in gas taking it back to where we originally rented it from.

Around here, U-haul would rent you plutonium if you had enough money, they arent exactly organizing Mensa meetings there.

The short wheelbase and the narrow track width make the truck less desirable for towing. This is not to say that it wont. IMHO a 20-22ft trailer is doable but you would need a good weight distributing hitch, an active sway control (not a friction style) such as the equalizer or the Reese dual cam and a well balanced trailer that has been carefully weighed.

 

[big kahuna1]

My personal opinion is that NO ONE should TOW anything from a POP-UP ON UP with anything less than a 1 TON DUALLY DIESEL POWERED TRUCK!

 

[BRDof3]

My personal opinion is that NO ONE should TOW anything from a POP-UP ON UP with anything less than a 1 TON DUALLY DIESEL POWERED TRUCK!

Now THAT'S what I call making an adequate buffer zone. As soon as someone drops a 1 ton Surburban in my lap I'll be right on that part of it. Gotta have more person room than a p/u.

 

[Live4FW]

Now THAT'S what I call making an adequate buffer zone. As soon as someone drops a 1 ton Surburban in my lap I'll be right on that part of it. Gotta have more person room than a p/u.

Better be careful or the weight police are going to be after you sirens blazing.

Once you put someone other than the driver in the Sub you most certainly will have infringed on your safety margin

 

[BRDof3]

Better be careful or the weight police are going to be after you sirens blazing.

Once you put someone other than the driver in the Sub you most certainly will have infringed on your safety margin

Bring 'em on! May I'll just use the 4 cyl baby SUV.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Now THAT'S what I call making an adequate buffer zone. As soon as someone drops a 1 ton Surburban in my lap I'll be right on that part of it. Gotta have more person room than a p/u.

No 1 Ton Sub available in 2009, biggest they make is a 2500 (3/4 ton) with the 6.0 gasser/6 speed auto.