Trailer towing
Question:
Anybody tow a travel trailer with an Explorer? I want to haul a 3000 lb 16 foot trailer and am considering a purchasing a 1998 Explorer with the 5.0 L or 4.6 L (whichever is maximum available) V8 engine and 4 speed automatic. I currently tow with a 1980 Jeep Wagoneer with 360 V8 (5.9 L). I know that my trailer is well within published towing limits for the Explorer, but I am especially interested in speeds attainable on mountain passes and in long term durability. I would buy the Explorer with the heavy duty towing package (hitch receiver, extra AT cooling, wiring harness, optional axle ratio, etc). Comparisons with other SUV’s would also be welcome (Jeep GC, Chevy Blazer, Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon, Dodge Durango, etc). Dick Ballard Beaverton OR (near Portland)
Response:
Hey Dick, I own a 96 Explorer XLT V6 which I use to tow a Coleman Sunridge. The Sunridge is close to 3000 # fully loaded. I have never to this day had any problems. I live in the mountains of NC. Of course I feel it back there when I start uphill, but it dont have any problems towing it at all.But if you expect to maintain the same speed as you do on flat terrain, dont buy it. I use the tow package with a 3.73 rear axle / weight distr. hitch / bilsteins all around. Another thing is that the Explorer is not a full size truck, and so the wheel base is narrower. If you dont have a good hitch system, and with good I mean weight distr. hitch, you WILLLL run into lateral stability problems, "sway", when you drive in crosswind, when you pass heavy trucks etc. Now this is just my HO, ok, but based on experience. Power wise its capable, stability wise its capable, depending on the hitch system you choose. — Tor Langvand – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Anybody tow a travel trailer with an Explorer? I want to haul a 3000 >lb 16 foot trailer and am considering a purchasing a 1998 Explorer >with the 5.0 L or 4.6 L (whichever is maximum available) V8 engine and >4 speed automatic. >I currently tow with a 1980 Jeep Wagoneer with 360 V8 (5.9 L). I know >that my trailer is well within published towing limits for the >Explorer, but I am especially interested in speeds attainable on >mountain passes and in long term durability. I would buy the Explorer >with the heavy duty towing package (hitch receiver, extra AT cooling, >wiring harness, optional axle ratio, etc). >Comparisons with other SUV’s would also be welcome (Jeep GC, Chevy >Blazer, Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon, Dodge Durango, etc). >Dick Ballard >Beaverton OR (near Portland)
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Response:
I have a 96 explorer with the v-8 and tow a 24 foot 4500# trailer. I live in Pittsburgh and have towed throughout pa, wv, va, and the outer banks of nc. Before the explorer, i had a trooper with a 6, and the difference is enormous. With the v8 i can pass going up hills on interstates as well as just maintaining my speed. Regardless of which engine, you will need a weight distribution hitch and a SWAY bar for crosswinds and semis passing you at 70 mph on the interstates. Good luck and happy trailering! bill hadley
Response:
We own a 97, sohc v6 and although its not that bad for power and economy i wouldn’t bother trying to tow our boat which weighs in at 4000lbs, maybe our snowmobile trailer at 1500lbs but that’s about it. It’s my moms suburban kid moving machine and is nice to drive. However, I feel the same way you do, as for the guy who tows the 4500, sure you can do it with the explorer, but in my mind its pushing it. Perhaps I’m into overkill because my main towing vehicle is either a 95 powerstroke 250, or an 81 F350 with low gears and a 4 speed. For our lighter towing, the boat at about 4000, the 96 four door Tahoe is just great, enough interior room, and a bit more mass for stopping and the like. Personally I think the older 350 with TBI has a better torque curve than the 302, pre vortech. Now the Vortech, which we have in a 96 really has the gusto with 3.73 rears. I don’t know what you are looking for as the tahoe is much bigger than the explorer and on a truck chassis, but my dad had no problem choosing it over the explorer for his winter vehicle and in 96 the expedition was still a year away. I have noted that people discuss explorers with 4.10 rears, I’d like these if I wanted to tow. Also the 302 is the only V8 option this year, the 4.6 should come after the redesign, its too wide for the present rendition with its overhead cams. The 302 hasn’t changed in a long time and although a good motor, we have had many, the 4.6 is more economical, more powerful and a lot smoother. Just an idea. JT : Anybody tow a travel trailer with an Explorer? I want to haul a 3000 : lb 16 foot trailer and am considering a purchasing a 1998 Explorer : with the 5.0 L or 4.6 L (whichever is maximum available) V8 engine and : 4 speed automatic. : I currently tow with a 1980 Jeep Wagoneer with 360 V8 (5.9 L). I know : that my trailer is well within published towing limits for the : Explorer, but I am especially interested in speeds attainable on : mountain passes and in long term durability. I would buy the Explorer : with the heavy duty towing package (hitch receiver, extra AT cooling, : wiring harness, optional axle ratio, etc). : Comparisons with other SUV’s would also be welcome (Jeep GC, Chevy : Blazer, Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon, Dodge Durango, etc). : Dick Ballard : Beaverton OR (near Portland)
Response:
Does anyone know the towing rates for the bumper hitch on ‘93 4wd 6?
Response:
>Does anyone know the towing rates for the bumper hitch >on ‘93 4wd 6?
Many of them have the capacity stamped into the mounting plate that the ball goes into. It’s usually between 2500 and 3500 pounds. — Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts: "What, sir, is the use of militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty. . . Whenever Government means to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise a standing army upon its ruins." – Debate, U.S. House of Representatives, August 17, 1789
